As the bleeding stops the white-haired woman turns with a scoff and start walking away while admonising his man I've told you a hundred times Scarlo, these people are savages and each one that dies is a blessing in disguise the bald man nods in agreement but answers Of course my lady, but not even your name will keep you safe if you insist on killing them all personally he turns and whisper in her ear.
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Kalima is supportive of healing the boy but cautious to provoke the wrath of House Lebeda.
She looks to Ahto Ulrych and says,
"It is a good thing you saved that boy, lest it might further scandalize the political process going on. From what I recall, Dame Sarrona Lebeda is currently trying to arrange a political marriage with the king and her eldest child Elanna. In order to achieve this goal she requires the support of Noleski Surtova, hence why she has been given a lot of leyway in the city. Getting too involved with this could cause us a great deal of problems."
"Yeah, don't count on it. Things are a little more complicated than that. Besides they're Chelish, nobody really wants them here." He grins at the noble lady. She had done her reading but it seems she missed out on the court intrigue.
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Kalima says to Pavel, "The Cheliaxians are not wanted anywhere outside their lands due to their dubious devil-worshiping practices and ambitions of world conquest. Still little can be done to intervene with the courtly intrigues that are in play. Now if you do not mind, I wish to retire back into the inn to complete my meal and relax after a long day of travel."
She then looks to Ahto Ulrych and says, "Heal the boy as you will but once he can speak, question him on the affairs. If he is indeed a thief, Abadar's justice should be in-acted, should it not?"
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Assuming the Chelish woman and her men have stepped clear, Ahto will kneel beside the boy and once again invoke Abadar's power.
"I beseech the Master, heal him and restore his lost blood."
"Be on your way," Ahto says to the woman and her entourage with a threatening rumble in his tone. "And know this," he turns his gaze to the bald advisor The Church will certainly not be helpful to those who hold themselves above the law. Advise your mistress to keep her blade clean and sheathed, lest she next meet me on the gallows with her neck upon the block."
"Is a thief really a thief if'n they steal to eat..?" Aurelius asks as he retrieves his cloak and coat. Even more angry that he still does not get to have that duel.
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Kalima says to Aurelious "Stealing is indeed wrong and should be punished although I would rather advocate a non-lethal punishment for offences. Execution for minor offenses is a wanton waste of life and prevents rehabilitation and redemption. What would be a better punishment is a stint of indentured servitude where the criminal can make recompense to the victim and through this learn a trade to live honestly rather than going back to a life of crime. Shoving people in jail to rot or executing them is a useless waste of a life that could be turned around to help society."
Aurelius frowns at the woman but shrugs and nods. "Aye I can see that to be a method that has some merit attached to it. But rather than being an indentured servant to the person wronged, inni't better if they were enthralled to the state, to serve their time working for the better of the City or Country or what have you?"
As his wounds close the boy opens his eyes to meet the stern gaze of Ahto and the iron key dangling from his neck Oh no, Desna's pissing on me... so I get stabbed and arrested all in the same night he tries to look around What about my homies, stabbed too?
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She nods to Aurelius says, "The state could be an alternative if the party wronged wishes not to accept the service of the indentured individual. Either way, the person would be put to use. There is also what I call, Skill Relocation. After all if a Bandit has skill with arms, then putting them to work in the army is appropriating their skills towards something that their specialty already covers."
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"Take a moment to catch your breath, boy," Ahto replies to the youth. "When we arrived, the Chelish woman was wiping your blood off of her blade. What happened that caused her to stab you? Were you and your friends trying to rob her? Speak truthfully."
The final note of his question implies that lying would be a bad idea.
Wonky's efforts to prepare a bath are surprisingly successful. The water is warm and the smell if vegetables is covered by the fire she starts before leaving the room. As she opens the door Sprocket tries to get into the bath.
Sprocket jumps into the water and splashes it all over the wooden floor and the nearby bed.
"Slavery for stealing food so you don't starve to death. Sounds like a fair deal to me." The sarcasm in his voice was so thick you could almost cut it.
