Ringeirr nods, responded to the groups coversation before addressing Quasit directly. "A wise plan. I suspect the guard is going to expect to see you again. Once we've gotten these fish taken care of I'd put some thought into your next steps with that one. He smiles, as if looking forward to the next bit of deception.
Perception rolls from everyone please.
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Fin arches an eyebrow upon Ringeirr mentioning seeing the guard again. "Indeed...it appears that Whitethrone will keep us on our toes..."
He retrieves his bow, unwraps it, and slings it over his shoulder, murmuring, "That feels better..."
The ranger takes a position towards the back of the wagon so he can better cover Quasit and Ringeirr as they lead; he keeps a sharp eye out for anything odd...
Tezuzu chuckles "Alexia P. Kazmarova, lady wolf-heart breaker." seemingly entirely too pleased at the turn of events.
After going left from inside the Howlings opening the path is a bit narrow. Luckily, it opens more as you make your way to the next turn. A right and the group is pointed north. Between some of the houses you are surprised by the sight of green, evergreen trees growing from open ground.
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Noticing the snow goblins, Fin casually stretches, grabbing his bow from around his shoulders, and rubbing his right shoulder as if the bow had been rubbing against it, before continuing on. From Quasit’s reaction, he was certain she had noticed ‘em as well...
He murmurs to Maka, who was closest to him, whispering lightly, ”Couple of snow goblins ahead...be ready for an ambush...”
Fully alert now, the ranger looks for tracks and other signs to see if these two are not alone...
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Sakitu sticks close to the others. When she sees Fin get his bow from the fish cart, she follows suit and quickly arms herself. As they walk down the street Sakitu glimpses the green trees between the houses. She is about to point out the trees to the others when Fin stops and whispers something to Maka. More alert now, Sakitu continues to scan for danger.
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"Goblins" whispers Quasit to Ringeirr. "I think they might be getting ready to ambush us. If they jump us, I want you to hide under the cart."
She looks back at Bulvi to make sure he managed to at least grab his weapon. If she can get eye contact with him, she does a quick flick of her hear toward the circle of carts.
Tezuzu drops his jovial demeanor and adopts a fighting stance. ”Filthy creatures” he mutters as his familiar hops out of its box at his feet and begins growling angrily.
At Fin's warning, Maka spotted the goblin's in hiding. "Goblins are so cute, why do they have to be so mean?" She whispered back to Fin before readying herself for a fight.
Ringeirr cringes, "More mouths to feed it seems. The snow goblins in these parts can be a bit more to deal with then desparate beggars. He does his best to keep the fish in the cart as everyone goes pawing for their weapons. I hope that guard wasn't looking after you too fondly. She may catch our deception sooner than we hoped.
Tezuzu prepares for combat and chrips "I take offense to that. I am very cute."
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Quasit takes a step out in front of the cart, boldly draws out her blade and makes what she imagines is a wolfish snarl.
"All right you miserable goblin rats! I see you! If you think you're going to steal MY fish, while my brothers and sisters are back around the corner near the Gate, then you're even more stupid than I thought you were! Run back to your holes before I rip out your throats!"
A single arrow flies toward Quasit as she steps forward to speak. Missing her as she speaks. After it flies wide a voice can be heard from atop the nearby covered alley. "Hold. Leave 'em 'lone boys. The snow goblin climbs deftly from the covering, looking adequately cowed. Our mistake. I mistook these other fellows as fair game. The goblin points a pale blue finger in the direction of the group behind Quasit. [b]We'll go on our way if that's ok.[b] As he gestures three goblins emerge, stowing their shortbows and taking up positions behind the goblin responding to Quasit. All of them keep their eye cast toward the ground.
Maka continued to be impressed with Quasit's use of words. Unfortunately simply letting the goblins go didn't sit right with her. The fire monk fidgeted while trying to hold her tongue.
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Quasit makes a growling sound in her throat, then points a warning finger at the lead goblin. "I should examine all your papers and bring you in for questioning. No doubt we'd find that you were responsible for other acts of banditry in the city."
She glares balefully at the goblins in silence for a moment. Then she makes a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Bah! Out of my sight before I change my mind! I have to get this fish to market! But I'll remember you all, and if I so much as smell you again, I'll drag you in myself!"
"And leave the bows! Those are mine now!"
The apparent leader of the snow goblins looks increasingly uncomfortable, nodding he curtly instructs the goblins to do as asked "Leave 'em boys. We don't need this kind of trouble. He turns and walks away slowly as the three behind him drop their shortbows to the ground and quickly follow him.
Ringeirr shakes his head in disbelief, smiling at Quasit "One of these days you're going to scare a royal into giving you keys to a kingdom. I wonder if you'll know what to do with it. He resumes pushing the cart north, Once we deliver the food," he promises, "we go straight to get your papers. Then I'll take you on to the Shrine of Milani.[/b]"
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Once the goblins have slunk away, Quasit waits about 2 beats then turns back to the group grinning like a fool.
"I could get used to this." she says.
Ringeirr shakes his head in disbelief, smiling at Quasit "One of these days you're going to scare a royal into giving you keys to a kingdom. I wonder if you'll know what to do with it.
Quasit is clearly pleased with the compliment, but plays it as cool as she can. "We're just lucky we were dealing with a bored guard and some idiot goblins." she says with a little shrug.
Then she sees Maka's look and lets out a little sigh. "Yeah, I know, we could have taken them easily, but we're trying to avoid notice. The last thing we want is to get into a brawl in the street and bring some real scrutiny down on us. Don't worry, I'm sure someone is gonna need punching before today is over."
He resumes pushing the cart north, Once we deliver the food," he promises, "we go straight to get your papers. Then I'll take you on to the Shrine of Milani."
