Ashe merely smiles at Shakhan's eagerness nodding respectfully in his agreement with the sentiment. But is relieved the violent warrior restrained himself, at least briefly.
'Arramack' turns to Ashe while keeping his weapon drawn ahead, "I would bind this fool if I could, but I don't carry rope or shackles around while in the city."
He turns his blade up, ready to strike the man in front of him.
"Move and die."
Ashe nods, "Understood Aramack. There is plenty of rope and chain around to make bindings, 'Sniper' keep the deserter covered. Aramack would you improvise some bindings for them all, please? The bindings need not be fancy... just adequate for the brief trip back to the citadel."
Shakhan keeps his eye on the target of his charge; seeing the bugger try to slip into his blind side he readies himself to pre-empt the deserter and mow him down with force if he proves more hostile.
Shakhan sees the sudden narrowing of the deserter's eyes and attacks before he has a chance to make good on his evil intentions. The hit is solid, carving a grievous wound on the man.
"Anybody else want to do this the easy way?"
Asherick scowls dangerously at the man before him and kicks the cleaver far away with his booted foot, "...wisdom is a rare commodity. Be grateful you possess it still... along with your head!!!"
Ashe pushes the man to the floor standing on his back he sheaths his sword and pulling rope binds him fast...arms firmly behind his back.
Looking over at Una, "'Sniper'- secure this brigand with Paladin Aramak!"
Ashe moves over to the warrior Shakhan felled in his axe swing and he shakes his head at the foolish brigand, "Nice work Shakhan!"
Then looking around at all of the adventurers, "Nice work ALL of you, but we have one more to apprehend...
He kneels down and touching the man's wounded head a soft silvery glow of radiance outlines the press of his hand upon the brigand's bleeding scalp ... and the bleeding stops.
"He'll live... perhaps we can hope your blow knocked some sense into the fool Shakhan!
Ashe looks the direction of the front entry hallway... at the sound of the voice from above.
Hytogg, you hear a voice from upstairs.
"What's going on down there? What's all that row?"
Fellow #1 (near Una) is grumbling a bit but willing to surrender.
So is Fellow #3 (dropped cleaver at Whiteplume's feet).
But Fellow #2 raises his cleaver to take another hack at Shakhan! 1d20+2
Damage, 1d4 - as Shakhan's declared a readied action, would you take it, please? If you drop him, he didn't hit you...
As the man falls Hytogg informs everyone else that there is a voice coming from upstairs, inquiring as to our business.
Asherick acknowledges Hytogg with a quick nod, "Understood..."
But wanting to make certain there are no more hostiles... Asherick gives the butchery a once over quick search looking for anyone who might be hidden and to get some clue as to what 'work' the deserters were up to in the butchery after their storefront was closed ...so late at night like it is.
Then he draws his sword turning to head for the previous hallway and the inquiring voice upstairs...
Shakhan bends down to one of the more intimidated prisoners, "I've got a real easy way to deal with people that don't tell me what I want to know. And I want to know how many more besides you three down here are in this place."
After assisting with the 'arrest', Una moves to the hallway where she can see the stairs leading upstairs. She readies to fire a crossbow bolt should anyone appear.
Asherick rounds on the 'arrested' ...murderers, his handsome face and shock white hair framing his smoldering frosty blue eyes... a Black Fury of Righteous Wrath clear in his expression!
"You murderous, Monstrous, Black-Hearted, FIENDS... I should EXECUTE you ALL where you stand... you Verminous Filth! But... I have... Orders to bring you in... alive. Pray to whatever dark gods you venerate in thanks - for those ORDERS are ALL that has spared your misbegotten lives this day!!! How many innocents have you slaughtered you Sons of Demon Dogs?"
He pauses his fury still building... his left gauntleted fist gripping tightly in his rage on the hilt of his sword... the desire to end these wicked lives strong in his heart...!!!
Turning away from them he looks at Shakhan, "Shakhan! Keep close watch on them... any... and I mean ANY excuse... spare them NO MERCY!"
Asherick strides past picking up a piece of the grizzly evidence as he goes with his shield hand and proceeds out into the hallway making his way toward the stairs leading up. A grim and determined set in his shoulders his cloak fluttering with each fell step...
Shakhan is a bit baffled. "What they do wrong?" But grunts, "And the orders just said there was a preference for them being brought in alive." He grins menacingly at the nearest evil doer.
"The pay is better if they're alive. But you can probably take off a finger or two if they get too out of hand."
Una speaks dryly as she keeps an eye on the hallway leading to the stairwell.
Hytogg's eyes raise in interest as he follows the Paladin up the stairs.
Risdin freezes in place on the bloodied hand. He looks over to Una.
"Need a hand there?" --- "get it?"
He smiles as he flicks the body part away with his boot. Risdin then moves up after Ashe.
Asherick alters his course briefly to retrieve the...'spare hand' spearing it on the tip of his longsword carrying his grizzly evidence with him as he makes for the stairs and his confrontation with the last evil opponent.
