Leora follows Lydia to see what had happened out of their sight.
Seeing the last thugs fleeing the scene and Lydia and Leora rushing to the aid of whomever the Thrune Goons were pummeling earlier, Jessibel decides to end her bardic performance; even though her best couplet was coming up next, she opts to conserve her powers. Got to ration for the looming Death Siege at Songbird Hall against the armies of House Thrune she thinks to herself.
Skipping around the fallen Queensman, Jessi high-fives Sabrina for her awesome display of martial prowess and then drops to one knee next to the goon to loot him. Instead, in an unsettling wave of compassion, she makes an attempt to staunch the man's wounds.
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A bearded young man lies bleeding on the cobblestones of this back alleyway. A large pool of blood is forming under him, and he looks like he needs immediate assistance.
He has a black leather glove on his right hand, but his left hand is bare except for a gold signet ring. He wears dark green studded leather armor over well-made clothes, and assuming he lives, he'll have a devil of a time getting the bloodstains out of them.
Dom wipes the edge of his sword on the cloak of one of the downed "Queenies", then steps forward to see who they were working over.
"Miss Sabrina, c'mere a sec, wouldja? Isn't this one of the Victocoras?" Dom waits to ask that until she's nearby, no sense in shouting when anyone inside a building facing on the alley could be trouble themselves.
Davina reloads her crossbow just in case and moves toward the alley entrance. As she passes Jessibel she says "Wonderful performance. Too bad the Opera House has been closed you would make a great star."
Jessibel looks up from her work and smiles at Davina.
"Thank you, Mrs. Eradon. Actually, were it not for Lord-Mayor Thrune's stupid curfew I'd have likely been at the Opera House or some other theater instead of at the protest...or here in this alley."
Once she feels certain the thug will live, the brief spasm of compassion passes and Jessi loots the man, taking specific interest in the man's CCG armband and checking for a Thrune amulet as well.
Kiri glared at the fleeing thugs but otherwise let them go, they had been chastised and she saw no further need to bother them unless she caught them at it again. She helped loot the bodies of the unconscious or dead thugs in the hopes of finding anything of value, not that she really expected to.
Seeing that this young, rich man is close to death after his encounter with the Queensmen, Leora calls upon the Cayden Cailean to heal him and those around her, disguising her spell as usual by mixing a strongly-scented concoction in her flask. Burning down buildings and attacking peaceful protesters isn't enough for them. No one is safe from the Thrune supporters. Leora wonders if this young man had done anything in particular to upset the Queensmen.
Lucius kept an eye out as the thugs ran away. He didn't think they would be back so soon after their defeat, but there was no guarantee of that.
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The man's wounds partially close over, and his breathing becomes easier, less labored, as Leora's mystical energy flows over him. He stirs, moaning softly in pain, but does not regain consciousness.
Two of the thugs lay broken and bleeding where they have fallen, their souls already fled to the Boneyard, or possibly even Hell itself.
The other two are still breathing shallowly.
Kiri, Jessibel, and Sabrina set about taking their things, each carrying a pair of manacles, a light mace, a thrune amulet, the armband, a pouch carrying a few gold pieces and a key to the manacles, and, if you wanted to strip them, studded leather armor in Thrune colors.
Lucius tries to keep watch but some smoke from his musket gets in his eyes and he has to rub them to get rid of the itch.
Lydia notices that Leora's definitely-not-channel-energy appears to pass over the bleeding thugs and raises her hand timidly. "Ah... I am definitely not saying we should take them with us, but if you're using a mass heal anyways we may as well stabilize them."
"These scumbags are probably the ones who burned down the Thrashing Badger, my home. How many people did they kill on the Night of Ashes? They can rot in the street for all I care!"
Leora is too angry to notice the doubt in Lydia's request. She hadn't realized she'd been so furious at finding these Thrune supporters. After taking a deep breath, she says to Lydia in a softer, calmer voice, "Sorry. I'm not angry with you. I'll explain when we reach Songbird Hall."
Calling to the rest of the group scattered up and down the alley, she asks "Is anyone else hurt? I can mend the rest of your wounds too."
