Jon looks around some as he considers. "Time is not our ally here." He nods to Jagen indicating his agreement. "Orisini will tell them where Kalepopolis is. Our first concern must be our fellow brethren. Let's do as Astrid suggests and go to our other safehouse. From their we can finalize our plans. Now let's clean this place up and set it on fire. Our fallen need a proper send off and our enemies need to know in the light or in the darkness, we come for them."
When Jagen talks about the adventurers, Kage glances at Eris before interjecting, "We might not need them Jagen. The last day has been rather eventful for us, did you know there's a guy running around Old Korvosa claiming to be it's Emperor? He sleeps in a child's bed near his collection of badly preserved heads. Turns out has a guillotine in his throne room which he positively itches to use. Very odd. Anyway we need to check something out discretely. Don't worry we're not going to cut you or Astrid out of the loop, I have a feeling we're going to need a lot of muscle for this. Kalepopolis isn't stupid, and he won't be lightly protected." Turning to Astrid, Kage adds, "Perhaps we'd better prick up the two you mention, just in case"
As the two Mantises, Reva and Kadalen, relayed word of the raid, Alenaya listened passively as she continued to work with her chemicals, plants, toxins, and venoms in the adjacent laboratory. When the name Kalepopolus is mentioned, she arches an eyebrow and pays more attention. Once she learns that the lead had been taken, she sighs and asks, "Why wasn't word of this 'lead' given to the rest of the units here in this gods forsaken place? Especially if their information was reliable?"
Before they can answer, she sighs and adds "I suppose it doesn't matter. But we need to get them back, and eliminate these fools who would thwart our work. I suggest we gather whatever remaining Mantises there are in the city that aren't actively on task and give this our entire focus, wouldn't you agree, Lilith?"
__________
Lounging on a couch somewhere in the back of the safehouse, Lilith sits up and nods in agreement.
"That sounds like the wisest plan of action, Alenaya; accomplishing anything with just the four of us would most likely be... troublesome."
Eris bows her head slightly as the plan of regrouping gains support."It's decided then, we regroup at the safe house and see if we can gain additional allies or support - and then seek to gather more information about our target before pressing onwards"
As he turned to leave, Kage replied, "Best assume the house is compromised until we prove its not. Caution, ever caution advised Master Brinn..."
He slipped out onto the street aware of potential eyes, and darted into the shadows. As he got closer to the safe house he circled around twice a block away, looking for signs of compromise before entering.
Jagen rolls his eyes and Nordusk rubs one of his tusks while Kage describes the Emperor. Astrid just shrugs and pulls her mask down over her head.
Gathering that Eris seems a little reluctant, Nordusk chuckles and gives her a slight nudge of encouragement. "Don't worry about the safe house. It's so secret we almost forgot about it. If Kadalen hadn't remembered, the two Acantha banished would still be working on their own little projects."
Astrid spins and scolds the half orc. "Nordusk! She didn't banish them, from what I was told. She just didn't like their... alternative ways of doing business." She glances at Eris, Jon and Kage. "The vernai is a bit of a traditionalist, if you haven't figured that out. Don't worry; I'm sure they're competent."
Jagen scoffs at the banter and urges everyone to move. The mantises then leave the compromised safe house stealthily and soon, thanks to Jon's work, the place is sending up a plume of black smoke behind them.
The mantises travel west, lengthwise along the narrow island and heading away from the Emperor's territory. They give the blocks of houses and buildings around the ruins of Orsini's Academy a wide berth, and weave in and around the docks and the roads leading down to the demolished bridges that once linked Old Korvosa to the mainland.
Kage can detect no one following or watching as they move to the brewer district. Many of the brewhouses have been gutted or ransacked, but still more show signs of life; stalwart bastions against the decay and ravages of lawlessness by virtue of the alcohol they still sell.
One such tavern, the Two-Barreled Jig, still operates. Passing beneath the sign of a busty lass hiking her skirts as she dances upon two barrels, the mantises slip in singly or in pairs and are quickly lost amidst the full and rowdy crowd. They make their way to the interior, where they slip into a dark back room and pass through a false wall that leads them into a series of chambers and linked passages.
The underground Red Mantis headquarters in mainland Korvosa is spacious compared to this hideout. The cramped rooms have low ceilings and there is a reek of chemicals emanating from one of the chambers filled with alchemical supplies.
You meet Reva, remembering her as being dark-haired of clear Varisian descent, and Kadalen, a spry young man who has distinctive Chelaxian features.
With the safe house deemed safe enough, Jon is only too happy to meet more Red Mantis devotees. "Greetings, brethren. I wish our introductions could have come under less immediate circumstances. We are currently performing a ritual. Unfortunately, not only has our sacrifice has proven inordinately difficult to locate, but he has allies that are capable and more loyal than reason would dictate. We do have a lead, however, and we would like to have some support in case we need to make a show of force." Jon pauses to let everyone take in his impromptu speech. "Are you in?"
"Yes, we've heard," a dark haired woman says as she exits the room that reeks of vapors and chemicals. "A rather valuable lead to lose, considering the target to which it might lead. We need to relocate this individual quickly, so that we can reclaim them promptly."
