he will follow, though he is leery of the lightning. "Yes, Cavell's as well, I believe."
once above, he will
"Please tell me Grasper has seen it and he's doing his job!" he takes a step toward Grellik, sheathing his dagger he picked up a moment before. He points a finger at the bugbear, warningly. "Blood and bones, Grellik, do you want Giant to die?!"
He isn't afraid of any accusation at the moment. He doesn't seem alarmed by you, he seems worried to the point of panic about something else. He has the same look on his face now, as the one you saw him make when looking at the infected Feng.
Grellik gives off a guttural growl. His posture stiffens, and he faces the half-orc. "One of us wishes a Shark to die, Grimgar, but it is not I. I am extremely concerned with Giant...and Caira's peril. But this must be settled now."
Grellik is extremely worried by his comments. He was already concerned about the consequences of the other part of Grimgar's plan not being implemented, and this confirms that those consequences may be quite dire. He isn't hiding his emotional state, but he is pushing past it to focus on Adrien.
"Adrien."Grellik insists. "Adrien Cavell. I would have to be an idiot to not believe that you ordered his assassination. But why? What possible cause for such betrayal?"(though he has an idea, he does not wish to entertain it.)
"Clearly I wish the worst for that flippant ass, Grellik, and I've never pretended any different! You know it, he knows it, Ozz knows it, and the Boss knows it. Do you think a single shark doesn't?!"
He presses back at the issue he brought up. "Yelling about how I'm acting exactly how everyone would guess if Cavell caught himself alone with me isn't helping. There are more lives in danger now, and even if I hate the guy, it's clear that it's better to have him help us."
He offers a compromise. "Can we at least put this stupid nonsense behind us for a time, so we can focus on saving the rest?" he points over to the gallows, Mornaks' body still hanging. "I don't wish for another Mornak! Now, Grellik, does Grasper know about my plans?! If he doesn't, I must act now! Forget the details about Adrien. The scouting mission! Is it happening?!"
"But your words, however mercenary, are true. We need every body present to rescue Giant and Caira. We were chased from the Zhentarim compound when they were revealed to have betrayed one of our allies-, a member of the Counterwits--Grasper has seen nothing. If you think you can still secure scouts, then do so. Otherwise we will all take that Citadel as soon as we are able, though the Archdukes of all Hells bar the way. Perhaps in this way you may redeem yourself somewhat, though I see that you see no such need"
He turns and walks back into the tinker's room, ignoring Grimgar. He thinks about Trissae retrieving the note, and he still cannot fathom what made her so intent on it, but thank the gods that she did. And he thinks of her oracular insight into the solution to Feng's imminent death, and he wonders if there is not something more to Trissae's whims than meets the eye
Grimgar listens in a dour silence as Grellik speaks, his posture not of one of submission, but one of intense focus, and some strained composure. Grimgar follows Grellik when he walks away from him. He imposes himself onto the Bugbear, demanding to be heard. "Listen to me, you arrogant pup!" he barks as he often does when scolding a newer Bogshark. Which is often. There are very few people who have been in the Bogsharks for as long as Grimgar, and no one for longer. "You vacation taking, zealot! If you didn't get carried away from us so often because of your obsession with your master, you'd might have seen what I've seen. That you'd know what I know. Now listen carefully because what I know might save all of our lives."
He stands tall, not backing down in the slightest despite his desperate wounds. "Ozz and I rained thunder to save Mornak!" he gestures to the sky to emphasize his point. "... onto the guards at the gate! Cavell would never have gotten anywhere as close if we didn't draw guards. We both took arrows, Grellik!"
"I've been with the Sharks since the start, Grellik, since I was a kid! Your master was friends with Father , but I knew him personally. He taught me how to use a sword! I'm a full-time, life-long Bogshark, kid. I came up with the idea to use MASKS for crying out loud. The others seem to be following your lead, but I outrank you AND no one knows Yartar better than I. You'll all be taking orders from me, and I'll tell you why."
He points at the bugbear, gesturing with authority. "I mean you no disrespect Grellik, but you're the part-timer here. I'm working for the Sharks EVERY day, I never disappear for months. I've never taken a break, or let a Shark go in the group unnoticed by me. I have vetted everyone in the group now, saved for a few. Adrien, and Caria. You may not have been with the group then, but we've had Bogsharks not work out before. The Boss isn't perfect, he makes mistakes. It's up to everyone to look out for trouble in the gorup, to keep an eye on any bad seeds. To keep the Sharks strong!"
