Standing behind the hapless thugs Janus is unsuccessfully attempting to keep from snickering, so clearing his throat he steps forward and says.
"Hammond can you get me a mug? I may not be able to bite this guy but I can still open a vein and get something to drink."
Leaning close to the thug and drawing a dagger he says.
"Hey bud, the lady asked you a question. So better talk fast. Before you...you know pass out."
The thug gulps. "The prophet just wanted us to follow her.. and... " He gulps again. "No! You ain't getting anything more out of me!! Nothing!"
Above, Gio spots a contingent of Hellknights marching down the road towards the tavern.
The prophet? The question echoed in Hammond's head.
"Holy Sh*T" Gio shouts as he comes flying down the ladder. Busting into the make shift interrogation room Gio interupts "We have a bit of a problem, a contingent of Hellknights are on there way here. They will be here any minute."
"Of course they are"
Says Janus as he moves to untie the thugs. Once done he grabs a half full mug of ale and splashes the bewildered men with it's contents. Turning to the others he says.
"In my experience the less said to the Knights the better."
"In my experience, it is best to just avoid them altogether..." Clarissa shudders a moment. She crosses her arms and concentrates on changing her clothing's appearance to a close fitting, flat black garment and gathers her things. "You can stick around if you want, but I'm leaving."
"Do you really want to be seen running from the Hellknights? I don't know about you but I haven't done anything to anyone."
Looking at the two somewhat befuddled thugs. Janus shrugs and says.
"Well nothing to anyone THEY will care about. Besides I'm fairly sure they are here about our Guest."
"Better to be seen running from them than be seen tortured to death," Clarissa snaps with fury in her voice. "But what do you know about the results of your actions?"
"Where ya gonna go?" Hammond inquired.
"I'm with him" he said, indicating Janus with his thumb. "If they think you're guilty, you're done. If you look guilty, you're worse."
"Besides"...he shrugged. "A couple of hell knights ain't nothin'. It's the rest of them you have to worry about."
Hammond doesn't recognize anyone by the name of Prophet. He thinks the most likely option is someone in the clergy, but really it could be any mook on the street. Unfortunately, He doesn't have too long to think about it, because the Hellknights burst into his tavern.
"Well, it is about time! You ARE my escort, correct?" Clarissa says dismissively to the Hellknights, trying to be her best spoiled diva. "Come now, we have to move quickly, I have already seen my work costumes thoroughly soiled from this...venue. In the morning I will be speaking to my manager about arranging better security after my shows!"
Something tells her that they just are not buying her act.
The burly bartender continued to wipe the bar top with his dirty rag as the Hellknights entered. His eyebrow raised as Clarissa asked about an escort.
"Don't be silly las. Them there boys are just thirsty for a drink. What'll it be lads?"
Janus studies the Hellknights to see if he knows any of them.
Then he moves toward the thugs saying.
"Okay you two time to go. You've slept it off. Although I can still smell it on you. I think you should head home."
For a moment, the Hellknights are confused at the dame's moxie, but quickly shake it off and raise their iron. "Escorts? What? No. We got business here."
An armiger with a patch nailed over his left eye barks: "We're hunting a law breaker. Plain and simple. Broke the Empress' Peace." Janus recognizes the mook as Ahrn, Captain of the Fourth Lash of the Rack. They're street patrols, used by the Mayor because the Dotari are too expensive for his bribes. And, they're too committed to obedience to question if their commands are actually within the law they're trying to uphold. Ahrn's always had a soft-spot for fine ales and a bawdy song.
Ya, even these morons aren't buying what calrissa's selling.
Taking a deep breath Janus smiles and turning Hellknights says.
"Ah the honorable Captain Ahrn of the illustrious Forth Lash of the Rack. How can I help you? A Law breaker you say? I'm shocked. May I offer my services?"
Then stepping quickly between Hammond and Clarissa and putting his hands on their shoulders, he does not fail to notice her cringe and is pretty sure she also sneered in disgust. Leaning his head close to Hammond then Clarissa he quietly says.
"Your best Ale. A dirty song...and smile.
Captain Ahrn puffs himself up a bit, as Janus makes nice. "Yes. A lawbreaker! She was seen entering... But she hasn't left yet. We were ordered to bring her to justice." He narrows his eyes but nods. "The Hellknights are always willing to work with decent law-abiding citizens."
Clarissa smiles at the captain. "Well, the law I can follow, but no one would accuse me of being decent," she winks at the man and hums softly, while wandering away and ignoring the discussion about the woman. She hated being anywhere near Hellknights.
She stops when she knows the light is right and turns, her hum changing to the opening melody of an old Wiscrani sea shanty.
Ahrn grins as Clarissa sings, and he eases back in his armor. "Well.. boys, we can have ourselves a pint and a good song before we move on to our work."
The others laugh and take seats (some, literally from other patrons). As they call for ale while Clarissa sings.
gonna call this a sense motive check to see if he falls for the obvious distraction
oh ya.. he's totally going for it.
Confidant that Hammond and Clarissa can keep the Knight's attention for a few minutes, Janus heads into the back to check on the Woman in Black. He pauses to call up to Gio.
