Sarien nods and moves closer as well, eyeing the two men warily.
Dayn smiles in response to Liry's wink, but at the same time begins to wonder just how sincere any of her friendliness is, or if it's all just a part of her act. Reminding him himself how little direct experience he has with Riddleport in general and human females in particular, he determines to not let himself get too caught up in having feelings for Liry, or any one woman for the matter.
He was a young Elf! In the prime of his life! And he was, finally, in the kind of place he had always been meant to be in! He had his whole life ahead of him! So what matter if the first girl he'd met wasn't for him or not.
Feeling much better, he smiles to himself as the continue on their tour.
Upon arriving at their destination, Dayn gapes in unabashed wonder, saying softly "They sure don't have anything like this back home."
Turning to Liry he says "I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the place! So what next? Do you have any recommendations on what we should ask Saul? Or what he's looking for? Or how we should speak to him?"
"Indeed," Malkith voices to the group at large, "How does one gain an audience with Herr Vankaskerkin? I doubt we will be permitted to just walk right into his office."
One of the men in the jollyboat grins and moves forward into the prow, gesturing to his fellow to row up to the pier in front of the Publican House. "Where are you headed, friends?" he asks Sarien and Phillip as the boat draws close.
Turning to Liry he says "I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the place! So what next? Do you have any recommendations on what we should ask Saul? Or what he's looking for? Or how we should speak to him?"
"Indeed," Malkith voices to the group at large, "How does one gain an audience with Herr Vankaskerkin? I doubt we will be permitted to just walk right into his office."
Liry shrugs to the elf. "My understanding is that this gentleman," she glances deferentially at Tendal, "has legitimate business with Mr. Vankaskerkin. Him, I can get in. If you're looking for work, you'll want to find out who's in charge of hiring. I'm here on special engagement by Mr. Vankaskerkin himself, so I wouldn't know."
With a smile at Tendal, she leads across the courtyard directly past the oversized goblin reflecting in the pond, stepping around stacks of crates, some rolled-up rugs or tapestries, and a few tall barstools.
"Excuse me, boys," Liry says breezily, with a wink and a smile. "There's a gentleman here to see Mr. Vankaskerkin."
The half-orcs don't budge. "No one gets in till opening time. Stumpy's orders."
"No customers," Liry deftly agrees, "but I'm here on special engagement, and this gentleman has personal business with Mr. Vankaskerkin. So you can let us in."
"No one gets in till opening time," the other half-orc repeats stubbornly. "We got our orders, right, Gord?" He grins at his fellow, seeming very much to enjoy the chance to stymie the group.
"That's right," Gord answers. "We got our orders. No one gets in until opening time. And if you're not customers, then you enter around back with the rest of the help." He leers down at Liry. "Back door's good enough for us, it's good enough for you, right, girly?"
Liry fumes a minute, glaring at the half-orcs, then spins on her heel and storms down the stairs, muttering a litany of very unladylike curses under her breath. "... Croat's damned boys ... why Old Stumpy'd hire them on...." She regroups in the courtyard, forcing a bright smile as she turns back to the group. "We'll go around to the back door. That's probably where they're hiring staff on, anyway." Indeed, the foot traffic through the courtyard seems to be disappearing around one or the other wing of the building to an alternate entrance, either because that's where their business is or just to avoid dealing with the half-orcs.
"Where are you headed, friends?" he asks Sarien and Phillip as the boat draws close.
Smiling gamely as his eyes set a twinkle with the dance Phillip replies "We make for the River District, and though we're off to a fine start I think it's a little forward to think of us as friends... yet." allowing his smile to widen and making a show of wiping invisible grime off his hand before extending it to the man that isn't rowing "Phillip... and you are?"
Sleight of Hand:
"Brett Scabb," the man replies, taking the halfling's hand as soon as the boat has bumped against the pilings. "And this here's Syd," he motions to the man with the oars. "River District, eh? Well, that'll be a mite of rowing, but I think we can deliver you there safely for a fair price. Step in, gentlemen."
