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"The bandits are gone, except that one there bleeding. Not much that can be done for him I don't reckon. Who are you, and how did you come to be locked in a crate?" Lem asks.
Seeing that no one else is trying to save the man, even though it goes slightly against his beliefs, as these may be slavers, Len does his best to stabilize the dying bandit.
The woman looks from Ford and back to Lem, then around to see if any of the bandits are around. She seems to collect herself a bit more as she realizes that she doesn't seem to be in any more danger.
"I am Iatha Oedricius, a theologian from Andoren. I was on my way here by request of the Order of Cyphers due to my knowledge of ancient Thassilonian. Unfortunately my boat, the Starfire, was raided by pirates some time ago. I've been kept here ever since."
Iatha shudders a little as she begins to remember the raid. "The leader of the pirates, a woman known as Alejia, had already been on board. She must have snuck aboard when we stopped for passengers somewhere. She killed the crew and captured me, before commandeering the ship and setting sail to Kalsgard."
"That's where I saw her ship, the Lionfish." Iatha shakes her head and laughs a little. "An inspiring name for such a dinghy looking ship. The maroon paint is faded and peeling, and who ever lettered the name on the side looks like they were drunk at the time."
"Aejia had anything of value moved over to her ship, including me, before she told her crew to return to Riddleport and keep me under watch until she got back, after she erased her tracks. Then she sailed off with the Starfire and I ended up here."
As Iatha tells her tail, Lem is able to stop the surviving bandit's bleeding. He looks very close to death, but at least he won't bleed out now.
Pritty shur the Starfire is dis "thee-oh-log-e-can's" boat, and by "erased her tracks" I'm pritty shur she means "scuttled, sunk, sent to Ole Besi's port".
whispered to Lem
@Lem (whispered)
Iatha shakes her head at Lem's proposal. "I'm sorry but I've had enough of pirates. You may do what you will with the pirate, but I don't want any part of it. I thank you for saving me, but I would rather be on my way to the Cyphers and begin my work there."
"Yes, the Starfire was the ship that I was traveling on to get here, and I believe that when Aejia mentioned erasing her tracks, she was going to sink the ship."
"I do believe that her ship should still be in the dock. Some of her men kept me here, but others should still be on board. So do be careful."
Uh Lem. Da Starfire is da tub she came in on, wot dat pirate took over and den sunk (or is sinkin' soon). Da Lionfish is da pirate boat, wot is a shabby dinghy...(an' I tink yur jes doin' dis on purpose now for a laff)
"No you won't find the Starfire, unless you can search the bottom of the sea. After unloading the cargo and myself, Aejia has probably already sunk the boat and is on to her next target."
"If you want to find Aejia's ship, the Lionfish, look for a run down boat at the docks. The sails are still in good condition, but that's about it. It also has it's name written on the side."
Iatha stands, a little shaky but she stands and looks at all of you. "I'm sorry, but that is all I know. Now if there is nothing else, I'd like to be on my way to the Cypher's. I thank you again for helping me." Iatha begins to leave, stopping after she gets a few steps. "Oh there is one more thing. I overheard the pirates arguing with someone a few times. Something about protection money. I'm not sure what it was all about, but it might be important."
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"I'll be happy to go!" Ford suddenly pipes up, once again swiftly at Iatha's side and looping his arm around her's securely. "Besides... if Alejia or her men come back and find out handiwork, she'll probably be ticked... plus, if Alejia is interested in the Cyphergate, she's got at least one or twelve eyes roving around. I mean... I would. It's the prize, isn't it?"
Ford's expression turns slightly more serious. "In any case, Alejia's gone through a lot of trouble to capture scholars instead of easily killing them. She's obviously up to something with the Cyphergate... it'd be smart to have at least one man keeping watch."
Iatha smiles slightly as Ford moves in close to her. She carefully disentangles herself from him before speaking.
"Thank you for your worries, but I should be fine as long as I make it to the open streets. Besides, it seems that you have your own reasons to be after Alejia and I would not wish to keep you from that. Thank you again, but do not worry. I will be fine."
With that Iatha, glances outside quickly before exiting the warehouse and making haste toward the Guild of Cyphers.
huh...youse is a murderous bunch, an no mistaking
Leaving the warehouse, you make your way down to the Riddleport docks. The description of Alejia's ship fresh in your minds. As you walk for a few minutes, you notice there are getting to be fewer and fewer people as you go.
As you reach a section of docks that has very few people on it. A well-armored half-orc steps out from between some rows of barrels, a large dog beside him. He wields a mace in one hand, his other holding a small vial of some substance.
"Boss Croat don't take kindly to people who don't pay their dues. Get 'em"
Free action: "'Ware da flanka b'ind dat barrel!! An more comin b'ind us too!
Aetherys's spell washes forth in a wave of color. In it's wave, the dog continues to growl and bare it's fangs at you, but the leader drops the mace and vial to the ground, the vial breaking as it hits the ground.
Glancing around you do notice several other half-orcs that could be associated with the leader, but it seems that they are keeping back, making sure the few witnesses don't decide to be heroes.
Karasu speaks a few words and a surge of power runs down the length of his blade. Just as he finishes the spell, from behind some crates another half-orc stands. This one wearing some well crafted (if not a bit dirty) studded leather and a sling.
With a quick whirl, he swings the sling around before unleashing a bullet at Aetherys, , who seems to have not noticed the half-orc until now.
The bullet slams into Aetherys's chest, driving a bit of air from her lungs.
As Lem breaks into song, Sutekh fires off a pair of arrows. Both sink deep into the half-orc leader who seems too impaired to dodge properly.
With a growl, the ragged looking dog darts forward and attempts to bite Aetherys.
But the elf dances back out of the way of the dog's jaws.
Draw my short sword and move.
Brox draws his sword, closing in on the half-orc behind the crates, while Karasu takes a swing at the leader. The leader stumbling out of the way of the passing blade.
Moving toward the enforcer, Aetherys takes her eyes off the dog for a moment. In that moment, the dog lashes out, trying to bite her ankle.
The dog's bite goes wide as Aetherys moves up and past both Brox and the half-orc enforcer. Aetherys then slashes the enforcer, leaving a long cut along his side.
Hey Tobi, she attacked the bandit leader.
Ford moves upon the dog, but the beast dodges out of the way of both swings.
The enforcer glances between Brox and Aetherys, dropping his sling and drawing a sap. He takes a heavy swing at Aetherys before stepping to put some barrels to his back.
Lem continues his song.
Ay-tear-iss, I'm goin onna dock, move wit me
Sutekh's first arrows goes a bit wide, embedding itself into the barrels behind the leader, but the second arrow hits it's mark. The arrow sinks deeply into the leader's chest, holding him upright against the barrels even as the life drains from his features.
Barking and growling, the dog snaps at Ford.
Ready action wait for Aetherys to set up a flank on the Enforcer
When she takes her five foot step, I will draw my other gladius (mv), take a five foot step diagonally onto the dock (no action) and attack the enforcer with both blades.