The 6th of Pharast in the city of Korvosa was coming to an end. Darkness had come to a day of celebration, 'The Founding Day of Sable Company'. Sable Company, The Guard, and The Hellknights had all been out in force as well as participating in the parade. They had left The Great Hall, wound down the Avenue of Arms to Palin Street, turning towards Jeggare Circle, down Northgate Avenue to pass the Longacre Building and The Courthouse to Sunrise Boulevard where it turned south until coming to Harborview Boulevard where it turned towards The Gold Market and Eodreds walk. Then it turned up Field Marshal Avenue to The Grand Masataba and Castle Korvosa, where Queen Ileosa received Commandant Marcus Thalassinus Endrin of Sable Company in a ceremony of much pomp, commemorating the founding of this stalwart organization.
Noteworthy was the absence of King Arabasti however....
After the parade which drew throngs of people into the streets, the atmosphere turned as it always did to the party. Revelry ensued and eating drinking and socializing became the goal. Putting a brief respite on the fact that the numbers of attendants to the festival were down by 20% from previous years....that the edicts coming from the palace these days were more restrictive than before...that more and more small business were going under in the economic crunch of current policies.
But as the end of the day drew upon you, you had to wonder if your current investigation on trying to find Gaedran Lamm would bear fruit.
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What is happening to my city? Three more foreclosures this past week, intrigues and in-fighting amongst the elite, thuggery and bawdy behavior from those who choose to blatantly flaunt the law... and in the middle are the good common people of Korvosa - being ground to dust between powerful forces like wheat in a grist-mill.
Ashimar walks quickly down the unfamiliar street dressed in the most nondescript clothing she owns, searching for The Sticky Mermaid. Her light mace hidden at her side is of little comfort as she glances at her surroundings. I hope this lead pans out better than the others Marcellando was gracious enough to give me. But what if it did pan out? What are you going to do Ashi? Politely ask him to surrender and accompany you to Longacre?
'ey there lassie! 'owz about a good time for a soldier? A very obviously inebriated man staggers towards her. Her thoughts interrupted she sizes him up.
I have known soldiers, and you sir, are no soldier. She mutters under her breath, her pace quickening slightly. Her breath catches in her throat as she spots the rusty image of what was once a mermaid by a door. He could be in there! And if he is...She runs through several plausible options and formulates a few dozen contigency plans in her mind. It could all be for naught but it never fails to be prepared Ashi.
The tavern itself is filled with a rather rowdy clientele. How am I ever going to spot him here? She jumps as she feels a hand graze her shoulder. Money talks. Serving girls would know if he's been around.
As Ashimar winds her way to one of the servers, she senses more than hears a loud argument behind her. She backs up against the stone hearth in the nick of time as a brawl breaks out in the seedy tavern. Some people just want to watch the world burn. I must be losing my mind to come to a place like this!
She ducks just in time to avoid a mug filled with ale as it smashes into the wall behind her. Is it always like this? She manages to stammer out at the serving girl who has finally made her way over to Ashimar rather than the other way around.
The girl chuckles at Ashimar's naivety. This fresh-faced idealist doesn't realize she is in one of the rougher sections of Korvosa - not a regular here by any means. Oh no sweetie. Usually they're much MUCH worse. Now what can I get ya?
S-some wine perhaps?
The serving girl's genuine laugh is not cruel by any means but causes Ashimar to lower her gaze in embarassment.
The server simply shakes her head, amused at the idea of someone like Ashimar in a place like this. I think you mean ale sweetie. This is The Sticky Mermaid, not one of your hoity-toity North Point taverns.
Ashimar takes a deep breath as the brief scuffle in the tavern is subdued with the threat of more violence to be inflicted upon the belligerents. She forces herself to meet the serving girl's gaze and lowers her voice. Actually, I'm looking for someone's services. I've been told he can procure, ah - unusual things? Believe he goes by Gaedran Lamm?
