Vaek speaking in Cyclops, "This is taking too long. I am going in. When the Guards leave, is your cue to come in. If they haven't left within 5 minutes, we will need to improvise"
Moving his 50 year old appearance, he stands up, pulls out his wakazashi and slices his left forearm with a superficial wound but enough to bleed. The wound is just barely high enough to be hidden by his shirt, but there is enough blood for it to bleed through.
Hiding his weapon, he goes towards the door to enter.
Anthony looked up at the roof top again, trying to spot the elf again. If he hadnt followed his progress he wouldnt have known where he was sitting, but now, even with that knowledge, he could not see him. It had gotten that dark. He didnt know what the plan was, but had assumed someone would give him a hint. But it was starting to get dangerously late and no move had been made as far as he could tell.
Waddling over to Sic, he stopped in the middle of the road some 10 feet away, acting as if there was something he had lost, padding his pockets and digging inside them. After a few seconds he muttered to Sic in a low voice.
Whats the hold up? Wont be long before we miss our chance. I wont have any part in the blame if we do.
Sic sat leaning against the wall in his torn and tattered 'vagrant' clothes and casually took a swig from the half empty bottle of spirits and watched Anthony out of the corner of his eyes as the man stopped near him. He listened carefully and spit when the summoner made his vow of action...still he has a point and its gettin damn cold out here...
He muttered back.
Dont know why we're lolly gaggin. Wait...look...
He spit again in the direction of Vaek and the glass shop.
Man's on the move. Look alive.
Sic coughed into his hand and stumbled to his feet playing the part of the ever sick bum. He waved rudely at Anthony and kept the play going.
Fine then. Dont be...hiccup...genererous, you bastard.
and started shuffling off intent on circling around the building and coming up on the glass shop from the south.
Waiting a moment for the immediate area of the street to be free of strangers Vaek tugs at the door handle, then begins knocking frantically. It is only a moment before you hear the lock turn and the door opens. One of the guards is standing in the doorway. You can see more of the guards standing near the back room, looking your direction.
"Sorry, we're closed for the night." Seeing the blood on Vaek's arm and listening to him babble for just a moment his face hardens. "Go away old man."
Those still waiting outside on the east side of the shop catch glimpses of a somewhat overweight man in his early 50's. He is closing up the shutters to office windows and you hear the latches inside being pulled into place.
Speaking frantically and loud enough that Jumai should be able to hear, "You don't understand sir. The mer-mer-merchants wife, she's in danger. I must speak with him."
Gasping for breath, "Or perhaps you fine men can save her in time. I tried to help her, but there were two of them." Holding his wounded arm for a moment.
Pausing for a moment to try and get a sense if the guard is believing his story. Looking for an opportunity to squeeze in through the door.
With on last gasp of desperation he cries, "Master Jumai, we must save your wife!"
Leandric stands there just out of sight. He had to adapt. It was now just a matter of waiting till Vaek got the guards out and then he'd move in and talk to Jumai. Hopefully he wouldn't bar the door when they left, since the lock really wouldn't be a problem.
Anthony watched as Vaeks performance started to slowly fall apart. He would need some help. Slinking into the nearest alley, Anthony started the process of calling the suit. He had an idea, but a full minute was a long time. He just had to hope it wasnt too late.
Seeing that Vaek is having trouble getting through the door and guessing that time was short; Sic called upon his craft and rubbed the piece of iron in his pouch while muttering dark words.
Sorad moves around the building to where he is (hopefully) just out of sight of the doorway and prepares to jump in if help is needed.
Noticing that some of his comrades are moving in position to attack. Vaek tries to send them a 'hold off' signal during his attempt to get Jumai's attention.
Still holding hope, that Jumai will have the guard let him in. No blood, she said. That will cause unwanted attention, and will deem the operation a failure. Vaek's mind raced in what seemed like an eternity waiting for the guard or Jumai to allow him inside. All was not lost in this endeavor, he had convinced himself of that.
His voice starting to raise in anger, "I said be gone...". He stops mid sentence as Sic's magic takes hold of him and his muscles all seize up.
