Rabbis, gnome, Gnarea, sword. Queshem snaps, voice still deadened as she steps into the room smartly and her companions (hopefully) get the drop on the surprised guardians. Still invisible she moves next to Raffles and readies an action to cast Forced Quiet on Raffles as she says.
We just want to talk Raffles. No need for any more unpleasantness. Tell these two to stand down if you would.
Rabbis and Gnarea dart into the room. The former slave hurtles the table and tackles Qauil, the small gnome going down easily. Gnarea has a harder time, being outweighed and out matched by his chosen foe.
The guard, a lumpy man with a broken nose, raises his sword. The halfling dances aside however and simply slaps the man. Queshem can actually see his eyes cloud over with a thick white film. The guard drops his sword and shouts, 'I've gone blind! Dear Gorum, I'm blind." and starts to stumble around in panic.
Raffles looks completely confused at this turn of events. 'Who...are you that sailor> The slave breaker? You invade my home at night like robbers?"
Yar, that be me. Most of me crew is not happy about it either, let me tell ye. Now, tell yer man there to quiet down, now! No need for futher unpleasantness. Like I said, only want to talk, and the Greenbarrows been doing everything to keep me from doing it. Rabbis, gag and tie up the gnome please.
Raffles, seeing they are over matched nods. He does say, "Now, cure my man. He was only doing what he was told." The blinded guard is on his knees now, tears running down his face.
Raffles man-handles Qauil who is obviously trying to speak but being prevented.
Queshem can hear footsteps racing down the hall towards them.
Queshem grits her teeth
Tell him to do as he's told and he'll be fine. Gnarea please lead 'im to the dark study and cure 'im, worse will happen if he don't stay quiet in there yeah? Rabbis take Qauil in there also and shut the door behind ye, finish trussing him up in there. Get Draflo inside. Quick now please.
Queshem shifts to push the guards sword under the closest table to hide it.
Oh and truss up and gag the guard afore you return his sight. He behaves and he will see again. Queshem gives a final order.
The others soon hurtle into the next room, Rabbis nearly throwing the gnome and the blind man gibbering about his eyes. Just as they re-close the study door, the door to the drawing room bangs open.
A soot stained halfling servant is there, looking wild. "Master Raffles! The manor house, it is on fire. We have to get everyone out." He pauses then looks around, 'Where is Qauil? I thought he was with you? We need to get out of here, the place is burning up! Water just seems to make it burn hotter and faster."
Raffles looks at where he guesses Queshem is standing, eyebrows raised.
Then he barks, 'Get everyone out of here now. I'll take care of Qaul, go!" With a quick salute the servant is off, shouting, 'Fire, fire!"
Now Queshem can hear the crackling of growing flames.
"And now you burn down my home?" Raffles says, scathingly.
Abadar leave me penniless why would I burn down a house I be standing in Queshem snaps letting tension break through. She steps to the study door and opens it. Draflo! In here. What kind of fire burns hotter with water. And how'd ye Quench it? Gnarea, Rabbis, in here when the other two be restrained. This just turned into Something else
'How the Hells should I know. Because you are a bloody pirate?" Raffles barks, obviously expecting the worse.
Queshem searches her memory and knows there are alchemical fires that burn otter with water. They are prized for burning ships due to their difficulty in controlling them.
Gnarea and Rabbis tumble back into the room both looking confused.
'Fire?" Rabbis says, looking around with sudden fright. More then the situation dictates.
Draflo enters looking troubled, "There are a few types of magical fires that do so. Most can be put out by snuffing them or choking them off from air but a whole building...I doubt there is anything we can do, especially without being prepared..."
'We need to get out of here." Rabbis says, eyes rolling a bit.
More calmly but quickly Gnarea nods, 'Aye, before we are turned to ash."
Rabbis! Yes, yer getting out of here, I need ye to be calm alright? Go grab Qauil and carry him out, Gnarea, give the guard his sight back, keep him gagged and leave his hands bound but lead him out. When yer out of the grounds tie him to a tree and give him a dagger sos he can slowly cut himself free. Draflo, go with 'em, and make sure that the gnome don't cast any damn spells as ye carry him back to our... escape route. I got questions for that one. Go go go, now.
