With the Mantises remaining on board, the Muddy Prince resumes its river voyage. Shortly after the brief waypoint, the boat comes upon a militaristic series of docks. The Prince is waved toward one of the piers and the captain complies.
Each crew member is required to give a name and state his or her business within Touvette. "Passing through" is an acceptable answer, however. Those who answer in that way are given a small wooden token with a yellow ribbon which is to be turned in when the Prince reaches the opposite station. The officials also instruct that the tokens do not grant permission to step foot off the boat, and being found on dry land with just that token is trespassing.
The journey through Touvette is uneventful, including the brief stop in the major city of the river kingdom, Avondale. A light rain during the afternoon makes this leg of the journey somewhat soggy, but otherwise pleasant enough.
After turning in the tokens at the northern Touvette border, the Muddy Prince and her passengers enter into Pitax. The evening sky grows almost black due to the heavy cloud cover, so the river boat crew use lanterns to watch the banks closely to avoid running aground. After a tense hour of the nighttime navigation, the lights of the village of Sarain come into view.
The Prince docks at the Pitax village for the night. Passengers can opt to sleep on the wet deck of the ship or disembark and look for any available lodging in the border town. The captain says he expects to take on an extra load of cargo -- casks of wine from the local vineyards bound for the festival -- to make his final leg even more profitable, but it will also slow down his boat to the point that an overland journey would be faster by roughly half a day -- even more if horses are used.
"Overland. We can keep to ourselves." Looking around and not liking that other people are around. "We will have more options on land. Be better able to hide as we move about."
Learn about Pitax
Find a place to stay/horses and a wagon.
Kage nodded at Jon-Wyn, "Yes you're right. Besides I've have quite enough of boats for the time being... We should find ourselves an inn."
Kage thanks the captain before gathering his belongings and stepping onto the pier. Quietly to the others he says, "We should find out how the land lays before we press on to Pitax."
Jon-Wyn and Alenaya are able to identify a crowded inn that isn't above tossing out a trio of travelers who had already purchased a room for a much better price. They grumble and complain as they're moved into the overstuffed common room, but the innkeeper simply weighs a cudgel in his hand menacingly and the displaced travelers back down.
Jon-Wyn's asking around is able to learn a couple things beyond what's already known. The Rushlight Festival is the talk of the town and giving the local businesses an opportunity to gouge the travelers coming from the various River Kingdoms. One particular topic is about the growing tensions with Pitax's newest neighbor. Pitax has long had a tense relationship with the nation to its southeast, Mivon, but now it has another neighbor. The region to the east and northeast has always been a wilderness, but over the last couple years a steady stream of people have been carving out a new nation in the area. The region had been known as the Stolen Land, but now the new kingdom is calling itself Emeraldvale.
The hours of the night grow deeper as the rains steadily pour outside. The assassins have procured a drafty room with two beds at the Fallen Apple Inn.
Jon nods at Kage's suggestion. "I agree. We'll spend the day working on disguises and backstories. We'll gather supplies an information."
"Four of us, two beds" Eris remarks, drawing attention to the obvious situation at hand. "I'm going to assume that we might as well share the bed, in the absence of other furniture. Any form preferences?" she remarks with a smirk as she strips out of her outer clothing.
”So now it’s a party!” Alenaya says with a half chuckle as she too begins to casually remove her own gear.
Kage glances at Jon-Wyn and remarks dryly, "It's only fair we let the Ladies choose the arrangements..."
Yes. We set a watch. Don't forget we are being hunted by the most dangerous predators in all the planes.
Well, the two of you are overdressed, and we probably need to set up a watch, out of practicality if nothing else, so one of you two can take first watch. As for preferences, I'm pretty flexible." Eris answers, in response to Sa'Kages query.
Alenaya smirks at the returned unease of the men when faced with intimate relations. She continues to remove her travel gear, to the point that she is down to just her regular clothes. At Eris’ last comment, she steps up behind her and pulls her hair away from her ear, then says breathily ”I am willing to put that to the test. Here, let me help you with the rest,” she adds as she slips a hand around her waist from behind and begins working on the fastenings of Eris’ shirt, starting at the bottom.
”So, which one of you men are going to go out and be on watch?” she asks with a look of mischief on her face.
Still reeling from having Astrid torn away, Kage was taken by surprised at this turn of events! Somehow a vaguely witty reply occurred to him, "Some people pay to watch that kind of thing you know... " Of course on a base level this was very interesting which only made him more uncomfortable.