Jessibel hears Leora call out from around the corner, but being uninjured doesn't reply, going about her looting. When she finds a thug that still draws breath, she makes a quick but reluctant attempt to bind his wounds and save his life.
When she finishes, she carries the loot into the smaller alley and begins to address Lydia. "I don't know how serious you are about actually going up against Barzillai Thrune and his establishme...Oh! Rexus Victocora! I thought your family was killed in the Night of Ashes! Did your parents survive, too?"
Suddenly remembering that she was in the middle of speaking with Lydia, she again turns to the half-elf. "Sorry--as I was saying. Do you want the armor of the Thrune Goons we defeated? It might come in handy for a disguise for some espionage in the future. These too." Jessi shows Lydia the Chelish Citizens' Group armbands and Thrune amulets.
"The injuries I've taken from this fight are ones you can't heal." She pocketed or stowed what she had found from the body and removed the armor wich she stowed in her pack as best she could and then helped maintain watch until they were ready to leave.
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Rexus groans and sits up slowly, rubbing his head where, prior to Leora's healing, he had a nasty wound that was nearly gushing blood. His hair is still matted with the sticky red liquid, but his scalp is closed and smooth underneath.
"Thank you, miss," he says to Leora, then his eyes focus on Jessibel. "Miss Aulamaxa, what a surprise to see you. I'd say something about you clearly being an angel, and so I must have actually died, but my heart's not in making clever quipps right now." He blinks at his blood-smeared fingers as he brings them down from his head, and focuses for a moment, after which the blood begins to magically disappear from his fingers, followed by his head and clothing.
As the spell has its effects and the bloodstains lift and vanish from his body and clothing, he pulls a vial of liquid from his belt pouch, and drinks it. His remaining wounds heal, and with a sigh of relief, he returns to speaking. "Thank you, my rescuers. I think I was supposed to meet some of you during the protest... my right glove is not missing, you see." He nods as Kiri and Davina show signs of recognition. "We need to speak privately -- all of us. I am ready to move now, I think. Once you've finished doing to these ruffians whatever you need to, we should go. Do you know of Crissali's Fine Tomes? The owner has a generous and discreet back-room policy, if you understand what I mean. We could rent a room and be safe from prying eyes or ears as we talk. Although, if you have another safe place in mind, I'm willing to go there."
Davina takes a look at the armor of the thugs. She wants to make sure the victim is ok, before strips a thug of his armor. She's not sure she wants to be identified with house Thrune, but she's still sore from the hits at the riot. Avoiding more sounds like an excellent idea.
She moves toward t he entrance of the alley. As she gets there and sees the thugs' victim for the first time, her concern changes from one of a general no one should ever be bullied to one of a more personal concern. This is her contact!
Her contact is Rectus Victocora? That's a surprise. I thought all his family died during the Night of Ashes. How am I going to spin this as someone helping me with research for a book when he's supposed to be dead? Will he even know anything about the Silver Ravens?
Davina speaks to Jessibel "I'll take a sap if you have an extra. All my weapons do lethal damage.
She address the group "Actually killing people, even Thrune supporters, might not be the best choice right now. We don't know how much official support they have from the Lord Mayor's office. With all the chaos of the riots we might not be high on their wanted list yet. I think we should try to keep it that way."
Davina turns to Lydia and asks "Will Songbird Hall be a safe place to talk? I'm inclined to follow Rexus's suggestion to meet at Crissali's Fine Tomes now. The reason I attended the rally this morning was to meet with him. I know you are concerned for the Hall and the priests there as am I."
Jessibel blushes slightly and seems a bit discombobulated by Rexus's attention and flirty line.
Jessibel laughs lightly at Rexus's words. "Me? An angel??!! That blow to the head must've scrambled your brains a bit, because I'm fairly certain no one's ever called me an angel before. Here--let me help you to your feet."
Turning to Davina, she shakes her head. "No saps on the goons--they were all carrying light maces. Oh--and I managed to stabilize two of the thugs we dropped. Not sure they deserved nor will appreciate the gesture, though."
