Leaning forward, Juliet looks into Zellara's eyes for a long moment, her stare intense and probing. "However, I confess there's one thing you've said I just can't bring myself to believe. No one, and I mean no one expects the Chelish Inquisition."
Zellara mildly raises an eyebrow. "Well, their chief weapon is said to be surprise - which, if you're a Varisian Harrower, is less of a weapon, dear, as you can imagine."
"Well, that certainly explains the cards," Vaen remarks. "I have heard of Harrowers. And I will admit your skill with the cards certainly is more than just a little intriguing."
He smiles then, taking out his card, the one with the Juggler pictured on it, and putting it on the table. "Perhaps one day you could give me a proper reading? I am curious to see how that would go."
Lorick crosses his arms and leans back. I'll go along with this while the city is in shambles. I got people to worry about and if I think this puts them in danger then I'll be taking my leave. What do you know of the Princess anyhow?
Lorick raises his eyebrows So what is your story with the princess. Why help her hold the crown?
The Varisian fortune-teller purses her lips, clearly trying not to smile at Lorick's question. "Ah, youth. It makes so many assumptions."
"Perhaps one day you could give me a proper reading? I am curious to see how that would go."
Another smile; "Perhaps I could, one day... but that will not be today."
I'll go along with this while the city is in shambles. I got people to worry about and if I think this puts them in danger then I'll be taking my leave. What do you know of the Princess anyhow?
"The city will be a shambles for quite some time; but that requires no art to know, merely observation. As for the queen... No. What you do not know, for now, will not harm you. Treat her as the lawful ruler of this city - which she truly is - and all will be well."
She again fidgets with her red checkered headscarf; it is clear that time is passing and she is impatient for you to be gone. How you take that hint is entirely up to you, of course.
Juliet shrugs and picks the brooch up, flipping it back to Lorick for safekeeping. "Yep. Readings can wait. We've got a reward to collect."
Standing, Juliet gives the Moth a quick bow and turns to leave, before pausing and grabbing one more biscuit for the road. Flipping her hood up, she ducks outside, and once her eyes have acclimated to the sun, Juliet scans the area, mostly keeping herself active while the others finish giving the chinney to the Moth, but also looking to see if there's anything that looks amiss, people with too much interest in the Moth's shop, things like that.
---------------------
Once the others come out, Juliet nods. "Anyone know anyone in the guard, we can ask about this reward, see if it is on the level?" If not, I can ask around, some of my father's friends would probably know..."
"I know...someone, but they're not exactly keen to help. If the diviner was speaking the truth, though, wouldn't something like this be publicly posted?"
Pocketing the brooch Lorick moves out with the rest. I know someone. But they're probably a bit busy at the moment. He pauses. I didn't like that in there. No real answers
Gehenna exits with the rest, the gourmand skittering along somewhere unseen at her feet.
"She probably doesn't have any real answers. At least not any that we would be fully satisfied with. That sort of divining is safer than devil charming, but not nearly as... precise."
Gehenna shivers slightly, although she is not cold.
"It is a large risk. If Lamm finds out about any of this... well, we best hope the Queen is truly grateful for the return of the brooch."
If this fails then what? she wonders. Seek refuge in the Acadamae? Would that be better than being lunch for Lamm's pet?
Juliet slaps her forehead and groans. "So, I, uh was at this party the other night, and well, it was a stressful evening. But, come to think of it, there was a high society type there talking about a lost piece of jewelry, registered with the Guard. Over 1000 sails for its return. It can't be a coincidence. I say we march on up to the castle, hail the first guard we see outside the gates. I'll be happy to do the talking. I haven't gotten my head cut off yet..."
Although the news of a reward, and quite a sizeable one at that, is not something he has heard of, Vaen has no reason to doubt the woman's information.
"Well," the half-elf concurs, "it is certainly one more reason to return the brooch then. Not only the promise of finally being free of Lamm, but also quite a bit of coin. It is enough to tempt a man, or at the very least it certainly is enough to tempt this man."
He smiles and turns to Juliet. "By all means then, you find me in agreement. And you are certainly more than welcome to do the talking, as you say. You seem eloquent enough, after all."
