"Watches won't hurt," agrees Aidan. "We'll take turns - I can be the first one."
Aye. Pleanty of rooms" comes his sparse response.
"That would be great Aidan, today seems to have gone on forever."
Kazushi pays the barkeep then follows him to their rooms. Seeing the simple rooms are twin share she asks:-
"You happy to share a room Kenax? I can take any watch, really, as I don't have to prepare spells. But for now I must sleep."
With that Kazushi enters the room and starts preparing for bed.
It is more proper to share with a male reptile than a male human? Or much less? Between being attacked, possibly mind controlled and being so tired I am ready to fall down, I can worry about scandal later.
"Lagun and I can take the middle watch," Tio offers. "as he certainly needs unbroken rest, nor do I, to call upon him."
"I'll wake you up when it's your turn, Tio," Aidan nods to the man.
He then enters the room and checks the window and the lock on the door.
The caravan guards do their best to ward themselves from the perceived anomalies of Jace's Stanchion through out the night.
Lonely hours awake make the guards groggy and a bit terse in the morning but the night passed uneventfully.
Kenax does not seem any more terse in the morning, but that likely results from him having been rather terse beforehand. He did not object to sharing a room, though he does sleep with his back to a wall rather than in a bed. "So," he says, as soon as all are awake and in some semblance of their right minds. "Do we head directly to House Duarran, or do we simply start massacring townsfolk and wait for them to do their duty and keep the town safe?" It is very difficult to tell if he is kidding or not.
"You really are a cold blooded killer Kenax. We all seem to think the behavior of the locals is due to some form of mind control. So it is neither surprising nor their fault they act like mindless zombies. I do understand your frustration however. So I think we should return to House Daurran and see what we can learn from the big-wig who refused to see us yesterday. If that does not work we can go wading knee deep in the blood of the local civilians. Why not, I mean it is not as if more apparently rational responses are bringing success, so mindless violence does seem indicated."
Kazushi speaks quite cheerfully, as if not even considering that Kenax really means to butcher the townsfolk, while making a protracted effort to get her hair into proper shape.
"Precisely. This one favors death in the alternative of mindless obedience. Should that ever befall this one, and no cure can be reasonably found, please try to send this one to the blissful oblivion of death." He nods, solemnly. "Though before that, let us try to meet with House Duarran. Arrows would sooner not be wasted."
Tio is very quickly irritated by the talk of murdering townsfolk. "There is absolutely no way I'll be standing for the massacre of those in this town. We will do what need be done without harming the innocent, or at the very least, without death."
Kazushi appears surprised and alarmed, saying:-
"I was joking Tio. And I thought Kenax was too."
"It seems that he didn't," Aidan gives Kenax a long look. "We do not harm anyone yet. At least, if they don't attack. And we do not kill innocents, I agree with Tio on that one."
With that matter clear, he continues.
"So, do we eat first, or go straight to House Duarran?"
"I think we should eat. We don't know what is going to happen, which means we don't know when we will get to eat next and we are likely to need our strength." Replies Kazushi, looking concerned at the signs of disunity in the group.
Kenax would laugh, if it didn't seem likely to upset the group more than they already were. Innocents. As if such a creature existed. "This one will not be eating the food here, for fear that it may hold poison to the mind. You would do well to do the same." Weakness does not become them. "And no, this one made no jest. It is not a skill this one possesses." He felt that clarity in his responses would now be necessary, once again humans did not understand unless stated explicitly that you were not kidding. Sometimes to make an omelet you have to break a considerable number of eggs.
"We ate the food dromites prepared," says Aidan hesitantly. "If anything was in the food we would've noticed by now."
"Don't know about you, but I'll order something to eat," he walks to the barkeep and orders meat with vegetables and something non-alcoholic to drink.
I agree Aidan. Besides, there can't be anything amiss with the food as house Daurran keeps us safe."
With that, Kazushi goes and orders fresh bread with a piece of fruit and milk for breakfast.
Kenax thankfully understands that Kazushi is joking... he hopes. "This one finds your attitude about this situation unsettling. House Duarran is likely the villain here. They are not to be trusted."