She turns back and addresses Raffles, Raffles, I know ye don't believe me but maybe ye'll give me enough credit to not bring a man terrified of fire into a house I plan to be burning down Which I didn't. Whoever set that fire who was not us planned it out and yer life is in danger. I'll ask.. ask that ye come with us so we can help ye figure out who did this.
Draflo, Rabbis and Ganrea leave the room again. As they head out the door Queshem can hear a growing crackle of flames and smells smoke on the air.
Raffles looks at Queshem in a bit of surprise, 'You break into my home, attack my guards and burn my house and you expect me to come quietly? What kind of fool do you take me for?" he takes a step toward the outer door, leading to the hallway.
Queshem dismisses the invisibility on her and holds her hands up palms out Guilty on the first two, but no to the last. Look, if we were assassins or kidnappers then we'd have ye already one way or t'other. Yeah? But that's not what we be after. I know I don't deserve the benefit of yer doubt but I still be asking fer it. I'd be obliged if ye'd come with me so we can help ye figger out who be responsible for the arson, but if no, then, would ye accept me coming with you to help you?
The (former?) Captain snorts, 'It is a bold shark that asks the seal to jump into his mouth. If you are so concerned about the fire, let me attend to it." With a final shake of his head and a muttering of Crazy wench, the pirate lord heads for the door, leading out and away.
The smell of smoke grows and Queshem can feel a rising heat int he room, as well as hearing crackling flames and falling timbers. The fire will soon be upon them.
Queshem rips a rag off her sleeve and casts Create Water on it to create a makeshift rag and then follows Raffles at a crouch keeping her crossbow close at hand.
Already had ye in my mouth, but I'm no shark here Queshem says as she follows Raffles This fire be either magical or alchemical, either way, those who set it must be close, Don't know what their next move'll be but they must be having one.
Queshem follows Raffles, whom seems to merely be escaping her. As the halfling reaches for the door, Queshem sense more heat then she should, and the smell of smoke rises....before she can do anything, the pirate captain opens the door.
The inrush of hot air knocks both of them to the ground. A flash of flames instantly fills the room, feeding on this new draft of cool, oxygen rich air. The drawing room is instantly full of smoke and dancing flames. Luckily, with her handkerchief Queshem is still fully awake and aware. Raffles, meanwhile, is on the floor, eyes rolled back and head lolling. The sheer force of the rushing explosion seems to have knocked him unconscious.
The hallway out is an raging inferno and Queshem can feel her skin blistering even from across the room.
Eyes watering Queshem lets her crossbow go as it dangles from the attached weapon cord. Then using both hands she grabs Raffles and drags him back towards the study. From there she heaves to get him out of the window and looks around.
Smokes billows behind them as the drawing room is engulfed in flames. The heat follows them to the study, which is soon feeding on the many papers and scrolls. Queshem can smell the stink of boiling ink and melting glue as the little library is destroyed.
Looking out into the dark grounds, she sees the burning manor is throwing huge writhing shadows, making the garden come to life. Among the trees and bushes she can see her group, and it appears Gnarea and Draflo are arguing while Rabbis huddles near a hedge, looking ready to bolt.
Queshem casts Expeditious Retreat on herself and drags Raffles over to them. Well Raffles almost cooked himself which be what the arsonists were probably after. What be the matter here?
With blurring speed Queshem vaults the broken window, covers the dark yard and is at the trees in a moment. She arrives so quickly, the other tw don't have time to quiet down.
'We can't just leave her!" Draflo says, fingers crackling with magic. "We have to go back."
'Don't be a damn fool, she is burnt to a crisp by now." Gnarea says, 'Sad but true.." Then the halfling notes Queshem, mostly not brunt arrive. He grins, "Aah, you made it."
Behind them, the once blind guard is tied to a tree, watching the manor home burn.
Yeh, used Raffles as a heat shield. Queshem retorts Well let's get back to the ship and try to figure this mess out. She goes over to the guard, Hey, you a hired guard? Ya nearly got the drop on us back there.