"You may not know what's best for the sharks, but I do. The others are still pups, and we both know Ozz isn't the cleverest of the lot of us. I can't have you second guessing all my plans, ruining more of the work I've done to get into the citadel. You'll get more of us killed. Remember, you just confessed THAT YOU DIDN'T TRY TO SAVE MORNAK!!" He shouts this over the storm, apparently interpreting your defense of Adrien as a condemnation of yourself... He looks furious, and incredibly disappointed with you.
"Adrien was the only one who managed to even try to save Mornak" - you had said.
"You lot head back inside to Feng's room, get rest but be ready to move., he orders. There are some cupboards with food, water, blankets, and arrows. Use all you need. I'm going to try and arrange some last minute things. No point in anyone coming with me, you'll just slow me down. Like usual, I'll have to work alone.
"Consider this, Grellik. Adrien is the freshest shark. He's been with what? A year? Less? I had someone turn on us 2 years into their adoption, and I see a lot of that guy in Adrien... Did you know he's a noble? That's right, he's never told you about that, has he? Ask him about Adrien Mareschal of Iriaebor, see if he has any memory of his life being pampered and trained, potentially as a favor for The Lords Alliance. Get someone in a position to take us down from the inside. It isn't far fetched, you know. Silverymoon has sent agents before. We cause a lot of trouble, make a lot of enemies! While I don't trust Caira either, I wouldn't put it past Adrien to... Grellik, did you even know how they became arrested? We were SOLD OUT. One of us, one of the Bogsharks turned traitor. Have you never seriously wondered if it might be Cavell?"
We waits to see if Grellik has any last minute objections, drinking a healing potion from a side pouch on his belt, but his body language makes it clear he very much should be leaving to deal with scouting.
Everything that he said is true, except for one thing. Even while he legitimately thinks that Adrien is a threat to the Bogsharks, he knows Cavell wasn't the one who sold the Bogsharks out. All the rest he believes, and he believes it enough to kill for.
Grellik stiffens when his way is blocked by Grimgar. He is incensed, but falters when Grimgar throws his words back at him. "I didn't mean..I.He exhales sharply. He continues again, emotional, but under control"Trissae and I were unable to reach him in time. But Adrien was there. On the wall. Facing down guardsmen and Farlyse--it took Frostheight's own mage to stop him. Adrien risked his life to save Mornak. He has proven his loyalty. So no..I did not consider him. Not for a second. After I found this note..." he holds up Grimgar's note."I didn't know what to think. Now Caira and Grimgar are suspects. But no, I have also seen your loyalty to Sharks, well, the majority of them in any case,and Caira remains the prime suspect."
"We will work with you, Grimgar. Because we need to save Giant and Caira. But this," he gestures angrily to the note."means that I will be questioning what I see fit to question. And if someone dies, then we both know whose fault that is. And in case you are still unclear, it is the one who has tried to have one of his brethren murdered on mere suspicion! It is your fault that I cannot trust you. Yours! So stop trying to pull rank, and throw your weight around. Those three placed themselves under my authority, however unworthy I may be, and I will fulfill my duty to them. All of them. Unless you wish to hold a new vote, Grimgar, but I hardly think we have the time, and I am not sure you want to have this conversation with the four of them in any case."
He has more to say, but he too realizes that time is short and they must act quickly to rescue the others, so he will not press it further unless Grimgar does.
When they enter he has his musing regarding Triss that I previously described
He realizes that the part-timer isn't to be dissuaded, and time is too short. He makes his compromise.
"You think you know how the world works, that everything is how you imagine it to be. But I also know you are one bound to reason. Consider my words and consider your feelings. Consider the vast quantities of things you do not know, and that I have no time to explain, that can help us. Remember your training as a knight, you talked of an order of command, and why it is necessary. You can't count on Ozz to make the choices, he's too simple. You can't count on Trissae, she's too naive. YOU must see reason. YOU must make the choices that can get you all killed. Put your lot in with that human dog if you want, but know that if your refusal to accept my lead results in another massive f!$~ up like this..!" he points to the letter still in Grellik's hand. The letter Grimgar sees only as an incredible mistake Grellik has made, one that could have potentially killed Giant already. The same letter Grellik uses as his ammo against Grimgar. "Then know that the deaths will be on YOUR head, not mine. You have rejected my offer to burden this responsibility. It's on YOU now. Adrien is no brother of mine, not yet. Not until I am certain. Trust him if you have to, wait for him to betray you before you'll believe me, and with luck your own life will be the first he takes. "
He takes a step away, heading toward the edge of the roof, shouting over the storm. "At least then you won't have to witness the rest of the lives your choices have led to ruin! I'll be back before dawn. Ready yourselves for war!"
