When Demitri takes Nadia outside, Karri mounts the stairs and heads to her room. For some reason the Legion seems even heavier than normal. That's because you have something to lose now... Karri stifles a tear; Kasdaye is right and she knows it. Now, the battle begins anew.
Lyla cringes hearing Captain Lorne names his price, but tries not to show it. She takes a deep breath to recompose herself while Nalun hands the pouch to the experienced sailor. She takes out a handful of coins from her own purse, paying attention to the weight of the gold in her hands, and offers some mroe coins to complete the payment. "Here's the rest, I see no reason we shouldn't pay upfront!" She winks at the captain. "I rounded it up to six hundred crowns", she explains with a wink and a forced smile. She then shakes hand with the captain and excuses herself. "We'll be back soon. When did you say your ship leaves?"
-------------
Walking back to Zellara's, the girl is absolutely aggravated. As soon as she an Nalun leave the port area, she immediately starts complaining. "Seriously? Six hundred crowns for a lousy halfling-sized cabin? Now 's a reason not to leave Korvosa! Oh, and I bet it goes all to Taven Jeggare, I know that the halfling sailors are far from well-paid!" She raises both fists in the air and looks up clenching her teeth. "Argh, What a rip-off!"
She enters Zellara's in a foul mood, and the first thing she does is collect the money. "Alright, guys, everybody chip in 120 crowns. We bought Trinia's ticket, and gotta say it wasn't cheap." She turns to the fugitive and says "Trinia, we need to get you back in that boy disguise. We're passing you off as Nalun's younger brother, and we got you a berth in the Lovely Wanderer. C'mon, I'll help you."
Despite her previous botch in crafting a decent disguise for Trinia, Lyla seems intent on getting it right—perhaps even more so because of her recent failing.
Demitri re-enters Zellara's home, Nadia in his arms. "C'mon let's go talk to Karri." Seeing her not downstairs, they will head up to Karri's room. "Karri? Can we talk?" He says knocking on the sorceress' door.
*KNOCKKNOCK*
In a sing song lilt Kasdaye mocks, Here comes your man...he's a righteous man... Karri stands and squares her shoulders, "Come in." Yes! Be the Imperious B&~@& you were created to be! When the door cracks and Demitri and Nadia are standing there she slumps, I will not be your tool! "Was there something on your mind, Demitri?" But I can be your tool. Wield me. Give your will to me. Maybe he has come for the promised explanation? But with Nadia here, can I explain?
Demitri carries Nadia into Karri's room. "Yes, but first Nadia here has to apologize for her little attempt at scheming."
The dark haired girl sheepishly looks at Karri. "I'm sorry."
"Good, now that's out of the way. We should talk." He puts Nadia down. "Go downstairs. I'll be back in a moment." The little girl nods and bounds down to the bottom floor. "The reason she was scheming is that she obviously wants a woman to look up to. And she thought the only way to do that was to get you and I together. I already told her that it doesn't work that. I apologize if it made you feel uncomfortable."
Honesty Karri tries to smile, but it crumbles before it comes into being. "Uncomfortable. That's a word for it." She pauses and thinks, How much should I tell him now? All of it, I think. I have his attention. "I am not the woman I was supposed to be. A few years ago something happened to me, I was used, changed. A Chelish mage created in me a repository of spirit. An ugly, violent thing that could hold the essence of demons. That is what you see when my magic manifests. Though the scars you see are terrible," she draws up her sleeve to illustrate, "The real scars are in my mind and my heart. These demons are real to me, and they saay horrible things. They demand a viscious price for using them. When I was a novice I lost control of them a few times. The man who made me this vessel would somehow incapacitate me and when I recovered, the demons were still for a time. I assure you that I have never lost control since Madame Zellara summoned us here. It is her purpose that first guided me to focus. Now, it's you, Nadia, Lyla and Ortik. All of you are how I see Korvosa. It is for you that I struggle." A mixture of relief and angst crosses her face. "Emotion just muddles my focus. Please understand."
