"Cressida wanted words, brov, not blades. What's done's done, and I shant mourn it. Fly's caught and Chel's next. Villains falling all round."
'Twasn't my temptation – 'twas hers.
The Spider got what he deserved.
Briar walks in silence, bow in hand, looking for danger. He still doesn't trust the City streets.
"...but remember the man is dangerous. If things get violent I wouldn't mourn his passing, but it may be a tall order - he's well protected and a tough man." Barael repeats it, word-for-word, almost reverently. "Brov, you filled the tall order! Danger no more. You're protecting, like we wanted to. Of course, we're bringing her the words too, so no worries!"
Barael perks up after a minute's walk. "And the gold! We managed to keep the Citadel's coffers 1500 sails richer, better put to feeding the people, or paying honest Guard to keep the peace. That gold didn't fuel the poisonous thoughts of Barvasi." Barael nods to himself, and makes an approving snort.
"We could smoke out the spiders and then cast the boat adrift and set it on fire as it goes. Briar could shoot a flaming arrow at some alchemy fire on the boat. Also, I would like that magic studded leather if you all don't mind. And the healing potion. Someone could pour it down my throat if I am placed in the middle of combat and go down."
[...]
Fondo's look softens a bit. What an ass I am. Didn't I hear the same sort of thing from mother? Broke the code for want of a pretty tail and the green faerie, and now I'm clanless, my sister dead. I don't wish such things for her.
"Think on't. It's your life. I'll not go anywhere, jel'enadra." No where else to go.
“We could at that, Charlie. Thank you! I just…oh I wonder how big they are, how old? I mean the city is a big place, but not very friendly sometimes…” She eyes Fondo, but eases as he does. “I..I will…think on it, just don’t hurt them.” “Don’t make me choose.”
Barael gulps quietly. "The spider eats the Spider. Ouroboros. All circular like. Well not its own body, of course. I'm being silly, but still. It looks like Barvasi had actual control over the spiders, didn't it, Dandi? Felt like it, at least. Whatever's down there, if it's left to its own devices, it'll starve out, nothing coming its way. Unless there comes a new King of Spiders, an heir to the throne. The spiders down below, they kinda like the otyughs, right? And we know the soldiers were mentioning that unless they're fed all regular, they rise up."
Barael’s words are like ice water creeping into her veins. “they’d die… slowly starving to death…or break out and find things to eat. People to eat. Unless someone else takes over and then what? It won't be someone nice. Why can't it be someone nice? They’ll be prisoners again. “ Anguish eats at her, as she tries to figure out which way is more merciful for everyone. Each step down the road is a decision made, but they don't make her feel any better.
Despite himself, Fondo swaggers a little as Barael praises his fencing.
His swagger isn't very convincing, though. Desna made my hand a tool for his destiny. But the look in his eyes... What men's eyes are evil at the moment they die? Even a butcher's eyes plead for his mother.
"Majenko would like some raw eggs and mead. If the ruckus on the boat isn't too much I suggest we stop at a tavern and supply him with these, and little something for us as well. I need a damn drink sitting by a fire if I'm going to continue to be civil to Mr. Magic Then go to Cressida with our wits fully with us. I don't think she expected us to do this so quickly. We are not her followers, let's keep a little distance till we see what she's about."
"As for the spiders, I bet Chuckles there just made it easy for them to stay. If we open all the doors on the way out, they will follow suit or just leave when the food runs out. They are not chained to the floor and they're smart."
As the party moves along to a nearby tavern - I presume you avoid the ale house at Eel's End? - there is a little more spring in your step. The sun is shining and it's nearly noon, so a good time to find a little lunch and ale.
On your way south, you pass All the Worlds Meat. It is quiet and shuttered with the seal of the Guard on the door. All the animals have been removed and the place thoroughly searched. Empty and hollow.
Majenko tries Fondo's shoulder but finds it too bouncy and 'strutty' for now and he returns to Briar briefly before flitting to Nikolay. Presuming Nikolay doesn't brush him off, he rides there for the walk south.
Please level to level 3 over lunch.
"Aye, a drink would do me good. Some mutton even better."
Before we depart. "Nevvie, would you mind carrying my old leather? I'd like to return it to the armory but it is the anvil that takes me over the line. If it takes you over too I'll take it."
"You're too kind, Fondo. I'm not proud, so yes, yes you can buy me the first round."
Then go to Cressida with our wits fully with us. I don't think she expected us to do this so quickly. We are not her followers, let's keep a little distance till we see what she's about.