Grimgar never threatens Grellik, his tone is one of horrible understanding, of frustrated impotence, and of deep, old regrets.
He jumps off of the edge of the building, grabs and slides down a gutter, and disappears into the storm and growing night. Alone.
AS he descends the stairs he goes over the events of that day again, refusing to allow Grimgars words to sow the seeds of doubt into his mind. He knows what he saw. What he has seen. Adrien, whatever his name and origin, risked his life for Mornak, and has fought tooth and nail for all of them. If he were truly against them, Meyer Frostheight would have them in chains by now, more bait for the one they owe their place in this world to.
When he goes below he tells the others "Grimgar needs to make preparations. He said he will be back before dawn. Then we go to war, to save our comrades. Until then, lets move the wounded and recuperate in the safe house. I will take first watch, you others should rest." He will move to help whoever seems to be in the most need to the safe house next door.
Ozz goes to help, Carrying Adrien. He takes Adrien's partially melted saber. (I'm assuming Grellik picked it up)
He heads down first, keeping his eyes open for trouble for the others, and leading them back to Grimgar's room in the alley.
On the way to the back room, you notice that the horses have fled from the alley, their reigns torn. There is no sight of them.
"Ozz hold up! Let me take care of Adrien..." Triss says standing quickly. She casts another Healing Word this time with a bit more punch in hopes of rousing him.
She then walks over and taps him on the cheek to try and stir him. "Wakey wakey sleepy head."
She'll then head back to assist Feng if need be in following with the boys back to the safehouse.
Adrien stirs while being held over Ozz's shoulder.
Grellik is worried when he sees the horses are gone, both for practical reasons, as well as pity and worry. [i]Ah, that stupid beast! I tried to warn it off of following me! it had better not have gotten itself hurt...[/b]
Grellik comes back to the room with the others, and makes sure everyone is settled in. He has taken to brooding, but is trying to put on a more cheerful face, and will respond to others.
Cavell groans, "Eughh...I had a dream Ozz was leaning in to kiss me--Let me down you big oaf."
Once standing, he wobbles a little, then claps Ozz's shoulder, relieved to see him and Triss alive. He looks around, giving Grellik a nod, and then sees Fang--herself again. "Gods it actually f**~ing worked. It actually worked? You're brilliant Triss," he cautiously touches Fang's shoulder, half expecting to get burned or zapped. When nothing happens, he hugs her, speaking quietly, "Didn't think I'd see you again, not after Mornak," and sighs wearily, letting go.
After retrieving his swords from Ozz and Grellik, he nods and follows with to the safe house.
~~Back at the safehouse~~
When recapping his story, Cavell leaves out the bit about mistaking Brundon for Frostheight. He also embellishes a few details to make himself seem more impressive.
Finally, he asks the others, "So what happened with Grimgar--confusion sorted and we're all friends again?" he grins, hopeful.
After getting back to the safehouse she breaks off from the rest of the group. Gathering up her bag and other goods, she finds a secluded space to change out of her sundered clothes. Once changed into her 'lass' costume she looks somberly at the tattered remnants of her 'hero' outfit.
"Just as well... Drizzt, was it always this difficult?"
Afterward she finds a corner to lounge in and plucks at her lute, her eyes fixed on her scarred hand.
"...but before I could put Sapphire's blade through his heart Brundon said 'door' and vanished. Coward. But at least we know about that trick now. Anyway, after that, Sean Burke and Radgar, our favorite shields, rushed me. I sheathed my blades and still parried all their blows easily with one sheath as I chatted up a barmaid, but then some cloaked figure shot me with a crossbow before scurrying away. Quite annoying, so after a kiss from the barmaid I took my leave--in the most acrobatic flourish possible of course, leaving the two shields stunned," he chuckles.
Early the next morning, when the Sharks are starting to rouse, he'll start a conversation with Grellik.
"What did you and Grimgar speak of, last night on the roof. I heard yelling." he frowns deeply, as if concerned Grellik and Grimgar had some kind of altercation, two friends of his.