"I understand and I trust you. If I didn't I wouldn't let you around my daughter. I don't see scars. I just see someone who is caring and loyal and smart. Just remember that you don't have to struggle alone. We're all here for you."
Karri remembers some of the things Velaro had said to her, Loneliness is poison... friends make any hardship bearable... That Demitri echoes the same ideas makes her very, very nervous. She can feel Kasdaye grinning over her discomfort. Well, you could just cut his throat and keep me from using him against you, Fleshling... The idea leaves her cold. And lonely.
Karri turns away from Demitri and whispers, "I know. Thank you." She wraps her arms around herself, feeling Velaro's embrace and wishing she could be someone else even for a little while. She asks without facing Demitri, "What are you going to tell Lyla and Ortik?"
"What do you mean? About you? Nothing unless you want me to."
The scarred girl's shoulder's tense, as if she were being berated. "You can. The fewer secrets, the less tools my demons will have." I should look him in the eye when I talk to him! Or let me show him... No, Never! Karri's hands drop to her side as she vacillates. Without her will they begin moving, clenched fingers curling and uncurling. They are close... let me drive them away unless you think you can. She focuses and stops moving her hands. She turns and offers a wan smile to her friend, "Thank you again for offering to help."
"Anything for a friend. If they ask I will let them know." Demitri sees Karri's uncomfortable-ness. "It'll be alright." He then moves to give her a hug.
Lyla squints her eyes while staring at Trinia, not sure about the excellence of the disguise. She scratches her head and frowns as she turns to Nalun and Ortik for a second opinion. "So, guys, what you think? Good, but not great?" Well, better than the last time, I guess.... She remembers how Demitri did a good job helping improve Trinia's and Karri's disguises, and marches upstairs to get his help.
Oblivious to the conversation going on inside the room, the halfling girl sticks her head in at the door just as Demitri is about to hug the tormented sorceress. "Whoa, lovebirds. When you're done, would you mind lending me a hand downstairs? We're dressing Trinia up... again. And you know how tends to go." Lyla leaves as suddenly as she appeared, and by the sound of her foosteps, she seems to be heading back to the living room. A muffled chuckle is audible from the stairs.
Shocked by the gesture, Karri at first refuses to return the embrace, then she realizes the Legion is silent. No, not just silent, It's as if they're gone... She gives in and returns Demitri's friendly affection, squeezing him for all she's worth. Suddenly the door bangs open and Lyla is standing there, gawk-eyed and See, she mocks you now and she will again!! Karri imediately releases Demitri and bites the inside of her lip, fighting to regain control, she can feel the Legion rising.
As she pushes Demitri away she whispers, maybe too harshly, Go now, I need to be ". Her words take on that familiar other quality as she struggles to get herself back under control. As Demitri steps back she offers by way of apology, "Emotion muddles it all..." Her eyes are intense, flickering as if lit from behind by a single candle.
As the door closes she sinks to her knees in anguish. Kasdaye whispers in her mind, Gentle, Fleshling. They can't hurt you while I protect you. No one can hurt you with me here... The tears are flowing like melting ice in summer. I know..."I know, I know...
"This isn't what it looks like.. Nevermind." Demitri nods to Karri before heading downstairs to help with the disguise.
He is too flustered to be much help.
The mention of the price for a cabin on a ship makes Trinia pale and wince, but she's not complaining. "Lyla... I know it's a hassle, but... thank you for doing this for me." She looks at the rest of the assembled team. "Thank you all for this--I don't know how I'm going to repay you."
With the ship fare paid up for now, it was time for the (admittedly daunting) task of getting Trinia's disguise back together. Lyla has definitely learned from her previous efforts--despite Demitri's fumbling, Trinia looks essentially the same as when the party first delivered her to Kroft.
"So... should I go to the docks now? Or wait?" She asks, beginning to gather her art supplies into a backpack.