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Rexus takes Jessibel's hand willingly and gets unsteadily to his feet. "Magical healing always makes me a little lightheaded," he says and turns to Leora. "My profound thanks for saving me," he says, reaching out his hand to take hers in a gesture of gratitude. "I do not doubt that my time upon Golarion would have ended quite abruptly if not for your kindness -- which of course is matched only by your b--" As he bends down to kiss Leora's hand, he loses his balance and nearly falls to the ground, and has to lean against the wall of the building in order to stay on his feet. "Ah, so much for gallantry," he mutters. "Could someone hand me my cane? I feel I shall need it on this trip, far more than I do usually."
Rexus still looks rather pale under his tanned skin, and his hands are slender and feel almost fragile to the touch to Jessibel and Leora.
"Ah-no, no, you're right. My apologies." Lydia looks more uncomfortable than she did getting bludgeoned in the face earlier. It had been a weak request but she did not expect it to backfire so seriously. At Rexus's request she retrieves his cane for him, looking for something useful to do.
"Here you go, sir. My name is Lydia Tivyr; I believe you were still unconscious when I introduced myself earlier. We're currently headed to Songbird Hall-I'm a priestess there-and I assume you won't have any objections to joining us."
Noticing that Davina and Jessibel are helping the wounded Thrune supporters, and hearing Davina's suggestion, Leora gives Lydia an apologetic look, realizing that she's in the minority here. Great, now they all think I'm some bloodthirsty maniac. Good work. Turning it over in her head, she wonders "Is it better to show mercy or let them wander the streets to attack more innocent people?"
"Nice to meet you, Rexus, I'm Leora." She almost laughs at him complimenting her kindness, given what she'd just told Lydia about leaving the thugs for dead. "It's been quite a day," she says instead, offering her arm for support while Lydia fetches the cane. "Are you sure you're alright?"
She remains silent while Lydia and Rexus discuss their final destination, having no particular opinion and feeling she'd shot her mouth off enough today.
Davina suddenly has an idea. It might cause some issues between the Cheliax Citizens Group and the Queensmen. "Jessibel did you happen to pick up any of the symbols off the thugs at the riot?If you have any, let's leave these guys manacled in only their small cloths with the other groups symbol around their necks. If nothing else it would be embarrassing for these guys. It could cause some issues between the groups."
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The group skulks through the back alleys, dodging across major streets when there's a gap in traffic, and always seeking to avoid patrols of either Dottari or Queensmen (or Chelish Citizens' Group, or whatever name they like).
You enter the exquisite Songbird Hall through a side entrance that Lydia is familiar with, and she leads you through hallways to the office of the high priest, Zachrin Vhast.
"Lydia! Thank the Eternal Rose, I thought we'd lost you! Who have you brought here? I recognize Miss Aulamaxa, Miss Sarini, and Mister Victocora -- ah, and Mrs. Eradon. Welcome, to all of you, though I wish it were under other circumstances. Am I right in guessing that you need somewhere private to rest while the... unpleasantness with the guards and the militia plays itself out? We have numerous dormitory rooms vacant currently, as many of our students have returned home to their families under the current circumstances."
Kiri wasn't interested in the introductions to going on between Rexus and the others until she heard him say that he had been there to meet various people with information, including herself. She didn't bother asking him yet what he had for her, she considered it personal and preferred to keep it to herself for now.
When they left it didn't take all that long to get to the safety of the Songbird Hall Kiri breathed a sigh of relief. This was a different section than she slept in the night before and while that made her leery of the place she didn't complain as at least she wasn't going to be seen easily in here. "Yes, you're right," her words were short but didn't lack for respect, the Shelynites were one of the few faiths she found useful, always good fora place to stay and often quite pleasant to be in, soothing would be the best word for them.
"Thank you, Maestro. An opportunity to rest and regroup would certainly be appreciated." Lydia is still new enough to the order to speak to the High Priest more formally than most, despite his own relaxed demeanor.
Lydia turns her head back and forth with a worried look on her face. "You... don't seem to be familiar with the specifics of what's going on. There should have been a group that got here before me to report to you. Have you seen them?"
Lydia breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank Shelyn that they are safe... I'm afraid that all of the worst things you've heard are true, Maestro. I fear that Barzillai Thrune is truly mad and has passed the point of reasoning. I don't think the 'unpleasantness' will work itself out on it's own."