The tied up man tears his eyes from the burning manor home, which is now totally engulfed in flames. 'Yes, ma'am, but I don't want any trouble. You won fair and square. You just lave me here, I'll be all right." he says quickly.
Queshem shrugs Well, whoever set that fire which was not us might come through here lookin' to finish the job. Sos how about another offer. I cut ye free and yet carry yer boss here to where we're going. It'll be safer and ye'll even get paid. 5 gold, what do ye say? Mebbe even more if ye answer questions on the way.
The man, whom Queshem sees is probably in his mid-thirties, with thin brown hair and missing an ear looks at her appraisingly. After a moment he says, 'All right, able to leave at any time, right? All right then. My name is Bronn, I'd offer my hand but..." He gestures at the ropes.
Alright Bronn, pleased to meet ya. No tricky stuff now mind. And ye'll be free to leave after we're clear of this mess. Queshem loosens Bronn's ropes and uses them to gag and truss up Raffles after checking to make sure that he's not in danger of dying.
Alright Bronn, you got Raffles, Rabbis, you've got the gnome. Marching order be Gnarea, then Rabbis, then Bronn and Draflo and I'll bring up the rear. The fire should give us cover but we're still going to go slow and steady and quiet yeah? Don't want to cause our passengers undue harm and there be arsonists about. Keep an eye on Qauil, Draflo. He's not to cast any spells. Rabbis, if he acts up, knock him unconscious.
Raffles appears ok, just knocked out. He seems to be breathing normally, although he has a good bit of flash burn on his weathered old face. The shiny burns look like they will hurt a great deal when he wakes.
Qauil is sitll awake, but bound and gagged. he is looking daggers as Queshem as she orders her little assault team. Draflo nods and says, 'I got an eye on him....I hope this works out for the best."
Queshem keeps her eyes open as they pelt out of the yard, and into the sandy regions near the shore. Bronn carries Raffles without much over-care but seems effective enough. The Pirate Lord stays knocked out the whole time and Queshem feels a twinge of worry. What if he is really hurt?
They soon reach the coastline, and Queshem can feel relief as the sounds of the lapping sea come to her.
Out of the dark she can hear Magner shout, 'How did it go? We saw flames..."
Everything went perfectly from our end Queshem says Until we ran into someone else's plan to burn the whole mansion down. Theirs went really well also. Barely got out alive. We got Raffles though, and the gnome that I be suspicious of, and Bronn here be currently a mercenary in my employ Now..
She takes Raffles from Bronn and lays him out on the sand..
She checks Raffles, Draflo, come here and help me out with Raffles. Rabbis, take Qauil in the boat, Polos that be a spellcaster of some sort so keep 'im bound and gagged! Magner, Gnarea keep a look out if you would please. I ain't going to feel safe till we're back aboard the ship.
She casts Cure Light Wounds on Raffles as she's checking on his injuries.
Alright ye earned 5 gold fair and square Bronn. Now. We saw a lot of patrols out there as we were going in. Why the extra muscle? When were ye hired on? Who else was in the mansion? The Greenbarrows? Who might want to burn Raffle's house down? 'Cause we didn't
Queshem checks the still knocked out Raffles. Apart from the burns, she sees little else. Looking closer his eyes seem unresponsive and his pulse weak. Dralfo leans over and says, 'I'd imagine Xaikon can revive him. Maybe he hit his head when he fell?" That prognosis matches up to Queshem's inner thoughts. But she has seen the tengu cleric heal such things. The Pirate Lord doesn't appear near death anyway.
Rabbis man-handles the still glaring Qauil into the boat and she has a feeling he is memorizing names and faces.
She casts her healing spell and the nasty burns on Raffle's face retreat into mere blisters. At the least, he'll hurt less.
Bronn rubs his stubble chin as eh considers Queshem's questions, 'I don't know that much. The Greenbarrow boy came into the docks and said he was expected trouble up at the manor. Something about a female pirate threatening Raffles. Said he'd pay good wages for a night's work, so I signed on with a few other lads."
"The Greenbarrows were around, aye, they kept checking up on us. bad bosses, really, miss. Far too 'hands on' as they say. Anyway I don't know who'd want Raffles dead. He is fairly popular here, as much as I can gather. Obviously the slavers would. Even these days, he is a thorn in their side. Maybe someone who wanted to be Pirate Lord of Bag island?"