Not my part of town. But really would they just let us walk in while the Queen is being targeted by every two bit assassin?
Well, realistically we'll probably never meet the queen, but some third-tier flunky that will take the brooch and give us the reward. And if by some reason we do meet her, I'm sure she'll be surrounded by enough guardsmen to crush us like garden beetles." Juliet grins. "Feel better?"
Alright. Lead the way to the castle Princess. Let's see how your devil charming goes second time around.
Juliet laughs, more a nervous laugh than one filled with any real mirth. "Hopefully better than last time. It could go worse, but not much worse!"
"And, Vaen, thank you for the compliment. I'm sure it will go better this time around. Ahem. Probably." That said, Juliet turns and looks to the castle. It is easy enough to find it, as it towers over everything else in town. Throwing her hood over her head, the singer starts walking.
The initial civil unrest and outbreak of rioting was quelled swiftly, thanks to quick action by the Korvosan Guard, the Sable Company and the Hellknights of the Order of the Nail. Consequently, your journey to Castle Korvosa is uneventful; although a thick tension remains in the air and a pall of smoke hangs heavily, reminding everyone of the horrors of the previous night.
Castle Korvosa's long shadow looms over the city, a terrifying testament to the power of whatever mighty overlord ruled this land thousands of years ago. A magnificent achievement of architecture, the castle walls and spires rise high into the sky above. The entire structure is itself built on an even more ancient foundation: a Thassilonian ruin in the shape of an immense, flat-topped pyramid. As a result, Castle Korvosa is one of the most recognisable landmarks in all of Varisia, despite the fact that one corner has fallen into ruin.
As you approach along Field Marshall Avenue, approaching South Gate Street, you can see that the gate is locked shut and that the walls bristle with pikes and crossbows. You are intercepted by a detachment of guards long before you reach the gate; they demand to know your business and converse among themselves at Juliet's reply. One of the more senior guards, a hard-bitten veteran with a shaved head and a chunk missing from the tip of his nose, nods at you and indicates that you are to follow him. He leads you up the stairs to the main courtyard, where you are met by a group of obviously nervous guardsmen armed with heavy crossbows and swords. Their leader - a wet behind the ears lieutenant with close-cropped ginger hair and the beginnings of a fiery orange mustache - swallows before he speaks to you. "W- welcome to Castle Korvosa. Before you go any further, please will you remove your weapons and leave them at this post here. They will be returned to you when you leave."
He waits for you to comply.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lorick grins. A slow, wide, smile that probably doesn't help the ginger headed man's nerves any before dropping his flask of acid and the potion of bull's strength onto the indicated part of the post. Unless you want to cut my arms and legs off.. that's all I got
Juliet shrugs and unbuckles her belt, leaving it, the scabbard attached to it, and Spite by the post. Then the singer bends down and reaches into her boot, withdrawing the dagger she keeps there, and whips it at the post, where it lodges, point sunk deep, at a perfect ninety degree angle.
"Why so nervous, ginger? You're probably in the safest spot in the whole city, chinney?"
Evelyn hands off her longsword without a fuss. It hardly made her any less dangerous, though she wasn't exactly going to brag about it with all these guards around.
"So you're a bonafide thug now, huh?" she says under her breath at Juliet's antics. She had nothing to say of Lorick, on the other hand. His skin was probably as thick as head and no fun was to be had poking fun at him.
"Well, if you insist," Vaen says with an amused look as he unslings his curved sword, scabbard and all, from across his back and hands it over to the lieutenant with a smile. Then, his smile wides as he extends both arms in front of him, almost like a magician would do when showing to his audience that his hands are empty.
"Nothing up my sleeves? Not quite, no," he quips as he flicks both wrists, the act making two identical daggers appear in his palms. Grasping them, he reverses the grip, presenting them hilt first to the officer. Then, turing to his companions, he adds with a wink, "Do you think I might have a chance in show business?"
Juliet sighs, and is about to say something snarky and under her breath, about unified fronts and keeping heads, when Vaen flourishes his daggers. "Haha, exact - ai face bine într-o trupă Moth călătorie, Vaen. Cel puțin cineva aici înțelege nevoile pentru showmanship!"