"There are more of us than I expected. Nice," proclaims a musclar dwarven woman with braided copper red hair as she finishes adjusting her silver dragonhide armor. "Name's Lilith. This is about Kalepopolus, right? If so, I'm with you; it seems that a lapse in communications left Alenaya and me in the dark about that lead on him."
Seeing the two Mantis agree, Kage added an emphatic "Good." He stepped forward, so they could clearly see the wierd colourations that marked him as Tith'Kali, although that wasn't his intention. Looking each in the eye he continued softly, "We do have a lead, courtesy of Eris, however a small formality first. Masks please."
With a practiced motion Kage's fearsome mantis mask was upon his head. No offense was intended by this precaution, but it was the kind of secret to alter the course of history. It would be careless to let it fall into the wrong hands...
Eris sizes up the newcomers before inwardly shrugging - if they were competent, then there wouldn't be any issues - and if they were not - well it wouldn't be much of an issue.
"I broke the mind of a information source, and discovered our target has been taken in by Arkonas. Who or what this is, I haven't yet had an opportunity to find out - but my source indicated time is short - he could be moved somewhere else extremely quickly, so I'd prefer striking much more quicker than our usual attacks Sa'Kage, and Jon".
Kadalen whistles when the name "Arkona" is mentioned. He puts his fingers to his chin for a moment while he thinks, then shakes his head. "If the Arkonas have him, they'll know he's valuable. I don't expect they'll move him, either."
Jagen throws up his hands to interrupt. Turning back to Eris, he looms over her. "Hold on -- what do you mean, you broke the mind of a source? Orsini is our source!"
Astrid speaks up. "Eris is a mind reader, you idiot! Why do you think they left Orsini with you and disappeared for a day and a half? They followed up on something she plucked from his mind. I trust her; I say we go to the Arkonas. Kade, you're the local. What do you know about them?"
Enraged at being insulted and then dismissed, Jagen fumes and leans in closer to Eris. "If that's true, rather than sharing that information, you went off on your own! We lost time, and lost good Mantises in that attack!"
Jon moves to stand next to Eris. "WE decided your tempestuousness would be a liability in our investigation so We chose to leave you behind. And if you don't stop with your childish temper tantrum we will do so again. Put aside your anger and your pride so we can get on with this ritual."
"I didn't tell you because you lack the emotional control to think up tactics more sophisticated than 'hit something'" Eris responds in an icy tone, in stark contrast to Jagen in keeping her emotions under control.
"You know, keeping that information to myself was exceptionally smart. For one thing, Orsini didn't know he gave up that information, and the adventurers couldn't interrogate anyone because no-one knew. Nor is it my fault we lost Mantis in the attack. We couldn't call go - that would arouse suspicion, and the adventurers attack again - and besides, if our sentinels had been any good - they wouldn't have been surprised so easily, or slain so quickly. Now calm down and do what you are good at - taking orders".
Alenaya looks to Lilith and rolls her eyes at the other Mantises bickering like children.
Having around forty years of existence on Alenaya, such bickering among Mantises is nothing new to Lilith. The Menhir Savant rests her club on her broad shoulder and gives the Alchemist a knowing grin and an understanding nod.
Pointedly ignoring the raised voices, Kage calmly asks, "So what do we know about the Arkonas then? I assume they have a lot of men at arms but what about wizards or priests or others likely to cause trouble? Does anyone have a map of their compound or compounds?"
Jagen sneers at Eris. "I take orders from the Vernai, not you. Vespid's a failure. She's lost all her little mantises. You'll answer to Acantha, and when she gets word of how you've done things, not only will you be punished, but you'll bring Vespid down with you."
The other mantises shift uncomfortably at the exchange, but finally Kadalen clears his throat. "Well, the Arkonas are a wealthy merchant family. Their estate isn't far from here, on the bayside, up on the hill. They do a big business importing and exporting with Vudra, and their estate grounds is in that Vudrani style. Lots of exotic plants and animals.
"Thing is, they're also deep into the criminal underground here in Korvosa. The head of the household is Glorio Arkona. He's hired us in the past, but only for work far outside Korvosa, which is understandable. I can understand the need to take care of things in your own house."
Turning to Kage, he continues. "I've never been inside the compound myself, but it's well-known that it's heavily guarded."
Jon nods at Jagen's words. "If that is how you feel, you should go." There is a bit of sadness to his words. Jon then looks past Jagen to speak to the others. "Perhaps they would be receptive to an offer to give Kalepopulis to us."
Kage listens carefully to what Kadalen has to say before asking, "I see... Lets hope their taste for the exotic doesn't run to dangerous creatures. I wonder if we can find somebody who has been there? I'm not too keen on going in blind, although I appreciate time is of the essence."
Kade shrugs, while Jagen falls back and sets to pacing back and forth.
"I have no idea, who else, but I suspect Vernai Acantha has been a guest in the past." Kadalen's head turns slightly in Jagen's direction. Then, taking a breath, he continues. "Considering the plague, it's most likely that the Arconas will have shut their gates and now keep their guards and servants inside the walls. We might be able to find some other people who have been inside, but it'll take time whether we ask around here or go back to see the Vernai."