From the back of the shop the other guards start moving forward. "James? Everything all right? James?"
Anthony looked up from his endeavours with summoning the suit. Something had happened, of that he was sure. The guards voice suddenly cutting off and the tone of the other guards voice. He doubted he would be able to get the suit fully on before any potential scuffle would already be all but over. His companions would not let his absence in a fight go unnoticed. And he really didnt need to be alienated anymore by the group than he already was.
With a sigh and a nervous expression on his face, he stopped concentrating, the hovering bits of plate, piston, gear and mail fading back into nothingness.
These hooligans will be the end of me he muttered as he tried to mentally prepare for the unarmored struggle ahead.
Initiative:
Vaek acts astonished at the Guard who's is almost in a frozen or trance like status.
Making his way into the store in a non-threatening way. Vaek looks at the other guards. "It may be his heart, he should be taken to the apothecary."
Turning his attention back to Jumai. "Master Jumai, have you not heard me your family is in danger, they know where you live! Your wife and son ..." trying to show the horror of the man's family being killed in his face."
Vaek makes his way towards the backroom where Jumai is located.
Sorad steps through the door after Vaek and looks around. Nice place you've got here.
Init:
Vaek pushes into the room, with Sorad coming in close behind him. The other guards give out a cry.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"You can't barge in here."
A voice from the back room calls out, "What is going on out there?"
"Common thieve's Mister Jumai. Stay back, we'll take care of this." The sound of rasping steel is heard as they draw long blades.
The door to the back office slams shut.
Anthony cursed loudly at the disturbing words emenating from the store. For all their individual skill in various nefarious endeavours, doing things nice and easy apparently wasnt one of them...atleast not tonight at any rate. Breaking into as much of a run as his crippled knee allowed he huddled to the door, but didnt enter just yet. Leaning his back against the wall just to the right of the door he spoke out loud and clear, but without shouting.
Monks can deal non lethal damage without an attack penalty right?
"Common thieves?" Vaek scoffs. "You still have a chance to live past tonight."
Hoping to avoid any combat, Vaek vanishes into thin air He quickly moves to he tries to open the door leaning against the door, he speaks hoping that Jumai will respond. "Jumai, We have your wife and son. If you will come out and speak with me, I promise that they, your guards and you will be unharmed. You have 5 seconds to open the door, before I tell my men to kill one member of your family!"
Stupid human's gonna get us all killed
Please excuse my friend. He's had too much to drink tonight. We have a proposition for Jumai, and we believe that he might find it most beneficial.
Sorad speaks and then goes down into a crouch, holding his arms out defensively, but not threateningly.
Morons! Do these idiots really have to fail at everything they do? I thought thieves were supposed to be subtle! This was supposed to be a bloodless endeavour. Something had to be done to prevent further bloodshed.
Leandric rushes up to the shop and begins casting, the cog on a chain that normally is around his neck is now swinging from his hand. The fighting had to stop.
...well here goes nothing...
Sic continued to stumble towards the shop hoping any passersby would take more notice of him than anything going at the door.
why arent you guys actually making Bluff and Diplomacy rolls?
As more of your group bunches up against the door Leandric, in a clear voice chants the words of a spell.
The paralyzed guard breaks free of his enchantment, looking around a little confused, but does not take an aggressive posture. Two of the other three guards lower their weapons, but the fourth , a look of alarm on his face, takes a step backwards to the office door and in a nervous voice "James? Doug? What are you doing?"
Having heard no sounds of weapon blows, and the verbal exchanges coming from inside the house, Anthony figured this sudden lack of agression was their last chance to end this night peacefully. Casting a simple spell of coercion, he rounded the corner and stepped into the shop.
Sheesh would everyone just calm down. Guards, gentlemen, your dedication to your work and suspicion is admirable but quite frankly unnessesary. My companions may have been a bit, shall we say, bold, in their attempts to get your attention. But I assure you we mean you no harm. Now I propose we all take a step back, calm ourselves and talk for a moment, yes?
Now if Mister Jumai would be kind enough to join us we can smooth this entire affair over.