Gehenna shakes her head timidly, uncomfortable being under the scrutiny of members of the Crown guard. She has no weapons to surrender and shows the guards as much. At her feet, the gourmand scampers close.
"It isn't... dangerous," she says, understanding how ridiculous the assurance must sound.
The gourmand's blank stare belied untold stores arcane knowledge, but there was no denying that the crab was simply, a crab.
"At ease, Lieutenant. These adventurers pose no threat to the Queen."
It's a woman's voice, from behind you. Her voice is low and musical, heavy with ... promise A tall, willowly young woman with straight black hair that's almost sculpted into place looks at you, regarding each of you in turn from her heavy, lidded eyes that are ringed with the faintest dust of blue eyeshadow. Her plate armour is magnificently crafted and looks almost like gossamer on her lithe frame. Her gaze flicks over you all, assessing your abilities.
With that done, she speaks. "Greetings. I'm Sabina Merrin, the Queen's handmaiden. They tell me you have something for her. Is this correct?"
Feeling outmatched Lorick takes out the brooch and holds it out for Sabina's inspection and says simply
This little thing. For the Princess.. ahh. the Queen
Juliet raises an eyebrow. Interesting. Perhaps I can use this. Sliding out of her cloak, she hands it to the nearest guard. Taking a deep breath, Juliet realizes that she's still wearing her clothes from the night before. It would have to do.
Grabbing the brooch from Lorick, Juliet steps forward and kneels, holding the brooch up, and positioning herself in a way to give the handmaiden the best view of her figure - from her neckline on down. Smiling, Juliet opens her gambit with flattery.
"Ms. Merrin. It is a true honor for one such as me - a student of swordplay - to meet someone of your reputation. Please forgive the ragged appearance and uncouth manners of myself and my friends. With the... unpleasantness gripping the city, I'm afraid none of us have been home since yesterday. When we found the brooch, it quickly became apparent who's it was, and of course we knew that we should get it to the queen's people as soon as possible, regardless of our appearance."
"Of course, the return of the brooch was advertised as 'no questions asked,' and we'd appreciate a certain amount of discretion. But, I imagine that if you are interested in finding out what happened to one of the Queen's favorite accessories, a good place to start looking for answers would be at Eel's End."
Clearing her suddenly dry throat, Juliet presses on. Time to see this through.
"I'm sure that he's way below your notice, but there is a man at Eel's End that runs the vice trade there - and beyond. His name is Gaedren Lamm, but he also goes by the name 'King of Spiders,' which I've always found to be an affront. We all know that there is only one real royal in this city."
"There is little of an illicit nature in this town that escapes Lamm's notice. Indeed, he knows most every fence and second story man from here to Kaer Magna. If anyone knows who took your brooch, I'm sure it is him. Of course, being who he is, Lamm despises authority. I'd lean on him - hard. Imprison him, coerce the information from him, shutter his business. That is where I would start if I had the power to do so. But I don't, alas. And so I'll never know who took the Queen's brooch."
"Please give our regards to her Highness, and know that it gives me great joy to reunite her with a favored jewel."
It wasn't exactly the truth, but she didn't lie either. Juliet looked to the handmaiden and smiled, her heart beating away in her chest like the flapping wings of a panicked, caged bird.
Feeling outmatched Lorick takes out the brooch and holds it out for Sabina's inspection and says simply
This little thing. For the Princess.. ahh. the Queen
Sabina Merrin nods at Lorick. "As I thought. The Queen would like to thank you all in person for your services. Follow me."
She looks down at Juliet as she kneels, with perhaps just the faintest suggestion of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Chatty, aren't you? But it's Her Majesty you need to kneel down to." The professionally severe look returns to her Chelish features, apart from the slight twinkling of her eyes, which is there and gone, momentarily. It is at odds with her tone of voice. "Do get up, girl. It isn't sensible to keep Her Majesty waiting - or me, for that matter."
Without waiting to see whether you comply, she turns elegantly on one heel and strides off, her sculpted armour making almost no sound at all as she moves.
Wrong devil Lorick mutters looking more and more uncomfortable as they follow Sabina deeper into the lavish palace.