He'll also look over to Cavell's partially melted and currently damaged and hardly usable saber. "Uhh, sorry... The lightning, melted it..."
Grellik is exasperated and worried by Adrien's tale. "Nine Hells, Adrien. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but now we have lost the element of surprise."He sighs, too tired to maintain such emotions. "Well, nothing to be done about it now. For now, we rescue the others, then we can see where the situation is with that maniac." When Adrien questions him regarding Grimgar, he is grim, but tries to maintain the air that things are, if not great, than at least ok.
"Things have been worked out, yes. You have nothing to fear from Grimgar."I vow it on my life! To ozz, he says"We...had an operational disagreement. One that may not be resolved, but neither of us will let anything get in the way of getting them back.
It is clear that everything is not exactly cool between Grimgar and Grellik, though to what degree depends on how insightful one is :D
"Opera... Huh?" he says, scrunching up his face in confusion. He gives Grellik a worried look. "He isn't the traitor, is he?!"
Grellik gives a mournful sigh, and shakes his head "No, no. If he were, we would not be having this conversation, and Grimgar would--" He cuts himself short, glancing at Triss and Feng. "The Sharks are his family too, and he would not have sold us all out. There are just some...details that we disagree with."
Trissae comes walking in, geared out and determined looking, it appears she used the time spared by her trance to clean herself up a bit. She only catches the last bit of Grellik and Ozz's conversation as she enters.
"If you're having a disagreement, then it seems to me the Sharks are back to normal." she says with an Adrien~esque grin. She walks up first to Ozz giving him a hug then to Grell doing the same. As she hugs grell she whispers into his ear.
She pulls away, ruffling the fuzz on his cheek with a smile and steps back to survey the room. "As your chief diplomat, I feel its my duty to suggest we contact Dolson Marr or the Happy Hall in order to share what we learned about the plague. The goodwill and effective treatment of the plague will be a gods send to us." smiles at Grell, clearly confident in herself.
She then glances around, with a fiesty gleam in her eye. "Where's Adrien?"
"That's a bit vague big guy. I'm too tired for this," he shrugs and goes to bed.
Adrien steps out to join the others right on cue, "I agree, if for no other reason than to remind Dolson of our deal."
He looks well rested and chipper, more his old self. "Now that we're all rested up and clear-headed--how'd the little sting operation go? What'd you learn about Grimgar and the assassination attempts on me?"
Trissae turns as Adrien enters. A glint in her eye sparks after he speaks and she lunges toward him, throwing her arms around his shoulders and giving him a big hug followed by a kiss on his cheek. Afterward she pulls away and socks him in the arm just above the bicep.
"A!!+&$~! It's never worth doing something unless it's flashy and the timing is dramatic, is it?" She says with a sassy look. There is a slight shift in her demeanor though and she places her hand over said spot she stuck and leans in toward him.
"Thanks for showing up, we couldn't have done it without you..." Her follow up smile is smaller but more sincere.
She then turns to hear what Grell has to say. It'd be hard not to notice her glow, clearly Feng's rescue has lifted her spirits.
Feng rouses and watches the bogsharks talk, having heard a small chunk of the story yesterday, she ponders deep things silently beside the chatter.
Grellik gives Adrien a long look before answering, glancing at Feng and Trissae. He drops his shoulders and he resigns himself to what he has to say. I had wanted to spare them this burden. And i worry about Adrien's response. But it cannot be helped; I will not deceive them
Finally he proceeds, his account punctuated by irritation anger toward Grimgar, "Yes, Adrien, at was rather vague. I intended it to be that way. But as I take it you will not take vague assurances as an snwer, I will be plain. Grimgar hired someone to assassinate you, which they appear to have attempted on at least one occasion, though I did not confirm whether the mysterious attack on your person was a result of that, it seems likely. He is suspicious of you as a traitor, a suspicious I find no grounds for. That, as well a the idiocy, my apologies," he nods to Ozz and Feng, those here closest to Grimgar, "But I can think of no other word for it, of attempting to have a brother killed on mere suspicion, is what we were yelling about. We came to little resolution."
"He has indicated that he sees the situation at hand as needing all personnel, and I do not believe he will attempt such a thing given the circumstances and given that he is being observed. As further insurance, I do not plan on allowing him alone with Adrien."