Tendal remains at the top of the stairs as Liry whirls and turns to stomp back down to the courtyard.
He looks the two guards up and down, tapping his cane in his palm, the rosewood top glimmering in the sunlight.
"I am neither a customer, nor help, but a family friend come specifically to see Saul. I am guessing that you were not informed how to handle guests, (an oversight to be certain) so if I may make a suggestion, please go find Saul and tell him that Tendal Deverin of the Magnimar Deverins has arrived to call on him with messages from his...extended family. I will wait here."
Sarien's eyes fix on Brett and his lips twist up in a half grin. He doesn't extend his hand.
"The name's Sarien," he says diffidently. "You'll have to pardon me but where I come from, an arrangement is made before boarding. It wouldn't be proper for me to take a step onto another's property until terms have been agreed upon."
Samaritha looks up at Tendal discoursing with the half-orcs nervously. "I ... can't see this ending well. I think I'll do as Liry suggests and go around back, see if I can get hired on for the night. I certainly don't want to be part of picking a fight with other employees of the man I'm hoping will give me a job. You coming?" She looks at Malkith and Braddon, obviously hoping at least one of them will walk around the building with her.
Daynadrian steps to follow Liry around back, but then pauses as the dandy confronts the half-orcs. Hoping for, and anticipating an ass whooping about to go down, a slow smile spreads across his face as and, eyes not leaving the scene of violence hopefully about to soon begin he says to Liry "I believe I'll wait here just a tic, to make sure mr fancy pants is all right of course."
Bluff:
He's totally lying and can't wait to see Tendal get some manners stomped into him
"But please tell this Saul fellow that there's also a sharp eyed Elvin ranger, who's good with a sword and deadly with bow, who's looking for some honest, or even not so honest work, will you?" he adds with a quick glance and wink at Liry before turning back to avidly watch the scene on the stairs.
Liry is dismayed to realize that she's lost her prize tourist; she runs quickly back up the stairs to make sure he's not about to get pounded into a fine paste on the front steps of the Goblin.
"I am neither a customer, nor help, but a family friend come specifically to see Saul. I am guessing that you were not informed how to handle guests, (an oversight to be certain) so if I may make a suggestion, please go find Saul and tell him that Tendal Deverin of the Magnimar Deverins has arrived to call on him with messages from his...extended family. I will wait here."
The two guards stare at Tendal for a moment, then burst into laughter. "'Of the Magnimar Deverins," one of them repeats with amusement. "Get me: I'm Gord of the Riddleport Gords." He offers his hand daintily to the other half-orc, who bends at the waist in an elaborate bow, his arm extended to the side in a flourish. "Listen, Magnimar," he addresses Tendal, still chuckling. "We got our orders. We're to stay outside the doors and keep out the riffraff until opening time. But you can go in. Only you!" his face turns threatening again, as he stares at Liry over Tendal's shoulder. "Not her. She's getting paid just like we are; back door's good enough for her."
Liry looks like she wants to say something back but lets the expression on her face speak for her. "Go on in," she nods to Tendal. "I'll go around back and meet you inside, take you to Saul." With a final glare at Gord, she turns and hurries back down the stairs. "Bring your sharp eyes around back, elven ranger," she urges Daynadrian as she hustles past, heading back around the eastern wing.
Up close, the double doors are old and weathered but still strong and in excellent shape. Carved from a dark wood, their panels depict birds, butterflies, stars, and dragonflies. Gord pushes open one side, his muscles straining: The doors are oversized and obviously heavy; despite how well-preserved they are, the damp sea air seems to have warped them a little as well so that they drag against the floor. "Magnimar Deverin, to see Old Stumpy," he announces, with a grin at Tendal, waiting for him to walk in.
"The name's Sarien," he says diffidently. "You'll have to pardon me but where I come from, an arrangement is made before boarding. It wouldn't be proper for me to take a step onto another's property until terms have been agreed upon."
