Xabu works his way up the stairs. A hallway runs the length of the house, with three doors on the north wall. Scuttling under the first reveals an empty bedroom.
The second is also a bedroom. A large figure is sleeping on the bed, the mattress sagging near to the floor.
The last is another bedroom, empty of people.
Xabu examines the figure in the bed to determine its race and the contents of the room to see if there are any clue to its nature in the area
"She was upset the last time I was unable to answer her barrage of questions about a creature I was unable to identify myself. The vermin pausing for a half moment to memorize the particulars if not be certain as to exactly what it is before removing himself from the room and continuing his scouting of the building.
Nul points out to Sic the man on the roof, but says nothing for the time being. He does however draw is bow.
Alexia continues with her action to gather up some insects. While she does so she taps into the magic Anthony had cast.
" I don't know what your friends are doing but I've just sent my familiar into the building to see what is there. He said there were beggars in the alleys around here. I'd hoped to find some irritating creature to scare them off without tipping off our coming assault but no luck so far. He should be back fairly soon and I will be able to tell you what threats are in the building." The tiefling whispers gesturing in the direction of the man with a limp.
Vaek is also keep watch from across the way of Sic.
Climbing up the side of the bed Xabu gets a closer look at the humanoid. A full blooded orc, sleeping in leather armor. A falchion rests between the north wall and the bed, the strings of a small bag strung over the pommel of the large blade.
With no other areas to explore Xabu heads back downstairs and after a couple of tries is able to climb up to the bolt on the back door and slide it open, then finally returning to Alexia.
Outside Nulmanen and Sic wait in the side alley watching the figure on the roof. The individual occasionally moves slightly, but otherwise all is quiet.
Alexia lowers one arm as Xabu arrives and the scorpion skitters up her coat taking a place near her ear. The vermin making small noises and motioning with its claws.
The tiefling nods to the creature scratching its carapace in a way it seems to enjoy. "Well done, our job will be easier with that out of the way."
Glancing back in the direction of Anthony's assumed position Alexia taps the message magic again. "There are four in the building. The two in the room with window are a human and a half orc, they are playing cards. No armor, but they have shortswords. There is a full blooded orc sleeping upstairs in the second of three bedrooms. Lastly there is a Half-elf in the back room, unconscious and apparently not treated well. Xabu unlocked the back door. If we clear the beggars out there should be no issue with taking all of them by surprise. A spell of Silence would be ideal if any of your allies have such a thing. It is possible other sentires are in the area.I assume we want these ones alive?
Alexia reports as she lures more insects to her.
"We only need one alive, though the half-elf may also prove useful, or atleast more willing to tell us something." Anthony answered back, beginning his climb down to street level. "Use deadly force at first, then try to take a few alive." He added as he let go of the building to drop the last few feet. "Vaek, how do you feel about taking care of the one upstairs? Probably best to just kill him, a full blooded orc isnt likely to be willing to say anything about the master that is keeping him safe in the city."
Moving across the street in a low, loping, yet surprisingly stealthy gait, he reached Alexia. "Do you have any tactical preferences or spell preparations?"
Alexia glances to the armored man and nods. "Xabu did not say he unlocked the orcs door, he is asleep so I can send Xabu with a spell of shocking grasp to end him in a permanent manner. If one of your allies feels they can do it I will not bemoan saving a spell. I feel this group will fold under our group with little to no effort so I will save expending my powers. "
The spell caster looks down the street and toward the window with its candle.
"I've enticed some moths and intend to send them toward that candle. One or two of them burning up ought to distract those two."
Vaek grins in agreement. He takes a moment to douse his blade tips with poison.
"As long as I can get a quick unexpected attack, he should go down quickly."
Nul uses the message to report back to Anthony "Sentry on the roof. Hasn't seen us. Should I take him out?"
Sic waited by Nulmanen and prepared a spell in case his pal didn't take out the sentry with his first shot...which aint likely...
Alexia looks to the building glancing at the roof.