"You can stay safe for us," Ortik says as he pulls Trinia close for a warm hug. "That's all the payment I need. You're a good soul, Trinia. You didn't deserve getting caught up in all this insanity."
I think they depart soon. Nalun says as he embraces Trinia. Stay safe. When this blows over, I'll send word. Nalun presses his remaining coins into Trinia's hands, she'll need some coin to Absalom to survive for however long it takes.
"Just keep your head down and be safe," Lyla says, adding some finishing touches to the disguise. "C'mon, it'll be better if you board the ship as soon as possible. Don't trust anyone. And here's something for you to get through the sea sickness", she sighs, taking Trinia's hand and placing a pouch of smelling salts on her hand. "Now, let's go, I'll walk after you to make sure everything's OK. Gimme just a few minutes to get ready."
Lyla opens a small box containing her alchemist toolkit and starts brewing an extract. A smell of seawater fills the air just as the halfling finishes cooking some blue formula that seems to swirl around the vial, as if tiny waves were trapped inside it. She stuffs the vial with the extract of touch of the sea in her pocket.
"Let's go. I'll be right behind you." Lyla waits for Trinia to say goodbye to everyone, and though the halfling does not show it, she is touched by Trinia's grateful words.
Keeping her distance, she follows Trinia stealtihly down the streets of Korvosa, observing the movement around her and watching out for any trouble that may befall the fugitive. Just as they are about to reach the docks, she chugs down a mutagen, which immediately brings out feline features on her face. She watches Trinia talk to Captain Lorne, just as she and Nalun had told her too, and waits for her to board the ship. She takes her time as sailors go back and forth and once she sees that no one is looking, she drinks an extract of reduce person to board the ship without being noticed.
She sneaks past the Loveley Wanderer's crew untill finally finding Trinia's berth; Lyla quickly stops Trinia from screaming in surprise after making herself known to the painter. "Easy, I didnt't say anything 'cause I didn't want to worry you, but I'd like to stay with you until the ship departs. I don't like loose ends." She looks around the small berth. "Well, they did say it was halfling-sized... we'll have to squeeze for now. Hey, you got a window, at least. Good."
She sits down forcing Trinia to move to the side and pulls out Zellara's deck; the two play a few games of cards while waiting. They both remain silent, worried about being overheard by people passing through the corridor. As the ship starts moving, Lyla stands up stowing away the cards, and then shakes Trinia's hand. "Well, that's it, then. Good luck." She uncorks a vial and chugs down its contents, causing her feet and hands to slowly turn into flippers. Lyla opens the berth's window and dives into the sea, quickly making way back to Korvosa. Swimming back to the shore, she pauses for a moment and floats quietly above the water, watching the Lovely Wanderer sail into the distance.
Trinia kisses Nalun as he hugs her, and pockets the coins he gives her. "I'll try to write to you as soon as I get settled in. I'll miss you..."
She moves and hugs each of the party in turn, and is about to give Lyla a hug when the hobbit presses a pouch of smelling salts into her hand. "Thanks. I've never sailed anywhere before."
-------------------
Trinia and Captain Lorne confer, with the halfling captain only giving her disguise a cursory glance before showing her aboard. The halfling crewmen don't notice Lyla sneaking aboard.
The sight of a tiny Lyla in her berth nearly makes Trinia jump out of her skin, but she calms down almost immediately. "Well... the bed feels comfy enough. And I think the food will be good enough--well, that's what I hope, anyway." She giggles.
-------------------
The card games go well enough, but when the ship starts moving and Lyla gets up to leave, Trinia takes a moment to give her a hug.
"I'll miss you, Lyla. Goodbye..." She watches Lyla hop out the window into the harbour with a sad look on her face.
Over the next three days, things seem to get back to something resembling normal. By the first day, almost all of the posters of Trinia have been taken down. The public, gruesome demise of Korvosa's most wanted artist has also left an entire slew of rumours in its wake...
