"I appreciate you bringing it back to me. So much to do, you know. Always so much to do." her eyes light up a bit, watching him "frog about" in his new boots, though, and laughs out loud at the idea of ropes to practice with in the large chamber. "Oh now, that sounds fun. Like a giant web? We could use it for so many things, practicing lobbing b...ahh, bean bags or something...to perfect our aim, and wouldn't be fun to just rest in?" Her eyes sparkle, then dim as Barael mentions the rough treatment of the sweetest among them.
"What? Why would anyone hurt Charlie? He's good and kind and never hurts anyone! For the rest of the time, she mutters beneath her breath, and almost seems happy that the potion is nothing but swill, "It's useless! Oh, We will so be going back there! She won't get away with this. Selling this to unsuspecting folks...Charlatan..." She continues on in much the same way, packing her pack carefully for a trip back to the shop. Every so often Charlie's name sifts through, as she stuffs another vial or powder into her pack. mutter mutter...hurt my friends..mutter mutter...sell worthless cures...mutter...see if can cure this! mutter....
Fondo hovers at the entrance of the warrens as the others go to do their alchemy. It's not sacred. But she MUST have found reason to smile upon us. And... Oh, very well. He draws a spiral on his chest and diffidently walks into the warrens.
. . . . .
"Puro daj would curse the woman and all of her offspring for thirteen generations. I have not her magic, but the harlot should pay dearly. The kind thing would be to drive her out of town. But I've a mind to hand her over to Kroft. At least we know she'll meet her end that way... " To kill a king is understandable, even if it had been true. But to let your neighbors die?
Dandi stops, a pouch of something oily and dark in her hand. She works it in her hand as she weighs Fondo's words. Finally, she nods, "Fine. We go, you reason with her. If she goes quietly, she'll live, at least to the Citadel."
In her mind, visions of sick mingle and blend with those of her companions, making her already rumbling tummy lurch uncomfortably.
"But either way, she'll go tonight."
Briar returns to DOLL and work on his projects, mostly unconcerned with the results of the alchemy after the solution did not detect as magic.
They should feel relieved that they did not call upon my wrath by claiming magic where there was none.
Briar will poke his head in on occasion to the Alchemy Lab, but mostly just to check on the progress of things...in case the group wanted to return to the Vault with a report.
"Whoa whoa whoa. Yes, we must try to stop her prevarication immediately. But let's make sure the cavalry is on the way. We need someone to tell Cressida right away and make sure they are on board before we risk our lives and our broken knuckles. The mob is to be considered. Our rage at the injustice must wait until we can insure our safe passage.
Who here is the fastest? Run to Cressida and say we are about to trash the charlatan's shop and maybe her face. Say that we have lost control. Then run back here so we can go back to the shop and start raising hell. After we ask her to reconsider her war profiteering."
Charlie puts his pack and makes ready (takes a hit or two from his holy symbol.)
"Uh, don't we owe Dhatri the first call? He's paying us for a report on our findings. If he thinks our findings adequate enough, he's going straight to the Grey Maidens, ain't he?" Barael cracks his neck. "Suppose we could consult with him, but I'd hate to give Vendra time to keep bilking people."
"Oops, yes. We should do that and fast."
When the party is ready to go, Briar will clean up and go as well. He hopes that are going to Dhatri.
"He's paying us, we agreed to report back. Nothing more."
Fondo considers and nods his head. "Briar has the right of it. But let's move quickly. Folk should hear the truth so they may seek real remedy."
The party makes their way back to the church of Abadar. Again your passes get you through the throng of people out front, even at this late hour.
You're able to get in to see Ishani without much delay. "What have you found? Does she possess some healing art?" he looks hopeful, but not confidently so. More like the wishes of a child before Christmas who no longer believes in Santa.
Barael looks to Fondo and Dandi when Ishani speaks. "Well, we managed to get our hands on 3 vials, and Dandi took to a dose to understand its makeup. She can tell you more, but there's nothing in it that will dismiss the Veil. Oh, and there's no magic about it either." Barael waits for the others to speak, before continuing. He also hands Ishani one of the remaining doses. "We have a lab. Made it easier."
"The store, it's overrun with hopefuls. We stood in line for the better part of the afternoon waiting to get in. A couple of guards, Vendra herself, and a couple of assistants. Shouldn't be too hard for the Maidens to shut the operation down, but quick."
"What's more, my question to the pretty little hag was returned with lies. She knows her snake oil doesn't work, and hopes to protect herself by merely stating that it relieves symptoms. which, according to Dandi, it does not do."