Word reached the ears of Jerrin Fayne about a man who fell on his sword, or so someone would want you to believe. Harrin had connections to Lamm in the past and suddenly he ends up dead. I'll make a detour and see if I can't find out a little more about it. Fayne knew that the inns and taverns would be full of the naive types that he made his living on, though nowadays he wishes he could find more honest work, especially seeing that he felt that his current occupation was the reason he lived with such grief.
Fortune was with the bard today as it did not take him long to find the man he was searching for amongst the crowded streets. A pickpocket just loves parades and Nivik Darven was no exception. Silently Fayne came up to the man he was seeking and pressed the point of his finger into his back. You really should see more than just your mark, my good man.
The cutpurse dropped his shoulders either in embarrassment or relief, perhaps both. Can we do this another time, Fayne? Its a picnic out here and time is money! Jerrin gives a relaxing smile to his friend of the streets. I'll be quick. Tell me about Harrin and then I'll be on my way. Darven gave the bard a blank look and shrugged. Harrin, he's dead? News ta me.
Jerrin flashed his charming smile once more. Come now, Nivik, you'd had to have heard about what happened yesterday. Men with Sczarni connections don't fall out of windows and onto their own daggers everyday like Harrin did. Jarrin watches the man in front of him with a keen eye.
Honest, I haven't heard anything! And 'specially nothing about Lamm being involved 'n anythin' lately. I'd tell ya, ya know I would. Nivik is not the trustworthy type but Fayne has one over on him and does mostly trust his intel. I know you want Lamm pretty bad but not everythin' that happens 'round here is cuz of him. You know that!
Jarrin Fayne spies his informant once more. Perhaps you are right. But we can't be too sure. Keep your eyes and ears open for me, alright? I'd ask the Guard but they don't always seem willing to tell me everything they know. Nivik gives a quick smirk and chuckles. You give them too much credit, ya know that, right? Fayne looks back at him with a smile, Maybe I give you too much credit also. Right?
Fayne ends his interrogation of the thief and goes back on his way. He seemed to be straight with me, doesn't seem like he had heard anything about it. Probably more concerned with all the easy marks that he would find out in this crowd. Fayne kept up a strong pace so that he could make his own living, though perhaps his methods of earning coin could be in some ways even more appalling that Nivik's. Preying on the weak minds of tavern patrons, selling false hopes and sending fake messages from the dead are not the ways of an honorable man. However, this was the path Jarrin Fayne had made for himself and until a different opportunity presents itself he'll just have to continue with it.
Hitting one of the bigger taverns first, Fayne soon drew a crowd with his harrow deck, proclaiming this tragedy would soon befall us but that an omen would come along and save the day. Hehe, all these drunk fools fall for the doom and gloom stuff all the time, as long as there is hope for a brighter tomorrow involved. Soon more private, and more lucrative, readings were beig requested, making this a potentially profitable evening. Jerrin was on his game tonight for he was much too busy to dwell on the tragedy of the past. Herrin would still be dead tomorrow and his mystery could wait.
”Damn brute! Stinking up the place!” the tattooed Shoanti heard as he passed by the shop keep. Just yesterday he had bought two handfuls of crystalized sugar ropes from the woman and was her best customer. Today, he was a brute, a menace to the city, and to the entirety of the markets and the wilds beyond. East Shore sure was a brutal place.
Rows and rows of faces showed their distrust of his kind. He'd heard the word “Shoanti”, but every time Akrem'dar approached to inquire more about what they had said, they would back away, and the stall's guard would usher him away at weapon point. It was an endless cycle, but like everything horrible in life, he knew it would break eventually.
After several streets, a couple of bridges, and a dash down a cramped downhill alleyway, to the docks, where he was employed by one of the smaller Szarni gangs, as bouncer, ocassional dockworker, and when time allowed (and he had the money for bribes), the Shoanti would be given the chance to ply his growing tattooing talents. One day, he would rise above this, but for now the Tattooed Man would wait.
It was only a few moments later that the giant of a a man heard the short, measured pitter-patter of cheap boots. "Skender...can't this wait? I'm...busy." Of course, he wasn't busy. Just brooding over the fact that the chance to put Lamm in the ground, or in jail, was rapidly fading away.