" My suggestion is this. Send your assassin to deal with the orc, ill have Xabu follow in case the attack is somehow detected. The rest of you remove the rooftop sentry as quietly as possible then we deal with the last two in the building, if they notice something wrong i'll keep them occupied while you block the exits and so as to deal with them at our leisure. If any of your group knows them bribing the beggars with a few coins to go find a different place to sleep might also be wise. "
"That, "assassin", has a name." Anthony mumbled through the Message spell, his voice matter of fact. "That said, I dont have anything to add to your suggestion. Ill get into position, everyone else do the same unless you have objections or something to add."
Finishing his sentence, he disappeared from view, his bulky frame moving off in such silence, it wasnt clear if he had left at all.
"Take the shot Nulmanen." He whispered through the Message spell.
Nulmanen's shot hits the half-orc squarely, where he slumps silently to the roof, leaving the way open and unguarded into the back room of the house.
Vaek carefully sneaks up on the sleeping foe.
coupe de gras
Moving silently up to the house, Anthony gave the door handle a light tug, unsure if the scorpion had done what Alexia had said. Finding it unlocked, he slinked inside.
Slipping in through the back door Vaek moves upstairs while the others wait down below. He finds the half-orc and slits his throat.
Down below the half-elven girl continues sleeping. An occasional sound can be heard through the door where the other two are playing cards.
Alexia stands across the street tapping one foot on the path, she keeps watch over the men playing cards and waits for the rest of her group to gather and deal with the two.
"Does it really take that long to kill one orc?" the mage mutters under her breath.
"It shouldn't be any issue to subdue these two. the scout on the roof droped like a sack of rocks from one good shot from their archer."
Nulmanen enters as well, bow drawn, arrow nocked.
Sic clapped Nulmanen on the shoulder on the ace shot and followed the man into the tenament with murder on his mind.
"So, gentlemen." Anthony whispered, looking around and listening intently for any signs of trouble. "Which one of us will apprehend the girl? Once we fight the two behind this door, she may very well awaken and try to run." He looked from one to the other, awaiting an answer, but spoke first himself.
"Unless either of you want the job, I can handle her."
Xabu the scorpion scuttles down the stairs as the group gathers. The insect looks from the collection of men, to the unconscious beaten female and back. The scorpion clambers up the kitchen door frame, locks the door and crouches over the latch like some kind of deadly door knocker.
Vaek slips back downstairs and Anthony crouches down near the half-elven girl.
The sound of a chair sliding across wood from the front room seems deafening in the otherwise near quiet as the group equivocates on a course of action. "I'm getting another bottle."
Once the door is open the archer fires a pair of arrows at one of the gamblers.
Sic entertained Tony's offer of taking the girl but those base desires were squashed by a stronger desire for revenge. The brute had waited for Nulmanen's head nod and then opened the door for the sniper. He followed the arrow's inside with sword drawn and a spell prepared to daze anyone still standing.
Once the door is opened Vaek turns himself invisible, rushing to the first gambler, standing behind him to make his attack
The half-orc, standing in the doorway gives a short yelp of surprise before crumpling to the floor with an arrow protruding from his gut.
The man still standing at the table starts to push back his chair, but then throws his hands in the air. "I give up. I give up." his voice quivers.
The noise brings the half-elven girl awake. She immediately shies away from Anthony's looming form. Her eyes dart to the open doorway to the front room, and her lips take on a gleeful smile.
Anthony tilted his head, surprised at the conflicting reactions from the girl. "Afraid and happy?" He reached out and grabbed her by the wrist, firmly enough to make slipping free all but impossible, but no more. "Be silent and nothing will happen." He said, the flat tone of his voice sounding oddly different than what he had intended. "Why do you smile? Most girls your age would be screaming right about now."
The girl snorts, "I've seen people get killed before. An Jo, if I'm not mistaken, just got what he deserved."
"Is that so?" He replied, a light chuckle in his voice. He leaned in closer, a conspiratory tone to him voice. "So, weve decided we want to ask you some questions. First, should we keep any of them alive, or do you know everything they know?" He paused a moment then added. "And by everything, I mean about Fyirin."