"The charlatan must be shut down. A curse upon her soul."
Dandi resists the urge to spit at his question. "it does nothing. Less than nothing because people stand amongst the other ill, letting the evil of their mutual diseases pass among them. I am not much of a healer, Ishani, but this is nothing at all. Bilge water and stale perfume. It is more likely to kill than to cure."
The girl fumes, furious all over again at the gall of the woman. Never having seen her, she non the less pictures her as Lamm, in drag. Really bad drag.
Ishani holds the vial up to the light and sighs. "Ah well - too good to be true usually is!"
He slides a fat purse to Dandilion. "Here's your 1,000 sails as I promised. It's too bad really, it would have been nice to have had another front to fight this disease, but alas just another greedy citizen."
"I'll notify the Gray Maidens who will likely have the guard take the shop apart at once - tonight! Such effrontery!"
He rises quickly and leaves to go and notify the proper authorities and have the shop shut down and the owner prosecuted.
"Wait! Err, I mean... that is, I'd like to go see this woman myself. So many could be hurt if the Gray Maiden's go in through the crowd, but maybe my friends and I can bring them out without the common folk getting in the way. They've enough hurt with what she's done to them, haven't they?" She reaches out to the man, one caring soul to another. One plaintive hand just touches his forearm gently to forestall his departure, while her overly large blue eyes plead for the People, and for her City. The memory of the riots cannot be too far out of mind in times like these.
Fondo listens with admiration to Dandi speak, on one hand, with passionate anger and, on the other, compassion. There is such good in her. The world should see it.
"Brother Ishanti, my little sister speaks true. A quieter approach may yield better results. Will you entrust us to handle this matter? Friends, would you consent to follow Dandi's suggestion?"
"Dandi, Ishani understands that the Grey Maidens would defer the task to our Guard to take care of disassembling the shop. If they do it tonight, there won't be many people out and about, so there's little chance for innocents to get hurt. We don't sport the official colors, and we may end up confusing what local folk there are as common thieves hoping to hone in on their profitable endeavor. I say, let the authorities show themselves publicly as doing their job."
While Nikolay would love to handle matters himself, he finds the words of Barael to have some wisdom.
"Barael brings up a good point. I enjoy seeing the right thing done expeditiously, but this is not our place this time."
Briar jumps in to add reason and logic to the discussion.
"We should not act on our own, lest it be seen as encouraging mob rule or violence...that was what we were fighting so hard against when we rescued Trinia, after all If you must take action, reporting our results to Cressida would be wisest...if Dhatri doesn't mind, of course. It's his information that he paid for...it's his goods to share or sell, not ours."
Let the buyer beware.
"I do not think this is our duty...unless directed by Cressida. It would be mob justice. We should tell her...or the Grey Maidens, and them handle it. Our involvement will just make things worse."
"Let us speak to the Field Marshall, then. If justice is to be delegated, I'll trust it more easily to her. With your consent, Brother Banker."
Dandi turns towards to the others, nearly spinning in a circle as each in turn weighs in on abdicating to the "authorities" that have managed oh so well these many months. She opens her mouth to speak, indeed, to launch a tirade on how *well* the officials have managed things since the king's death. A sharp poke on the back of her neck intrudes enough to stall, then stop, her mouth. It snaps shut on venomous words and recriminations. Not now, not in public, and never so harshly amongst family.
Saying only, "I disagree", she otherwise holds her tongue, though her body language speaks volumes to those that would hear.
Briar jumps in to add reason and logic to the discussion.
"Our involvement will just make things worse."
Isn't that what the human just said?
Ishani considers a moment, and then speaks, "This is clearly a matter for the Gray Maidens. In these troubled times the Queen has seen fit to create a new order in the city specifically to combat the plague and they're it. They exist to guard the doctors to be sure, but they also have oversight over exactly this sort of situation."
"I think they should be notified, and they in turn will handle it - likely with the Guard reinforcing their numbers as they deal with this upstart."
"You may certainly tell whom you wish about this, but I suspect the Field Marshal will have much the same opinion as I in this matter. The group of us meets regularly to coordinate our efforts to combat this plague and I shall certainly mention this incident in our next meeting so that all of us may be more vigilant of the charlatans that will crop up."
He turns to Dandilion, "I thank you for your service in this matter and encourage you to rest easy. This particular faker will be dealt with most harshly and quickly by the authorities I assure you. By tomorrow there will be no line in front of that shop!"