Tolenn watched from the crowd as the parade marched by; the pageantry and pomp a poor legacy for such a storied company as the Sable’s. With a shrug, she took a look to her surroundings, people of all walks of life taking a moment to forget about their troubles with a spectacle.
Seeing a number of children running through the crowd,
nimbly dodging legs and feet, even, Tolenn noticed with a small knowing smile, dipping a hand in an unsuspecting purse now and then.
A world and a lifetime ago, that would have been herself, running with friends through a crowd, spurred on by the thrill….and the fear….
Once again Tolenn was returning empty handed.
A quiet drizzle fogged the streets of Bridgefort as she slipped through the press of people. What am I going to do. He's
going to beat me again! Tolenn despaired, looking about, wondering as she had in the past if she could run away, escape
Lamm's punishing blows.
"Hi, Tol" a bright voice took Tolenn out of her reverie.
A brown haired girl a few years older had run out of an alley and now walked beside Tolenn.
"Hi, Ammi" Tolenn said quietly
"You din't find nothin', huh?" Ammi asked, concern on her face.
Shaking her head, Tolenn continued in silence.
"You kin shares with me. I found me a bunch." Ammi offered, pulling Tolenn into an alcove.
Pressing a few pinches into Tolenn's hand, Ammi smiled brightly and pulled Tolenn back into the rush of people.
Later, a group of thirteen orphans were lined against a wall , Tolenn among them.
Pacing in front of them was Gaedren Lamm, all 140 vicious pounds of him.
As usual, he was ranting about how useless all of the orphans were, how little profit they brought him; on and on.
Occasionally, he would slap a child to punctuate a point.
Finally he ended his harangue, and called each child to bring him his tribute.
Tolenn's turn finally came, trembling she offered Lamm her measly pinches. She never saw the fist that doubled her over,
air expelled from her lungs, nor the other open hand that flung her to the ground. Lying in pain, she could smell
Lamm's foul breath as he leaned down to whisper in her ear "Next time you don't find nothin' fer me, I'll have yer
tongue out!"
"And you! Shares you yer finds with her again and I'll have a finger for ev'ry pinch!" Lamm screamed at Ammi.
He continued to berate and yell at the children, but his voice slowly faded for Tolenn as the light dimmed and went
black.
Shaking her head, Tolenn realized that her left hand had risen to touch the scars marring her left cheek. With a rueful smile, she thought "Even after all these years, Lamm still has his claws in me…”
She’d been back in Korvosa for three months. Initially she had intended to go back to Bridgefront to live, but Solora would have none of that, arranging for her to have accommodations in the Temple. She made no attempt to hide her goal of bringing Lamm to heel, but in consideration for her friend she exercised patience.
Realizing that the time had come to begin the hunt, Tolenn turned and began to walk towards Mainshore Boulevard, to cross the Narrows into Old Korvosa. As she turned,
one of the urchins collided with her leg and fell on her behind.
Crouching to lend a hand to the girl, smiling as she extended her hand, their eyes met for a moment. Sitting on her haunches, Tolenn dared to ask softly ”Are you one of Lamm’s?” The look of fear that flickered across the girls face, soon replaced by the im-as-tough-as-nails look, was all that Tolenn needed to see.
With a thoughtful look Tolenn watched the girl melt into the crowd, then pressed through the crowd until she’d reached Old Korvosa. Turning north down Wave Street she stopped in front of a bakery, a steady stream of customers coming and going.
Smiling to see that business was good, she crossed the street and entered. Waiting patiently in the queue, Tolenn watched the workers for her old friend Bert Runkle. However, it would seem that business was good enough that old Bert didn’t need to man the customer bench these days.
Having arrived at the counter, the girl there appraised Tolenn frankly, taking in the weapons at her belt, the chain mail peeking through at neck and sleeve, the symbol of Sarenae gracing the front of the tunic. Stammering a bit the girl asked ”M-m-milady? How can I help you?”
Smiling, Tolenn responded ”Though it’s been too long since I’ve sampled Master Runkle’s sticky cakes, I’d much rather re-acquaint myself with the man himself.”