He spares Risdin a withering glare, the 'humor' is ...lost on him; but he makes no comment.
Asherick addresses the figure, "Corporal Verik Vancaskerkin? I am {Sir} 'Ensign' Asherick Whiteplume of the Korvosan Guard... Paladin of the Inheritor - Holy IOMEDAE! My men and I have apprehended your barbarous murdering men from killing the citizens of Korvosa and butchering them like common cattle for the sale of their flesh in the market streets to the unaware citizenry of Korvosa! YOU are under arrest for desertion and conspiracy for murder most foul! Surrender and I promise you will get a fair trial for your murderous crimes against the citizenry of fair Korvosa!"
With that Ashe flicks the tip of his sword tossing the grizzly evidence at the figure...
"Resist and it will be my pleasure to put you DOWN with ALL NEEDED FORCE!!!"
Una frowns at the overzealous tactics of their new companion. She wondered where he had received his fighting training.
Asherick looks the man in the eye and ponders his words...
But, the evident dropping of his weapon convincing him at least of the Korvoasn Officer's desire to not fight at least even if Ashe is not sure he is totally innocent of whatever his men have been doing... Though offering free meat to the public in such times of crisis is a noble and generous deed - not one likely to come from the black-hearted. But, THAT is not for Ashe to decide... it is in the hands of the Korvosan Military Tribunal!
"Very well 'Corporal', a wise choice! Give me your word as a Korvosan Guard Officer that you will not cause trouble, come peacefully and not try to escape... and I'll not do thee the indignity of being bound like a common crook!"
Ashe steps forward with the point of his sword to slide the officer's sword bask with him and warily pick it up to sheath it into his hip quiver with the other confiscated longsword.
Ashe waits his reply.
"So, Una, Commander Ashe seems to have it all figured out. Not much going on in here," Shakhan kicks one of the captives, "You! Start telling me what's been going on here!" Shakhan squeezes the sharp end of his battleaxe into tender painful areas of his victim.
"pshhr - useless," but Shakhan stops with the painful axe-based probing, for now, "What contract mercenary jobs? Who's hand did we just find?"
Una raises a cold eyebrow at Corporal Verik. She then turns to Hytogg and jerks her head towards the stairwell indicating she wants to speak to him out of hearing of Verik and Ashe. She then turns towards Ashe.
"A rope, perhaps. We have no manacles. Bind the man, and let us get on with our duties."
She does not wait for a reply but moves away out of hearing range, expecting Hytogg to follow her.
Hytogg watches the blustering with detached interest. He peaks around the corner into the room beyond if not stopped, and quickly looks around...the door. At Una's call he is startled for a moment (Off in his own warped world again), then with a shy smile quickly walks over to her.
Asherick looks at 'Corporal' Vancaskerkin and ponders him closely.
Then his voice softens and his tone becomes admonishing... not harsh or scolding, "Corporal Vancaskerkin, only YOU can decide whether your word of Honor has worth. I'm giving you the chance to prove that worth. Most 'failings' of personal honor and character spring from ourselves letting the importance of our own selfish needs overrule what we already know to be just and true. But, one mistake of judgment need not ruin your entire life! We do not get up one morning and decide we will be honest and just the rest of our lives... it is a constant struggle to walk such a path... full of distractions and temptations to serve ourselves rather than do what is best for our fellow sentient. But you are the author of your actions... YOU can win back your honor... if that is what you truly desire! Do not give up hope in that... for that is what the forces of avarice and wickedness use to start the 'desperate one' down the path to evil and self-destruction."
He nods solemnly to the corporal and gestures kindly for him to pass by him on the stairs down to the main room.
Then Ashe turns to Una and shakes his head in the negative, "I don't think that will be needed, for the Corporal, sniper."
Then Ashe announces, "Shakhan! 'Corporal' Vancaskerkin is on his way down he has surrendered... he is not to be bound. He has given his word to come quietly... place him with the others and watch them all. Paladin Aramak! Would you please begin searching the butchery for the rest of the slain man's corpse? I'm going to search 'Corporal's office and will be right down to assist... momentarily."
Ashe looks over at Hytogg and Una...walking off to 'chat' a curious look on his face thinking, {Now's not really the time for a chat... but...}
Ashe says to them, "Uhm... when you two are done some help searching the upstairs and the rest of the building would be appreciated...?"
With that Asherick, after the 'corporal' is down the stairs, sheaths his longsword and searches the upstairs areas... collecting any papers or valuables he finds.
Una frowns at Ashe's decision not to bind their captive. She turns to Hytogg, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"I do not like this. Something strange is going on. The men here are behaving strangely and there is evidence of foul play but no one seems to know what is going on. Either there is deception afoot or some enchantment is at work."
She pauses and looks around carefully to make sure they are not being overheard.
"What was the last card that was drawn from the Harrow deck? Do you recall? It may offer some insight into this situation, and if not, it might be time to draw another card. Otherwise, keep your magical senses attuned, I fear that this place is more illusion and confusion than reality."