Jon does not seem the least bit uncomfortable at the ladies' antics. More frustrated by them. "I'll take first. If you must release your tensions in such a fashion, please do so quietly. I'll be listening for hunters in the night." If any of them needed to relax, its Jon. He's wound too tight. He puts on his mantis mask to present a stern facade, but the ladies can feel his eyes on them as they 'play'.
Eris snakes her hand around, latching it around Alenaya's wrist, dragging the hand currently under her shirt a little more upwards. "Darling, why don't you let me handle the fiddly buttons, theres plenty of other articles of clothing you could help with if you so desired." she mummers, before pouting slightly in Jon's direction. "As you wish, but personally I find it a rather relaxing way of releasing stress, you should try it sometime." she smirks cheekily.
The next morning, Alenaya is awake before the others, at least those not on watch. She throws on her gear before making her way out into the village to do a bit of shopping.
The next morning, the sky is heavily overcast and more rain is clearly impending. The small village market has one apothecary/herbalist offering a rather uninspired selection. Alenaya is able to find a few local roots and mushrooms that she thinks she can do a few experiments with, but after visiting the bounty of the Crimson Citadel she'll be a long time in finding anything that will impress her.
The stables of Sarain are similarly depleted, with most of the modest-priced riding horses already purchased. The remaining selection include a pair of six-year geldings, a spirited yearling, three mares, and two hot-tempered destriers that the owner says were bred in Mivon and that he purchased for studding. The prices range from 90 gp up to 250 gp per horse.
Jon knows little about horses. He can barely ride. But he can bargain, so that he does.
Jon's more concerned with coming up with disguises and backstories that will help protect the group from the mantis hunting them.
Jon is used to civilization, and doesn't know how to survive in the wilderness. He leans on Kage's expertise in this area to get them through.
Jon-Wyn's inexperienced eye when it comes to horses ends up getting four purchased at well above market. However, despite the price gouging, the beasts are serviceable.
The road from Sarain to Pitax is well-traveled and dotted with farms and homesteads, vineyards and orchards -- hardly the untamed wilderness that Jon-Wyn feared. The rains, however, have turned the wagon-ruts into muddy bogs and it is not long before the lower halves of each horse and rider are covered in muck.
After several hours of travel, where the assassin's pass numerous travelers headed to Pitax as well, they come upon a fork in the road. A weathered wooden sign marks the direction to Pitax and to another small village, Roycraft, and to Sarain back the way they came.
A new sign has been nailed to the old one, reading in hastily-chiseled letters, "Bridge out -- take detour". The Mantises can easily see fresh tracks heading down a much smaller path to the east of the road to Pitax.
Eris glances at the new sign, trying to determine how recent or official it looked.
"So, what do we all think about this? Call me paranoid, but whenever I see something like this, I predict someone looking to make a quick buck and building a toll booth or ambush. Do you guys believe that's legitimate, or do you want Alenaya and I to walk up ahead to spring the ambush while you two set up one of your own?"
"I was also thinking it could be a trap. I think we should take the detour and be as aware as we can be. If it turns out to be bandits, then we'll deal with them."
”I think we just continue on. If it’s truly out, we double back. Or cross country in the direction of the detour until we reach the path once more.”
Nonplussed Kage studies the shoddy sign for a moment before looking at the others. "It could be a ruse..." he walks around it for a moment trying to make sense of the myriad tracks, trying to read the story they represented.
It was too muddied and confused so he told the others, "We're not here to deal with bandits although granted that could be entertaining. I think Alenaya has the right of it, lets see if this bridge is really out or not."
Sa'Kage's skilled eye can definitely tell that several travelers have taken the detour, but he cannot tell if the sign is some sort of ambush or if it is legitimate.
Kage beckons Jon-Wyn, "Lets take a look see." Turning to Eris and Alenaya he adds, "Ladies you might as well come too, but we'll scout ahead a little."
Hugging close to the terrain, favoring shadows where possible, Kage darts from tree to tree making for where they bright ought to be. Along the way he cautiously watches for signs of anything untoward, paying particular attention to the tracks of any passers by.
Jon follows and does his best to help Kage.
The road twists around a small hillock and slopes down to the banks of a small but swollen river. A bridge spans the river, but a section does appear to have been under repair recently.