"Why, you must come from a mighty inhospitable place," Brett replies, tossing the rope loosely around the piling before leaning his elbow on his knee and gazing up at Sarien. "Here in Riddleport, folks can always come to some kind of agreement; we're agreeable people. How's this? We'll take you and your friend to the River District for 4 coppers, the cost of a mug of ale; you can't say that's not reasonable."
Holding hands wide and questioning of Brett, Phillip puts an overly wounded sound to his voice as he beseeches the boat borne gent "Surely you would not seek to charge those that seek to become your friends? I thought we could while away the time with words and thoughts and part as comrades. Then when next we passed upon the river... why I could shake your hand once more..." words left hanging in the air to see if the riverman was either canny enough to connect the intentions... or rogue enough to seek to extort.
Let us see what sort of man this Master Scabb may be. A set of eyes and ears upon the river may garner much as the day passes... but let us see if his mind is quick enough to see the prospect.
Clearly disappointed at the lack of a beat down on the dandy, Dayn follows along behind the costumed tiefling.
Not remotely certain if he should be upset or not, Tendal attempts to settle back to his disdainful moue.
He turns at Liry's words, nods once, then starts forward toward the now open passage.
"Ah. Right then. Thank you." he says, nodding to the bulky bouncer as he passes through the doors.
Holding hands wide and questioning of Brett, Phillip puts an overly wounded sound to his voice as he beseeches the boat borne gent "Surely you would not seek to charge those that seek to become your friends? I thought we could while away the time with words and thoughts and part as comrades. Then when next we passed upon the river... why I could shake your hand once more..." words left hanging in the air to see if the riverman was either canny enough to connect the intentions... or rogue enough to seek to extort.
"Well, you must come from a much more civilized place than your friend," Brett grins at the halfling. "If it were just me, I'd be happy to take you anywhere you want to go on a handshake. But you see, it's not just me. Syd and me is in this together and go halvesies on the fare we earn, and while I could be satisfied with a handshake, it's not exactly something I can split with Syd, if you get my meaning."
Samaritha looks up at Tendal discoursing with the half-orcs nervously. "I ... can't see this ending well. I think I'll do as Liry suggests and go around back, see if I can get hired on for the night. I certainly don't want to be part of picking a fight with other employees of the man I'm hoping will give me a job. You coming?" She looks at Malkith and Braddon, obviously hoping at least one of them will walk around the building with her.
Braddon sizes up the half-orcs as Tendal addresses them, tense and ready. He pauses for a second when Samaritha calls, then realises her point. No matter how tough the half-orcs are, they're just doorman. Fighting doorman is unlikely to earn a coin.
He hurries after Samaritha with a smile as things seem to resolve themselves behind him."Besides, she is remarkably pretty."
Another internal voice moans. "So, where were you going to flee to next time?"
Tendal walks into a wide open room which is even more bustling with activity than the courtyard outside. The floor is covered with worn red carpeting, and workmen are positioning tables and ornate rugs to conceal the most threadbare areas under the supervision of a woman standing on a circular raised dais in the middle of the room. Mismatched chairs are stacked separately, waiting for approval of the final positioning of the tables. Other workers are on ladders around the perimeter of the room, hanging silky banners of red and black in vertical stripes over rather dingy walls. The ceiling is also covered in horizontal swaths of gauzy beige fabric stretched across the wide expanse over a lattice of thin wooden laths. Chandelier lamps hang from the intersections of the laths, but only a few of the wicks are lit, the staff depending on free sunlight from the tall, thin windows rather than expensive oil. Far to the right, an alcove cradles a long bar, with kegs of ale and crates of bottles stacked on the counter and floor. About 75 feet across the room, swinging doors are propped open into what looks to be an even more hectic kitchen; raised voices and the clank of pots and pans can be heard from within.
Despite Gord's mock announcement, no one within pays the slightest attention to Tendal's entrance. The half-orc tugs the heavy door back shut behind him with a bang.