After that Paval decides to let the two be and instead he kneel down next to Ahto and the boy. "I barely know this guy but he's a reasonable fellow. Just speak plainly and truthfully and things will work out just fine."
What? the boy seems honestly surprised that's what she told ya? She offered us a good price for information about a Taldan noble that just arrived at the city, as soon as I told her she was at the Lord's Scabbard and showed her the way she stabbed me just for asking for my payment he sees Kalima standing a few steps away Oh s@%~, you're one of her bodyguards ain't ya?
"Seems trouble is looking for you miss. Perhaps you'd heed my words now and tone it down a bit." Whereas before his tone was full of mockery it now held none of that.
He then turned back to the urchin, "How much did they promise you kid?"
The boy looks at Paval and after a couple seconds answers Five sil.. gold pieces he pauses again and seems to think a bit for each one of course!
"She stiffed ya on 15 Gold pieces? That is one hell of a pay day to lose!"
Paval sighs when the buffoon makes his comment. Apparently he was the ape. "You need to practice on your lying kid. You forgot he is a clergyman of Abadar, they smell lies from miles away." He offers the kid a genuine smile.
"Tell you what. You tell us everything you know about them and I'll give you those five silver pieces. That is assuming you haven't told us everything already of course. And no lying!"
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Kalima overhearing what the kid has said gives confused look and says, "Why would a Cheliaxian be interested in a Taldan Noble? That is the question. I do not believe I have done anything to offend the House Lebeda in the past nor do I bear them any ill will. And if the were here to find me, why did they run off so quickly?"
"Miss, if I were you, I would consider whether you want to retract some of your earlier statements. I'm sure that Paval here wouldn't mind helping you out if you were to be a bit more polite." Aris narrows her eyes a little at the noblewoman. "For example, a name would be a good start. It's not really in your best interests to arrive in a new city, grandstanding about like you own the place, and immediately gain the attention of people willing to kill, and it's even less so to frustrate every would-be ally in the aforementioned town.""
"They will probably come back for you in the night, I imagine. They leave now, knowing where you are staying, and come back after dark when you are asleep and our guard is down." Aurelius spoke like it was matter of fact, like he would do the exact same thing. "Guess I'll have to stand guard outside your door tonight..." He sighed, glancing down the street in the direction of the Orphanage.
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"I do not retract nor regret what my previous statements were. I do not pretend to be a mere commoner when noble blood is in my veins. As for who I am, well considering the situation, saying my name out loud here would only make things more difficult as there would be witnesses to put a name to a face. As for staying here, perhaps it would be more prudent to find another Inn instead as I have already been witnessed here and thus easy to find for those who seek me."
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"That may not be necessary," Ahto offers. "As they were walking off the bald retainer whispered a warning to her against escalating matters with a priest, since killing me would destroy her chances of gaining the Church's cooperation. Cooperation with what, exactly, he didn't say. So, it is possible that if they assume she is in my company, they will not risk it....at least with so many witnesses to this."
He gestures to the boy and the bloodstained cobblestones.
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"Sprocket! Down!"
"Whew. Come here. Good boy."
I was just thinking about giving Sprocket a bath...
The gnome hustles downstairs, looking for Topher in order to report that the room for the "lady" is ready. She stops in the main room, looking confused at the good number of abandoned tables with full plates of food going cold.
Hunh. Bungay's Taldorian cuisine must be more disappointing than originally suspected.
"Well of course HE can be trusted but me, not at all..."
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The Lord's Scabbard regulars and guests slowly filter back inside, including - unfortunately - Topher. Wonky heads straight for him, Sprocket at her heels.
"Room is ready! Bath drawn and warm. I didn't know where to put the spare bed, so it's in the hallway---"
"Where is that vegetable broth? I thought I made some at lunch-time..." Bungay pokes around the kitchen, perturbed at his inability to find his stock.