Evelyn is clearly in her element and she walks with barely contained excitement. This was the life of a blue blood; posh and comfy.
This is what she wanted.
"Strike two Julie, though you've got quite the talent for monologuing. I'll give you that."
"Cheer up Lorick, enjoy the scenery. It's not often you'll get an opportunity like this."
Gehenna fidgets uncomfortably, somewhat devastated that she must appear before the Queen looking... well as she typically did. It was strange to her the power that the implication of royalty had, but nevertheless she could not doubt that such power was real.
Despite the weight of these concerns, Gehenna discards them as she enters the palace. She realizes that there is nothing for it now, but to come as she is.
Sabina Merrin leads you up several flights of stairs and through a maze of corridors, before stopping outside what can only be the throne room. Another pair of heavily armoured guards stands on duty, but at Sabina's muttered "Stand down. These heroes are no threat to the Queen" they take no action, although they look at you curiously.
After briefly asking how you want to be introduced, she tells you "Wait here." and disappears inside for no more than five minutes. When she returns, she opens the door formally and announces "Behold Her Majesty Queen Ileosa I of Korvosa! Your Majesty, I present the heroes of whom I spoke!" She then introduces you by the names you gave her.
Her Majesty Queen Ileosa I of Korvosa sits before the Crimson Throne, which is a vision of dark mahogany and - well - crimson leather and silk. A low bench has been set before it and it is on this that the Queen sits. Dressed in deepest black, her almost ethereally pale Chelish features are veiled behind a swathe of black silk. Despite the drawn lines on her face that indicate sleeplessness and (possibly) grief, her luminous good looks shine and it is quite clear how the late King Eodred came to choose her as his wife. Her pale golden hair (with just a tint of red) is tied in a loose mourning-braid.
A small silver coffer sits in her lap. Even from this distance you can tell it is a work of craftsmanship.
Other than that, the throne room is pristine but strangely empty: an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne’s base. Sabina Merrin gently takes the brooch from Juliet's hands, and hands it over to her Queen with a flourish, before taking up a position at the throne’s left side as Queen Ileosa addresses you in a quiet voice.
"This brooch was stolen from me some time ago — I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope."
She pauses, gathering herself to speak again. “I love Korvosa. My husband's death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens — these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more."
She looks at you closely from behind her veil. “If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here — they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way — the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters — my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the Crown are only just beginning."
Sabina Merrin coughs, quietly, and the Queen evidently remembers something. "One more thing. My late husband - if he had a fault - was often prepared to let undesirable elements flourish in his city as long as they paid their taxes. I understand from Sabina here that you are beholden to one such. Rest assured, as Queen I intend to remedy my dear husband's omission. And now, I really must depart. Please excuse me."
With a gesture, the Queen directs Sabina Merrin to hand over the reward for returning the brooch — the bodyguard swiftly does so, handing the small silver chest (itself worth 50 gp) to you. Inside the red-velvet-lined interior rest 12 gold ingots imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa — each bar is worth 100 gp.
With a whirl of the hem of her mourning dress, Queen Ileosa is gone from sight. Sabina escorts you back out of Castle Korvosa. "As Her Majesty indicated, an escort is available to take you from here. But now I must bid you farewell." Her gaze lingers on you all for a moment before she, too, takes her leave.
Lorick gets more and more nervous.. agitated even as they stand in front of the throne. This wasn't his place. He wasn't supposed to be in a castle. He was supposed to be sitting in his tiny room that stank of fish waiting for Lamm's next assignment, or maybe stealing some time with Sia... O gods Sia! and Miyoto!
Lorick keeps silent as the Queen addresses him not feeling like it was his place to address the ruler of Korvosa. But to Sabina and the group he says gruffly.
No. Not interested in your offer. I'm sure you lot could get me out off Lamm's grip in Volshyenek but I got others he'll be sure to make suffer if I'm not back where I should be. I'll take my part of the reward and head back.
He nods to the others.
Been good. Don't worry about Lamm. I'll just say we got separated in the chaos and don't know what happened to the rest of ya and that'll be that.
