When your in the bath you have an unexpected visitor.
"I heard you made it back," as she picks up a sponge and begins to wash your back.
Andrea smiles as the delicate fingers work over her shoulders and neck.
Indeed. It was horrible as always down there, but we scattered the Red Knives and rescued Lady Tilneros and a new friend as well. Hopefully this will put an end to the kidnappings.
Andrea leans back and stretches an arm out, lightly wrapping around Fiosa's shoulders and brings her in for a kiss and looks into Fiosa's brown eyes.We found some papers, talking about how they are working with the Drovanages. Plus.. Andrea sighs. There was another list of people they were targeting for death no doubt. Your name was on the list along with ours.
Andrea holds Fiosa's hand in her own, touching the gold ring on her finger. When we meet with the Grulios and Missepes, I am going to ask if they would be willing to let you stay on their estate. The simple lock and Glyph on our apartment door is very inadequate considering the abilities of those we face. Would that be okay with you?
"Hmmmm, I made a list...I think I'm on the list because of you...but don't fret about me, I've been practicing and learning. Also, Areal and Janiven are making sure we are in teams when we are on the streets.?"
Andrea squeezes Fiosa's hand. You are so brave, I can't help but worry.
Andrea's at times scattered thoughts coalesced as Fiosa washed her hair,(Hair that was finally growing back after the hot tar shower she had gotten.) and what she wanted to say. Something that would be considered foolish and weak by her faith, but Andrea knew that she was often foolish and weak. Hardly a day went by without her stumbling, but she continued to get up and make her wobbling way forwards.
..and besides. Andrea thought to herself. If I must do penance, it would hardly be the first time I whipped myself.
So she leaned over and with words as quiet as kitten's breath, she whispered into Fiosa's ear what was intended just for them.
Andrea's heart swells and she kisses Fiosa, then some more, and then a few more times, and then somehow Fiosa ends up in the bath with her and they almost don't make it in time to meet the others.
Daniel nods his ascent to the guard. Glad for the news. He would thank the hound, then release him to his home plane, once the Archon returned with the job completed. He followed his new allies to the safe house and was a little surprised at the lack of defenses for the seemingly goodly organization. He knew the building was protected by a legal quirk forbidding the damage to any of the old churches but knew that was a tentative shield at best. Their operations must be very careful to keep the public side of the brotherhood quite firmly within the laws of Westcrown. A smart move and perhaps one worth backing?
The place was still a city ruled by the machinations of Hell but at least that meant a wise person COULD operate an organization without reprisal provided one knew the law....
Perhaps he could offer some aid? Build on the good work here?...
Daniel nods his ascent to the guard. Glad for the news. He would thank the hound, then release him to his home plane, once the Archon returned with the job completed. He followed his new allies to the safe house and was a little surprised at the lack of defenses for the seemingly goodly organization. He knew the building was protected by a legal quirk forbidding the damage to any of the old churches but knew that was a tentative shield at best. Their operations must be very careful to keep the public side of the brotherhood quite firmly within the laws of Westcrown. A smart move and perhaps one worth backing?
The place was still a city ruled by the machinations of Hell but at least that meant a wise person COULD operate an organization without reprisal provided one knew the law....Perhaps he could offer some aid? Build on the good work here?...
Daniel and Gerard (if you followed along) the safehouse is bustling with activity as squads of the brotherhood are being briefed of the current dangers by an attractive woman. "Stay together, exercise safety first, and aid those in need. The Hellknights and Dottari are still squabbling so protection is in short supply in some of the residential areas. Focus there. Check in four hours." With that there are a few murmurs and groups depart together. There are some nods to those they recognize.
Orsin during your down time before the meeting at the Grulios' manor, you find Robahl in his theater. 'Excellent lad...excellent to see you again." his nose twitches and his eyes begin to water, "What IS that stink."
"Is that blood...real blood on you?' His eyes wide.
"Yes," Orsin replies curtly, "Don't make me add more. Has Calseneica arrived yet? We ought to do a runthrough before the performance. How many seats did we sell for tonight?"
"It's sold out of course! In a nearly insulted tone. She is here, she has run threw her lines. "You can find her in her dressing room. You, my friend, have a stench about you that the dead would stay away from. Shoo, clean yourself up."
When Andrea is able during the day, she will scribe another scroll of Death Ward
DC14
Price=12.5x4x9=450 gp
Hmm..I'll have to talk to Alistar about what he has available.
There are soft lips on your neck as you finish your scroll, "I like the your hair short in the back, grow the bangs out but keep the back short?"