Tendal stands quietly in the entryway for a moment, peering around at the bustling of activity.
"You know, this will look quite good after the sun sets...the corellary being that is looks awful right now." Tendal says to nobody in particular.
Seeing a laden workman carrying a bundle of bunting towards the ladders, he strides over, interposing his cane at chest level across the workman's path.
"A moment of your time. Could you direct me to Vankaskerkin, or your foreman, whomever is most convienient, then I will get out of your way."
Phillip weighs the words of Brett before giving a nod and bow "An argument fairly made and worthy of recognition." elaborately delving into his moneybag and counting out four copper coins in clear view. He then puts two to each palm and hands over the half fare to each of the boatmen. Syd's is freely offered, though Brett's is half withheld in order to draw his gaze to lock "After all... one expects that hard work and recompense walk hand in hand." before he relinquishes the two copper.
Bluff:
Beckoning Sarien he asks "Shall we?" before making his way onto the boat and moving off towards the River District.
Malkith watches the scene unfold in front of the Golden Goblin, waiting for the bouncer to introduce his fist to the smaller man's face. Unsure of just how much of a fighting mood the pair of half-orcs are in, the Varisian turns to make a suggestions that Samaritha voices first. "I'm not interested in the line of work I could hope to acquire by beating down hired thugs. The back door sounds like the most appropriate place to head at the moment." He accompanies Samaritha around the building, giving once last glace back at the front doors, half expecting to see the other man tumbling backwards down the stairs.
Samaritha seems pleased to have both men with her as she heads back around the eastern wing of the building. "Perhaps that wall of half-orc at the front door represented the 'great personal risk?'" she asks Malkith jokingly, referring to his tea leaves. "If so, I'll be happy to let Lil's friend deal with it while we take advantage of the 'opportunity.'"
As they round the corner, the location of the back door soon becomes apparent; carpenters and cleaners and deliverymen are coming in and out of the northwestern corner of the Gold Goblin like ants on a mound. From this angle, it's clear to see that the brass dome covers only the front of the building; at its apex, it joins up to a pedestrian second floor at the rear. The trio are a third of the way down the long stone wall when Liry comes hustling past them, Daynadrian in tow. Samaritha is startled and looks behind to see if the pair are being chased. "Should we hurry and try to keep up with them?" she asks uncertainly.
Seeing a laden workman carrying a bundle of bunting towards the ladders, he strides over, interposing his cane at chest level across the workman's path.
"A moment of your time. Could you direct me to Vankaskerkin, or your foreman, whomever is most convienient, then I will get out of your way."
The workman looks exasperated at being interrupted in so imperious a matter, but at this point in his day, one additional hassle to deal with isn't going to make that much difference. "Where Old Stumpy is, I don't know. He hired us on and handed us over to her." His arms full of bunting, he shrugs his shoulder bitterly in the direction of the woman on the dais. "You want to know who's in charge down here, that'd be her Worshipfulness."
Malkith follows Samaritha's gaze. Not seeing any immediate threat, he shrugs and turns back towards the Goblin, "Their business here may be more pressing than our own. I'm sure we'll catch back up with them once we're inside."
Malkith steps to the side, blocking the path of a passing laborer. When it's clear his has the other man's attention, the Varisian speaks, "Pardon me, but can you tell us to find the individual in charge around here? My..." he turns to look at Samaritha and Braddon "...companions and I are looking for work."
Sarien shrugs and follows after Phillip, taking care as he steps aboard. "Well met, then," he says.
You feel that these men are less than trustworthy businessmen, if any of those exist within Riddleport. While their ill intent may not extend to murder, Brett Scabb expects to get the more advantageous end of this transaction.
"Four coppers from your friend," Brett smiles after pocketing Phillip's coins, extending his open palm toward Sarien. "After all, Syd and me can't share that mug of ale."
"We'll take you and your friend to the River District for 4 coppers, the cost of a mug of ale; you can't say that's not reasonable."