"This one was joking. I know the situation is serious and it seems likely House Duarron is behind it. Making fun of them... sort of makes the situation seem less dire. Maybe Ophiduans think differently. Just a few minutes ago I was getting in trouble for joking about killing townsfolk, now it's for the local big-wigs ensuring everyone's safety. Surely the two should cancell each other out. Maybe I should take a vow of silence, or start adventuring with a menagerie with a more expansive sense of humour..."
Kazushi lapses into silence, chewing thoughtfully on her food.
"We ophiduans are indeed not renowned for our jokes. One of our favorites goes something similar to: 'What would one get were it to cross a joke with a rhetorical question?'" This seems to make Kenax chuckle, though some of you might not be certain why. "No, silencing oneself has a time, but it is not this time. Do what makes the most sense to oneself. For this one, it is following the path of firmest course."
Tio likewise orders some food, eating quietly and listening to the bit of bickering amongst his allies. "Well whatever we do, we ought to get on the way, instead of squabbling amongst ourselves about jokes and whatnot," he says, taking a drink. "Sound like a plan?"
"It's not exactly a plan..." begins Kazushi, then she appears to think better of continuing in dialectic mode, instead adding "Actually, a splendid idea. To House Daurran?"
The caravan guards break their fast with various food items, enjoying the break from hardtac. The patron of the Absent Eidolon Tavern is not the best chef by any means, the the food is warm and palatable.
Making their way to the gates of House Duarran, much like last time, they cross the northwestern bridge and across from the Colony sits House Duarran. The caravan guards notice a split wooden fence ringing the largest estate in Jace's Stanchion. A pair of guards are stationed at the gate and at any time there are half a dozen guards patrolling the grounds of the home of the ruling family of Jace’s Stanchion.
As the group approaches, two house guards in House Duarran livery cross rusty, if not well made pole arms. Both guards are dressed in leathers and both were seen staring at the horizon for long moments before glancing left or right.
"Good afternoon. What can we help you with?" Lem, the first guard mutters in a monotone voice.
"Oh, it's them again." Clem, the second guards nudges his compatriot in the ribs.
Lem rolls his eyes. "What can House Duarran do for you today?"
"Clem, Lem, how are you today? You recall we came here yesterday hoping to speak to Horick? He was unavailable and you told us to return today. Here we are, could we speak to Horick please? " Kazushi speaks in a friendly tone and smiles.
Kenax follows the wisdom of the ages and, having nothing to contribute to the conversation in a positive light, keeps his fool mouth shut.
Clem and Lem give each other a look. Turning slightly, they bang a balled up fists on open palms, once, twice, thrice, before Clem makes a O with his hand, and Lem places his thumb against his palm, four fingers outstretched vertically.
"Two out of three?" whines Lem.
"Nope. Loser takes the walk." as Clem eyes Lem's walk.
Lem, in a pout that would make a toddler proud, begins to shuffle to House Duarran, clearly taking his time.
As they wait the response, Clem shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot, glancing towards the horizon.
As times passes, Lem eventually shuffles back. "Horrik says that he is too busy. With the master of the house out, he is attending to too many important things. He wishes you all ... dammit what was the word he said? He was talking so fast and using those words. Never get much learning. Well he said something like 'Piss off.', but it was worded real nice and polite, like all the Duarran's talk. Classy people." he responds as his finger begins to dig around his nostril.
"We have tried our reasonable plan. This one now suggests plan D." If pressed as to what plan D entails, it is 'deceit or dead bodies, take the pick.'
"Yesterday you said this Horrik will see us today," Aidan eyes narrows. "We waited, we came, you say we can't see him."
He looks at Kenax and the others. "Now that's just wrong, don't you think so?"
Kazushi gives the guards a contemptuous look then moves away. When they are far enough away not to be heard, by anyone, she replies to Kenax "Does plan D involve disemboweling a certain pair of guards? If so I am all in favour. More practically, the best idea I have to find out what is going on is to try sneaking into House Daurran. Maybe the basalt mine and the quarry also. But that is best done under the cover of darkness."
"Being the wind, I could go inside and find out what is going on, but if I am caught..." Kenax shares his ideas hesitantly.
Kazushi leans closer to her companions to conspire:-
"Well, how good at sneaking are you Aidan? Tio? My myriad talents don't extend to stealth, regrettably. And it is still better to do it at night I think."
