Mangur continues to keep a watch on the group from a distance. He is hoping to notice anyone paying undue attention to the group as they make their purchases.
Alika takes the fork, and before striking it, produces a perfect A as though the pitch is native to her tongue, then strikes the tuning fork and allows the others to make the comparison as she slowly lowers her voice to blend with the tone it produces. Her nigh perfect intonation does not waver for one second, her posture and breath control practiced.
"Very well, then," she says with a smile, clapping a hand over the tines of the fork when she is sure that her point has been proved. "How much for the instrument, Mistress?"
As he enters the shop at Alika's side, half-turned as in conversation, he bows to the woman serving. At Alika's words; Matts mouth opens and closes like a gutted fish astonished at the futility of her position.
As Alika rings the fork producing the perfect note, Matt looks on aghast. "Now... that doesn't change my position. The equations back me up, the tone, frequency and pitch available for the human voice vary. But the Fourier Transformations and series show that the harmonics required for a 'human' to make the perfect pitch; will cause the performers head to explode." he looks at the ladies and bashfully bows his head.
"Granted, experimentally this has proven false. So I will have to go back to my equations. What was the stakes of the wager, again?" he turns to Alika.
'She wants me to be the fool, well I can be a fool.'
Alika throws her head back and laughs. "Before or after my head explodes?" she clearly jests. "Drinks tonight," she answers Matt's inquiry with a hint of steel in her voice. "And I should like to see your equations."
The shopkeeper looks on appreciatively "Wonderfully done. Simply perfect." She shakes her head slowly at Matt's 'explanation' but accepts his eventual concession. "You, good sir, should be buying her more than just a drink." she says with a strong sense of victory in her voice.
She turns to Alika "Oh, they are a Sail apiece but for that wonderful demonstration please keep it. It is well worth it just for the entertainment of the morning." She smiles warmly, which you take might be uncharacteristic for her. "Tell me please, are you performing anywhere in town? I would simply love to come hear you."
At Alika's head exploding comment Matt blushes and his head bobs downcast. Only to rise again at the pronouncement of his punishment, with a cheeky smile and nod of ascertion. "Yes, it was beautiful my calculations must need refining. It was probably because I integrated over a continuous series. If I use a discrete field and take the Lagrangian." He mutters the final quietly to himself, before looking back to the conversation.
"Not as yet, Mistress," Alika says and sighs. "I have yet to complete a survey of the competition, or divined an adequate method of presentation. I will recall your kindness when I am considering my choices, however, as I am more than certain that your lovely shop contains the notations that I will require," she continues and dips her head in a bow.
"Well my dear, when you are ready, I know some musicians with good contacts here in town. I would be happy to introduce you to them. I'm so glad you came in this morning. You understand that most of my business is music instructors leading their noble-child students in for an instrument that they will most likely forget about or break in 6 months. So this has been a most engaging distraction." She looks smugly at Matt while continuing to address Alika "Although I don't envy the burden you carry." as she chuckles with you.
Alika actively restrains herself from licking her lips like a cat with cream. "Oh?" she says. "Aside from natural talent, I have not much experience with instruments. I may wish to contact one of these instructors. I would be in your debt if you would inform the betters that Alika can be found at the Standing Ogre."
She then turns and smiles at Matt. "As burdens go, this one is not too heavy," she continues. "His fingers are precise enough for the delicate work of the violin, and he is not lacking in sense."
With a precise nod of his head Matt acknowledges the slim compliment, as much as he will get out of Alika he summises. 'Common or Non-? And the former is not that frequent.' he thinks to himself.
"With your voice and my meagre accompaniment, I am sure that you could be a hit." Matt says eagerly like a child.
"Miss, do we have to be going? We have the last item to get." the words, light and insignificant.
Alika's smile is almost predatory. "Indeed," she agrees. "We could err no worse than if we were to miss our appointments. Good day, Mistress."
Matt gives a curt bow to the shopkeeper; "Thank you, good-day and I hope to see you again." And he leaves the shop looking slightly orried at Alika's smile.
Upon leaving the shop and being in the street again, Matt waits a few paces and looks to the lady. "I hope I played my role." He says with a straight face.
"You did yours' magnificently, now we are off to Garmyn Hand in Abbey Green? We need the token; I take it someone has it? It was not given to me by our erstwhile employer, though I recollect mention of it." Matt says looking to all the members of the group.
"You must understand that there was a time I would have sent persons qualified for these menial tasks to perform them," Alika says to Matt. "And it was not so very long ago at all.