Barael eyes Charlie, waiting for him to break into a hearty laugh, maybe like Fondo would for reasssurances all around. "Speak for yourself, Old Bones. Cressida's earned her respects. She's sent us to tasks fit for our strengths. She hasn't thrown us to bigger dogs as bait. You'd do well to remember that." Barael's left eye squints while his right widens to take in Charlie to the full. "What she's about? I'd say bringing back Korvosa to her former beauty. Cressida's been squeezed like a dishrag, as tired as she's looked the last times we've visited with her."
"Ah, yes Barael, I meant no disrespect. I owe you a drink for you may learn this lesson some day. I hope it is not with Cressida, whom you hold in such high regard. I am just being cautious as I have learned this lesson many times." Too many times.
Fondo takes Charlie's leathers in hand. Pauses briefly to magically clean the blood and body odor off of them and himself. Primping dandy.
"She seems fair enough. Tis the law she represents can be fickle, and the law's maker. We'll see how this new queen fares."
Barael's hackles smooth. Cautious is good. And it's rash to speak so quickly against someone twice your age. "Well, yeah, I can appreciate that. That, and a strong kahve, and maybe we can look forward to a run for the Citadel that doesn't require blade and blood."
The mind. It calmed, and quickly. Charlie's words would wind Barael up so tight, it would be days before he'd have the complete ease again. Barael feels it, something deeper, something from which he can draw. It steadies him, it... surges. The excitement, like crabs in the stomach, he wants to feel it again. Like the shiver, against the fear, this new source of peace, from where does it come?
At the bar, Briar will order a round of the finest *elvish* drink they have for all.
Maybe the halfblood will appreciate this side of elvish nature.
Briar will sit, sip, and listen to his companions talk about Cressida. As they offer differing opinions of trust for her, Briar will wonder why they care and why it matters.
She is bringing me to magic, by design or by accident, and that is all that matters.
Briar lifts his glass to for an elvish toast.
"To the elves, destined race of magic and children of Nethys."
Fondo happily joins in the toasting. Drinks the elvish drink rather quickly. A bit weak for my tastes.
He orders a round of strongwine. "To humans, elves and those of us who've a bit of both: may our coupling be ever tender and our ventures ever of profit." He winks amiably at Briar.
Dandi joins in the toasts but her mind flitters at the edges, as if something beckons just out of sight. Her drinks go slowly, though the second seems to wake her from her musing.
"To us all, may we weave a better pattern than any single strand would alone."
The tickle at her head continues, though she tries to ignore it and focus on her companions.
Briar considers ordering another round for the rest (although he will just be drinking his one elvish drink), just to see how Cressida would respond to the group taking their time getting back and returning a bit sloshed.
Interesting, but unnecessary.
After making sure the dragon has had as much food and drink as it can take, Briar will be ready to return.
Getting a couple raw eggs is a little tricky at first, but once you make it clear who it's for it's handled quickly.
Majenko digs into the eggs messily, but licks every morsel clean by the end. He does favor a bit of mead, but only a few sips of the sweet nectar actually pass his lips. During the meal he hops from shoulder to shoulder, chair to chair, but largely keeps off the table.
After lunch you head back to the Citadel and meet briefly with Cressida. She takes the letters and thanks you, "I'm quite glad of these. To have to use them will be most unpleasant but at least now we have some leverage with our Chelaxian Ambassador if we should need it. I hope he sees reason. Thank you!"
When you try to return the 1,500 sails, she pushes them back to you, "This money was allocated for the return of the documents. The documents have been returned - so the money is yours as far as I'm concerned. The Queen is, to her credit, pouring money on us just now to get things back under control. If I don't spend it I may not get further appreciation."
"Now leave me friends, and relax. The city is more under control then it has been low these last days. I can see the light ahead, and a warm bed in my future! You may feel free to continue to use the barracks you're in, but you may find some barracks-mates in the next day or so as we rotate our Guard. I'll try not to use that space, but we'll see how it goes."
She stands and invites you to leave that she can get some things done and perhaps, just perhaps, get some sleep tonight. She looks remarkably refreshed for someone who hasn't slept in days.
Briar nods as Cressida explains that they get to keep the money.
That's crazily generous...but think of magics I could afford with that money.
Briar takes her up on her offer to relax and rest up, but not before suggesting a trip to Saul's for selling and provisions.