"Wait, more papers?" says Quasit. "Jeepers. I hope I can keep all my identities straight."
Tezuzu will wait till the goblins get out of earshot ”If your gift for gab keeps paying off perhaps with the right kind of paper work we can walk right up to the dancing hut” he beams. ”I appreciate you handling that with words, no matter how hard you scrub the stench of goblin blood lingers” he quietly mentions as he compulsively rubs his hands.
Ringeirr smiles, "I suspect that not everyone will want to remain indentured to you, even on paper. And of course we'll need papers for you reflective of your standing. My lady. He gives Quasit a mock bow after glancing at the group.
"That was smart making them leave their weapons!" Maka said as she gave Quasit a few hard congratulatory pats on the back. "Hopefully they'll stay out of trouble now. Unlike that person over there."
Tezuzu looks curious at the hooded figure before turning to the rest of the party before eying Findurêl "I believe it would be prudent to either hide our weapons or ourselves. I am not accustomed to winter wolves hiding their faces with cloak....they usually have more bravado. Worst it could be a winter witch or one of her minions." he nods to Quasit "We may need more use of your silver tongue, Mistress Kazmarova." as he begins to wait patiently and see how this event unfolds.
"Yes Lady Silver Tongue, we'll have need of your cunning again. I'll not complain if we can avoid a fight though." Bulvi positions himself to cover Quasit's blind spot.
Ringeirr turns to look toward what the others have noticed. After doing so, he turns pale and motions for everyone to step out of the figure's line of sight. "That's one of the mirror men, he whispers. They're spies of the Queen. They have some magic way of speaking to the White Witches, who can see whatever the mirror men see. We have to hide, get it to ignore us somehow, or kill it. But if it becomes suspicious, don't let it escape alive - or we're done for, all of us!
"Better padded feet than a silver tongue then I suppose."
Tezuzu perks up when he hears Ringeirrs warning.
His fox electing to climb up and hide underneath his robes.
He looks around to see if he can spot any convenient places to hide as an alternative....
"As much as I want a fight it would be a shame to waste all of Alexia's good words. Let's just move away non-chalice like."
Tezuzu gives Fin a sharp look "If you do not hide your bow away then our slave papers will be worthless. We will have to fight or hide....I trust Quasit talking, but you are removing one option forward by aiming that thing."
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Quasit watches the Mirror Man with deep concern, chewing on her lip, then lets out a huge sigh.
"Well... we can't just ditch the cart and hide or sneak off. And we have to go that way that he's coming from. We have to brazen it out. Again."
"OK. Third time is the charm, right? We're just citizens pushing a cart of fish. I'm a winter wolf, and you're my slaves. Let's try and walk past him, and if he stops us, I'll try and convince him nothing is wrong."
"But we're going to be ready in case this goes bad. Fin, I want you to sneak off and hide someplace where you have a good view of that corner in the alley, maybe on a rooftop or something, and be watching with your bow ready. Bulvi, I want you behind the cart pushing it, being as inconspicuous as possible. Tezuzu, you're up front with me. No offense, but if he's curious about anyone, it's gonna be you, so let's use that to keep his eyes off everyone else."
"If he starts getting suspicious though, we'll need to take him down fast and hard. If I throw one of the fish at his face, that's the signal for everyone to hit him. We don't let him escape under any circumstances. And Fin, if we start fighting, I'll need you to keep an eye out for any reinforcements coming to his aid."
"Agreed?"
Tezuzu can't think of anything to add to Ringeirr's description of the mirror man. As the group chats over the details of their plan the mirror man continues walking down the alley, in the direction of the party. His pace is unhurried and he has yet to look in toward the end of the alley were you are.
Tezuzu taps his beak thinking "Apologies Findurêl, I did not wish to diminish your facility for...murder. Our leaders idea is good; you should hide. Quickly."
Tezuzu turns back to Quasit and remarks "No offense taken whatsoever, but you have reminded me of how my grandfather used to transf-..." he abruptly cuts himself off "Right sorry, danger is afoot. This is no time for my prattling, Danger approaches."
Quasit is able to describe her plan to the group and make her own preparations before the mirror man moves further. It is clear from its movement that it is checking the alley area as completely as it can. It moves south out of the groups view before coming back within view, having moved slightly closer to the group.
Round One: Maka has actions remaining. Everyone else is up.
Quasit, 24
Mirror man, 20
Findurêl, 17
Maka, 10
Tezuzu, 9
Sakitu, 8
Bulvi, 5
Bulvi stands there and lets Quasit talk their way past the mirror man.
Bulvi charges forward and tries to restrain the mirror man.
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Tezuzu taps his beak thinking "Apologies Findurêl, I did not wish to diminish your facility for...murder. Our leaders idea is good; you should hide. Quickly."
Findurel frowns slightly at this, but doesn't stick around to debate the point. He moves forward, slipping along the side of the houses, attempting to disappear from sight.
Maka followed along with the group, doing her best to act casual. Going so far as to whistle as she helped Bulvi push the cart. "Is it just me or is Fin gone half the time you look around as well? She whispered to Bulvi.
As Findurel is able easily scale up onto a covered portion of the alley way, the group moves forward at a normal pace. Not far from you the mirror man continues its approach.
Round Two: Quasit is up.
Round Two: Everyone is up for actions.
Maka did her best to appear cold and sad.
Tezuzu stares at the mirror man wide eyed and quickly rattles off "Oh please don't delay us any further. The woman I call mistress here has a short temper and I fear if we're delayed any further she may be inclined to take her frustrations out on me."
Continues to stammer "A pack of goblin thieves attempted ambush us just a short while ago. They looked desperate. It could be only a matter of time before they do something foolish and ambush one of the queens subjects." He points in the direction the goblins fled "If you hurry you might be able to catch up to them."