"I grow tired of this guise, and am straining to find some amusement. We won ourselves a sail and something much greater in that exchange. So yes, thank you for playing along," she concludes.
"As for the item in question, I am certain its bearer will present himself when the time is appropriate, and not a moment sooner."
Back in the Green, you easily find Garmyn Hand. As you approach the shop, above the door you see an intricate metal sign that shows the name Garmyn being held in a long, slender hand. The lettering and scroll work are amazing. The rest of the front is nondescript, having no large storefront window.
Upon entering the shop, you see the entire front room is a maze of waist high glass cases. Each one displaying delicate gold, silver, and platinum jewelry. The craftsmanship is expert and many of the designs are highly creative. You see every kind of jewelry, from earrings, necklaces, and rings to arm cuffs, braided hair chains, and bejeweled circlets. You also see a collection of ornate holy symbols including jewel encrusted butterfly wings and a simple sliver spiral. Behind the far counter sits a Dwarf with a short black beard and tightly cropped hair. He wears a fine silken shirt, embroidered with golden thread and wears rings on every finger and several in each ear. He greets you as you enter. ”Welcome, welcome, come in. How can I help you on this fine day?”
Alika raises a sculpted eyebrow when she studies the jeweled holy symbols of Desna. Somehow I doubt that the goddess's love of journeys is paved with such devices... she muses.
"Greetings, Master. Are you Yawain?"
"Oh indeed, indeed. I am Yawain." he looks at you a little puzzled.
"Alika," she answers in a pleasant tone. "Might I speak to you alone, Master? I am considering a gift for a companion, and would have your appraisal of the costs before I place the commission."
"Oh certainly, just over here." as he leads you over to the far corner of the shop.
"My lady is oft standing and moving, and works with her hands," Alika says, demonstrating with hers as she works the token she was presented with from her sleeve. "What manner of article would you recommend?" she inquires with a smile. "I had thought a manner of bracelet so that she would be reminded of me, but perhaps that is too forward?"
He looks at you puzzled and then a smile of understanding passes as he begins to chuckle, and then starts to laugh heartily. "Oh very good, very good indeed." He claps you firmly on the shoulder as he begins to walk off, " Yes, yes, I have it right back here. Just a moment." He heads to the back of the shop and through a door.
As the dapper dwarf reappears from the back room, he is carrying a tray covered in a fine velvet cloth. He sets the tray upon one of the display cases and takes a step back, motioning you to remove the cloth. He wears a visible look of anticipation and is focused, not on the object, but watching your reactions.
Before moving back to the group, Alika slides the token back up her sleeve with
Alika removes the cloth obscuring the item her employer ordered, intensely interested in the master's consigned craftsmanship.
As you slowly draw back the cloth, you see a finely made crescent moon, crafted of shining silver. It measures 8 inches in diameter and delicately tapers from the finely pointed tips to almost 3 inches wide in the center. Along the back edge of the curve is ridge rising almost ¾ of an inch. The entire piece is engraved with stars, moon shapes, and a trailing pattern of curves. It is clearly a work of great artistic talent.
As they walk down the streets Matt; "So Alika you were rich? I am sure we can find something to entertain you, especially with tonoghts task. There are a few interesting games we may play whilst not interfering with the mission."
Upon entering the shop Matt looks at all the jewellery appreciatively, given his station he tried his hand at the crafting of such items but his patience was lacking. 'I am sure our family can never afford such as this again.'. He has a slightly dower look upon his face and when Alika goes to talk to the dwarven silversmith it changes not.
"So there is a 50-50 chance she has it. Well I am sure she has a good reason." He looks in appreciation at the necklace. "A beautiful piece. You do magnificent works." Matt says sincerely to the crafter.
"Oh well I'm glad, glad you think so. But I'm not the artist. That's my wife, my wife Garmyn. She's the craftswoman behind all this beautiful work." as he sweeps his hand, indicating the shop's inventory. "Well, almost all of it. We have pieces from a few other jewelers, but most of it is hers. I just run the shop, take care of the customers." he smiles proudly. "So what do you think? I'm sure it meets all expectations."
"No, I was not wealthy, but I was in a position of greater consequence than fluffing my master's pillows and fetching his factors on command," Alika answers tartly.
Alika studies the craftsmanship very carefully while Matt and Yawain speak. "Your wife's hands are treasures," she says, "and you are a good husband to relieve her of this particular burden," she continues and smiles at the man. "When I have learnt my lady's preferences, you can be certain I will return to speak to yours."
Matt nods; "Yes, these pieces are all wonderful. Is all the work custom, or do you have standard templates. Either way the work is exquisite and your shop is a marvelous compliment to your wifes work."