Maeltheron waits patiently for any activity outside of the shop by the guards, and he keeps an eye peeled for the watch.
Perception:
There was no reason for all of them to go inside the shop so Sic stayed outside deep in his charade and kept an eye out at the street level. He felt somewhat safe knowing Maeltheron was somewhere nearby with those eagle eyes of his.
The guard backs up to the office door, his expression wary, as he listens to Anthony. "Your friend", he gestures to Vaek with his longsword, "seems to have a different opinion about no one coming to harm." He knocks on the door of the office. "Mister Jumai." The door opens about a foot and the shop owner can be seen in the back room looking out. "They say they've got your family held hostage."
In a voice of false bravado mister Jumai calls out, "If you so much as harm my wife or son you'll be strung up before a magistrate and hung. Begone from my shop immediately or I bar this door and yell for the guards."
While your words have calmed the guard a little with hope of a peaceful resolution, the guard is still very much expecting a fight to break out here.
One of the other guards pipes up, "You best just leave. No one need get hurt here tonight."
Anthony could barely contain a smile as he looked at and listened to Jumai. If he was reading the man at all right, convincing him to pay to be left in peace would be easy.
Call for guards? And how exactly would you accomplish that from inside a barred room? Through a window? We may not want this evening to end in violence but I can assure you, if you open a window there WILL be someone coming through it to shut you up
But, in the interest of talking instead of killing I will allow that threat to go unnoted and ask you once again to have a talk with us.
Thinking for a second he added.
Oh and we dont have your family by the way. That should calm you down some I hope?
The last words are spoken with the barest hint or sarcasm.
"It is my hope that no bloodshed will be needed on this night. As my friend suggests may call for the guards all you want if that makes you feel better. But I expect it will be to no avail."
Vaek paces slightly towards one of the displays grabbing one of the fine figurines, he examines it for a moment.
"Such a fine work you do with the glass. Truly you have been blessed with a gift." Vaek speaking in awe at the obvious ability.
"First let me introduce myself, my name is Gaylen. Mister Jumai, my friends and I are in the business of information among other things. And while we rarely share that knowledge with out a price, there are times we must do what is right to protect the talents of this great city. And you sir are probably the best craftsman to work with glass and gems in this city. By no means the only merchant with this skill. I am sure it is no surprise to you, that other merchants would be jealous of this ability and would like nothing more than to see you be put out of business or otherwise removed from the competition."
Vaek again looks at the figurine in his hand as the candle light illuminates the curves and gems inside it.
He continues looking Jumai directly in the eye, "The one person you need to be concerned with is Naless. No doubt you know this man? Regardless, he knows you. And he would see that this shop be closed by any means necessary."
Pausing for a moment to ensure no weapons are being drawn. "Have we got your attention yet, so we can talk on how we can aid you against the desires of Naless? Or would you rather shout to your hearts content hiding behind a door?"
The merchant is silent a moment, then looks directly at Anthony before speaking, "Send your thugs away and you and I can talk. You work for Naless?"
The situation has pretty well ruined any chance of gaining his trust. You can sense his bluff, he has no intention of sitting down in an honest conversation with Anthony.
Master Jumai, I suggest you do not try to trick us; why would all but one of us leave while you and your guards stay here?
Nodding, Anthony added:
Indeed, that would be foolish. However if your guards were to leave as well that would be another story.
But to answer your question, no we do not work for Naless. As Gaylen here has already explained we am our own employers, entrepreneurs like yourself really. However where you deal in fine goods, we deal in information and protection.
We staged this rather clumsy intrusion, and from what ive seen you are indeed in need of our services. Warning you about Naless was on the house. I should very much like to discuss further assistance...and the cost of the same.
"Your thugs and my guards can wait out here. You and I can talk in my office?"
Excellent Master Jumai, excellent.
Anthony started moving towards the door:
I dont suppose you have any wine in there? Im quite parched you see. I can spare some gold for a glass if need be, but surely a man of your standards will be glad to serve a glass when doing business?
Jumai grunts noncommittally. "James, lock the front door, then keep an eye on these others." He leaves the office door half open and moves further inside.