"Yup! Gonna go wash dishes now." Wonky heads to the sink in the back room as Topher grunts a faint approving noise and then lewdly stares at her backside as she's walking away.
I don't know nothing else. Damn nobles are always too much trouble, shouldn't have got involved
As the group enters back into the inn they find their table occupied. Topher moves towards Kalima and apologies profusely My lady I'm sorry for the disturbance although it CLEARLY had nothing to do with me he waves his hand toward the stairs I've personally prepared you a bath and our best room. If you'll follow me...
"You are right boy, they are. Now get yourself a good meal and good night's rest. You cheated death today. The scars should net you some bragging rights." With that Paval reaches into a pocket and pulls out two silver pieces which presses in the boys hand.
Once he moves in doors Paval moves towards his table where the last few spoonfuls of soup had now gone cold. When he hears the noble lady he simply shakes his head. Whatever stock she came from clearly featured quite a bit of inbreeding.
As Kalima enters her room the smell of burning wood and the warm water steam fill her lungs bringing a welcome moment of relax after the last events. Topher takes a couple of towels, old but clean, from the wardrobe and gives them to her.
After a few seconds hesitation he slowly leaves the room, stopping at the door before closing it.
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Ahto hangs his morningstar back on his harnass, and returns inside with the group. He looks around for a server and attempts to catch his or her eye.
When he does, he calls out loudly enough to be heard, but still with a polite tone "Could you bring me a bowl of whatever is being served, when you have a moment?"
He returns to his seat at the table, steeples his fingers under his nose and lets out a soft sigh of exasperation.
"Laws must bind all, high and low, or they aren't laws. Why do so many fail to realize this? he mutters softly to no one in particular.
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Once the door is closed, Kalima makes sure the door is locked. Still with a nagging feeling that things are far too easily accommodated, Kalima casts Detect Magic and scans the room to see if there is any unusual magical auras that stand out. If there are none to be found proceeds with her plans. Kalima takes off her clothes and gear, goes to the bath and tests the feeling of the water with her hand to make sure the temperature is correct. If nothing unusual happens she goes into the bathtub and lies down in the tub and begins to clean herself and relax herself in the bathtub humming a tune.
Bungay turns to Wonky and with an exasperated tone says I think you should go to the common room he picks a piece of meat and cuts it expertly our good Topher seems to have left to lust after that noble lady
"Those of high birth tend to place themselves above the "rabble", as your companion demonstrated to great effect. If you are above them it makes it easy to think their "low" laws also don't apply to you. After all, laws are there to serve the people, not to serve those clothed beasts."
With a little more cheer he adds, "And there is the thing of nepotism. Many judges are nobles, they can afford the education, and they don't mind turning a blind eye to their fellows. Greasing palms also helps."
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"Corruption versus Anarchy. We are constantly between the block and the blade. The law is like a levy, built to withstand the torrent of anarchy and injustice. Corruption is the crack that forms in the levy from a lack of concern for the law's maintenance. Once the cracks have grown too large and numerous, the levy fails, and anarchy and violence consume all."
He gives another small sigh. "My apologies. You are not at a service, and are likely not wanting to hear a sermon, especially from as poor a preacher as I."
"It's fine, I guess it's part of the job."
Paval draws with his spoon in the traces of soup in his empty bowl. "I don't think I fully agree though. Laws are made by those in power to help them stay in power. That levy doesn't just stop anarchy, it also stops freedom. It also doesn't stop injustice for what is injustice here is called justice in a place like Cheliax." He probably just poked a hornet's nest with that but still, Ahto seemed like a reasonable man. He probably realized there were downsides and limits to the law. If a thing as "the law" existed at all.
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"Justice is often seen as a relative term because people feel they can define it as they see fit. Freedom is justice, unless you use your freedom to kill, harm, defraud or steal from others, then it is not. If you cannot defend yourself, because you are not skilled with weapons or magic, or do not have a liar's silver tongue, would not a completely free, lawless society make you nothing more than a victim, a slave to those who have those things?"
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"Our good Topher seems to have left to lust after that noble lady."