The Mantises approach the bridge cautiously. Kage and Jon-Wyn both see signs of other travelers that also decided to ignore the sign, but no real signs of ambush. In fact, the clear banks and lack of cover on either side of the bridge would make it a decidedly difficult place to stage an ambush, they observe.
They are able to cross the bridge without trouble and continue on their way.
===========
Pitax comes into view after a few more hours on horseback, arriving just as the long-term sun peeks out from underneath the cloud cover before it sets.
Pitax makes its home along the banks of a tributary of the Sellen River known as the Pitax River. Two small peninsulas just from the harbor forming a natural gateway and protected harbor. A pair of lighthouses sits on the tips of the two jutting landmasses.
The city is abuzz with the upcoming festival, set to begin it's opening ceremonies on the morrow. The first day is given over to trading, feasting, and entertainment, with a grand firework display at dusk. The next three days are highlighted by contests of skill at the Coliseum. The fifth day is more restful, with no special events planned, and the sixth and final day the festival culminates in a nightlong celebration of food and wine and ends with the Midnight Joust.
The festival fairgrounds are actually two miles northeast of town where tents, pavilions and temporary structures are ready for the throngs of people from all over the River Kingdoms.
The Mantises have an evening in Pitax before the festival starts.
Kage can here Jon mumble as they cross the bridge. "It would have been nice to kill the bandits."
"Finding decent rooms in this will prove difficult." The festive environment seems lost on Jon. "Remember our cover stories and don't forget why we're here."
Kage nodded, "Aye it would Jon, still if the visions are to be trusted this Bard king needs our services... How about we go drinking tonight and find us some trouble, and maybe discover why he needs us." . Kage glances at the others to see if they think this is a workable plan.
Jon-Wyn locates an inn with available though costly rooms. There is plenty of revelry that can be found, with music and dancing spilling out from the various tap houses, inns, taverns and pubs into the streets.
Jon leads the group out on the town to gather information, make contact with the local underground, and have a good time. While out, he uses his quick hands to try to acquire more funds to help pay for their expedition.
Eris is terrible at Diplomacy, but on the other hand, she was excellent at being a master manipulator. Selcting a revealing, low cut dress, Eris attempts to gather information my delving into the criminal underground of gambling dens and the like. With a flawless poker face, distracting beauty, not to mention her mind reading abilities, Eris attempted to play the room, trying to learn what tidbits she could.
Kage was used to Eris taking on the form of a seductress and asked, "Need a bodyguard for the evening? I'm told it's the ultimate fashion accessory."
Jon-Wyn's store of random knowledge of people and places brings up an interesting tidbit about the city of Pitax. A revolution had burned down fully half the city around a century ago, and only recently had the ruined section been rebuilt and repopulated. The New Ruins, as they're called, now house many of the artists and musicians who have been drawn to the town. The central heart of the city is known as the Shattered Ward, where merchants and guilds still control.
If the plan was to make contact with the oft-rumored thieves' guild of Pitax, that would be a good place to start.
==================
While heading to the southeast section of the city, Eris hears catcalls and both tempting and insulting offers to join various entertainment establishments. It seems that every other playhouse and tavern is holding some sort of talent competition and Eris's revealing outfit is drawing the attention of those who would love to have her on stage, talent be damned.
Once in the Shadow Ward, the architecture markedly changes. The buildings are older and larger, and the styles much more conservative than the gaudy colors and designs in the New Ruins. The revelry is also of a different tenor, as the throngs of young artists are absent. The Mantises pass by a sleepy inn called the Crow's Feather after an inquiry by Jon-Wyn gets the cryptic answer, "Newcomers looking to make their mark need to check out the Darkwind Tavern."
Finding the tap house nestled in the shadow of the looming Darkwind Trade House, it is clear that the tavern is owned by a large and wealthy trading house.
The tavern's patrons are an impressive mix of visitors and locals, and most appear well-versed in blade work among other unsavory things. All eyes turn and assess the Mantises as they enter.
As they work their way through the crowd of patrons, Jon tries his hand at a little larceny, and is able to deftly claim a purse with coins inside. No one seems to notice the theft.
Jon stands at the entrance for a few moments to allow the clientele to examine the group for a few moments before going to find a table.
If there are no tables available, he'll choose one. Go up to it and say in Kage's direction, "This is our table." He'll then wait for the patrons to raise up or cause a ruckus.