"Keep an eye out for more company and be ready to help me get our "guest" out that way."
He was starting to think his plan "A" was a little ambitious, but then again. Hellkinghts weren't the sharpest swords in the armory. Shrugging he opens the door to his room, ready to whisk the Woman away.
A moment before his hand touch the handle, the annoying inner voice piped in.
You know, no one has checked on her since the fight with the thugs. What if she's gone? Oh come on man you don't have that kind of luck.
Grumbling to himself as he turned to fetch the good stuff, Hammond tossed his dirty wash cloth onto the bar. He hated to give away the good stuff. It was bad for business. These fools wouldn't appreciate it and they certainly weren't going to pay for it. He still tried to put on his best smile as he turned back around and started to fill a few mugs. Hopefully his normal patrons had enough sense to not panic. Otherwise this was going to get messy.
He almost stopped dead in his tracks as Clarissa started to sing again. The woman definitely had talent. He was suddenly fearful that she might be seen as too good for this type of establishment. He was starting to worry about just how much she stood out. He shook his head, trying to force the thoughts out just as he forced himself to keep moving forward.
"Here ya go lads. Enjoy" he said as he set the mugs down in front of the Hellknights.
The hellknights laugh and toast each other, each drinking and congratulating themselves on "keeping the city safe", while listening to Clarissa's song. The mooks don't even realize the rest of the room has gone deadly silent.
Everyone's occupied, no one's paying attention to what's going on in the rooms outside the room.
"Listen Sweetheart. We some Coppers for hire out there looking for you. And I'm pretty sure none of us wants them to find you. So if we hurry there's a chance I can sneak you out while the Knights are distracted. So let's move it...M'Lady."
Janus says to the Woman in Black.
As Janus opens the door, the Woman in Black quickly pulls a handkerchief from her face, as though she's been crying. "Coppers? Here?! You gotta... Yes.. Yes. Let's scram." She quickly follows Janus
Leading her into the back storeroom Janus points to the ladder and quietly says to Gio.
"Help the lady up and get her away. I'm going to buy us some time."
Janus turns to the Lady and says.
"Go, get clear and find somewhere safe. I'll find out why the cops are after you and follow up on the guy tailing you."
Nodding to Gio Janus heads back to the bar.
The annoying voice chimes in.
"What you gonna do now?"
The Woman in Black nods and grabs Janus' hand. "You seem to be more on the ball than the others. Hellknights can't be trusted. No matter what. Let's scram. I may know a place we can hide from the knights. Get me out of here, and I'll take you there."
Clarissa's mind is racing as she sings to the knights and flirts lightly with the captain. I really don't like letting him out of my sight for long. Hammond here, he seems just dumb enough to not know anything, but Janus? Gio? He wasn't even on my map until tonight! And this girl, this...Janiven... "Oh, it is so nice to please my fans with a late encore!" she says enthusiastically.
"Yeah, you're gonna do it."
Quipped the inner voice.
Taking a deep breath he looks at Jainvan then Gio and says.
"Okay, new plan. Gio give me 5 minutes to get going. Then tell the Knights I left casing the Lawbreaker, as a good citizen should. And that we went in any direction but the one we do. Also tell Hammond and Clarissa I will be in touch and not to do anything rash."
Then turning to Janivan he says.
"After you."
Pointing to the ladder.
The Woman in Black slips through the trapdoor down the ladder. She follows Janus through the exit to a short set of stairs that lead up to an alley several blocks away.
"ready?"
Janus studied the woman for a moment as the inner voice says.
"She is playing her own game. But you have to know what it is."
Nodding he says.
"Always."
The Woman in Black threads her way through back alleys and side streets, never once looking behind her. She stops at each corner, dutifully checking each to see if there's a Dotarri, or the Red Cloaked Man, or a Hellknight on the other side. But, each time is empty. Eventually, she stops checking, altogether.
The fog is thick on the streets of Westcrown by the time Janus and the Woman in Black make their way to a small bordello. Right next to a Dotarri station.
"Here. I couldn't stay here last night because I was worried about being followed. But. Tonight.. Maybe.. They've already raided the place today, They almost never do it twice. "
Janus gave the room a quick once over, looking for anything suspicious.
Then faced the Woman in Black and said.
"While I like the idea of holding up right next to the Cops. Are you sure it's safe here?
The inner voice chimed in with
She is going to get you into a lot of trouble.
"Positive, sugar. No one will check here. They raided it already, remember?" She shrugs. "Didn't take you for the jumpy sort." She smiles coyly and slips into the building.
The coast seems clear to Janus. As clear as the Woman in Black's sincerity.
Janus follows the Woman in Black into the building.
"Listen Doll Face, It looks like you'll be safe enough here for a few hours."
He says after looking around. Then steps toward the door and says.
"Gio should have told the tail by now. So the area around the bar will be crawling with cops for a while. I'm going to check up on the leads you provided about the Man in Red. Then I gotta find a way to contact the others. I'll be back here before dark. Don't worry kid, I got a plan."
Pausing at the door he tips his hat and adds.
"M'Lady."