Lucrezia takes a nice long, hot bath and scrubs every inch of herself as she is determined to rid herself of the pervasive stench of the sewers. Then she puts on fresh clothes, leaves the other clothes in the tub to soak and clean up her armor the best that she can before heading back out to join up with the others for the meeting.
Andrea tilts her head so Fiosa can kiss the nape of her neck. That sounds good to me, shorter hair in the back means less for someone to grab a hold of in a fight.
Andrea turns in her chair and returns the affection, her lips and tip of her tongue caressing the hollow between Fiosa's neck and shoulder. I hope I can visit your family if they are here. It would be appropriate, yes? Andrea tucks one of the dangling curls behind Fiosa's delicately pointed ear.
Orsin delays seeing his lovely co-star until after he cleans up. As he bathes, his mind returns to the cursed flute sent to his dressing room the last time he had a big performance.
Probably Thelsing, he figures. Well, he's likelier happier than I am about my retirement. With me gone he'll have no competition left. Only the "best" for Westcrown, I suppose.
Orsin smirks at the thought. Once clean, he returns to the stage, eager to complete the runthrough before he's needed at the Grulios estate.
There is knock on your dressing room door Orsin, while you are in the tub. Tap...tap...tap"
Daniel... Where can we wash up? Nothing too fancy.
The half-elf that goes by the name of Areal, looks at you "You can follow us, we have place to get cleaned up, a good meal and some rest before the meeting."
Thank you, Arael.
Gratitude. I would appreciate a place to clean up a bit before meeting with the houses.
Orsin, still lying in his porcelain bath, privates covered in suds, calls out, "Come in."
Daniel sits on the bench, the blood washed from his body and begins to work on his Armor. It had continued to serve him well during the battle.
But, as always, it seemed the enemies arranged against him were either more powerful or connected to allies beyond his reach.
This place is a dark reflection of law, yet even here chaos exists....
He thought of his new allies. Especially Lucrezia. The woman was...intoxicating.
The door cracks open and the tall lithe scantily robed actress slips through the door. "I heard you were here and you needed a bath," he nose twitches at the stench of your armor and clothing. She grabs a stool and walks to the tub with it. [b]"So, what do we have here?" In an inquisitive voice. "Bubbles' as playfully swats them over the bard's face.
Once the briefing was concluded Janiven would approach Daniel and Gerard, "My name's Janiven, welcome." Her eyes move over to the Areal and he nods quickly. "Here you will find a safe place to rest, clean-up, and be among similar ideas" She begins to introduce a few of the folks who are around. A couple people see Daniel's armor and look around a bit uncomfortably.
Daniel you detect no evil here but you sense folks don't see too many paladins around the city much.
Someone comments, "We's got ourselves a Hell'night and Pally-din must doin' sumthing right."
There is compact strongly built girl who enters the room carrying quarter staff, "Anyone here if that play Orsin was going to do near dusk, is actually going to happen? I have several teams ready to walk the guests safely home." She looks over at the two new guests and her jaw drops slightly.
You're a charmer, that's for sure... I'm typically more low profile.. Gerard offers this to Daniel in discrete tones.
The rogue himself tries his best at being proper.
"You certainly look lonely in there," as she grabs a bristled brush and begins to scrub the bloody grim off the filthy bard. "But that water certainly needs changing." She vigorously uses the brush. "So I've been going over my lines and song are you going to be able to practice before the show, or do you have to run out like usual." she snickers.
"So the talk on the street is about the pit fiend that is loose. apparently, it has regained much of it's strength and has taken a bit of retribution on a few "select" folks."
She clicks her tongue, "Is Orsin really going to perform a play during this time of turmoil?" She looks troubled, "Well I guess that will take some minds off the problems at hand."
"So who are the two new guys...that paladin is a bit dreamy." She smiles and bats her eyes. "The other one ...well...there is reason for wine." She giggles.
Andrea eventually returns downstairs, holding Fiosa's hand as they get themselves a small snack of cheese and ale.
Good to see you settling in. Andrea says to Daniel and Gerard.
After her long soak, Lucrezia returns to the common room of the safehouse. Damp strands of hair falling over her face and clothing sticking to her damp body, Lucrezia carries her armor over near the fireplace so that she may finish drying off there while she polishes the armor that she is carrying.
"Janiven, I don't suppose there is any stew or something substantial around to eat is there?"
When they have a moment. Something is troubling me. This performance... Who will be in attendance? Seems a perfect time to strike.
Escorting folks home is fine, but... Andrea, can you request and muster a detachment or two? We should sweep the grounds, the lower levels and the theatre itself including fly space and gallery. Any anomalies is staff or scheduling, deliveries, cast, etc... It's my... professional suggestion.