"Urrrrgh, what a sleaze. But the joke is on him, I think, because I just saw Madame Vika coming through the main door - HA! Sprocket, STAY." She points at Sprocket's box by the burgeoning-dishwashing stand as she picks up her apron.
The gnome scoops up a platter of dishes (after checking with Bungay to see which table they belong to) and heads out into the common room, whistling an Ustalavic children's song as she goes.
The room has refilled and possibly then some from previous occupancy. She spies Paval and a rough-faced human talking together. As she passes the table, she spies the key hanging from the stranger's neck.
Hunh. Priest of Abadar. Looks like he's seen better days. Uh-oh, looks like he's not seen a server yet.
After depositing the platter at the table of drovers (correctly, this time), she wipes her hands off on her apron and heads to Paval's table.
"Hey, Paval!" she says brightly, and then shifts to the Abadarian's face. "Good evening, sir! I'm sorry that no one's taken your order just yet; can I fix that injustice for you?"
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As Wonky serves the drovers a raven haired woman enters the inn, she is dressed in a modest grey dress and has her hair done in a bun. Her looks say matron, but the dueling sword hanging at her side shows there's something more to her. She smiles at the patrons and greets those closer to her as she makes her way to the bar. After looking around for a couple seconds she takes a bottle and a couple glasses and moves toward the table where Ahto and Paval are sitting.
"I'm not saying there should be no laws. I'm advocating moderation. Some laws are good and useful, like laws prohibiting murder. Those are laws that serve the people. However there are many laws put in place for other, less benevolent reasons yet they are still laws. I think there should be a balance. We need some anarchy, for without it..."
Paval's words die off as Wonky approaches their table. Instead he turns to face her just as she greets him. "Oh hey Wonks. Did everything work out with Sprocket back there? It seemed the cook wasn't to happy with him."
As the older woman approaches them with the bottle and glasses Paval turns to her and nods in greeting, "Good evening mam. How can we help you?"
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Wonky waits for the Abadarian's order of food and drink, then looks up at the approaching proprietor.
"Good evening, Madame! 'Tis a fine night to be indoors. Are you joining these good gentlemen for dinner? Bungay's making his Taldorian pheasant stew tonite - he's stuffed the bird with olives like he says they do in Cassomir!" She turns to Paval. "Paval, this is Madame Vika Strovchna, the owner and operator of this fine establishment. Madame Vika, this is Paval....um....I don't know Paval's surname, actually."
She turns to the rough-faced man. "And this holy man of Abadar is his dinner guest, and when I hear him say his name, it'll be the first time that we both hear it." She adds hurriedly to him. "Oh, I'm Wonky. Wonky Prong. Jr," she adds, not recognising that she has been interrupting the Abadarian's attempts at a response.
"Oh hey Wonks. Did everything work out with Sprocket back there? It seemed the cook wasn't too happy with him."
Wonky looks alarmed for a second, then flashes a smile. "Oh yeah, Bungay just doesn't like it when Sprocket complains that I'm not scratching his collar." She glances at Madame Vika. "Sprocket's doing really well in his corner box. Super obedient! Yup!"
Wonky's wide-eyed stare takes in Paval as she strafes the table with her gaze and ends again on the Abadarian.
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Ahto chuckles at the sudden interest in him. He rises from his chair and gives a short but respectful bow of the head to each of the ladies.
"My name is Ahto Ulrych. And I will be happy with whatever is hot and ready made. An ale would not go amiss, if you have any, Miss Prong. Thank you!" He gives the petite woman a pleasant smile, inadvertently emphasizing the spiderweb scar across his face.
He pulls an empty chair back from the table so that the other woman may take a seat. He waits for her to sit and assists in pushing the chair back in before he resumes his own seat.
"As I am sure is quite obvious, I am a Disciple of Abadar. We were having a philosophical discussion on the value of law in society just as you arrived. We would welcome your opinion on the subject if you wish to join in, or we can change the subject if it is not of particular interest to you."