Phillip lets all pretense of friendliness and joviality drop from his voice at Brett's attempt at continued extortion "Now you are beginning to test my patience. From your own tongue a fee of four coppers for both passengers was given. I do not look with kindness upon those that do not hold their word."
Liry weaves among the workmen coming and going without a word of apology, leaving aggrieved cries of protest in her wake that make following her a bit socially awkward. Entering the back door of the Goblin reveals a small antechamber and short hallway leading ahead, but Liry turns right abruptly and barrels through a crowded kitchen, narrowly missing singeing her swinging tail on a hot stove. Paying no more attention to the cooks' complaints than she had to the deliverymen's, she continues through a propped-open door out into a larger room. On the left, before leaving the kitchen, is a wooden staircase leading up; a handlettered sign reading "Waitstaff Hiring Upstairs" is tacked to the open doorframe.
Meanwhile, just outside the back door....
Malkith steps to the side, blocking the path of a passing laborer. When it's clear his has the other man's attention, the Varisian speaks, "Pardon me, but can you tell us to find the individual in charge around here? My..." he turns to look at Samaritha and Braddon "...companions and I are looking for work."
The man, carrying a heavy keg on his shoulder, sighs impatiently at the interruption. "Vankaskerkin's the man you're looking for; 'Old Stumpy,' they call him. Not sure where he is right now, but my guess is inside somewhere, either on the casino floor or upstairs in his office. He's sure as hell not helping with the heavy lifting." He gives a short laugh, as if he finds something amusing in what he just said.
"Good enough. Thank you, my goodman." says Tendal, as he swings the cane out of the way and over his shoulder.
As soon as the workman has passed, and the way is relatively clear, Tendal makes his way over to the dais, looking for "her worshipfulness".
Whomever that might be..."
Phillip lets all pretense of friendliness and joviality drop from his voice at Brett's attempt at continued extortion "Now you are beginning to test my patience. From your own tongue a fee of four coppers for both passengers was given. I do not look with kindness upon those that do not hold their word."
"Calm yourself there, little friend," Brett replies, his hands patting the air soothingly. "Fare is per passenger, not per trip. I had no suspicion the gentleman was on your payroll; I assumed you was each paying your own way. If a man tells me a mug of ale is 4 coppers, I don't expect Syd here to get a free drink just because I buy one."
Stepping back and away from the boat Phillip beckons Sarien to also withdraw. "Very well... rope was run out and you have decided to hang yourself upon it. A pity... but not entirely unexpected." turning to Syd "I palmed your dear friend a silver before any talk of wage commenced... I wonder if he intended to share that with you... considering that you are rowing... and he is not." beginning to back away while keeping eyes upon the pair and a dagger hilt in sight at his side "Good day to you both, it seems I seek a riverman who is not so dense."
"Good enough. Thank you, my goodman." says Tendal, as he swings the cane out of the way and over his shoulder.
As soon as the workman has passed, and the way is relatively clear, Tendal makes his way over to the dais, looking for "her worshipfulness".
Whomever that might be..."
There is little doubt as to who is holding court on the dais. It is solely occupied by a dark-haired young woman in an opulent gown, rich with lace and embroidery, currently shrieking orders at three hapless men inching a table back and forth at her direction. "No, no, no! I said the other way! Cretins! From what cesspool of incompetence did Signore Vankaskerkin dredge you?!" There is a hint of an exotic accent in her diction.
What a frightening little trollop! Good lord, its a wonder that anything at all is getting done in here with this harridan's screeching. Tendal winces when her voice climbs through the upper registers as she shrieks at the workmen.
"Milady, good morning. I am Tendal Deverin of Magnimar." Tendal says, bowing slightly.
"I see that you are quite busy creating order from this chaos, so I will beg only a moment of your time. Could you please direct me towards Vankaskerkin?" Tendal asks.
"Excuse me.
"So sorry."
E"rr, oops, sorry about that."
"If I could just.... "
"Oh hi! How are you, I...oh wait, gotta go!"