'Her lady? Either she is throwing off the trail or she has a mistress, interesting,'
Matt looks at the other pieces on display with a longing at their beauty. "Milady, are we done here. Shall we return to the lodgings?"
"Oh wonderful, wonderful. Your Lady indeed." as he chuckles heartily, "Well I shall pass along your complements." He turns to Matt and replies "We do have many 'standard pieces' that she recreates from an original design she had previously made. But much of our work these days are custom order pieces, although not many like this." turning back to Alika "I hope your Lady likes it, likes it indeed." As he continues to laugh to himself.
Matt raises an eyebrow and gives a curt bow. "I thank you, kind sir. I wish you and your skillful wife a good day. Until we meet again."
Matt puts out this hand discretely if Alika wishes to take it, if not it hasn't been too obvious that she has chosen not to.
Alika narrows her eyes at the 'keep's odd behavior as she secures their employer's property. She gives the 'keep a polite salute, then takes Matt's hand and leaves the shop.
"I have no intent of dallying with this bounty," she tells him. "If we are meant to be at the docks tonight, I would prefer this break to rest. Although if you gentlemen have some manner of diversion to attend, I will not begrudge you."
Matt gives a polite nod to the proprietor as they leave the shop and walk down the street. "Thank you. I personally have nothing to do until the eve, it would be best if we had these over to Guen, or place them securely in your room."
"It could be worthwhile for somebody to just have a quick check of the pub we're going to tonight." Matt says as they reach the Standing Ogre. I would be happy to, unless..."
Matt enters with the rest and at some point just take Mangur to one side.
You return to the Ogre during the pre-lunch lull in traffic. The common room is mostly empty. You see Tallunt restocking the bar, preparing for the expected lunch crowd. Both Guen and the cat are no where to be seen.
After giving the common room a once over, Alika hurries up the stairs to her room. She places the mornings purchases in the provided footlocker, sparing her own a glance before retrieving her chalkboard and chalk. She sits at the edge of her bed and sketches a design for a locket that encompasses a stylized cat.
Finding that her design is flawed in its execution, Alika grimaces, wipes the board and tries several more times during the period of rest.
Mangur smiles and pats the fellow on the shoulder. "It has nothing to do with you my fine friend, please be assured of that. I just feel that with all of us in one place, coming and going as a group, well, we are going to attract attention. I also do not know our employer very well, and wish not to take to many chances."
Mangur states, "I can go to this bar and look around, if you wish. The rest of you return to the Ogre and I will meet you there in an hour or two, if that is ok."
Matt looks at the others after watching Alika depart. "So what now?" he asks as he takes a seat at an empty bench.
"We have some free time, it appears Alika has gone off to do her own thing. As I said I was thinking of going down the dock area and locating the pub, just to check out escape routes, clientelle, watchers from the shadows, storeys; that sort of thing so if anyone wants to join me. It's also a good opportunity to let your animals loose for a bit."
Matt gets up and stretches his legs; "I'm just going to drop off my valuables, just in case, meet whomever wants to go down here in 5."
Matt goes upstairs and makes sure his valuables are concealed or left behind; then returns to the common room. He then sets off with those who wish to accompany him to the dock area.
As you head into the dock area, you are overwhelmed by the shear number of people and carts moving back and forth. This is the height of the midday rush. It seems that everyone else in Cassomir decided that right now was a good time to visit the docs as well. You have some difficultly moving around without being run down by overloaded wagons or hungry dock workers heading off to lunch. You are able to find the Green Wyrm without much trouble thou.
From the outside the Tavern appears an unremarkable building with a sign picturing a great green lizard rearing upon it’s haunches. The large front doors are open to the outside letting in fresh air and helping to vent the smokey atmosphere of the interior. A steady stream of people move in and out exchanging the lively environment inside for a bit of breathable air and shoulder room outside.
Matt walks down the crowded street towards the docks , bumping through the throngs of people. 'Well it is a heavily traded merchantile town. Glad I kept my valuables safe.' He gently taps his chest where his money pouch is kept on a string around his neck.
Dodging past a cart he comes upon the grim tavern, which seems to be bustling with people. The daily routines of dockers and sailors in this expansive port city meaning that there is continual need for food and alcohol.
As Matt approaches the building he has a quick look at the nearby buildings, in case there is anything important that overlooks the building, or a suspicious shop. He then moves around the exterior of the building to see if there are any back entries, courtyards or alleys.