His voice takes on a bit of a disdainful tone. "I suppose this is a good time to mention that he attempted to place us all under his command. I informed him that the three of you placed yourself under my operational authority, and until such a time as you decide otherwise, I would not shirk that duty. (And of course, there is the matter of not trusting Grimgar, given the information we received.)" Grellik waits for the others to react from here, expecting what he has said to be...upsetting
Cavell grins at Trissae after the warm greeting, returning the hug. In response to 'we couldn't have done it without you', he says, "I know. I couldn't resist a hero's entrance. Still, Triss, we'd be grieving another lost 'Shark if not for your brilliant idea. I still can't believe that worked."
~~~
After Grellik speaks, Adrien raises his eyebrows and breathes, "Wow...I was expecting it to have all been a misunderstanding." He sighs and thinks for a moment. "Wouldn't worry about me though--you've seen him fight, haven't you? I could beat him with one hand tied. Why do you think he had to hire assassins with poison arrows to try and shoot me in the back?"
"As far as Grimgar taking command, that might have been in the cards before, but he's lost that privilege. I'm following you until I hear from the Boss himself at this point."
Triss lifts a finger as if to speak but thinks better of it. Instead she opts to saunter over and plop down next to Feng.
"Me thinks Grim has been in the stones too long." she muses out loud while resting her head on Feng's shoulder.
Ozz listens with crossed arms, frowning. During the parts of Grellik's story which speak of Grimgar hiring an assassin for Cavell, Ozz's expression is cold, but somewhat understanding. As if he isn't happy with the information, but somewhere he isn't completely surprised at Grimgar trying to take out only Adrien.
Ozz nods to Trissae's musing comment. "Yes... I know he doesn't like Adrien. I get where he's coming from..." he looks over to Adrien. "You're like the personification of the things we hate. Well, at least I once thought so. You are arrogant, frivolous... You act like you've more pride than compassion. You talk like the brat of a king, who thinks because he is rich in the lands of men, he can get whatever he wants."
He shrugs, almost apologetically. "But I don't think that's all true with you. Not anymore. You put up that face for some reason, and it's the face we see. It took me some time before I realized how much it was a mask. Or maybe... Maybe the foolish man thing is the mask that we both tied onto you. Either way, it's the face that Grimgar still sees. Would you trust you, if you were to meet yourself? Would you trust a man like you, who you don't know well, with your family? He doesn't know you." he tries to emphasize 'know' to try and communicate the deeper meaning.
Ozz cracks a few knuckles. "He hasn't been around you enough, maybe you an him being alone would give him a chance to see your true face, and realize you aren't the tratior. That you are a Shark. Keep your guard up if you do, he may actually try to kill you... You brag, but... Grimgar..."
Feng speaks to continue where Ozz leaves off. "Grimgar has been in the stones too long." she combs her fingers through Trissae's hair as she talks, her voice low and raspy, her draconian accent pronounced.
"Inside the ssstonesss that ring Yartar. They've been changing him. Keeping him from peace, I think. He's good at his job here, but it doesn't ssuit his temperrament He prefers the wilds to the tamed. The wild never liesss to him, even when it triess to hurt him. Adrien, you arren't bad with a ssword. You might be the best duelisst in the sshharks for some time. At least outside of the elitess. Your sskillss are tutored by men, but mostly against man. The elitess... Their sskillss are learned from the monsterss that try to take back their homess... They fight trollss... Giants... They fight thoosse threatss without a mind like ourrs..."
She gives a short pause, catching her breath. "Grimgar wass forced to retire from the elitess... The Bosss didn't like how many wounds he was collecting hunting the biggest dangerss of the 'Moore. He sent Grimgar to be our fence, using the knowledge gained from being a Yartar orphan. He wass born in thiss town. As a child, he learned how to fight larger children, desspite their advantage in sstreength and sskill. As a young man, he had learned how to war with groups of other starving kidss in the ssstreet. He learned just what his strengths were, and how best to use them. He got very good at ssurviving. As a man, he killed trollss. Giantss. He let the sssavagery of nature into his heart. He killed Ssshieldss before the Boss ever met him."
She gives Adrien a steady look and catches her breath again. "If you give Grimgar the advantage of your taking him lightly, he will use it to kill you, and you will never have had a chance. He doesn't fight LIKE you, but in hiss way I think he fightss deadlier than you. I would fear him, like a child fears the dark."
She is completely serious, and 100% without embellishment or overemphasis. She is telling what she believes to be a hard truth, a reality that must be known.