Somethin' tells me that as we speak word's spreadin' through Slipcove that the crew of The Second Wind and Deadly Bolt just killed Raffles like a bunch of bleeding brigands. Queshem grouses
Congratulations Ladies and Gents she continues sarcastically We've just been set up.
Queshem sighs Right. Into the boat everyone. We're going home. Bronn, those answers right there was worth another 5 gold. Now, whoever set the fire don't want the truth to come out and they'll be going after any survivors. That would be you. Come with us and we'll drop you off at some other port. Don't think Bag Island's a safe place fer anyone right now.
The sellsword weighs the gold in hand and looks at Queshem. It is one thing to escape a fire with her, quite another to get onto a ship.
"I appreciate the offer but I have no wish to be press-ganged. Thank you for the gold but I'll look after myself. Fair sailing." the man says and moves to walk off down the beach, generally toward Slipcove.
Queshem sighs and mutters to herself before raising her crossbow and pointing it at Bronn when he refuses. Can't let ye leave and spread word about Raffles getting away from the fire. Get on the ground, now, Polos, tie him and gag him. We got three guests coming aboard. Hate to do this Bronn, but things just got real political
'So much for leaving when I want, eh?" the mercenary says, an edge of bitterness in his voice. 'Didn't take you long to break your word."
He holds up his hands though as Polos goes over, 'No need for that, don't need to be shot to get a point."
Polos ties him up but doesn't gag him as Bronn agrees to come quietly.
Slowly she gets everyone to the smaller boats, and gets them off the sandy shore. Magner and Gnarea confirm no one is around although a big crowd is gathering at the still burning manor,
Queshem grimaces at Bronn's comment. Technically she'd never agreed to Bronn's clause of being able to leave any time he wanted in their verbal agreement but she'd never been as comfortable with resorting to technicalities as some of her other Abadaran peers.
Shaking her head she gives the order to set out for safety.
The sea is fairly calm as they row out, Rabbis pulling at one set of oars, and Polos the others. Qauil, Bronn and the still knocked out Raffles seem quiet and unlikely to escape on the open water. In the distance Queshem can still see a smudge of orange light from the burning manor, a beacon that is probably visible for miles.
After a seemingly age of rowing, they find the two ships, still where they left them. Tound has ropes lowered and soon the whale boats are heaved up to the sides.
Magner is one of the first on deck and clears a space. 'Where do we want the captives?"
Draflo is already calling for Xaikon to get on deck.
'Lanterns on deck?' Parcell asks, coming close by.
Bronn is free to walk around as long as he doesn't get in the way, supervised of course. Raffles will be under Xaikon's care so wherever he thinks is best. Draflo, how can we talk to Qauil here without him castin' spells?
Bronn rubs his hands and feet from his bonds and simply sits on a barrel, and looks toward the distant shore. The sailors keep a close eye on him as they get to their work.
Tound comes over, 'We heading out to sea, Captain?" Magner can see going here and there, talking to this sailor or that, Gnarea in tow.
Draflo comes up, her face half hidden in shadow, 'The safest of all would be giving him a pen and asking him questions. Having him speak is always a risk. But having me, you and perhaps a third guard should be enough. I doubt he has any spell strong enough to overpower three of us and engineer an escape."
Queshem sighs Right, Qauil's in the hold with three guards at all times fer the moment. Set a course for Beachcomber fer now, be prepared to turn back if need be. No need fer lanterns on the deck, we did shadowy work today so it feels fittin'.
The first thing she had to do was make sure Raffles would actually wake up.
Gnarea, do ye want Raffles to be aware of yer involvement in this? My next step is to bring him back to the land of the livin' if Abadar grant that this be possible
Qauil is hauled below, Polos leading the way.
Beneath her feet, Queshem can feel the ship heel slightly as they set off eastward toward Beachcomber.
"He will guess it was me either way, probably think I was behind it." the dark halfling, barely discrenable in the dark adds, 'They'll be after you. I doubt this can be papered over with sweet talk."