Sabina Merrin looks at Lorick, her severe Chelish features impassive and unreadable. "From what I understand of such types, he requires order to do his business. Working against the threat of anarchy would likely suit him well. But please yourself - there are few who turn down the Queen's favour! That makes you rare, if unwise. But do as you please."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Juliet follows behind the guards, her mind flitting about from thought to thought, disorganzied, discombobulated.
The queen? We're going to meet the queen? Do I pitch the queen too? No. Best to go through her people than step over them. Hopefully enough of an impression was made on Sabrina. Nice digs, this. How much wealth has the crown kept for itself over the generations, I wonder-
Snapped out of her thoughts by the kid's snark, Juliet snorts. "Planting seeds, kid. You've got to grow the vine before you can pluck the tomato."
-----------
Kneeling at the first sight of the queen, Juliet shoots a pointed look to her comrades. Kneel. Gods, Ileosa is beautiful. Easy to see why Merrin has taken a liking to her.
She listens to the queen's speech, mumbling Yes, your Grace in the appropriate places and then rising, bows deep as she thinks the meeting is coming to an end. Then, the queen says the bit about taking care of Lamm - and Juliet fights the urge to leap and whoop, barely able to contain herself.
She can't help but shoot the kid a big grin and raised eyebrow, however. HA!
------------
As they leave the castle, Juliet's good mood takes a dive as Lorick gets cold feet. Grabbing the man's arm to stay him, the singer turns to Sabina. "Ms. Merrin, I know your time is precious. Please give us just a few minutes to confer."
Taking Lorick aside, Juliet can barely contain the disappointment in her voice. "Lorick! The way out of your cage is through the crown! You have people you're worried about? You always will as long as you're under Lamm's thumb."
"We help the crown out, use that influence, and that money, to get our people free. You'll not have a better opportunity, and eventually, Lamm will hurt those you care about, because that is the only other ending. It is what he does."
"I'm taking the crown's deal. I hope - for your sake, and those you love - you will too."
Juliet pauses, waiting for Lorick to respond, when another thought occurs to her.
"And, if it comes down to it - we can always say we're forming an in with the crown - for his benifit. It's very similar to why I'm in his clutches - he wants influence over those with power. Real power, in places he can't get to."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
She can't help but shoot the kid a big grin and raised eyebrow, however. HA!
Perhaps, in other circumstances, Evelyn would have given some guff right back. But in the presence of the queen...well, it would have been a poor decision to say the least. She's as pleased as a pussycat, really, and she lets it show on her face.
------
Afterwards, she muses to herself: "The Guard, hmmm? That's quite a stroke of poetic irony, I think. I wonder if they'll give us a badge? I know someone who'd get a real kick out of that."
Her smile turns to a frown, however, at Loricks words. "Come now, Lorick, isn't a little late for cold feet? We've been given a very generous opportunity today. Of course, if you like being his little lamb..." her voice trails off suggestively.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"As Juliet says, Lamm loves influence," Vaenathis adds, agreeing with the swordswoman. "We can use this whole thing to throw him off the scent, so to speak. Not forever, not even for long perhaps, but for long enough. The Queen makes for a powerful ally, much more powerful than the so-called King of Spiders." He shakes his head then. "And he can hardly be called such a thing really, ally or King."
The half-elf sighs softly. "Gaedren has a hold over all of us. And that is probably why the Harrower chose us. Because we are not his hounds out of choice, but out of necessity. And the people he holds over us? He will always do so, not only because we are useful to him, but also simply because he can."
"No longer," he adds in the end, his usually relaxed tone turning more than a little cold.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lorick stands still as the sense behind his decision is undercut by his new allies. It wasn't how he had been used but Lorick wasn't blind to how many posh addicts and gamblers Lamm liked to surround himself with at Eel's End. The crime lord liked power and pulling threads in the world of the upper crust was far more to his liking than sending thugs like him to keep the boot to the throat of the poor people of the old, poor, part of the city.
The light goes on in Lorick's head that he doesn't need to jump at Lamm's commands so much as keep the spider king happy. And nothing would make crime lord happier than to have his cowed attack dogs acting as agents of the new Queen of the city.
He nods slowly. It's probably going to be hard as hell to get back to the slums anyways
Ignoring Sabina for the moment he turns and looks Gehenna, Eveleyn, Vaenathis, and Juliet in the eye.