Grimgar hustles through the city streets, shaking the fight with Grellik from his mind. Trying to, anyway.
"Sided with that dog, huh..." he nearly chuckles to himself as he runs through the alleys in the single quickest way to get from the place he was using as a hideout, to one of his contacts. It's not a happy laugh. It's a laugh he only does when he's alone.
The look on Grellik's face when he denounced him, and took the side of Adrien still stung.
"Siding with that DOG?!" he laughs again, in frustrated disbelief. An angry laugh. A not entirely sane laugh. "Going to get Giant eaten by f%$*ing frogs... What a fool!"
He heads North, toward the quarantine area. The quarantined area that was before the entire town became such. Grimgar didn't even need to use the Shield tower as a landmark anymore. He could use the stones beneath his feet, and never let the rain into his eyes.
A chipped stone here, end of the alley and wall ahead. Sharp right and into the street. Should be empty. Keep going, in case there are any dazers. Don't let them notice you, keep moving past them. They won't chase you. Missing brick, climb the wall here. Window ledge, pipe... Upper balcony, and onto the roof. Stay low, but this roof is flat enough to keep from slipping in the rain. Make it another street over without needing an alley
He grits his teeth, his smile gone as he reaches for a clip near his potions at the small of his back. "Then he'll know what it means to have your actions cost lives... My fault? Like hell! He demands we work like idiots? Bloods on his hands."
His fingers find the clip empty. Of course they did. It didn't have it anymore. SHE got rid of it. Grimgar grits his teeth and remembers.
---
'Caira and Grimgar shared a room in Yartar, to share information and plan a job. Grimgar woke to find Caira missing. He usually woke whenever she did, but this time the sound of her walking around didn't do it. It was as if he was starting to get comfortable with her.'
'He shakes his head and heads to his pack to grab some food. He's surprised to find it open already, the top clasps undone and the top flap open. He pauses stunned, before growling and moving over to his bag. '
'His purse was gone. He knew it would be, he had set it out from it's normal spot last night. Usually he kept it between his back-up rations and a small, padded box which contained his poisons, Last night, however, he had set it out for Caira to take with her this morning. She had no reason to go through his bag'
'He finds his sword belt, with all the little loops on the back for his potions. Two are missing. His eyes immediately go to the clip danging from one hoop, a clip usually connected to a leather thong which kept a small, openless metal can in place. '
'As he grinds his teeth, Caira enters whistling. He looks up at her, and shouts as soon as the shuts the door.'
"Where's it at?"
"Uhhh, goodmorning to you too sunshine. Where's what?" she brushes hair out of her face and offers a warm pastry.
"My... The can! The can on my sword belt." He shakes it at her, to demonstrate the obvious.
She laughs with understanding. "Oh, I talked some guy into buying it. You said we needed more money, and that thing looked interesting. I got 2 gold for it, though I think the poor guy was too busy looking at my chest than at what I was selling him, you know?" She laughs again, rolling her eyes at the idea of someone who could be so easily persuaded.
"Should I have got more?" she adds, uncertainly
'Grimgar just shakes his head, and Caira takes her hand back from offering him the pastry. She just slowly backs up and out of the room. She had seen Grimgar angry before. Now he looks furious! Best to give him some space...'
'Livid, he just shook with rage. He couldn't even explain WHY it was so important to him. It just calmed his nerves. The sound of it shaking gently, the sandy substances inside jostling inside made him feel at peace. It had ever since he was a kid, and found it. He had no idea what it was, he could never figure out how to open it, but he kept it with him always. Shaking it used to let him stop thinking about his hunger, or how the other kids might kill him one day. It let his mind quiet enough to sleep in the gutter.'
---
Back in the alleys of Yartar, he passes an alcove on a roof he once used when he was younger, a couple decades ago. Spotting a kid in the spot shaking with cold, he absently tosses a bit of food and a copper piece next to the sleeping kid without stopping. The motion is practiced. He knows all of the spots that the kids try to get sleep, to be safe. He knows very few of them would be dazers. They're too careful. They have to be. Mistakes made urchins die.
As he crosses the roof, jumping down onto some crates that were always there, his hand finding the clip empty again. A curses himself. A habit he has had trouble breaking. Still, he kept the clip. As a reminder not to let his guard down. Ever.
Climbing up the next roof with ease, he catches sight of the three story housing to the West, and stops in his tracks. His mind suddenly starts working.