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Rexus meets Kiri's eyes and looks a little surprised when he realizes one of his contacts is a Strix. After his initial surprise, he smiles and murmurs, "Cyfarchion," to her, greeting her in her native tongue.
While they walk through the hallways, Lucius sees someone he knows. Zea, a young tiefling he's met in the slums, notices him and gives him a brief, tight-lipped smile. She looks roughed-up, and probably is here for the same reason as they are -- to hide from the guards and self-appointed militia outside.
Kiri nodded in return and said, "Cyfarchion i chi yn ogystal. Byddwn yn trafod pethau yn nes ymlaen."
Davina moves along side Leora. She says "I'm glad to see you today. I was worried when I heard that the Thrashing Badger burned down.
Davina says "Rexus might still be injured. He was unconscious more recently than some of the rest of us."
"I am so glad to hear that the local militia hasn't descended on this sacred place. Losing the Hall would make Kintargo far, far worse than it is now.
"Perhaps we should retire to one of the empty dormitories. I believe Rexus wanted to speak with us privately."
She looks toward the door "Are there kitchens nearby? I'd love a cup of tea, non-mint of course, and some light sandwiches."
Leora walks along with Davina. "Yeah... I was fortunate enough not to be at the Badger when it happened. I'm glad you're safe too, it wasn't the only place to burn down that night. It was surprising - and heartening - to see so many people turn up at Aria Park today."
Leora admires the beauty of the temple. She'd never been inside Songbird Hall before. Its peace and quiet is a welcome change from weaving through the streets and constantly checking to see that they weren't followed or about to run into more trouble.
Lucius stares at the new addition, but he seemed to be a noble of some sort, so he just shrugged to himself. Probably just a rich boy with a silver spoon for most of his life.
Lucius nods back at Zea glad to see that she was alright. The militia was probably now going into the slums to deliver justice to all those they considered to be unclean. It made his blood boil as he sat in the office tapping his foot impatiently. At the Maestro's offer of healing Lucius shakes his head. "I've got nothing but scrapes and bruises they'll heal." Hearing Davina ask for tea Lucius quickly takes up the idea. "I'll go check." Turing around and heading out he heads out looking for a kitchen, but detours around to see Zea. "How rough have things out there gotten Z? I was just at the protest and didn't get to see much after everything went to hell."
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"Certainly, let me show you there."
Vhast leads you to the dormitories, and hands you a key to one of the larger rooms. "If you need a rest, feel free to use the beds, although they're not made up right now."
When Lucius volunteers to get food, Zacharin shows him to the kitchen, and asks one of the workers there to make tea and simple fare for nine, before leaving for his office. Zea is there in the kitchen, helping out. "Things been pretty bad, Luc," she answers. "I ain't seen Strea since the Night of Ashes. The Thrunies always seem ready to beat on us hellspawn, but there's worse in the Nursery of late." She leans in closer to Lucius, and her goat-like, oval-pupiled eyes look worried and bloodshot. "Something's done been killing folk in the Nursery. Three 'spawn were found kilt, with their faces all tore up and all their teeth pulled out, trophies like. It's bad."
The room is sparse, with bare walls, a small table, simple wooden bunkbeds, and straw mattresses, but it's private and has two everburning torches providing light.
Rexus waits for Lucius to return before he begins speaking. "Well, friends. Thank you again for that timely rescue. Truth is, our meeting was no coincidence. I followed you from the protest earlier today, but in the panic that erupted I lost track of your group. You proved yourselves to be people of uncommon skill, and I am a man of uncommon needs."
He pauses, looking around at everyone. "Please be frank with me. What are your thoughts about the Lord Mayor? Do you agree with his proclamations, his unprecedented appointment by the crown, and so forth? What did you think about the tragedy that happened today?"