"Exotic animals..." Lilith ponders aloud. "If we can find someone who knows what creatures they keep, perhaps I could slip in as one of those critters in the middle of the night and... Well, that's if Kalepopolus is actually there. And it'd be awfully risky to go solo."
Kage's eyebrow raises slightly and he asks Lilith, "You can take the form of an animal? Interesting, what about one that flies? If so it might be worth passing over their compound and counting the number of sentries and so on."
"Aye," the dwarven woman confirms with a smirk. "I have a number of flight options. Usually an eagle during the day or a great horned owl at night. The transformations last for hours, so I can definitely fly over and count sentries."
"Closed gates are easily thwarted, by any number of means. Are they a self-sustainable system behind those walls, because if not, they still require supplies, and to do that, they gotta see new faces now and again..."
"Here's my proposal. I'll go take a look at the place disguised as a local bird. Meanwhile, you all go sniff about for more information. In particular, I'd look into if Kalepopolus is actually there. Given our time crunch, the last thing we want is for our princess to be in another castle."
"I highly doubt the lead to Kalepopolus was taken directly to our quarry. Though that would be convenient..." Alenaya muses. "But yes, the more information we can gather simultaneously, the better. I will remain here and make some...preparations," she adds before giggling deviously.
"I say with go with Lilith's idea. We can all be close by as well so we can act quickly on any information she unearths." Jon stands and is ready to go. "Which way to the Arkona estate?"
Kadalen's smile is evident beneath his mask. "It's on the highest point of this island. It's a little north and west of hear. If you're going up, you're going in the right direction."
Jagen speaks up again, his anger having been reduced to a low simmer. "All right, let the bird go scouting. That can give us some time to ask around. But be careful how you go about asking. If, if Kalepopolis is there, don't accidentally spread rumors that he's there."
Astrid speaks up. "Those adventurers could also be on their way to the Arkonas."
Jagen nods, then thinks for a moment. He points to Reva and Kadalen. "You two look for a good ambush spot along the most likely route to the Arkona's place. The rest of you, see what else you can learn about them. Meet back here in four hours."
Both of Kage's eyebrows go up when Jagen sends everyone out to learn about the Arkona's. Head in his hands he mutters, "Might as well send them a runner to tell em we're coming." He paces around before coming to a conclusion, "All right nothing is going to stop Jagen going at it like a bull in a china shop, so lets use it. I reckon one of two things will happen, either they're gonna batten down the hatches in which case Jagen makes an amazing distraction for us, or they're gonna run in which case we'll be there to catch em. Jon-Wyn's right, we've gotta act fast. I say we find out where Jagen plans to hit and be right on the other side ready."
Turning to Lilith he asks, "Can you carry anything with you when you take another form? Some rope over the back wall would be very handy..."
Lilith nods at Kage's remark.
"My gear melds into my form, though I could certain carry something in my talons after the fact. However, a bird carrying a rope would probably like really strange. Part of my disguise is that I could be just any old bird. That said, I usually have Spider Climb prepared, so I can easily get a rope over the back wall when we move in."
Eris closes her eyes in thought for a moment, thinking quietly.
"I think quick reconnaissance is best, followed by attempts to gain entry. I'll have to see if anyone regular enters the property - I'd prefer disguising myself again and getting entry that way rather than climbing a wall - physical tasks are not really my strong suit."
Kage shrugged, "I believe I could could carry you up a knotted rope without breaking a sweat. Still if you'd prefer we can walk in the front door. I tend to think that will be harder, however, as they will be suspicious at a time like this."
Alenaya steps back from the lab area, seeing that nobody has taken any further course of action. "What is the hold up, here? We likely have quite a bit of time to learn everything we can. Knowledge is power, power we can use against our targets. Besides, isn't the objective to retrieve the lost asset and lead to Kalepopolus? We just need to get in, retrieve them, and get out. Not eradicate the whole keep...as amusing as that sounds..."
"Ok. We have a plan. Jagen, let's go." Jon gets up and leaves expecting Jagen to catch up.
Jagen turns to Alenaya, his menacing smile evident on his face despite wearing his mantis mask. "Right. We'll want to meet somewhere close by when you're finished with your preparations. We'll share information and decide what's the best way to go."
"If I remember right, there's a small orchard outside the walls to the Arkona's. That'll be a good place to meet, once you're done scouting rather than coming all the way back here," Kadalen says.
Jagen nods to the local mantis. "That should work. Let's meet there."
Reva and Kadalen then nod to Jagen and depart, planning to look for an ambush site along the way to deal with the adventurers if they come that way. Astrid shrugs and heads out, followed by Nordusk.
"Good. I will meet you all there, I will be the one with a crooked nose. Do have fun," Alenaya says as she steps into her personal chambers and locks the door. A half-hour later, another woman steps out, this one with earthy brown hair, a slightly bent nose, and a slightly less curvaceous figure.
She then makes her way to the orchard to meet with the others.
After making her rounds over the complex, Lilith perches herself near the designated group meeting point.
Jon goes out and talks with people about the Arkonas. He tries to do so in a way that won't garner much attention.