"Bet they're good and pissed off. Grasper will remember this... Unless..." He nods to himself as he comes to a decision. Contacting more scouts for info on the Citadel would have to wait. If the Zhents were left unattended...
He laughs again, a bit more wild. This might actually be fun, even if it's just more work he's got to take care of. "Not gunna let Grellik get anymore of us killed!"
It shouldn't be too long of a detour. Grimgar had been preparing for this day. Zhents weren't to be trusted. But they had order. He knew that if their boss would die, their operation would have to go defensive. Shut down all but the necessary business. Wait for their replacement to come while the lieutenants kept the discipline. The Zhents knew exactly how to enforce their business. A knew leader would come in, but it'd take some time and there would be adjusting time. Grimgar might even be able to threaten the new guy and get the Zhents in his pocket. They wouldn't have the time to wage a war. Grimgar had been scouting their compound since they moved in there. He knew the best way to get in.
"These brats always making me work..." He growls, and changes his heading to the quickest path to take him to the houses the Zhents use as their base.
He downs one more healing potion as he travels in the dark of night. Just in case. Grimgar takes a detour from talking with his contacts so he could go murder Gasper.
Clearly not enjoying being judged, Cavell's carefree demeanor turns a bit sour.
"That sounds like a solid evaluation, Dr. Ozz, but I'm not interested right now. While I was focused on breaking us out of prison, Grimgar was orchestrating my f!%%ing assassination because he doesn't like me. That's not what I joined for, and if the Boss stands by Grimgar's choice, then I'm leaving the Bogsharks. If I want family who'll cut my throat in my sleep because they don't f%*+ing like me, I may as well go back to Waterdeep where the coin's better."
After Ozz's judging, and now Feng's several minutes straight of praising Grimgar, Cavell looks genuinely prickled.
"You act like I joined as a babe. I may be new to the Bogsharks, but I've got as much if not more experience than Grimgar, and it's been in fighting men; not tracking, hunting, or scouting. It's what I do, and have done, for decades before even joining the 'Sharks. It wasn't a novice's luck you've seen take down dozens of guards single-handedly, but decades of fighting experience. We're not in the swamp, and I'm not a giant or monster. Fighting men is not easier or harder than fighting beasts, it's just different. I'll be very watchful of getting stabbed in the back, or shot in the back, or my food poisoned--but worried about losing a open fight with him? Not even a little."
He sighs, agitated that this is what we're all sitting around discussing.
"Why are we even wasting time talking about 'who would win if...?' like teenage boys? We have more important things to deal with, like getting into the Citadel."
"Whoa!" Triss says startled by the sudden burst of tension. "Calm down folks, jeesh. We just witnessed a miracle, and a big win, let's not lose sight of that. Grell, why don't you work with Ozz and Feng on our next move? Adrien, would you please step aside and chat with me in private?"
She stands abruptly and heads her way into an adjacent room, gesturing for Adrien to follow.
Feng smiles weakly. "I wish not to talk poorly of your abilitiess. It is jussst... difficult to tell when you are taking things ssseriously. " she smiles, understanding that Adrien's head is now in the right place.
"I wish you alive." she reassures.
Grellik listens as Feng and Ozz talk. He gets their points, but its not hte time or the place, nor does it excuse Grimgar.
He understands Adrien's feelings, for the most part--only there is no thought in his mind of leaving the Bogsharks. But he cannot believe his bravado. After Cavell finishes, Grellik says, "I agree, Adrien. What he has done is beyond unacceptable. I can assure you, in case there is any doubt, that the Boss will deal with this. This is a thing that cannot be allowed or condoned. Though the others are right: none of us can stand to underestimate Grimgar. If the is a confrontation, then one careless moment would be deadly. I as well, want to see you--to see us all-- survive." He smiles a bit at the end before continuing.
"As to why we are having this conversation, it is because we are awaiting Grimgar's return. He is securing what scouting he can, and then we will commence our assault. Though he said he would be back before dawn, an event that has come already, and this worried me. But there is nothing to be gained by hasty action. have your conversation ,and we will see how we proceed when you have finished."
As they leave, Grellik turns to Feng. "I apologize, my onyx friend, that your return to us could not be met with proper celebration. How do you feel? Does your affliction leave any lingering wound or weakness?"
Since it was called to my attention, Grellik would have smiled and squeezed Trissae's shoulder in appreciation of her kind words. sorry XD