The girl frowned, a bit confused, then brightened ”He’s in back, grilling the apprentices….I guess you could go around back…”. Raising her hand, Tolenn said ”I know the way.”
Walking back out, nodding to the people in line behind her, Tolenn went around to the back of the bakery, to the wide doors leading to the main baking ovens.
Entering the wide space, she could see Bert, a bit older and portlier, admonishing a few apprentices for some transgression. Coming to a stop behind Bert, she crossed her arms in front of her, waiting for the triade to finish.
”……and next time yer movin’ the bags o’flour, use the gods-forsaken hand cart. I won’t be paying for no healing if you bust your back actin’ a fool….an’ you…what are youse all looking at?” he asked as he realized the three young men weren’t looking at him anymore, but at something behind him.
Whirling, he looks startled by Tolenn’s appearance. ”An’ who might ye be, lassie?”
”Its been a while, Bert. Let me spur your memory.” Tolenn says, tapping the scars on her cheek and holding out a handful of cheap metal trinkets.
Puzzled, Bert looked from Tolenn’s face to her hand, back to her face again. Staring into Tolenn’s smiling face, his eye’s widen…almost in fear. ”It can’t be…” he whispered, then whirling to the apprentices ”Get out, Get out!!!”
As the youths fled, Bert reached out and grabbed Tolenn’s hand, closing it about the trinkets. ”Lassie, could it be? How could it be?”
”’Tis I, Bert. Little Tolenn’s all growed up.” Tolenn said with a smile, then her face grew serious and the air around her seemed to grow brighter ”All grown up…. And looking for someone…You know who.”
Face grown pale, Bert says softly ”Lamm, you’ve come back to get Lamm”
”Aye, Bert. And I need your help….”
As the evening street party was going in full strength, cedric got himself ready to go to work. He sight a few times while heading toward his workplace for he knew, tonight when all the cheerful people would go home his job would be dangerous. There were lots of cleaning up to do and the Otyughs were likely to get out of hand, and with passed out citizens in the streets it could get ugly real fast. He really wanted to stop somewhere and pray but the festivities meant it would take extra time for him to get to work.
Upon arrival, after saying hello to everyone ine in the courtyard he went directly to the Otyughs pens, and gave them a long hard look.
You better not give us any trouble tonight, there will be plenty of waste for you to eat in the sewers so don't get to curious if you smell lots of nice things to eat up on the streets. You have plenty down there. It was wishful thinking of course but he couldn't help it. For tonight some of his colleagues might not make it home.
Well then i better get ready now he said to no one in particular
It was one of those stylized pictographs the Varisians were fond of using in divination. Glancing at it she turned it over and saw writing on the back...
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It was one of the Harrow cards Jarrin uses all the time in his trade. Glancing at it she turned it over and saw writing on the back...
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The big man moved down an alleyway in Northgate heading for the bridge, and home, and felt a chill.
Glancing around he thought he saw a shadow and paused tensly waiting....and then noticed out of the corner of his eye, a card lying on the cobblestones.
It was one of those stylized pictographs the Varisians were fond of using in divination. Glancing at it she turned it over and saw writing on the back...
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The older baker ruffled his hair and sighed. Tolenn, It ain't safe to talk of this you know. Lamm has ears everywhere. And e'en though The King of Spiders has forced him out of Old Korvosa, he still has connections everywhere. Lamm's gettin old, but he is still as ruthless as ever. But if you you have to do this, Ive heard he's operatin outta Midland these days.
Just then a cold chill went through the back room of the bakery and it gave both Bert and Tolenn pause. More so because after the chill left, there on one of the bags of grain was a card lying face up.
It was one of those stylized pictographs the Varisians were fond of using in divination. Glancing at it she turned it over and saw writing on the back...
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It was one of those stylized pictographs the Varisians were fond of using in divination. Glancing at it she turned it over and saw writing on the back...
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Glancing at it she turned it over and saw writing on the back...
Cedric picked up the card and tough long and hard to keep a lid on his emotions.