Fondo puts his arm around Dandi's shoulder and whispers, "We'll keep this matter from the Queen's lackeys, one way or another. Worry not."
Fondo begs forgiveness from the Vudrani and draws his comrades aside. "Briar, tis true we've no title to the people's voice, but neither has the throne's pretender. Ileosa may've named her Gray Maidens and chirurgeons to lead these efforts, but I'd have the people's Guard be the voice for justice. Cressida, then, and I pray she judges wisely."
He turns back to Dhatri. "Brother, as we're attached to the Field Marshall, I'd ask that you allow us to work through her word this eve. She'll no doubt call for the Gray Maidens, but it seems proper we should report to her first, as her agents. What you do on the morrow is your business."
"Brother, as we're attached to the Field Marshall, I'd ask that you allow us to work through her word this eve."
"Yeah, we're attached."
Ishani seems troubled at your attempts to circumnavigate due process.
"No, I will tell the Gray Maidens. It is what we all agreed to do, even the Field Marshal. There needs to be oversight in any large operation so that we do not waste resources or time. The leaders of Korvosa have decided that the Gray Maidens are that oversight for these sorts of matters. That is why Field Marshal Kroft put her Guard at their disposal rather than the other way around."
"I appreciate your loyalties and do not wish, in any way, to stop you or hinder you from speaking to the Field Marshal about this issue. Make no mistake though, in this matter you were my agents not hers." he gestures to the purse of gold. "You came highly recommended by her as well so do not think we are at cross purposes here." He smiles warmly at the party.
"This plague is a horrible thing, and must be battled fiercely. If you'll excuse me, I feel delay may cost lives and I am not willing to delay further." he hesitates. "Unless there is anything else then?" He waits patiently for the party.
Barael steps up to Ishani, and takes his hand. "These are trying times, we agree. Our mates, thinking they see a rat, would sooner snick it on sight, than leave it to its nest waiting for the demolition crew to do its work. We were glad to be your agents. Had you not come to us, we wouldn't have been the wiser that such deceptions are about." Barael finishes shaking his hand.
"We are very glad to know that tonight sees an end to her leeching. For making sure, please inform them that there was quite a crowd this afternoon." Barael turns to leave, hoping his mates are ready to do the same.
***
Once distant from Ishani's company, Barael inquires with the rest of the gang. "You think we could see the Maidens in action? You know, from a rooftop or some such, to see them do what needs doing? I'd be curious to see how harsh is harsh."
Fondo mutters a curse in Varisian as the Vudrani makes clear his decision and Barael speaks in response.
"The sheep who lies with wolves births naught but ruin for all the flock."
"No, brother, there shall not be anything further." He casts a look of contempt at Barael.
. . . . .
As the party leaves, Fondo's anger bursts forth. "I be party to such foolishness again. That serpent pretender shall not benefit from my deeds. Brov, friends, I'll have no more of this cretin, who cannot or will not even tend to a sick girl with his own hands. Nor the slag he serves. Mob justice were better than consorting with fiends."
Briar watches the explosion with some interest.
Fondo and I are not so dissimilar. He does not know whether he favors law and order or not...and I do not care about either. What is the difference?
Briar ponders whether to mention that he saw a shopkeeper claiming to have the 'best kave in town'. And other who claimed that their swords 'are the sharpest in all Korvosa'. Surely we should go enact mob justice against them as well?
My feelings are tempered by logic.
"Fiends you say? Just what slag you think he serves, brov? He serves Cressida, mate. He pledged his and his church's work to her, and the others, well, yeah them too." Barael senses Fondo's anger, and moves a little like a mongoose would in the presence of a spitting cobra.
"The people benefited from your deeds, Fondo. You're not saying that if the Queen wills something, you're day to her night, are you? She wants to stamp out the plague as much as you, don't you think? The plague does its worst, what's left her to rule but an animal's carcass, been picked over by the buzzards." Barael gulps quickly to keep down a bit of phlegm, get it out of the way for more words.
"Dhatri's a cow, brov. You see him as hard to move to your will, standing there, chewing cud, hardly protecting the sheep out there, right?" Barael walks over to Dandi, and puts his hand on the bag of gold. "You just milked the cow, brov, and now the shepherd's stronger for the milk, let him tend the flock with more energy in his step, more endurance to stay off the wolves in the hills. Dhatri serves the people in his own way, and he made it easier for you to help in your way." Barael moves closer to Fondo, to gauge his breathing, see if his pupils are still dilated. "Don't kill the cow, when it still yields."