There is some scuffling around the kitchen and Martha the cook shuffles over carrying a tray of hot beef and venison potato stew, with a loaf of crusty bread and honey. Another young girl scampers over with a tankard of ale.
That is a good idea Gerard. I know it sounds paranoid but considering that the Drovanges and Red Knives were making a list of those who they wanted killed, we should make extra sure. Having some of the Children of Westcrown acting as security and looking around can't hurt. Plus they can enjoy Orsin's performance at least.
You're a charmer, that's for sure... I'm typically more low profile.. Gerard offers this to Daniel in discrete tones.
The rogue himself tries his best at being proper.
A slight look of pain crosses Daniels face. My mother was a Fey blooded Sorcerer and a Half-Orc. I am told by my brother I have a strong resemblance to her. I does not help much with family.
It seemed the paladin completely missed Gerard's point.At Gerard's probing of the play, What is the appointed hour? Can we do both or is it necessary to split for the meeting with the nobles and the play?
My goodness, that is right. Is Orsin just doing practice right now? I hardly think we would be able to do both meeting and performance in the same day.
Orsin hesitates at Calseinica's overtures , unsure of how to let her down without hurting her feelings.
"I...uh...I have a meeting in a few hours, but we can run the hard passages if you need..."
He cringes slightly at the phrase 'passages', hoping she doesn't interpret his words as innuendo. He wonders if he'll have to entertain her notions until after the performance, if just to make sure she doesn't run before curtain call.
Hard passages "Yes lets practice" as she stand up and holds up a towel for her co-star. Her eyes clearly not adverting. "do come now, times a wasting." She grins wickedly.
I think the performance is suppose to be at 5:30 with no intermission. Letting out at 7:00 which is about forty-five minutes before sunset." She looks over at Areal and Janiven and shrugs.
"Let's get moving to the Grulios house and we can take it from there, Janiven take a team to sweep the build. Mathalen take a team and look at the outside, see what there could be for ambushes."
"Oh, Janiven please send Orsin to the Grulios house if you see him."
Andrea nods and gathers her things. As they head out into the city, she looks over to where the pillars of flame still burn, sighing at the devastation that has been wrought upon Westcrown and praying for swift vengeance upon those responsible.
Daniel dons his equipment. He was clean and presentable. Enough at least for his meeting with the Houses. He hoped his brother would not be too upset with him for throwing in with this group.
His brother worked extremely hard to expand the freedoms in Westcrown for the people. The place may be ruled by evil. But there WAS a legal system in place. That allowed places to operate and gave a means for change. Perhaps he could do something to lend legitimacy to the Brotherhood's operations. This lantern bearer role for example...
Politics is your areana, brother.
On the way he finds his way to Areal, the apparent leader.
He talks as they travel wanting to be on level ground with the elf before they meet his brother.
Some of your members are very famous it seems, hard to keep clandestine operations so with such fine operatives. Your lantern bearers also operate quite openly. I wonder, Areal, would you perhaps be interested in getting some legal rights of operation? When even unsavory brothels can legally hock thier wares by paying thier vice taxes, what if I broached the subject with my Brother and his aligned houses for Patronage? We could register the Brotherhood or at Least the Lantern Bearers as a not for profit organization with the goal of providing Nightime Security. Licenses could be bought, enabling your Bearers to openly carry arms and defend thier charges. Your Safe house could become a place of Training and Business. That would allow you to restore the building. With the right taxes and a charter, all of your operations could be made legitimate and give you far more freedom to operate and recruit. I think with my word in his ear and the great service you have done rescuing Sascar, the houses would be receptive to the idea. What say you?
Gerard had shaved when he could and eaten lightly when food was presented, sparingly sipping at some ale and preferring water. Having given his suggestion, he would go where they asked.
Time enough for Bianca, soon. He hoped she would forgive him.
Never overly handsome, Gerard's rugged good looks had served him well. He tended to think, act then talk. It took people a while to get used to the sudden transformation. Stark stillness to blurred motion.
"That would be terrific but the Hellknight Order of the Rack will be the issue that and the House Thrune." Contemplating the comments, "Your families support would be a huge boost, we have friends with the Grulios and Missepi Houses."
"Your family has been thrust into the recent city happens, like it or not, your brother should want justice. Kidnapping is neither honeorable nor legal, even if slavery is currently permitted by the law."
Orsin blushes slightly under Calseinica's lusty gaze as he accepts the towel and dries off. Shelyn, save us both. He changes into a fresh set of breeches and doublet, and follows her out the door towards the stage.