"Hey! You bumped me"
"Coming through!"
Making his way though the crowd as best he can, making occasional apology or comment, tries not to make the entire staff hate him on his first potential day of work.
On passing the stairs, he notices the sign but, having no interest whatsoever in such employment, he ignores it and continues after his guide, frequently blushing as he catches himself admiring the view.
Sarien lets his palm fall on the hilt of his rapier as he follows Phillip. He says nothing to the rivermen but keeps his eyes on them, ready to act to protect himself if necessary.
Braddon turns to Malkith and Samaritha as the keg carrier leaves.
"I reckon we can just walk in. If anyone says anything, pick up an object and carry it."
He winks, and starts off after Daynadrian.
1d20+8
What a frightening little trollop! Good lord, its a wonder that anything at all is getting done in here with this harridan's screeching. Tendal winces when her voice climbs through the upper registers as she shrieks at the workmen.
"Milady, good morning. I am Tendal Deverin of Magnimar." Tendal says, bowing slightly.
"I see that you are quite busy creating order from this chaos, so I will beg only a moment of your time. Could you please direct me towards Vankaskerkin?" Tendal asks.
She pivots toward the interruption, ready to release another barrage of stridency, but Tendal's fashionable clothing and compliment of her supervisory skills reduce her reaction to a mere haughty sniff. "Signore Vankaskerkin, I believe he is upstairs."
Liry, closely followed by Daynadrian, bursts onto the casino floor from the kitchen area; Braddon saunters in a few moments behind them. She scans the activity in the room, locates Tendal standing at the dais, and rushes over to him. "There you are," she smiles. "Come on, you don't want to waste your time with her; I'll take you up to Saul's office."
"Thank you, madame." Tendal says.
"Liry. It was good of you to come looking for me." Tendal says, and motions for Liry to lead the way back into the bustle and hubbub.
As soon as they move away from the dais and are far enough away not to be overheard, Tendal leans over close to Liry.
"Well, at least my coming in the front door had one positive effect: I got the harpy to stop screeching at the workmen for a second. Who is she? I couldn't place her accent...it seemed more of something that she has affected, rather than a remnant of where she was raised." Tendal whispers quietly as they head for a doorway toward the back of the room.
Malkith looks at Samaritha and smiles, "Lets see if we can get better directions to Vankaskerkin's office inside." He leads the woman through the throngs of working men and women and navigating the crowd much more carefully than Liry had a moment ago. Once inside, Malkith glances towards the door to the kitchen, but continues on down the hallway.
Stepping back and away from the boat Phillip beckons Sarien to also withdraw. "Very well... rope was run out and you have decided to hang yourself upon it. A pity... but not entirely unexpected." turning to Syd "I palmed your dear friend a silver before any talk of wage commenced... I wonder if he intended to share that with you... considering that you are rowing... and he is not." beginning to back away while keeping eyes upon the pair and a dagger hilt in sight at his side "Good day to you both, it seems I seek a riverman who is not so dense."
Syd turns a suspicious gaze on Brett, and the spokesman of the pair is forced to turn his tongue to defending himself. "Syd, who are you going to believe, your best mate or a dog biter and his easy lad? He just wants you to fight me for a piece of silver that never existed; probably steal our boat while we're occupied. Come on," he twitches the rope free from the piling with a practiced yank and pushes away from the pier with his boot, "set your back to rowing, and we're four coppers the richer."
Seemingly mollified, at least for the time, by the thought of Phillip's two coppers warming his pocket, Syd sets to with a vigor, putting open water between the jollyboat and the dock before Phil can ask for his money back. Brett Scabb tips his hat jauntily to the pair as the boat heads back downstream to the harbor.
Still silent but arching an eyebrow at the woman and a now customary frown at Tendal, Dayn continues following Liry
Phillip adds no more words, and merely watches coldly as the pair depart the docks. The names and faces are put to memory... but that is for the future and not the now. To Sarien he shrugs and states flatly "I would wager that we need look for another ferry." casting his eyes out over the water and looking for a small boat that is piloted by either a young lad just out of swaddling cloths or an elder who is but weeks from the grave.