Like a cobra caught in a mongoose' evasions, Fondo half-listens, somewhat entranced by Barael's weaving words. He shakes his head. "Brother Cow and his council serve not your heart's desire. They serve Ileosa's ends. The Queen seeks no cure for the people. She seeks only to secure her position by seeming to care in time of crisis. Tis plain as day. Once plague is done, she'll have placed herself above Citadel, above Vault, and it seems above you. Tis time for you to decide — will crisis lead you to bare your neck to the viper, or shall you lend your bobbing and weaving unto serving the people?"
"If we choose the people, then we'll fight this plague while countering queen in turn. Tis as Signore Orsini might say — a chess match, each move made with all the board in mind. Kill not a bishop—or plague—if it leaves you unguarded 'gainst the queen."
Briar gives a little snort at Barael and Fondo's words, rolling his eyes a bit.
"You both are wrong, but don't let that stop your lips from exercising. The 'little slag' serves his god, Abadar, and, no doubt, serves it justly. If you seek to bend him to your will, then you need to understand how his place and his motives align with yours."
Briar slows down and tries to explain.
"The man serves the deity of law and civilization. Of course he is pushing to the proper authority: to him, the Queen is. And we have no proof otherwise. We have only your gut and your imaginations. If you wish to prove otherwise, especially to men like him, you must have actual proof."
A green dress is not proof. Briar's eyes flicker to Dandi.
"That you think that an Abadar would endorse mob justice is fault to blame your own hopes and ignorance than him. He could no more endorse that than free lunches. And there are no free lunches."
Fondo looks at Briar incredulously, then laughs. "You misunderstand my words, but perhaps tis because we both speak with a borrowed tongue. I hold neither mob nor queen's rule as the answer. There is but one just law at present in Korvosa, and it is that of those who place the common good above title misbegotten."
"We've evidence enough of Ileosa's true colors. If you require more proof, then I'll gladly help you fetch it. But I'll not make myself her pawn while you sit in your sanctum, uncaring of this city and its people's fate, demanding proof of what's obvious. Ask your god. He'll tell you."
Fondo tenses up in anger, but eventually eases up. He's right though. Neither he nor the mouse is my enemy. Well intentioned enough.
"Slags, by the way, are women. That simple fool is a mouse. And it seems I am a dog biting his own tail. Peace, but hear me. I'll no longer serve those who blindly follow the queen or her bishops."
Briar looks at Fondo with a smirk.
"Right. The power is there for those who would seize it, claiming common good. I'm sure glad you understand 'mob rule' so well," Briar's smirk turns into a yawn.
"We have no evidence of the Queen's guilt or involvement. If you have it, please present it, I'm sure all of us would love to see it. Heck, maybe check with Vencarlo again, not even he was certain of the Queen's involvement, but only that she profited."
Briar looks around, noting the time.
"Unless you're going to enact mob justice, I think I'll be turning in. I have plans to work on creation on the morrow and all this talk of conspiracies pales in comparison to action."
"Let's fetch then. I'm more than a little curious to be there at Lavender to watch what we can, of the Queen's knights at work." Barael breaks from intently observing faces in discussion, to observe the darkened skies. Pieces at play, don't push the move until you're sure of the consequences. Let's not sacrifice early in the game.
"Come. The rooftops call. We can continue our parliament on the morrow, when we know good and sure that Vendra's out of business." Barael turns to Fondo. "If we're close by, and things take an unwanted turn, you'll be witness to it, and hold them to account should it look as if the Queen is unconcerned with overreach or brutality."
"Briar, you have the perfect opportunity to try out your new bracers as well. What do you say?" Barael turns to the others. "Nik, you could gather quite a bit about the Maidens' training, couldn't ya, watching them fight out any resistance? Dandi, this may be the only chance of getting to see the oily woman in her soon-to-be gone abode."
"I wonder if brother cow is trying to use us to make a power play in the Queen's circle. Let's go and try to see Cressida. She may still be there in these trying times. If she's not I bet there's a good chance her assistant will be. I would like her in the loop as soon as possible. Maybe we can get to see her first thing tomorrow."
"We can't start or stop the Queen's thugs but they will evidence of their visit with the "healer." By tomorrow Cressida will know and if we see no action is taken we can tell the authorities and intervene ourselves if needed. I agree that the appearance of order is important in this case even if I want to break everything in the lying, cheating, malicious, accidentally evil waste of air's shop."
waste of air, not fit to taste the bottom of my shoe dirty, rotten *&^%$/...%$#@#% piece of *&^%$$* mother(*&%%$$&... Where's my holy symbol!