"Good heavens, I can't believe something like that just happened... She should have died on the noose. At least it would've been humane... How can the Guard just let something like that happen?... Pity she couldn't have killed the whore squatting on Eodred's throne as well... If she couldn't stop one of Korvosa's most powerful mages from killing someone, what in all the Hells is she doing on the throne?!..."
The rumours go on and on.
---------------
By the second day, the rumour mill has a new piece of gossip--a sizeable reward has been granted to House Ornelos for its part in stopping the murderer of King Eodred! Representatives of the House have refused to comment, but don't seem inclined to find out who really did it...
...at least, not yet.
---------------
Oathday, 2nd of Pharast, 4711 AR
The sun is shining brightly today. The Calistril chill is beginning to wane, heralding the beginning of Pharast.
On this bright and sunny day, little Majenko is busily flying about to each of the party members, bearing messages for them. From the concerned expression on the little pseudodragon's face, the content of the messages must be important.
Field Marshal Cressida Kroft
Nadia waves high to her playmate for the last few days as he delivers the note to the Deverin residence. Demitri gets his gear together and takes his daughter by the hand as they make their way to the Citadel.
After a few awkward days of avoiding being alone with Demitri, and avoiding Lyla's ignorant 'knowing' glances Karri is relieved to be back on a job. Any job.
Once to the Citadel, she submits to the routine inspection at the gate and follows a guard into the Kroft's office.
"Good morning, Marshall Kroft."
Yes ma'am. Nalun says upon entering.
What petty task does the good marshall have for us today? You know, I think she likes you chasing your tail. That way, you won't come onto your own power, and she can keep pretending she's in charge.
Shut up, Kasdaye.
After informing the party of Trinia's safe departure, Lyla goes back to Althea's house, where she pends the next few days helping the old lady and crafting medicine. She uses the time spent with her mentor to inquire about Devargo Barvasi. "Has anyone contacted you about supervising his work? I'm kinda curious to know how that's working out... sorry I dropped your name in all that mess, with the kidnapping and all, but hey, you're the one who always told me we should try to do well without being picky about it... right?" The girl and the old lady take the time to enjoy each other's company, which has been increasingly rare since Field Marshall Kressida Kroft came into the scene. When Majenko flies through her bedroom window to deliver a new mesage, Lyla already knows that the time off is over. She packs her things and prepares to leave; sitting at the window's ledge, she shouts into the house before hopping off to the streets. "I'm going out, don't know when I'll be back!"
On the way to Citadel Volshyenek, she stops by the fruit stand, now part of her routine, and pockets an apple without the owner noticing, making sure to leave a few coins in its place. She quickly finishes the juicy fruit, and throws its remains over her shoulder; a kit of pigeons flocks behind her to peck at what is left of it. She reaches the Citadel in time to see Nalun entering the patio, and arrives in Kroft's office just a minute after him. Noticing that Ortik has not arrived yet, she smiles and blurts out "Nice, I'm not the last one in, for a change! So, what gives?"
Nadia waves high to Lyla and hesitantly waves high to Karri. "Morning everyone."
Karri gives Nadia her best smile, trying to keep the girl from feeling awkward for being herself.
Nadia releases her father's hand and runs up to give Karri a big hug.
Karri returns the hug, and grins unabashedly as Kasdaye seethes.
Nadia giggles adorably.
When Ortik hears that House Ornelos claimed credit for Trinia's killings, he barely suppresses the urge to snort his derision. "Of course they would," he says, sharing the news to the group. "They need to keep their ties to the throne, and with a new monarch on the throne, they need to show their allegiance however they can. I think that's their take, anyway."
And so it went. Korvosa returned to its new normal, and Ortik split his time between the Forgottenfolk and his friends at Madame Zellara's, and it was because of this that he almost missed Kroft's summons. He raced towards Citdael Volshyenek. He raced up the steps and stopped outside her door, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow. He smiles sheepishly as he enters the room. "Sorry, friends, the Old Man needed help rebuilding a family's house. That took longer than I expected, and I almost missed Majenko's letters." He spied a pitcher of water on a sidetable, and moved to it to pour himself a glass. "Anyone want a drink?"