Sabrina decides to speak up first. "Barzillai Thrune is an idiot. He's intentionally stirring up trouble, for no reason that I can think of, he's taking away things that people expect as normal parts of their lives, and he's utterly uncouth and uncivilized. My father supports him, because if Egorian says 'Jump' he asks 'how high?' and tries to make everyone else jump too. I can't go back there now anyway -- if he hasn't heard of my presence at the protest by now, he will soon. If I did go back, I'd be off to be married to some noble son of a b@$$# at the Capital within a week I'm sure. Which reminds me."
Sabrina turns to Domitius and says, "Right now, you've got no reason not to take me back to my father. He'll praise you and ignore that you weren't supposed to be out, because you'd have brought me back. Well, here. Hold still a moment." She takes out her dagger, and stands up on tiptoe to reach for the collar around Domitius's neck. Sabrina makes quick work with the sharp blade sawing through the leather, and gives the big man only a very slight nick on his neck, like he might get from shaving. "Ick. Oops. Sorry about that. Anyway, here's your reason not to take me back. As far as I'm concerned, you're free. I won't be able to make it stick unless I get enough money to officially buy you from my father, but I figure I can find a way somehow. I hope you'll maybe keep being my bodyguard for a while? I'm sorta used to having you around."
"Right now, you've got no reason not to take me back to my father. He'll praise you and ignore that you weren't supposed to be out, because you'd have brought me back. Well, here. Hold still a moment." She takes out her dagger, and stands up on tiptoe to reach for the collar around Domitius's neck. Sabrina makes quick work with the sharp blade sawing through the leather, and gives the big man only a very slight nick on his neck, like he might get from shaving. "Ick. Oops. Sorry about that. Anyway, here's your reason not to take me back. As far as I'm concerned, you're free. I won't be able to make it stick unless I get enough money to officially buy you from my father, but I figure I can find a way somehow. I hope you'll maybe keep being my bodyguard for a while? I'm sorta used to having you around."
“If I took you back to your father, Sabrina, yeah, he’ll be just thrilled. But I also know that once he marries you off to that goon from Egorian - pardon my sayin’, but well, that’s what he is - his use for me is finished. I see it in his eyes; he’ll sell me off somewhere, either to another buyer, or into some deathmatch pit.” Domitius pauses a moment to consider his possible unpleasant fates.
“When I was first brought here, I never gave my life a second thought. I kinda figured life here, even as a slave, was gonna be better than a free life in Belkzen. But recently, that started changin’. I, uh, I’ll be honest, I haven’t always been thinking the kindest thoughts about you and yours; heck, about the lot of you,” Dom looks at Sabrina and Jessibel briefly before looking at the ground, a bit ashamed of the anger he’d held on to for the past few weeks. “But you’ve turned out to be all right, Miss Sabrina. If you’ll have me, I’ll be happy to stay along and keep guarding your back.” Domitius rubs the spot on his neck where Sabrina nicked him, and shakes his head, grinning. “Just, if there’s work with a knife to be done, will you let me do it next time? It won’t do no good if you’re slittin’ the throats of the guys you’re trying to emancipate!”
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Jessibel looks in wonder as Sabrina's the first to voice her opinion to Rexus...and then frees the family slave, Domitius. Not the same girl I knew a week and a half ago...but that's a good thing, Jessi thinks.
"I used to think Barzillai was an idiot," Jessibel comments quietly, "but no more. And that was no 'tragedy' that happened at the protest...I believe that was all part of Thrune's plan. The Night of Ashes took out the oldest and biggest potential troublemakers...the protest brought out still more undesirable elements for him to imprison or just plain slaughter. He pays no attention to the concerns of the nobility...of the Court of Coin. I believe he intends to figuratively burn the old Kintargo to the ground and build something more to his own tastes from the ashes."
Lydia nods in agreement at the speech. "I could not possibly agree more, Jessibel. I see now that civil action will provide no results; for those of us who love and cherish Kintargo, there is no valid response but to meet blade with blade. Shelyn waged war against Zon-Kuthon until he would meet the terms of peace... it seems we must do the same for Asmodeus."
Some elder priests may criticize her decision to become part of the violence that was about to envelope Kintargo, but Lydia knows that the shedding of blood would not stop by Barzillai's orders. The events of that morning had made that fact perfectly clear.
Davina sips her tea, and listens to the other's responses to Rexus' question.