After a few minutes Gio opens the door from the back room
"Guys, Janus just went running after some broad, saying something about a Lawbreaker? Anyways he took off (north or south, whatever is the opposite of the way they went).
Bluff Check
The woman in Black gin and leads Janus in. She guides him past made up women languidly lying on couches and smoking thigns that released strange-smelling smokes and vapors. She leads him up a flight of stairs in the back of the building.
"What do you mean? Where is the woman?" The Hellknight commander stands, hand on his sword.
"That pale oaf? Ha! Probably just got spooked by the law being here," Clarissa says dismissively. Looking at the captain she adds in a low, purring whisper, "He is probably wanted, or holding drugs, I doubt he is worthy of your attentions."
The captain nods, grinning wolfishly towards Clarissa. "Ya? And what exactly would be worthy of my attention?"
The others chuckle and order moe drinks
"Careful, girl, never be backed into a corner!" He always said that, and this is what he means. I have to be very careful here.
Clarissa smiles. "You don't have to come on so strong, Captain, I am not some street rat, but a lady. If you wish to earn my affection, you must treat me like one." She takes a seat demurely arranging the hem of her dress.
"Ya, I can see you ain't no broad. You got class." He grins, clearly interested in her. "So.. what can you tel me about that dame we followed here? She someone's moll?"
Clarissa shrugs, "I don't pay much attention to other girls unless they seem like a threat. This kid...well, she seemed pretty, but I only saw her for a moment. Seemed kind of broke up about something. Probably got a Dear Jane letter. I didn't see her leave, but she could have slipped out with one of the degenerates around here."
The captain snorts. "Aye, that woman would." He sighs and stands. "Well, come on, lads." A female hellknight cocks an eyebrow. "Urm. well.. come on, we've got to find that broad before she skips town." The others stand with him and leave, but not before the captain shoots Clarissa another wolfish grin and a wink.
"It was a pleasure, Captain. Good luck, though I'm sure you won't need it!" Clarissa winks back. "And don't worry, when I make it big, you will always be on the guestbook!" Leave...leave...just hurry up and leave already!
The captain chuckles and hurries out into the alley, leaving the tavern empty.
Janus looks thoughtfully at the Woman in black; then says.
"So you broke the Empress' Peace? They only use that charge when they don't have any real evidence against you. Just who's porridge did you piss in?"
Clarissa kept her warm smile on until the door shut behind the Hellknights, then dropped into her chair. She leaned forward and cradled her head in her hands and stared at the graffiti covered table.
"Hammond? Would you please bring me a drink? Nothing top-shelf. Rotgut. I want to feel it." She was sniffling by the end of her request.
Her mind went to another time and place. She thought of her mentor imploring her not to return home on a mission of vengeance. He wanted her to stay. "Or go anywhere else in the world, just not back home!" I still have not learned to listen to his lessons, I suppose.
As the door closed behind the last Hellknight, Hammond's shoulders relaxed and the patrons of the bar breathed a sigh of relief. With a hand on Clarissa's shoulder, he replied.
"Sure las, whatever you need. This one's on the house."
It didn't take long for him to fetch the rotgut, but in those few seconds, numerous thoughts raced through his mind.
What am I getting in the middle of? What game are these broads playing at? HellKnights don't normally give in that peacefully, does this one have some hidden ties? Why don't you just quietly walk away old boy? Or is it too late for that?
"Here you go las, bottom's up" he said as he placed two somewhat clean mugs on the table and started filling them up. He sat down at the table and raised one of the glasses while looking her in the eye.
"So, before they come back and burn my bar down, mind telling me what your story is?"
Tears falls to the table. "My family...was executed for heresy. I came back to Westcrown to avenge them." She downs the shot, relishing in the burn in her throat and feeling deserving of the horrendous taste.
What am I doing? I don't know if I can trust Hammond.
"I was told Janus could help me track the perpetrators who falsified evidence and bribed the Hellknights. That's all."
All I am going to own up to at least.
"But now my cursed luck has landed me here, tonight. They are going to sit on you now, Hammond. Day and night, you can expect some armiger to be keeping his or her peepers on this gin joint." She looks up with her red eyes. "Guess your luck is in the bottom of the outhouse too, huh?"
"I'm sorry for your family. This city is rotten. You should have stayed gone. Unless you plan on starting an uprising, vengeance will only get you killed. Vengeance always seems to end in more vengeance."
"Anyway, this here is my outhouse. They can watch it all they want. They can go tell whoever they want. They try to s@+& in my outhouse, they'll find themselves in a place they don't want to be. We should wait for Janus. He's got a head for solving problems. Me, I've got a head for breaking problems. You'll be safe here."
"So, where'd you learn to sing like that?"
When Hammond asks his question, Clarissa's lip quivers and her sniffling starts all over again.
"Actually, I think I need some sleep," she says, turning her face away to hide the fresh batch of tears. "Maybe another time, okay? Thanks for the drink."
"Sure las. Why don't you rest in Janus's room. It's probably the cleanest room in here. I can wake you when he gets back."
Hammond raised his glass one last time in salute before finishing it off.