When Lyla departs, Althea waves goodbye. "You stay safe out there now!"
When the party convenes and enters Cressida's office, an odd sight greets them...
The Field Marshal is sitting at her desk, with Acolyte Dhatri at her side. The two are speaking with a dark-skinned, dark-haired man clad in animal hides with a red-feathered crow on his shoulder, who is seated across from a familiar face--Marius Ornelos is dressed in a simple courtier's outfit with only a few rings for jewellery, in a stark contrast to how gaudily dressed he was before.
"And there you are." Kroft nods at the party, causing the others to look up at them as they enter. As the dark-skinned man turns to face the party, they can see that his face is covered in what appears to be white war paint that makes his face look like a skull.
"Glad you could finally show up. We have matters of grave importance to discuss." Kroft motions to the free chairs around the grand table. "Have a seat."
Nalun takes his chair with a nod to the Field Marshal Ma'am.
Ortik glances between the two personages seated before the Field Marshall. A nobleman and a Shoanti. Highborn and second class citizen. Just what the Hell is going on?
"Thank you, but I can stand for a while." Karri tries to say the words softly, but they come out all tangled anyway. Don't worry. The woman will speak when she is ready, whether I am sitting or standing.
Karri smiles to herself as Ortik offers water to anyone that might want some. There is someone that works too hard to help others.
Lyla sits down and leans back on a chair that is way oversized for her. She throws her arms behind her back and looks up staring at Kroft and her guests. "So? We're listening."
Once the party has settled in, Field Marshal Kroft stands up and moves to the front of her desk. "First of all, let me say I'm quite surprised you staged such an audacious display in North Point. I'm also quite surprised that House Ornelos went along with it, if the fact that they gracefully accepted the bounty money is any indication."
"Your methods are... unorthodox, for certain. And as much as they skirt the bounds of the law, I can't deny your results." She folds her arms. "Except when they go wrong." Her tone turns serious.
"Something horrible has happened. I'll let Thousand-Bones explain the details." She nods at the Shoanti before leaning against her desk.
Demitri's eyes widen as Kroft mentions something going wrong. He ushers Nadia outside. It would be best for her not to hear this. "Wait right here for me." He then makes his way back to his seat.
"My thanks, Field Marshal." The man nods at Kroft and stands up from his seat. "My name is Thousand-Bones, of the Skoan-Quah. I serve as an ambassador between my people and that of Korvosa." The man speaks with a calm, but barely-restrained anger.
Nadia pales and follows Demitri's instructions, hurrying outside. Thousand-Bones glances at her as she leaves, his tone softening somewhat. "Ah... you have a child of your own. Perhaps then you can better understand my plight..."
The red-feathered crow on his shoulder flaps its wings as the Shoanti continues. "My people have worked hard to understand yours, despite the wishes of the other quahs--every day, I hear whispers of war stirring among us. War against the tshamek who stole our land from us."
"Please, understand that war is something I do not, in any way, wish upon your people. I believe that it would solve nothing and only serve to feed old hatreds. Better for us to work toward a peaceful co-existence than having generation after generation clawing at each other's throats like maddened firepelts." He says in a weary tone.
He looks back at Marius, a hardened edge coming to his eyes. "My grandson, Gaekhen, shared my views. He was a strong young warrior, with a mind brighter than the sun. I felt he would be able to make some progress in the name of peace." He turns back to the party. "And during this time of chaos, he was murdered."
"I... I was a witness to it." Marius finally speaks up, his tone at once cowed and tentative. "He was beaten to death in an alley around East Shore." He swallows. "There were two perps..."
"I am sorry for your loss. I suppose that the death is going to spark retaliation. There was mention about our results. Who were the two perps?"
"Very astute of you, Mr. Severin." Thousand-Bones nods. His crow mimics the gesture.
Kroft nods at Acolyte Dhatri. "Show them."