I'll go along with this. But only because I know you four hate Lamm as much as I do. We'll do what the Queen needs, we'll pretend to still be under Lamm's sway to keep our people safe. But as soon as we can I want to get my folks out and then erase that ****stain out of existence. Even if takes burning Eel's End down and smashing the remaining bits of it into the harbor. Hell maybe especially if that's what it takes.
He turns back to Sabina. Well looks like Her Majesty's got a new gang of.. what'd you call us.. Adventurers? Heroes? Lorick gives the handmaiden a lopsided smile. Those were better things to be called than dogs that was certain.
As they leave the castle, Juliet's good mood takes a dive as Lorick gets cold feet. Grabbing the man's arm to stay him, the singer turns to Sabina. "Ms. Merrin, I know your time is precious. Please give us just a few minutes to confer."
Sabina Merrin's eyes fix on Juliet for a moment, inscrutable behind the blue eyeshadow and perfect bangs of black hair; something - amusement? - flashes briefly in her face and is gone. "Very well. A moment." Her voice is something like frozen honey - there's the merest hint of a suspicion of the promise of melting, but it's locked up behind sculpted plate metal, just as she is.
He turns back to Sabina. Well looks like Her Majesty's got a new gang of.. what'd you call us.. Adventurers? Heroes? Lorick gives the handmaiden a lopsided smile.
A small smile flickers in return, briefly, before vanishing behind her usual severe expression. "Only heroes get to see Her Majesty in such times. Therefore..." She makes a small moue of amusement. "That will be the official version, you may be sure of it. Now, on your way, if you've made up your mind."
Juliet smiles, her first real, warm, honest-to-goodness smile in two days.
"Sounds good to me, Lorick. Lamm's name is already in Pharasma's Book, as far as I'm concerned."
The singer practically levitates to the Citadel, she's walking on so much air...
The Queen had not been as Gehenna had expected. Oh yes, every bit as beautiful, regal, and unapproachable as she believed to be befitting of royalty, but not nearly so cold as she would have thought. Gehenna had always thought that it was power itself which precipitated the chilling of the human soul she had observed in so many powerful people, but perhaps not.
Whatever the case may be, the situation was truly unbelievable. Servants of the Crown? That was probably the best outcome that she could have hoped for, and yet...
It was shameful to think of, but Gehenna would not deny to herself that a part of her had felt a sense of relief and solidarity when Lorick had turned down the royal offer. After all, what were they thinking?! Free of Lamm? Of the Spider? Madness was the only word for such a thought! For a few minutes, she had felt a sickening momentum of purpose building within her, pushing her towards a reversion back to the norm. A hopeless and self-destructive impulse to preserve everything as it had been before. A miserable, futile, and comfortably static existence.
Her companions words, although directed toward Lorick, had shamed her. Young Evelyn, who had an understanding with death she could never comprehend, had the right of it.
It is too late for cold feet now, old girl she thinks, finally steeling her furtive, but slowly strengthening will.
"Indeed, Lorick," she says; finally joining the dialogue. "But for a moment there I think I may have been against it as well. Although I do not have quite the same concerns as yourself, since I am the most truly hopeless person I know, your... eloquence was quite convincing. Especially with the, uh... smashing and burning bits."
Gehenna clears her throat anxiously.
"Ah, though...," a defeated look crosses her face. "Heroes? Oh my..."
With the escort of guards, you have no difficulty in making your way away from the Castle, down Field Marshal Avenue and through Eodred's Walk towards Citadel Volshyenek. Located in Midland, the Citadel overlooks Jeggare Harbor, where it serves as the base of operations for the Korvosan Guard. The Citadel is clearly operating on a skeleton crew at the moment, as almost all available guards are hard at work in the city, desperately trying to keep order.
Two nervous guards stand at the entrance to the Yard, but as the Queen promised, you are expected. They quickly wave you through, and one guard escorts you into the central keep, where a harried and tired-looking woman rises from her desk to greet you — she is announced as Field Marshal Cressida Kroft, Commander of the Korvosan Guard, and one of the most powerful people in the city. An attractive, dark-haired human woman dressed in red armor, it looks as though she hasn’t slept since the death of the King yesterday, yet she bears her exhaustion well. She sighs deeply as she speaks to you.