Xaikon arrives on deck, his shiny feathers glinting in the odd beam of starlight.
He slowly walks over to Queshem and says, his in high voice, 'I hear someone got hurt on this mission? Why am I not surprised Abadar did not favor you."
Our part of the mission went as well as I could've hoped Queshem sighs The problem came when someone else decided to assassinate Raffles at the same time I was tryin' to talk to him. Doubt that had anything to do with The Judge Of the Gods. As it happens the mission actually saved Raffles' life. Barely though. Can ye take a look at him.? He's been unconscious ever since he got hit by a large gout of flame
The tengu actually hesistates, "I shouldn't help in this enterprise." He turns his beaky face toward Gnarea and glares. Finally though he mutters something about an innocent life and bends down toward Raffles.
After a moment the cleric straightens, "Let's get him in a bed. I am fairly sure I can heal him, but he'll probably need some bedrest." The dark eyes squint, 'You need some sleep too, Captain."
Magner strides past, shouting at a pack of sailors staring at the prostrate Raffles to get back to work. Queshem can see the smaller boats darting back and forth between the Second Wind and the Deadly Bolt, transferring sailors and materials.
Queshem nods, While ye're with him could ye check him fer any... compulsions or the like? Something that might be addlin' him in some magical fashion? she suppresses a yawn. Alright everyone on the mission needs some bleedin' rest frankly so all that were on the mission turn in. Tound and Parcell have the helm. Go slow towards Beachcomber and keep an eye out for ships. Keep Qauil under close guard.
Before she turns in she checks on Bronn Do ye have pressing business of some sort on Slipcove? I know ye didn't want to be forced asea but I figured you just to be doing mercenary type work on Bag Island.
Bronn says, 'I best answer no, to avoid a bolt in the leg/" he shrugs then, "No, but I consider 'being free' to be pressing business. That tengu, he talks of Abadar? You act strangely for someone of that faith, or so I gather."
The deck settles down as Raffles is taken to Xaikon's little shrine/hospital bed, Qauil is trussed up in the deepest part of the hold and Bronn sits quietly on his barrel.
The island drifts slowly away as the ships head to deeper water. The night is still dark, but Queshem knows dawn is only a few hours away.
When she wakes up, she makes a round to make sure everything's alright, before heading to Xiakon's shrine. How is he? she asks.
Queshem doesn't sleep well. Usually being at sea, in her bunk, on her vessel calms her but tonight she twists and turns, tosses in bed. When she finally falls sleep, her dreams are troubled. They are full of bad omens, broken walls, shattered locks, vaults standing open, empty of treasure. A vague sense of disapproval and watchfulness surrounds and fills her.
When she wakes, she can see sunlight pouring into her small cabin window. She has slept in although she instantly notes the weather has turned rougher, the ship swaying udner her feet. Leaving her room, she instantly senses something is wrong. It is quiet, too quiet.
The inquisitors can hear sailors about and orders being given, but not enough. Not for a fully manned and rigged vessel. She looks around and notes most of the sailors are the Sea Dragons, few of the ex-pirates. She squints more. She doesn't see Tound, or Parcell or Rabbis.
At the helm is a young squint-eyed sailor she has often seen with Magner. Everyone is starting at her, as if expecting some sort of show.
Speaking of the first mate, the druid is at the rail, deep in talks with Gnarea. When she comes on deck, they both turn toward Queshem and smile saying, "Good Morning."
Then it strikes her. The Deadly Bolt is nowhere in view. Just low clouds and choppy gray seas in every direction.
I had a dream Qushesm says simply Of Broken Locks and Empty Vaults, Of Destroyed Wall, and Ditches stoppered and overflowing with sewage rather than flowing clean.
she crosses her arms and stands legs akimbo in the stance of all experienced sailors in rough seas. How'd ye lot sleep?
Magner looks oddly relived, as if those dreams confirmed something he was worried about, and says, 'Bad omens for a follower of Abadar. Perhaps he isn't pleased with your actions. I know we are not."
A murmur goes through the sailors, which seem to appear everywhere, crowding in. Again Queshem doesn't see anyone she counts as a firm ally.
Gnarea then adds, 'Or perhaps you haven't go far enough."