"I would see about selling some of these unnecessary magics for those that would be more prudent. Which of you also needs to go shopping before the morrow?"
As it is Sunday, and typically a day of rest, Saul is likely closed today. Many traditional shops are. You may need to wait until the morrow to shop.
About half-inebriated, Fondo stumbles a bit during the walk to the Citadel, but gradually regains his focus. He observes the streets around him, a swirl of unfamiliar thoughts and feelings entering his head.
DEFEND MY CITY, echo Zellara's words like a trumpet.
No place for me here... Anywhere... City full o' marks and tail.
Choose, grandson. Clan or cock.
Cressida's fair. It's good gold. Maybe I can steer them towards what's fair for the smallfolk. For the folk of the road. Maybe.
Or maybe knowing how they work'll make 'em better marks.
. . .
As Kroft is dismissing the group, Fondo pipes up. "Field Marshall, if I may have a word in private? I shouldn't take much of your time."
Fondo smiles in his usual charmer fashion at first, then becomes morose and nervous. "Ahem. Madame. Sir. Uh... Two things, if you please."
"Firstly, we found a shiver lab on the Flycat— Barvasi's boat, and a room full of the spiders from which shiver's made. We left them there, not wishing to burn the ship and the rest of the Narrows. I imagine his men will return in short order, to fight over the throne. Perhaps a squad could..."
If she so desires, Fondo sketches out the layout of the ship, as best he can remember.
"Also, I..." Fondo gets quite nervous, all of his usual bravado departing him. "I've had reason to mistrust the guard in times past, sir. Madame. Sir...? I don't count myself a soldier. Just an... honest citizen. But I've seen how hard you're working on folks' behalf. If we're to continue our association, mayhap I ought learn how the Guard works. Not sure it's in our interest for me to take the cloth, as't were. But I'd wish to be a truer partner as you help Korvosa."
Good money.
Better marks.
Best for the folk.
BEST FOR MY HOME.
Fondo concurs with Briar. "Yes, shopping's in order on the morrow. But today's for rest. I say a feast at Zellara's to celebrate new friendships!"
When Fondo is done with his chat Charlie'll say, "Dandi and Fondo, may I have a word?"
"I think you should talk to Em'rak. He's one of my aids, and quite competent. I can have him educate you as to the workings of the Guard, and maybe you can see your place in it. Try not to take up too much of his time if you can - we're all very busy these days. But do feel free to call on him from tomorrow onward for any procedural questions you may have."
"If you are free, I can have him dine with you tomorrow night and you can begin your conversation. Nothing formal - just a pub talk as they say."
"As to the Eel's End, we cannot touch it so long as they pay their taxes. However with their so-called King dead, and looted, now might be a good time to lean a little and see if we can't break them up a bit. An added bonus to a job well done."
She collects your maps, "And thanks for this! It will help if we need to do something more aggressive."
"'Twould be an honor, Kako. Mayhap we ought feast them, and not just each other."
"Thank you... Sir...? Hah. 'Twould seem you're to deliver my first lesson. I'll happily dine with Em'rak. Here, yes?" Fondo tries to think of an actual pub that'd be private enough for him to not be seen associating with a guardsman, and suggests one if it should come to that.
With a dual soaking of kahve and whiskey, Barael allows himself a breeze of levity, prior to the return to the Citadel. He warbles a halfling shanty, forgetting lyrics, but humming to fill in the gaps.
***
In Cressida's presence, Barael only speaks to acknowledge her decision to reward them the gold. "Most generous, Field Marshall. It will be put to good use."
***
Barael easily falls in line with the trip to market. "Briar, Nikolay, if I have any questions regarding the magicks that are possible, would you humor me?" Barael looks to his hand, and back at the mages. "Knowing how to fully use these wondrous things, that's the char on the meat."
Briar spends the rest of the day in the Citadel, both practicing with his new bow and relaxing alone in contemplation.
Nope, I can't speed up time yet. YET.
* * *
On the next morning, Briar will awake early and continue his usual routine: meditation, breaking of his night's fast, and some time scribing (when necessary).
Briar is pleased when his morning contemplation and prayers are answered by even more fervent whispers in return. He answers those whispers with questions of his own as he tries to commit them to memory.
I grow in strength. Magic is mine. Let us put it to good use.
* * *
Briar will gather Barael and Nikolay for a shopping trip (and anyone else who is around).
The markets had better be open this day. Magic does not take two days off.
The party at the Citadel enjoys another night of privacy, as does the party at Zellaras.