Once seated with drinks in front of them and, ideally, food on the way, He begins making discreet inquiries about the government and history of the land.
Eris takes particular note of any catcalls or entertainment opportunities by those she perceives as being artists with political or noble connections. To those, she coyly mentions she might ask them for a portrait sometime. Of course, it was unlikely she would take up the offer, but Eris was forever looking for ways to get closer to whoever this bard king could be.
In the Darkwind Tavern though, Eris doesn't bat an eyelid, still believing that confidence was always the key. She situates herself a little further back from Jon and Sa'Kage, to indicate shes not attached, and casually looks around, searching for interest or a hook in the crowd of patrons which she could use to gather information
When Jon-Wyn decided to make their mark by throwing out a table, Kage had to suppress a smile. Of course the question remained would there be trouble? Kage's world-weary eyes flicked over the patrons sizing them up, searching for weapons.
Singling out the most dangerous one for scrutiny, Kage stares at him with his unblinking crimson eyes. An unstated promise of violence hung in the air as his eyes bored into the man...
Jon-Wyn's brash behavior has all eyes in the tavern staring at him and Sa'Kage. His unnerving gaze sends the displaced patrons to find other seating arrangements. This lets Eris slip in and stake out a spot for herself. Alenaya similarly slinks in.
The tenor of the place is tense as various patrons size up Jon and Kage. The slayer notices a sleek man with slicked back dark hair and a face in a perpetual sneer. He starts to get up to approach, but the hardened gaze causes him to swallow nervously and veer away from the Mantis's table. He moves out of the common room through a side door.
After a few minutes, some of the crowd begin to notice the presence of Eris and Alenaya. A tiefling waitress moves up to the two ladies, her sinuous tail holding a half-dozen steins. "What'll you have? Beer, wine or cider?" she asks with a sharp-toothed smile.
After taking their order, the same waitress saunters over to the table Jon had commandeered. "You boys here to drink? Or to pick a fight? 'Cause we can give you either, but only one's the right choice."
Jon smiles at the waitress. "Drinks." he says, "We're here for drinks." Jon gives her 20 gold. "We also hope to be enlightened about certain historical and social aspects of this wonderous land." The money is to apologize for the scene they caused as well as to show any discerning listeners that they can pay for the information they want.
"I'm looking for a good time, so whatever gets me halfway there is probably a drink that might do the trick" Eris replies smoothly, playing the party girl to the waitresses question. Truthfully, she doesn't have much of a preference for alcohol, preferring to drink whatever would fit best with her disguise, and therefore doesn't mind what she gets given.
Like a predator perfectly at ease, Kage lounges in the chair daring anyone to meet his gaze. When the girl comes round, Kage chips in another twenty and adds, "I think a bottle of red to start with, something good. I'm sure you won't disappoint..."
Of course it paid to keep alert, so he did, staring at anyone who paid them the least bit of attention.
The waitress passes a stein of a crisp, hard cider to Eris with a wink and a smile.
She eyes the small fortune in gold placed on the table by the men with wide eyes and licks her lips. She tilts her head slightly when Jon mentions being interested in the history of the area. She swipes the gold off the table and nods. "Okay, be right back." She then goes out the side door.
Eris is propositioned by no fewer than three patrons in the time it takes for the waitress to return in the common area, flanked by a large flat-nosed man who likely had some ogre in his ancestry. She holds a dusty bottle in front of Jon and Sa'Kage, allowing them to examine the label. "Would you two like to enjoy this in a private room? And maybe you can find the history lesson you're looking for?" the waitress asks.
The wine bottle is from a local vintner, but one that has a good reputation in the Inner Sea. It is likely a very good vintage.
"Jon smiles his friendliest smile. What a good suggestion. We shall do exactly that." He gets up and follows the kindly waitress.
Eris smiles politely at all three of the patrons that quickly show an interest in her.
"Boys, please, the nights just getting started, there's plenty of time for some fun, and I haven't even finished my drink yet. It fact, its my first time in this bar, any customs or rules I should be aware of, people I shouldn't cross that might impact on any fun I might have?" she enquirers casually, fully confident that Sa'Kage and Son can handle themselves for the time being
Alenaya clicks her tongue before the boys walk off with the bottle, pointing to an empty glass in front of her. Once she has her own cup, she joins Eris in chatting up the brash men approaching them, “flirting” with them in tandem with the sorceress to possibly help her work an angle on them.