Perception: take 10 for 18
He figures the youngling would be eager to earn and not yet wise enough to have his heart turned to extortion, while the older would be tired of the world and with the fading of passion be less eager to prey upon them.
"Well, at least my coming in the front door had one positive effect: I got the harpy to stop screeching at the workmen for a second. Who is she? I couldn't place her accent...it seemed more of something that she has affected, rather than a remnant of where she was raised." Tendal whispers quietly as they head for a doorway toward the back of the room.
"Oh, her," Liry replies scornfully. "Thuvalia Barabbio, she calls herself. Claims to be a famous Chelish actress who got on the wrong side of the nobility by performing in some banned play -- Seven Trials of Lizardfolk or something -- but I think she's a fraud."
Malkith looks at Samaritha and smiles, "Lets see if we can get better directions to Vankaskerkin's office inside." He leads the woman through the throngs of working men and women and navigating the crowd much more carefully than Liry had a moment ago. Once inside, Malkith glances towards the door to the kitchen, but continues on down the hallway.
Samaritha peers into the busy kitchen, then follows Malkith down the hallway. Directly ahead, it leads behind a bar, where workers are opening crates and placing bottles on shelves; a corridor to the right leads into a small, plain chamber, its scanty wallspace lined with battered chairs and cushions. A well-used spittoon rests in one corner. Through an open doorframe, a staircase leads upstairs.
Just as Malkith and Samaritha arrive in the room, Liry and her entourage push through a door from the kitchen. "Oh!" Liry stops short upon seeing the other two. "Here you are. All right, folks, we're all together again. Last stop on the tour: Old Stumpy's office!"
She leads the reunited group up the stairs and into a corridor which seems just as hectic as the ground floor. On the right is a large room with an open door; the sign tacked to it reads, "Hiring within." To the left, another door opens into what seems to be an oversized walk-in closet; clothesrods and strings stretch across the room holding clothing of various types. People half-dressed in horns and tails stream across from one door to the other.
Liry ignores both doors and leads Tendal to a door straight ahead at the end of the hall. A shiny brass plate reads, "Owner."
Samaritha's eyes light up when she spies the "Hiring within" sign. Touching Malkith's arm, she nods to the room on the right. "This is as far as I need to go. I'm not looking for a private audience with the owner, just a job for the evening. What about you?" Her eyes include Braddon in her question.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Velashu River, Phillip looks up and down the bank for alternate means of conveyance. A great deal of boat traffic is visible in the mouth of the harbor, past the retreating form of Brett and Syd's jollyboat, but it seems to be staying in the harbor itself rather than venturing up into the river. To the north, the water is near deserted, as the Riddleport natives continue to enjoy their day off, but up near the bend in the river, a thin man with a grizzled beard is visible, leaning over the edge of a small boat, poking with a long pole into the water.
"Looking around at this group of people he seems to be saddled with for the moment, Dayn smiles roguishly saying [b]"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but after all this talk, I've of a mind to see this Saul person for myself. And I'm not here to do any grunt work, so I figure the only way to get the sweet jobs is to speak with the owner himself." \
'Plus I'd love to this fop's mouth finally not get him as far as he thinks that it can.'
Nodding to Liry he mock bends forward slightly yet gracefully, mumming an elaborate bow to a princess "After you m'lady."
Turning to Sarien and said in a partly serious voice Phillip muses "Let us try one more time to see if we can force reasonable passage... or perhaps we should just swim."
Moving to approach the thin and grizzled Phillip raises a hand and asks "Ho boatman, do you ply the waters today?"
"Thank you Liry. You have been most helpful. Could you do me one last favor. It is typically impolite for a stranger to simply barge in on someone. Do you mind introducing me to Vankaskerkin?" Tendal asks, motioning to the door.