The acolyte of Abadar nods and steps up to the table, taking a sheet of parchment from his robes. He unrolls it and spreads it out on the table.
The parchment has a pair of faces sketched in charcoal on it, both of which have been rendered in great detail. One of the faces is of a half-orc who is badly-scarred and missing his left eye, and from the looks of the sketch, also has light hair.
The second face is of a heavy-set man with closely-cropped light hair and a scar over his right eye.
Giggles and Private Karralo Sand.
The half-orc, Giggles, is a local tough who giggles a lot when he's breaking someone's legs. Nobody knows his real name, not even him. He's a violent loose cannon, good for brute force and little else.
The human is a local ex-Guardsman by the name of Karralo Sand. Word on the street is that he was a member of a local gang called the Cow Hammer Boys--they handed out free meat to starving people by day and served as a hit squad by night. He's always preferred to use a warhammer for missions.
Demitri grimaces as he recognizes the two faces. "We are responsible for this. I am responsible for this. I am so sorry. They were given a second chance, to do right. A chance that shouldn't have been given." His anger begins to boil. Not just at the two thugs, but at himself for foolishly believing that they could be redeemed. And that error was going to start a war. And it was his fault. "I'm guessing they got away?"
Marius nods. "I..."
"It appears to be that way." Thousand-Bones nods gravely. "And they took his body with them. I do not know where they have fled--I have spoken with the spirits, but some foul magic works against them to shield his body from their sight. All I know is that they have not left the city."
"Our ways are not yours--if a warrior's body is not cremated, then the spirit will not find its way to the Great Sky. If I have his body, I would be able to send his soul to its final destination with honour and dignity. If you retrieve his body, then it will be enough to appease his father and kin, and stay their wrath." The shaman folds his arms. "Please, I beg of you--for both our people's sakes, find Gaekhen's body and bring him here."
"Start with the crime scene--I've got a patrol of Guardsmen keeping the scene clear until you arrive for further investigation. Once you're there, find out where they've gone and hunt them down." Kroft's tone is serious, and the glare on her face could melt a hole in steel. "When you find them, bring them in. In irons or a body bag--I don't care how."
"Marius will lead you there." She turns her glare on the noble. He looks like he couldn't refuse even if he had the option.
Demitri nods solemnly. "They won't escape again."
{i] Don't recognize those blokes. [/i]
Sounds like two that need to be put down. Unless the Marshal would rather them taken alive? Nalun says to Demitri and Kroft.
"Like I said, Nalun, I don't care if you bring them in alive or dead. Just so long as you DO bring them in."
Nalun nods at Kroft and prepares his belongings for travel to the crime scene.
Lyla feels a pinch of pride as Kroft goes on about their boldness, but the mention of a screw-up catches her off-guard. She sits up and listens worriedly to the Shoanti's tale. The vision of Giggles and Karralo bring a bad taste to her mouth.
"Alright. We'll get them, no doubt about that," she says confidently. The girl looks at Thousand-Bones and bows slightly, addressing the man in his native tongue as a sign of respect. Even in another language, she seems unable to be concise. "Бид таны бүх алдагдал , эрхэм ээ маш их харамсаж байна . Та үг та өөрийн ач хүү чинь буцаж болно , мөн түүний бодгаль таны acestors хамт амгалан тайван амарч болно гэдэгт итгэлтэй байж болно таны I- а бооцоо болно. Би та нарт миний үгийг өгч байна."
Lyla then hops off the chair. "I'm ready when you are," she says turning to Marius Ornelos.
The old shaman is pleasantly surprised to hear Lyla speak his native tongue.
"Таны тангараг, би найдаж залуу нэгийг нь өгдөг. Манай хэлний таны ойлгох онцгой юм гэж хэлэх ёстой." He replies, a smile breaking out on his weather-beaten, painted face.
"One last thing, before you go--you will know Gaekhen's body by the extensive tattoos of our people that adorn him, as well as the scar on his left cheek." He nods at the party.