Ellismus stared at the ceiling of his flat. The line of research into Gaedren Lamm that he had been following came to an abrupt dead end last night. The next contact in the chain having left town. Will I ever catch up to my mysterious nemesis? He sighed and stood from the couch. Perhaps I should stop dwelling on that. There's a parade and celebration going on. I shouldn't be stuck in here with that going on...
Out in the streets, Ellismus walked through the crowds, watching the elaborate floats roll by. He was almost properly enjoying himself when he bumped into another reveler and his group.
"Watch where you're going, man, your going to muss my robes and... Say aren't you the one that murdered the other student?" the leader of the young men asked. "Careful lads, don't get too close to this one. He killed his best friend for doing a little better than him in conjuration. Melted his face right off it did," he continued as he mockingly pushed his friends around him giving him a wide berth as they passed, laughing. Other revelers were looking at him now, themselves moving back with a bit of trepidation. Ellismus sighed and slipped away.
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Sitting alone at the table, Ellismus sipped his wine. Well that was fun..., he thought recalling the recent events in the streets. I can't even lose myself in the revelry of the parade without 'that' coming back to haunt me.
He sighed unhappily and drained the last of his wine. He demurred when the serving girl came over to refill his cup. "Thank you, my dear, but I think that is all the fun I can have for now," he said standing and leaving a generous tip on the table for her. At least my old friend will see me. I have some more ideas about Lamm to bounce off of him tomorrow. Not that I seem to be getting anywhere with it. I suppose I can count myself as one with the proper authorities in this...
Making his way back home he walked into his studio flat and touched his purse. The revelry had set him back some, but he was doing ok. Lighting a lantern in his 'home' on his desk, he was startled to find a Harrow Card there. He had heard of these, and remembered the woman he studied under laughing when he mockingly referred to them as playing cards.
Ellismus looked at the card, unsure what to make of it. He muttered a few words and looked at the card and then through his house, making sure that whoever had broken in was not still there before returning to examine the 'gift'.
"The Hidden Truth," he read. What is this to mean? A picture of an old wizard who looks lost or overwhelmed..., he thought while looking at the picture. "Trust me. I know how you feel." he said to it as he turned it over. He stiffened upon reading what was there. Is this a trap? Only one way to find out, he thinks as he looks out the window into the darkness. Grabbing some essentials, he left for the strange meeting.
Akrem'dar stares at the card, then scans around the alley a second time, quite sure now that something wasn't quite right. His voice is low as he states the obvious, more for the superstitious comfort to himself than anything else. "This definitely wasn't here yesterday."
Of course, the moment he turns it over, it all begins to fall in place. A grin sized appropriately large spreads over his face as he reads it several times and stows the card in his pants pocket.
"Tonight...it begins." The Shoanti is definitely going to be at the location specified and the time appointed.
firming his resolve in this matter Cedric made his way as fast as he possibly could to the marshalling point in North Point. He had to tell his colleagues that something urgent came up and he needed couple of hours. He of course would make up for them.
He heart pounding he made his way to lancet street with all haste.
Please gods make this true. Lam needs to be stopped.
Turning the card around in her fingers, Tolenn grunts. "It seems there are others interested in bringing Lamm to justice...but a Harrowing? This day just got alot more interesting." she says with a smile.
Grasping Bert's shoulder, "I'll call on you at a later date, and we can catch up." she says, then waiting for Bert's dumbfounded nod, turns and leaves the bakery, making her way directly for the address on the card.
"This could be a trap...but Lamm was never this inventive or subtle"
Ashimar quickly digests the contents of the card and slips it in one of her pockets. Was I speaking too loud? Or was i expected? Funny how the card mentioned after dark but didnt say whether it had to be tonight... I could take this back to work and look into who owns the house, get some information to better prepare myself... But do i dare wait?
Ashimar decides waiting is not an option and makes her way to the specified house. Closing in on it, she loiters around for a bit (likely pretty badly) to see if she can spot any signs of activity in or around the area that would signify a trap.