The morning trip to Sauls is uneventful. There is no hint in the air that anything untoward has been happening the last few days. In fact the only clue at all that anything is amiss is the still light traffic in the streets.
Saul greets you happily. "Welcome friends! It seems I see you almost daily now that you find yourselves working for the Guard. Your fortunes have indeed turned! Congratulations. Now, how may I help you today?"
While there are a couple others shopping at Sauls this day, he is more than happy to pay you all of his attention.
Sunday evening, whether feasting with newish friends or brand new friends, Fondo also spends some time mending his equipment, including the torn Harrow card and his studded leather armor. He magically polishes them all to a fine shine.
The following morning at Saul's, he is excited to upgrade his equipment. "My good friend! As promised, we've come back to see what wealth we can share with you, in return for some of your fine goods. My friend Barael here has a wealth of fine items that have come into our possession."
As he helps to lay out the valuables, Fondo continues. "In return, I am sure each of us has some lovely item on their mind. I for one would very much like a chain shirt crafted of mithril. Have you such an item on hand?"
A few hours earlier, the daily Harrow Cast for the Harrow Caste...
The Unicorn, inverted. Betrayals and false friends today. I'll need a silver tongue to navigate these lands . Lies of the lamia have followed us. Freedom is with us. And Gozreh shall have her way with us, for good or ill.
Saul sells the items marked for sale, and does in fact carry a Mithril shirt. "I also have a breastplate in that rather fine metal as well if you're interested."
Fondo smiles. "No thank you, sirrah. My occupation requires somewhat more subtlety than breastplate affords. Perhaps some day soon. Might I interest you in a fine set of studded leather?"
Briar will assist in the selling of the goods, then take his share back to the Magictorium and the Archerium to purchase additional goods.
If possible, Fondo will also pick up a masterwork backpack , two sunrods , smelling salts , and two vials of padzahr, a drought that helps restore one's constitution . Too much damned poison around me these days.
Nikolay joins the other members for drinks before returning to the citadel. After dinner he will return to his 'home'. The sparse quiet apartment is quite lonely. He grabs a few items and returns to the citadel for the night. He smiles at the energy there and walks tall and proud, but this is also not home.
I'm not better than them. Just different.
---
Nikolay's new morning regiment of sword practice first and then study continues. It is a good morning. His focus with the longsword matures and becomes more natural. Confident and relaxed he finds more spells make sense to him and he is able to meorize an additional one. He walks lightly and greets Briar with a broad smile.
"Good morning. The world bursts with life today. Magic flows easily around us and my sword dances like leaves on the wind."
---
Nikolay takes a long time looking around Saul's shop. Familiar with the many magical items that might enhance his skills, he's almost paralyzed with the choices.
Should I strike more accurately? Should I protect myself more? That's a nice haversack there.
Ultimately, he makes no purchases. A feeling, a voice in the back of his head, tells him to "wait."
Fondo seems rather preoccupied throughout Moonday. Assuming nothing else happens, he tells Dandilion and Charlie, "I'm off to the pub. May Desna visit upon you dulcet dreams."
Fondo does not drink—an oddity for him. When Em'rek enters, he stands rather more stiffly than usual. Presents his hand, hesitates and begins a half salute, and finally smiles awkwardly. "Hello, sir. I'm Fondo. Thanks for joining me."
On Sunday, Charlie will ask if anyone could accompany him to the Vaults. "I'd like to check in on my friends and bring a feast for them. They were arrested on charges leveled by Lamm. They were false charges so my friends will have been let go. They'll need some more juice and food and maybe a little tending to.
I don't want to go alone, but I also don't want to bring everybody - the spook easy. Anyone interested in coming along? They can be pretty hilarious"
Charlie will get more than enough food and booze to keep everyone off their feet for a while.
Edit:spolier is the French spelling.
"Kako, are you sure they were released? How did the authorities find out that Lamm is no longer with us?
Fondo will happily join Charlie and whomever else goes.
Spolier:
Briar responds in kind to Nikolay.
"I have seen your majicks in combat, both cloudsfire and corrosive sprays are yours to command, Nikolay," Briar chirps back. "Mayhaps we will discover more majicks over the coming weeks."
Briar seems excited to glow more, liking the periods of action and discovery combined with periods of downtime and reflection.
Briar pauses to sniff a rose as he thinks of what he meant to ask Nikolay.
"Do you think we are on the right path, Nikolay? Serving as we do? Do you not have dreams of your own? Things you'd rather do?"