Then he strikes a cigarette; 'Man, this will mitigate the smoke from in there at least.' He moves to the doorway of the Green Wyrm and tries to barge his way inside.
Taking a few moments in a bit of an out-of-the-way alley, Mangur changes his appearance to try and better fit in with the locals. He will enter the Wyrm and seek out a table or seat that gives him a good view of the place. He will stay here until the rest of the group arrives this evening, watching for their contact and asking discreet questions about him.
The building itself is freestanding without and other attached shops. It has an upper story but there doesn't seem to be anyone up there that you can see through the windows. There is a small (10') Alley between it and a warehouse next door. There is a back door which appears to be for employees and deliveries. There may be a side door in the alleyway but it would be difficult to travel down it casually as it has several piles of crates blocking the way along it.
Inside the tavern is quite large and is dominated by booths and tables, almost all filled with both dock workers and sailors freshly come ashore. There is a single large bar along the back wall of the tavern. It’s currently maned by three men serving up mugs as fast as the waitresses can carry them to the tables. Along the outside edge of the tavern is a row of booths stretching from the front door, all the way around to the edges of the bar in the rear.
Once inside you see that while busy, the tavern isn’t as packed as it seemed from outside. You are able to move around comfortably but there are few tables open at the moment. One of the waitresses waves you over to a table she is just finishing with cleaning. ”You better sit here before it’s taken. I’ll be back in a sec for your order.” She’s a young woman with a lopsided smile and medium length brown hair, pulled loosely back.
After catching Mangur out of the corner of his eye, his eyes slide over the figure and he ignores his prescense. The waitress waves Matt over to a table and he moves over to sit down with a smile to the server. "Thank you, Miss." he says kindly at her retreating form.
He will try to blend in with the common crowd, probably by looking like a merchant. The main thing he will try and accomplish is that noone would be able to recognize him if he came back here without a disguise.
Speaking with a slight Osiriani accent, Mangur orders what looks to be the most popular drink. Once a better table or booth frees up he will move to it, and keep moving until he has a good view of most of the room. He will wait here until the rest of the party arrives, and keep a watch on who is watching them.
Matt orders a pale ale and takes a few sips of it. The light flowery taste is soft to his pallette, the type of beer that takes a while to turn. He thanks the barmaid appreciatively and takes a while to savour his drink, whilst watching the clientelle; looking for anyone particularly rich or influential. Finding none he leaves the pub, taking note of the arrangement of tables, exits and prices.
He then leaves the busy dock district, to look for a 'penny dreadful'-style book. Osirian romances that Matt had devoured, although his intellect and taste should be repulsed by their poor writing he still enjoys them with an immature immensity.
Matt buys a book whilst wandering through the city, he then returns to the eatery that they were at the previous day and sits down to read his book whilst having a glass of Kaffe. He will try and talk to Ellena again. Helping her improve her Elven and just generally making friends with the other serving staff. Seeing his role more as a Henry Higgins than as romantic, with the young waitress.
After a few hours Matt returns to his rooms at the Standing Ogre. He will take some time in the bar and tell the others what Mangur is doing.
Mangur: You move from area to area, seeing different waitresses and the varied clientele. You have a very good feel for the place and how the waitstaff works. It is unfortunately too busy to be able to pick out anyone of interest without knowing what to look for.
Matt: You have no problems finding a bookstore with your desired material. Ellena is ecstatic to see you and almost upends a tray of food rushing to see you. You can tell she has been practicing her Elven and is eager to use it all on you. She asks if there are any elven speaking places in town that she could visit?
Noticing the exit, Mangur makes sure he is in a position to keep this exit in sight. He will order something to eat as the day wears on, but keep his eyes and ears open for any talk about his employer, or any strange goings-on here in town.
Alika practically beams when Guen arrives in her room, and quickly uses her magics to clear any chalk dust from herself and wipe the board clean so she cannot see her likely failure of a design.
"Mistress, you grace me with your radiance," she sings, "I would that you might visit more often, upon your own inducement, and not for matters of business," she grins and nods towards the foot locker containing the items.
"As well as can be expected," Alika sighs. "I am attempting to wean Matt from his public excesses, and inducing the benefits of a classical education," she says and chuckles softly. "We have reached an understanding."
Alika looks out the window to the city beyond. "I have an extreme distaste for the sea. And sailors. Transients in general," she admits.
"I am considering taking lessons in an instrument. Have you a preference for where?" Alika inquires, more to the point. "I suggested that the 'keep might conduct any interested in my coin to this location, but if you believe my practice will adversely effect your traffic, I would know so that I reach an alternative arrangement."