Barring any obvious signs, she will approach the house after a couple dozen minutes and knock on the door.
Jarrin looks around him quickly, as if he would be able to see who had left the card behind. Thinking it must be some sort of joke he gets up to leave with the card still lying on the table. Of all things, a note would have been just fine. What nonsense is this? Is this person mocking me? Realizing that his own search for Lamm wasn't exactly going well he picked the card up and examined it further.
Curiousity gets the best of Jarrin he will cast Detect Magic on the card. Once he does that he heads toward the address written on the card. I must at least check this person out. If they have true information on Lamm then that information must be followed up on. If I have time or there are people in the tavern that I can ask I will try to find out more about the address and/or the person who is there.
When I arrive at the address I will simply just walk on in as if nothig was unusual or wrong. I'll take a look around the immediate area as I approach the address for anything out of the ordinary or for any people that look out of place.
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Akrem'dar grins, his right hand balling into a fist and then relaxing, repeating the moment time and again. "Zellara's..." he mutters to himself, standing and just trying to figure out whether to go in or not.
Noticing the woman in robes travelling the same path as she, Tolenn pauses at the bridge and faces the woman with an arched brow.
Sensing that the woman at least does not have evil in her heart she extends her arm in friendship "Tolenn, Paladin of Sarenae . It would seem that we walk the same path...at least until now. Perhaps we shall walk together for a time and discover if our destination is as they say , the same?"
Illusion magic? Ellismus thinks as he picks the card up again, and strong as well... I'd best be on my guard. But still, this card may be a pass to enter this meeting... He then pockets the card and heads out to the meeting.
Almost as an afterthought, she notices Tolenn's extended hand and grasps it. Ashimar Siril of Shelyn. I would welcome the company holy warrior. The hour grows late and not everyone on the streets has the best of intentions. Are you heading home after the day's festivities by chance?
"Tolenn, Paladin of Sarenae." Tolenn says as the hand shake is completed "Shelyn, a worth patron indeed, Ashimar. Those of ill intent generally skulk about in the shadows, while we walk openly. Come let us copntinue."
After a few moments, where opportunities for either to have turned from the path to 3 Lancet Street , Tolenn turns her head and says wryly
"It could be providence or the subtle nudging of our mistresses, but I believe we both have received invitations this day." taking her harrow card and showing it to her companion, her face open and guileless.
"Someone left this for me tonight in a tavern while I was conversing with the server - someone who knew that I was looking for Lamm."
She holds her hand out towards Tolenn's card, "May I? Did you receive your 'invitation' tonight as well?"
Ashimar examines her card and Tolenn's and they do indeed look they are from the same deck. Ashimar's The Owl and Tolenn's The Paladin. The writing indeed looks like it was done by the same person. Hard to tell if they are 100% identical, but they may be...
Tolenn has no qualms passing her card over to Ashimar.
Indeed, Ashimar. I was talking with an old friend, when a coolness came over the room we were in, as if a cloud had passed over the bright sun. When the coolness went, there the card was beside us. Very clever of someone, I think"
She watches as the cleric compares the two harrow cards.
Ashimar hands Tolenn's card back before continuing. "And if you look at the writing, the penmanship, if I could call it that, is almost identical. If you were to write the same message, there would still be subtle differences, a letter slightly longer than normal or a bit distorted - but these two appear to be almost... identical?"
Ashimar starts to warm up to the mystery surrounding the cards and the invitation, getting more animated each passing moment as she is now in her element. "A paladin for you and an owl for me. I think..." She breaks off in mid-sentence, suddenly realizing she is, after all, in the company of someone she barely knows who likely isn't interested in her speculations.
Tolenn nods at Ashimar's conclusions, fascinated in the mystery, her own interest in the unknown piqued.
Looking up from the cards, she notes Ashimar's hesitation as she had begun to grow excited.
"Pray continue, I would know your thoughts on this mystery" Tolenn says , smiling to encourage Ashimar.
Ashimar fidgets a bit at the encouragement. It's just that - She points at the front of both cards. A Paladin, an owl - it seems our host is already familiar with where our talents lie, and he or she wanted us to know that.