Tio sighs and shakes his head. "I've little training for it. I wouldn't be surprised if I could sneak past them," he says with a small gesture to the pair of guards, "but I'd be hard-pressed to sneak past many more attentive."
"Same as Tio," Aidan nods to the bearded man. "Not sure if I can sneak past anyone other than these two empty-heads."
Kazushi again makes sure nobody else is near enough to hear when saying:-
"Well, I think the plan is Kenax sneaks in by himself and the rest of us remain close so we can help if he is detected. I suggest about midnight. Any idea what we should do until then? Or anyone with a better idea?
"No other ideas. Sneaking it is, since they obviously don't want us inside," he nods at the house. "We can visit some other places in the town, since we have a lot time before midnight. How does that sound?"
" Agreed. The Stone Tower Tailors, Twin Mills Quarry, the basalt mines and the general store are places we have not explored. Is there anything I have forgotten? And the basalt mines are just there, as if to say "come this way, intrepid explorers and brave adventurers, explore me if you dare?" Shall we?" Kazushi points towards the basalt mine with a gesture as flamboyant as her language.
Tio nods. "It feels as likely a place as any other to find a clue as to the whereabouts of our companions, and gives us something to do in the meantime."
Kazushi starts in the direction she indicated, then stops as she spots the wall barring her way, looking to see if there is a way through and noting there is not with some embarrassment. She scowls, saying:-
"Or not.
Then again we could investigate whatever that is."
Kazushi points at the unmarked building with the water wheel between the Colony and the cliff.
"Then continue to the General Store, the tailor and finally to Twin Mills Quarry."
"Looks like a watermill to me, but sure. We don't have anything to do until midnight anyway."
The entrance to the basalt mines is blocked by a massive iron-wrought gate. A crude chain and padlock are wrapped around the bars, preventing easy access.
As the group approach the mine they see a pair of guards watching from just outside the gates to the mine. One male, one female, both wearing rust color tunics marking them as soldiers of House Duarran. Constantly grinning they watch the duo approach.
"What cha want?" comes the question from the male guard.
Most of the group notice that other than the odd footprints easily explained by the casual pacing of the guards, there has been no real activity here in months. There are no signs of heavy stone being dragged from the entrance and no wagon ruts from carts laden with stone.
Looking at the lack of wagon tracks, the idle state of the mine, something may be up. "Hello, fleshlings. This one inquires as to why the mine is inactive. Surely these mines are a valuable resource?"
"Yeah, aren't you selling the ore from here?" adds Aidan.
"Pretty difficult to sell ore if none comes out of the mine, " Tio adds. " I don't even see a reason for you to be guarding it at this point."
here are much more lucid than most people in the village—they bear none of the detached demeanor so common in Jace’s Stanchion.
Looking at the protestations of the group in front of them, Halek, the male guard, snorts in derision. "Mines are closed. We have enough to sell for the time being. Not that a scaled-brained, belly-slitherin' ophiduan would be smart enough to know that. And don't get me started with the kitsune. Surprised if she's house broken.
Why do you waste your time with a clearly inferior creatures?" Halek ends his mini-tirade.
Kazushi replies in a mild tone that partly obscures the malice in her words:-
"If you are so superior why can't you speak properly, monkey. You use the singular "a" with the plural "creatures". Are you ignorant of basic grammar or can't you count to two."
Kenax goes blank. These men had just insulted him. They had insulted him openly and in front of his companions. "Does anyone object to plan D being implemented at this juncture?" Not only that, they had insulted Kazushi, who he liked best among these fleshlings. Apparently she might not even be a fleshling, . His normally fairly cool exterior has been slightly disturbed, whereas he looks extremely disturbed. Violence seems imminent.
.
Kazushi speaks quietly to Kenax, controlling her own anger:-
I do object Kenax. It is not time for such a course, we have more serious concerns than this fool. We should leave the mine now.
"Yeah, not a good idea now," whispers Aidan clenching his fists. "Maybe when we know more."
Kazushi isn't human, who would've thought. Hm, maybe I'll ask her about that later.
"Let's get away from here, before the peace gets disturbed or something broken. Perhaps we can check if that is a waterwheel as you say, Aidan. I suspect you are right."
Kazushi's manner gives little doubt as to what, or rather who, she would like to break. But her mood seems to lift quickly as she takes Kenax and Aidan by the arm and starts to lead them toward the waterwheel.