After returning from the store, Briar will take his purchases into the barracks and begin to sort and organize his arrow inventory, placing the items into the quiver and practicing retrieving each type with a command.
He will then take his reagents and begin to work on enchanting his rosewood armor, placing it on a makeshift altar (laying his holy symbol across the armor as he does), and taking the hour to transform the be-rosed armor into something slightly sturdier and of better quality.
Masterwork Transformation on Rose armo.
When the ritual is complete, Briar holds up his armor proudly, admiring the work, but, even moreso, admiring that the possessed the magic and knowledge to make it happen.
Magic is mine to command.
That Sunday Charlie leads a few others to a nearby opening which leads to a fairly open and airy section of the Vaults - the Korvosan sewers. Some of the Korvosan 'homeless' call this place home and many of them are here avoiding the disruptions from above.
The smell is, well, strong, but not as bad as you would think. Much of the odor actually comes from the residents here and their few meager possessions.
The Vault Dwellers are happy to see Charlie, one of the few of them who leaves with some regularity and often returns with goods and the all important - fortified wine. A spread is laid out, and everyone has a good time. Many stories are shared, including one in which an otyugh did in fact break free from a plug and was beaten back by the Guard.
They also listen intently to the stories you have to offer about your exploits and the goings on since the death of the King. The rulers lives effect them very little here - but this death did result in more than the usual rounding up - and releasing by the Guard. A few of those who were unjustly imprisoned due to Gaedren Lamm are here, but they were released more out of a concern that there were not enough Guard to hold the lesser and weaker cases.
---
Saul does not have any bags of holding, but he does have a Handy Haversack.
Lost in her her thoughts, Dandi retires to her room at Zellara's, thinking long and hard about the night's events. he only cares, that is all...it is none of his business, though, none of any of their concern...they are our friends, our family...they are fools...they want to help... over and over, her thoughts weave through her head.
Folding herself into a heap with her back against the door, she frees Wraith and lets her roam free, falling into dreams sometime after.
She wakes to a room filled with the iridescent webs. They cover the walls, the ceiling, most of the floor. They cover everything, in fact, except for herself. The tiny spider watches her from the far corner, then deliberately begins to tug the webs, sending cascading colors shifting through the room. Dandi pulls herself up, lost in the prismatic spray, a sudden urge to throw herself into them welling up from inside. The hues dance, vibrate, until it seems they seem to call her name, to speak to her deep inside, "All things in moderation, save for wisdom".
"What? I don't understand, please..." Dandi lurches, and the spider tugs once more, the strands closest to the girl rolling back and out of reach.
Again and again and again, it happens, each time the desire to lose herself in the webs grows stronger, her reach shorter, her failure more complete. Finally, a kernel of resolve begins to burn and when next the wave of need rises up, she finds the will to resist, at least for a moment. As she does so, a stray strand brushes her face, easing her need, and a new dance begins.
"All things in moderation, save for wisdom" Together they dance the new pattern; stark need to overflowing, resisted with what little will she may command, rewarded with a touch, a taste, a faint easing and no more. But it is enough.
She wakes in the early morning, her body stiff and sore. Everything looks the same as she left it and she feels a fool for thinking it might be otherwise. "T'was a dream, Wraith, no more. What else could it be, eh?"
She moves, and the light shifts, catching in a small web in the corner, the timy spider's night's work. The colors dance and for a moment, writ in its weave, a singular word flares bright and true in the wake-day world, "W-i-s-d-o-m".
Fondo quite diplomatically offers to magically clean any of the Vault dwellers who might wish for grooming. He restrains himself from sniffing in disgust, and does not force it on anyone who prefers to stink. "Desna's blessed me with a touch of her magic, and I'd be happy to share the same with you lot now and then." Time permitting, he also magically repairs any small items that could use mending. Then he tells some tall tales about Clan Barondo, especially his rather comical brother. Alas, thinking about his rapscallion brother causes his good humor to falter a bit.
Fondo assumes that, like many people, Em'rek is smitten with him. Knowing that such matters are much more delicate between men, he unconsciously capitalizes on the tension. At some point, after a few pints, he recounts some of his many exploits with lovely lasses, gauging the guard's response.
As they're parting, Fondo gives the lad a hearty, one-armed hug. He whispers, not wanting to call too much attention. "I'll see you at the Citadel tomorrow? Fencing lessons, or shall I be learning to take orders?" With his usual sly wink, he heads home.