Asherick nods accepting the 'Corporals' tale... mindful to point out the fact to Marshal Kroft to question Verik on his girlfriend's identity, thinking, {... a most persuasive women to make an Officer abandon his post during a time of crisis! But men have always been... manipulable by the women close to their hearts... nothing new or sinister about that!}
Ashe collects the severed hand and wraps it in some of the cloth he uses to bind wounds with as he searches the room. He kicks through the blankets in the cabinet to make sure nothing is concealed under the pile and casually looks under the bedrolls briefly.
Then Asherick... in a moment of 'adventurer paranoia', detects evil scanning the entire room. Turning to the door he also detects evil beyond the door before drawing his sword and opening the door, to search that room as well. Just in case the evil he detected up here... was not Verik!
Una frowns at Ashe's decision not to bind their captive. She turns to Hytogg, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"I do not like this. Something strange is going on. The men here are behaving strangely and there is evidence of foul play but no one seems to know what is going on. Either there is deception afoot or some enchantment is at work."
She pauses and looks around carefully to make sure they are not being overheard.
"What was the last card that was drawn from the Harrow deck? Do you recall? It may offer some insight into this situation, and if not, it might be time to draw another card. Otherwise, keep your magical senses attuned, I fear that this place is more illusion and confusion than reality."
"Hmm...oh...yes I agree. Things are not adding up...sorry I've been a bit distracted...I don't remember the last card drawn, but yes perhaps I'll draw another". "Let me sit at this table in here and draw another card". Hytogg will enter the room. Cast detect magic, and withdraw the Harrow deck and pull a card to see what happens.
Una follows Hytogg, casting a sideways glance at both Ashe and Verik as they pass them. She leans forward and whispers to Hytogg again.
"Be careful with such secrets. I feel as though we have been entrusted with this powerful magic. Do not let others know its purpose."
Ashe enters the room searching about for any hiding persons. Then his makes his way to the Desk-turned bed checking its drawers for anything of note or valuable. Turning toward the table Ashe will give a cursory look at the papers reading to see what they entail before gathering them all up neatly. The Ornate Silver dagger stuck in the table top he will examine for its make and smiths mark but not touch it.
Again, 'Pathfinder Adventurer Paranoia', niggles at the back of his mind... he has no way to determine if the dagger is magical... or worse cursed...
Ashe using his sword's edge hooks the crossguard of the dagger on his blade an pries it from the table top then drops it into his hip quiver, detecting evil specifically upon it. All without touching it himself.
Rolling up the papers into a scroll tube Ashe turns to leave the room.
After returning downstairs, Risdin addresses Shakhan,"Please learn to control your anger. It is of no use to us when we are not in danger. These men cannot hurt us, so we should not hurt then. I hope I don't have to assert myself any further"
He turns from the barbarian as Ashe reminds him of the hand.
The paladin starts to look around the main room for the remaining person or corpse, whole or in pieces.
Perception:
Asherick is... shocked at detecting evil from the ornate silver dagger already plucked from the table and dropped into his hip quiver just as he notices the evil radiating from it.
He pauses in mid-step a little taken aback by the discovery...
He thinks, {...perhaps this is the cause of the Corporal's Desertion?}
Ashe sheaths his sword, collects the rest of the items and leaves the room. Looking over at Hytogg and Una at the table in the previous room he walks over looking at the Harrow deck, smirking at their interest in superstitions - something he did not expect from the very stern Una, but thinks nothing of it, "Have you discovered something I missed?"
Gesturing to the items he is carrying, "...there is nothing else in the other room... and something disturbing that when we have the time I'd like you to look at Hytogg. I'm going back downstairs to help search for the remains of the whoever that hand belonged to."
Shakhan reacts a bit slowly, but nods to Risdin. "Is just the easy way." He continues, "This guy here mentions they occasionally take on jobs to remove people. Is not all bad."
Una glances at the Harrow card that Hytogg had drawn, but it made little sense to her. No one they had encountered had been diseased, although it was possible for diseases to be communicated by the eating of bad meat, particularly human flesh.
She tries to draw another one from the deck, but quickly maneuvers to hide the deck from Ashe as he reenters the room. She glances at him, wondering what he is doing.
She calms down slightly when he explains that he needs Hytogg's assistance, but still raises an eyebrow at the exchange.
"Nevertheless, I should like to look for myself."
Ashe nods at Una, "Be my guest.. I only made a cursory inspection... I easily might have missed something. Be careful.. I detected 5 sources of evil within the building before Shakhan and I entered.. I 'think' I have accounted for them all... but that does not mean their are not other foes here who are not evil..."
With that Ashe heads down the stairs to the main room where Shakhan is watching the prisoners. Before helping Risdin in the search Ashe detects evil upon Verik to see if he is in fact not evil at all. Then he helps Risdin search the grizzly shop for the remains of the severed hand's corpse.