She begins checking off her known facts on her fingers.
Our host knows us and our skills.
The method of delivery would suggest our host has some arcane means at his or her disposal to have these come into our possession via an invisible messenger.
And finally, he or she knew the one reason that would elicit a response - Gaedran Lamm - and made sure it was mentioned on the card.
Ashimar looks at Tolenn to gauge her reaction to the reasoning. But why the subterfuge? Why not just send a messenger or meet us in person? Unless... someone with ill intent wishes to use us as pawns perhaps?
Ashimar reflects on her evening as they continue to walk.I wish I hadn't been as hasty to leave that tavern as bad as it was. Perhaps I could have confirmed how the card was delivered, seen someone, tried to detect magical energies in that place... Trying another course of action, Ashimar pulls her card back out again and traces a finger along it, quietly whispering under her breath.
Again nodding at Ashimar's observations, Tolenn comments "The cards are part of a Harrowing deck, a divinatory aid, usually used by hucksters and confidence men. But, if whomever sent these, appears as you say, to have some arcane power, so perhaps they also have some true powers of divination; hence their knowledge of ourselves. I think we can be assured that this individual means to use us to their own ends; we should exercise caution in any event."
She then looks up, "Ah, we've come to Lancet Street, come let us meet our host. "
Ashimar quietly indicates the others who arrived before there before the pair. It appears we weren't the only ones, Tolenn.
Cedric upon approaching the house is keeping to the shadows.
i should be careful after all this might be a trap.
Standing near the door, staring up at the building is a large tattooed Shoanti. For those close enough, they can see he is holding a card up to the light, turning it around slowly and looking from it, to the building and back.
Tolenn acknowedges Ashimars warning with a nod and smile "Indeed, Ashimar, indeed!"
Walking openly up to #9, Tolenn calls out to the Shoanti "Greetings and well met! It would seem you've been invited, as have we." Holding up her harrow card for the giant to see.
Turning her head, she speaks to the one in the shadows "You in the shadows, join us if you too were invited. Otherwise, make your way, this is private business."
Who is to say that i am not the private security for said party with the duty to check your invitations? said the voice in the nearby shadow.
The Shoanti shakes his head. "If you were, you'd have stopped me when I showed up, little man." He turns his own card towards them all.
If i was i would rather wait until all those invited arrived so that their credential could be checked at the same time as giving the rules for this "party". Some people don't like to repeat themselves every other minute.
Ashimar appears a bit intimidated with the present gathering and the discussion between the man in the shadows and the Shoanti.
She quietly nudges Tolenn to get her attention. I think the one in the shadows sounds a bit familiar to me, Tolenn. I have seen him around at the Longacre building.
"I believe this " Tolenn says holding up her card "is all the credentials each of us need." Smiling, she pauses as Ashimar makes her comment.
Tolenn turns to Ashimar "Then by all means, my dear Ashimar, make the introductions."
Ashimar frowns at Cedric trying to recollect his face. Cedric, is it not? Barrister Ashimar Siril, I work at the Longacre building. I have seen you there on a few occassions.
This is Tolenn. We just met on the way over here. She pulls out her own card - the owl. It appears we share a common thread - Gaedran Lamm.
She looks over at the Shoanti. I take it you have the same message on the back of the card? May I examine it please?
Akrem agrees to let them look, raising an eyebrow. "You all know Lamm? How?" Hearing the mention of such a hated man, his hand begins to head towards the handle of the earth breaker, just in case.
the man walks out from the shadow and you indeed recognize cedric.
Those with the cards were indeed "invited" he says as he approaches everyone.
Ashimar takes half a step back at Akrem'dar's mention of Lamm ensuring Tolenn is in between herself and the big Shoanti. I-I don't know Lamm! That is to say, I know OF him but I don't know him personally. I seek only to bring him to justice and face the gallows or the axe at Longacre.
A grin crosses his lips at Ashimar's response and his hand eases away from the weapon. "And the rest of you? Right now that makes two of us that hate him."