She quietly speaks to give her opinion. He's a member of house Thrune. They are not known for idiocy in their family. He has his reasons for coming up with those proclamations none of which are silly or crazy. It's clear he's trying to rile up the citizenry, but I doubt that's the only reason he has chosen those particular proclamations.
She leans back in her chair. I agree with Jessibel. He's trying to bury our Kintargo under a new Cheliax approved version. What happened today was inevitable. He wants to show the citizens there is no hope to back to the old ways, and if you don't fall in line his regime will make you. Something must be done. Riots and outright shows of aggression toward the Lord Mayor aren't it. Those who try will be crushed under his pointy boot.
She sighs tiredly. I wish there was more information on the Silver Ravens. The histories I've been able to find have been so scrubbed it's almost impossible to find anything. If there was a currently an active group, I would join immediately.
"I fear you're right...mostly," Jessi tells Lydia. "The people must take up arms at some point. But there are other avenues to explore...other allies to recruit. Most of the noble families--mine included--chafe under Barzillai Thrune's yoke. I don't know if it would be wise to blatantly defy the Lord-Mayor, but these houses could potentially finance a rebellion under the table, as it were."
"Part of me would love to join your rebellion take up arms against Thrune, but I have an obligation to my family. Our manor could be the next one to burn...especially since so damned many people seem to have recognized me at the protest! And I thought my Queen Abrogail disguise was pretty darned good!"
"Anyhow, I have to report what happened to my mother and perhaps grandmother; I may be disowned or worse--grounded for two weeks! Perhaps we can share intelligence...assuming I'm ever let out of the house again."
Settling into one of the chairs, Leora relishes the chance to put her feet up on the empty chair next to her after tromping around in her heavy armor all morning. She watches Rexus as he speaks. It's not that she doesn't trust him, but wants to understand his motivations too.
Leora is pleased to see Sabrina emancipate Domitius. While she'd never been explicitly involved in the anti-slavery movement, she'd seen a fair number of cloaked halflings and tieflings check into the Thrashing Badger, but vanish before morning. Occasionally, that very same morning, a few beer barrels or wine casks would have to carted down to some ship in the harbor...
As the conversation returns to Mayor Thrune, Leora nods along with Jessibel and Lydia's points to show her agreement. No more lies. Lydia set the stage, might as well get this over with. She sits up straight before speaking. "Everything Thrune does takes away a piece of Kintargo's freedom. Under Mayor Bainilus, my faith was illegal, but my fellow priests and I were never persecuted. Yet on the Night of Ashes, our temple was burned to the ground. " Glancing at Lydia, Leora takes a deep breath before wrapping up her opinion. "Shelyn and Cayden Cailean are old friends. Whether it's with blades or words, I'm here to free Kintargo."
Lucius swears as Zea takes about the Nursery killings. "Gods be merciful whoever the h#%$ is doing that is going to have a rude awakening. I came in with some people Z they're alright for most folks. I'll see about finding whoever is doing this with them and make the sick b@#%$# take a dirt nap." He pats Zea on the arm to comfort her before heading back to the room.
Lucius enters the room and sits down, furiously tapping his foot as Rexus speaks. Lucius is slightly happy to hear that Domitius was getting freed today. He hadn't known the half-orc was a slave, but it was at least a small silver lining to the day. Lucius sits back and listens to the others before he starts talking offering his opinion in a soft cold voice. "I don't care for the mayor, give me a chance and I'll let him do the hangman's dance. As for today's incident I'll wager a few gold that it all went according to Barzillai's plan today."
Davina chuckles "Well according to plan, except for the excrement hitting his fancy outfit. I'm pretty sure that was unplanned.
"Just like Jessibel, I can't disappear from daily life. My family would be knocking down the Opera House doors demanding the Lord Mayor himself find me. They are terrified that something might happen to lower their social standing. If I go missing, they cant' continue to live in the home where they currently reside. It goes to my dearly departed husband's third cousins when I pass."
I wonder how Sabrina plans to keep herself and Domitius out of her father's reach. I doubt she'll be able to stay out of sight for long. She may be unhappy with her marriage if that's the consequence, but Dom could be in deadly trouble.