With the two men dropping and only one raised voice Alexia nods with satisfaction. "that could have been better, could have also been significantly worse. the trifling mutters to herself as she ceases her attentions on the window. She then begins walking toward the buildings alley. [ b] "I'm going to make sure our beggars didn't wake up from that."[/b] the tefling whispers taping into the groups communication magic.
Sic watched as Alexia left to scout and promised himself to grill Tony about the new blood later but ...nows not the time...
A grin split his mug att he girl's remark and he rethought his stance on the child...perhaps that one can be molded for you Father...plant the seed and reap what you sow... He dangled a carrot for the two potential informants.
"Hear that bub? Better start yapping or the youngun is going to sell you lot up the river. And if she's got the goods then its all over for you. We'll even let her do the deed...nice and slow like, eh luv?"
He punctuated the last with a sly wink to the girl.
The girl looks curiously at Anthony. "I know who you are. Firyin is livid with you, says he wants your head for killing Volundeil."
"Deg can't tell you anything. He's just a dumb brute. He's the one gave me this bruise, he's sleeping upstairs. Tolm in there might know a couple of things." she gestures with her thumb towards the front room. "Though I doubt it."
"There's lots of things I know about Firyin though, what is it your wanting to know?"
The other man, Tolm, sitting at the table with Sic looming over him pales. He swallows hard, "I... I can help ya. I can tell you where Firyin is."
"He's with the Murdoch's" calls out the girl.
"I can take you there." he responds.
The girl is enjoying seeing him squirm, "You got nothing Tolm. I can show them that to."
"He... he's been digging a tunnel up to the top of the cliffs."
"Old news - and supposed to be secret. Guess the only question is if you get to live long enough for him to kill you for telling them. Maybe you can bribe Anthony here to kill Firyin first though." by her tone of voice she doesn't seem to care if you know about the 'secret'.
Sic's tusky grin split his ugly mug and he knew he had hit the mark as far as the girl was concerned. He laid a meaty mitt on Tolm's shoulder and gave his last warning to the doomed man.
"I tried to tell you. Time to cough up something useful."
The man squirms at Sic's touch, then begins babbling, mostly incoherently, but pleading for his life.
"Deg wont be telling anyone anything, no matter what he does or doesnt know." He turned his head to look at Vaek, a nod of confirmation all he needed. "Or rather, did or didnt know. Hes fairly dead."
He turned back to the girl, opening his visor to reveal his face and look at her with his own eyes. "You are either an extraordinary liar, or you really want to tell us everything without holding back." He looked back at the one called Tolm, glancing back at the girl with a sudden look of realization. "Suppose we are in need of manpower. Would Tolm be worth our time, become loyal? Or should we not bother?" He glanced at Sic, meeting the half-orcs gaze, returning a look that told him all he needed to know. Tolms fate rested upon the girls assesment.
Letting go of her wrist, he offer the hand to shake instead, trying his best to smile. "First and foremost, a name? Everyone has one. Im Anthony, the charming fellow over there is Sic." He gestured at Sic with a thumb, pointing at Vaek and Alexia in turn. "And thats Vaek and Alexia."
Tired of crouching, he fully sat down on the floor. "And once pleasantries and Tolms fate are handled, you can start telling us what Firyin intends to do with that tunnel."
"I'm Ellenora." she takes Anthony's hand and shakes it, she is careful to enunciate each syllable in her name clearly.
"Tolm would be loyal once Firyin is removed, before then... I wouldn't trust him. And for a extra sword arm, hah, he'll pee his pants just like he is now. If you want a few pockets picked though he is good at that - if not, he's extra baggage as far as I'm concerned."
"I've been practicing my lies." she grins, "But I hate Firyin. He deserves a slow and painful death." despite the words her voice remains calm as though talking about the weather.
She controls and hides it well, but there is a definite anger and passion there. Some past incident between them. You'd never guess it from her composure, only an edge to her voice.
"The tunnel though? To smuggle goods and people in and out of the city. He probably intends for more than that, he usually has several plans going on at once - something to do with pesh, but I haven't been able to figure out what. And I haven't been able to sneak into the Murdoch's, to many guards about to be worth the risk."
As Anthony handles the negotiations, Nulmanen scans the rest of the room they are in, looking for anything interesting or of note