“Ah yes — you are the ones sent by Queen Ileosa. Greetings — my name is Cressida, and heroes of your caliber are exactly what Korvosa needs now. You’ve been on the streets. You know how bad things are out there. What you likely can't see is how bad things are going to get. This is very much the calm before the storm starts again. Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps. If you’re willing, I’d very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard. I don’t need to say, of course, that you’ll be well compensated for these services.”
Lorick can't help but snort a bit when Cressida refers to them as 'upstanding' citizens. Still he nods to her.
Pay's grand but it's rough out there. What kind of work you expect us to do?
Juliet smiles vacantly, still way too pleased with herself to focus on the task at hand. "Hmm, well-compensated sounds great!"
"My my my," Vaen remarks in jest, "not only heroes, but upstanding as well." He sighs softly, his smile still there. "There really is no reason to compliment us that much, Commander. You do not buy into our... heroic status any more than we do, not entirely anyway. And why would you? It is not like you know us, after all."
He shrugs, his tone retaining its friendly tone. "But it is not that status that you need from us, but our skills. And the fact that we are here? Trust me, it is evidence enough that we do intend to lend you a hand, to help out."
"Not that compensation is a bad thing, of course." His smile widens, and the friendliness is mixed with more than a hint of mischief.
"Though, a title would be nice." Evelyn adds.
Field Marshal Croft frowns thoughtfully. "Do you know what actually happened yesterday? Of course you don't, you were fixated on the riots, the cosmetics. What really happened is that all of the longshoremen, the dockers, the drovers - the men who keep Korvosa running - stopped." She looks grim. "Not a single ship unloaded its cargo yesterday or this morning. Not a single wagon made it into the city's warehouses. People generally keep a day of food in their house. Tomorrow morning, they're going to go to the market - and there won't be anything. Or nothing like enough."
"On top of that, the Guard were attacked last night. We're here to keep the peace - and the citizens saw us as the enemy. I lost several captains, and a number of my troops haven't reported in. Maybe they're dead, most likely they deserted. Normally I'd have no use for such cowards, but in these circumstances I need them back."
She grimaces. "So don't worry, there'll be plenty for you to do. But for now, go. The city is reasonably safe. Take advantage of that, do what you need to and come back here for duties tomorrow first thing. And pray to whatever gods you believe in that the city will survive this."
With a nod, you are dismissed, finding yourself out in the fresh Spring air.
Juliet raises and eyebrow, skeptical. "All the dockworkers just, what exactly? Didn't show up for work? Before or after the riots started?"
Unionizing? That's... ballsy.
---------------------
As she gets ready to leave, Juliet turns to her new companions. "I'd suggest no one go visit Lamm. He can turn over rocks to find us as far as I'm concerned."
---------------------
Freedom! Freedom from Lamm (if only temporary), freedom from her new job of sorts, as a deputy or something (crazy!), freedom from any obligations, until tonight, at any rate. Juliet would need to check into the opera house, see if the show was going to go on. And if she still had a job.
Back at her flat, having picked up some smoked eel on the way home, Juliet flops onto her bed. Munching on the eel, she considers just sleeping until she wakes, but Juliet fears she'd sleep through tonight's show. If there's a show tonight.
Plus, tired as she is, Juliet's mind is turning. The chance that there is real political unrest - not just rioting and poor folk knifing each other for scraps, but real, well, action - the idea was both scary and titillating. Picking up The Duty of the Citizen, Juliet absentmindedly chews on some more eel and spends an hour or so reading Worthington's great work.
But seriously, the book was ssssooooooooooooooo dry. Nodding off, Juliet makes herself get up. She draws Spite and practices some maneuvers, but after a few minutes Juliet realizes she's got an itch that bladework can't scratch.
Changing into tight black leather pants and a lacy white shirt, topped off with a Varisian-patterned scarf, Juliet grabs her blade and her dagger and her azure traveling cloak. Pausing for a second, Juliet then puts Worthington's book into a satchel, and the singer leaves her flat for what she hopes is the evening.