The guard at the front pulls a key from his pocket and locks the front door. Then all four guards move towards the back office to stand guard outside it, blocking all but Anthony from passing.
Shifting his weight to get comfortable Anthony looked at Jumai. He wasnt too worried about the man getting violent, he was just a common man after all, but the situation was not to his liking all the same. Truth be told, he was rather nervous. But there wasnt room for that.
So Master Jumai, I assume you have plenty of questions? Usually when we reveal ourselves to potential customers, I find it easier to let them ask their questions first, and then adding other details as nessessary.
Jumai pushes a spare seat towards Anthony so that he may take a seat near the door. A light crossbow rests on his desk, unloaded, half a dozen bolts dumped unceremoniously next to it. The desk has a few papers on it, stacked neatly. A feather quill pen and ink jar rest on the right corner of the desk. There is a drawer on either side of the desk with a lock. Both drawers are closed.
"You can start by telling me your name, and explain to me why the blazes I shouldn't have my guards simply cut you down for barging into my shop. And why I should need your protection?"
Anthony wondered for a moment if he should use his real name or an alias. Deciding his real name would have next to no chance of actually meaning anything to Jumai, and thinking it best not to lie more than nessessary he said:
Ah yes, names, one so easily forgets the formalities. When you are in my line of work, its not information of any importance in most circumstances. Names Anthony, but people call me Tony.
Turning his head towards the door before looking back at Jumai he proceeded.
As for your guards, im quite confident when I say they stand little chance against my companions in the room with them. And those are but two of my companions with me on this fine evening.
As he spoke he eyed the shut windows, quite obviously trying to convince Jumai that someone was indeed outside, ready to force their way in at a moments notice.
Which is exactly why you need our assistance. You see, these guards of your are quite adequate for protection against the common thief or thug. But anyone serious about harming your business wont settle for simple thugs to get the job done. Atleast not anyone the likes of Naless. Now, were he to succeed in his desire to end your business, he would most likely garner suspicioun from the authorities. You are after all his primary competition. This would ofcourse be of little comfort to you, left broke and homeless...or worse. I say this because most of my clients to date have thought to hire us to, shall we say, "remove" the problem. But like I said, that more often than not attracts unwanted attention.
Anthony stopped for a second, shifting on the chair as he gave Jumai a chance to absorb all the information.
The protection of your business is quite simple really. We continue to keep tabs on Naless and anyone else who might think to harm your profits and make sure they fail. This will happen without anyone, not even yourself knowing anything about what we do, thus keeping you safe on the off chance that anyone should ever have reason to question you on the matter. Not that they ever will ofcourse.
Anthony stopped talking, watching Jumai as he considered what had just been said. He would no doubt have yet more questions.
Maeltheron moves quietly to the other side of the roof so that he can peer over the edge in the direction of the sounds he heard.
Stealth:
Perception:
Moving to AB16
Jumai's face pales visibly as Anthony talks with him. He swallows visibly, face a mix of both anger and fear. "Naless wouldn't dare. The merchant's council will hear about this." His right hand unconsciously fiddles with the light crossbow on his desk.
Oh but he would, and he will. And the Merchants Council? What would you tell them? That you think Naless is out to get you? Naless would call it prepostrous and you a liar. That would only strenghten him, letting him know you were on to him, in which case he might decide to get some proper assistance. Im sure he would jump at the oppertunity if I went and talked with him.
Pausing a second to let his last statement sink in, Anthony cut off Jumai before he could protest.
Come now Master Jumai, dont look so surprised. We may prefer a steady job working for you, but I can assure you, should you refuse our offer we WILL take the next best thing. And that is no threat mind you, I am simply giving you all the facts.
Figuring giving Jumai more time to think about it would only make him more inclined to refuse, Anthony stood up suddenly, checking his balance on his cane before taking a few steps towards the door.
I hate to spring such an important decision on you, but its getting late and im still quite thirsty. The cost is 2000 gold pr month. If you agree, the gold is to be placed in that window at closing time on the 1st of the month. You close the shudders and someone will be there to pick it up.
He put his hand on the door handle.
So, what shall I tell my companions?