-----------------
It was easy enough to find the ambassador's son's apartment. Juliet knew basically where it was, and then it was just a matter of asking around a little bit.
She raps on the door three sharp times, and when Elrick answers, Juliet shuts the door behind them and drops her blade, and then her cloak, and then her boots and dagger, and then starts on her blouse. "I want to apologize for the other night..."
------------------
Nightfall. The city is unusually quiet. Juliet stands outside of Ricci's Opera House, unable to tell if it is open or not. Showtime wouldn't be for another few hours, but usually there's activity by now - performers outside smoking, delivery men coming and going, Albert talking with neighbors on the front steps. Tonight, no one. Its like the whole city is battening down for what could be coming.
Opening the front door, Juliet calls out, "Albert! I'm here! We on for tonight?"
It is only at that moment that Juliet realizes she last saw Ty at Vaen's mother's place. Ah well. Let him be someone else's problem for the evening.
"They... stopped?" Gehenna asks, tilting her head in bemusement. "Like a strike?"
As far as she knew, there wasn't enough discontent among the dock workers to elicit a strike. Then again, with her sometimes spacey sensibilities (especially once out in public, and self-consciousness drove her into a mental retreat) she could have easily walked past throngs of protesting workers and not noticed.
---
After her dismissal, Gehenna began to wander back towards her hovel, but paranoia gripped her en route. What if Lamm, or some of his men, lay in wait; eager to hear her report? Instead of returning home, she walked past her district and continued North. She did so at first absentmindedly, but upon seeing the high parapetted walls of the Acadamae, she made the arcane learning institute her destination. At least to see what state it looks to be in she tells herself. The riots were concerning, and she wondered if the Acadamae had faced any backlash. It was easy to blame the magically inclined once any situation began to go downhill.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Evelyn is knee deep in a trip through the market. With the warning of the Captain fresh on her mind, what better time to do some shopping?
+Studded Leather 25gp
+Fungal Stun Vial 75 gp
+Summoner's Kit 8 gp
+Bedroll
+Hammock
+Blankets
+Cooking Kit 3 gp
+Candy [2] 2 gp
After buying some much needed ammenities for her own lean-to back in the Grey District (and a few more practical purchases as well), Evelyn makes a stop at the shop belonging to her halfling friend.
She plops the sack with the remaining 50 gold onto the counter with a smug look on her face.
"You see? I told you I'd pay you back!"
As they separate, these new companions and friends, Vaenathis starts making his way back to his mother's inn. He may as well check up on Key, at least provided the half-elven woman is still there. Hopefully he will not get there and find the two women in the middle of a... Talk. Though there is a part of him, the mischievous part, that thinks he would find it more than a little amusing.
He shakes his head, chasing the thoughts and images away, replacing them with an image of Gaedren Lamm. He smiles then, oddly enough. "Just a while longer, King," he mutters softly to himself, effectively thinking aloud, "and you just may find yourself toppled by your subjects." He thinks of Timmor then and Davor One-Tusk, both working for Lamm, though in different capacities. One he has to save, the other... well, not.
"I should perhaps pass by the market later. I am sure there are things I will need." And then he begins whistling softly. How things and moods can change from one moment to the next. All it takes is a little riot and the death of an actual king.
Lorick crosses his arms after they're ejected. If you're right Vaen then they're desperate. They wouldn't have taken us on otherwise. Things are going to get bad. Lorick stares at the fence of the outpost looking in the direction of Old Korvosa. Can't get back home anyway. If it's even still standing he says to himself. Might as well get myself outfitted. Lorick touches his threadbare pouch now brimming with gold. He'd never had this much money before and it was a vaguely unsettling feeling.
Better to be poor than be King. Poor not worried about being robbed. Hah
The words of Miyoto dredge up in his memory and Lorick recalls how stressed and worried the Queen had looked.
Gold and Power. Weighs you down
Lorick thinks a bit surprised that he hadn't resorted to another one of Miyoto's snarky homilies but had come up with words of his own.
Still. The gold in Lorick's pouch would bring him closer to being free of Lamm. A little worry, a little more weight on his shoulders? More than a fair exchange.