With that Charlie seems a touch out of breath and takes a deep pull from his constant companion and breaths a little easier.
Each in their turn speaks and postures; the muddled ugly truth and fruitless folly circle like logs in a flooding torrent — all motion with no real movement. It all makes her head swim like no gossamer dream ever could.
"Enough. No more fighting. If that is the way he would have it, then so be it! if it's proof we need to sway the doubtful, then more proof we shall get. I'll not fight with the any of you over the likes of the Lavender Liar, or the Emerald Imposter either. Let us use this to our advantage, and find the proof to cement our bonds...or break them."
IF she wore skirts, they would swirl a furious whirl about her, and IF she favored bangles, they would jangle in the storm of her decision, but a woman with her pastimes can ill afford the fripperies of skirts or the manacles of jewelry. Only the swish of her hair marks her path as she leaves the boys to bicker, or follow as each sees fit.
Dandi shakes her head, clearing a vision of a glorious exit from her mind and nods quietly.
"Alright, Barael, let's go."
Barael sways back and forth, looking for the glint of scales. "Majenko, would you be so kind as to point out possible aerial incursions during our trek back? I'd like to avoid dealing with imps about." Barael sizes up the purse of 1000 sails. He grabs a handful of dirt from the alley, and tries to sprinkle it in the bag, to prevent the sound of metal on metal as best he can. Barael offers to squirrel it away for the climb.
"Let's see how close we can get, before we try for a falcon's vantage."
Barael thinks on Dandi's words. How could more proof ever threaten to break our bonds? Unless proof of the Queen's innocence would never convince Fondo? Barael thinks to speak, then thinks more, then keeps it for the later conversation. He aims to move as efficiently as possible, control the breathing, cloak the vapors coming from his mouth. Keep the sweat from building, knowing the rooftops promise a cold air that will introduce itself rudely to the damp places.
Briar looks at Barael and smiles.
"Good luck with your stakeout," Briar says, uncertain what the plan is for the pair.
Do be a dear and keep them alerted for dangers. If there is trouble, you know where to find me. Do *not* put yourself in unreasonable danger.
I sure hope the Maidens are carrying light sources lest Barael will only see the dark.
Unless there is a plan of action beyond waiting and watching for the Maidens, Briar will return to DOLL and work.
Rebukes play across Fondo's tongue unsaid. Proof, says my friend the elf. Be careful about whom you ask for proof, says the fencing master. They asked me endless questions from every direction and called it proof, said the artist. Proof's to be bought. Proof's a hazard that'll earn you the axe.
Do you need proof the bitter tasting ale's poisoned, before you stop drinking it?
We'll find your proof, elf, one day. No doubt it'll be after death and misery. How many hours between when I saw falsehood in the shopkeep's eye, and Dandi here confirmed what I already knew? How much longer before you accept what is obvious? Care you?
Aye, proof's the thing in a trial, assuming the judge'll have it spoken. But I don't need proof to know or do what's right. A taste for proof's no cause for inaction or ill associations. You'll learn, elf.
He let's it go unsaid, though, and smiles. "You're right, brov. We'll see with our eyes how Ileosa's steel works itself this eve. Ill action's likely no 'proof' of her venom, but I'll see it for myself, nonetheless."
He tries to take Dandi's hand as he catches up with her, whistling of wolves, sheep and goats.
Briar heads back to the Doll Warrens and rest.
- - -
Majenko joins Charlie so he's not alone in the event of trouble. Charlie heads to the Citadel swigging from his holy wineskin as he goes to stabilize his mood, and his hands. He arrives to the usual bustling hive of activity even at this late hour. He produces one of the parties writs of passage and gets through the usual riff raft below and into the main barracks. He sees a contingent of Guard, led by two Gray Maidens, stride quickly out into the night streets.
Cressida is indeed in her office, and though it is late and she's trying to finish just one more report before turning in, she agrees to see Charlie. He explains what the party found, and the plans of Ishani to turn it over to the Gray Maidens. He may even express some interest in having the party do the dirty work themselves, but Cressida will cut him off.
"I am glad you are working with Ishani. He's very devout, and a good man. He's right too - it sounds like a job for the Gray Maidens, and I'd be surprised if they're not already doing something about it. Likely with some of my Guard doing the work. The priests and healers are spread thin with this plague and I'm glad my Guard can do their bit to help where they can - though I fear for their safety."
"There have been no reports of violence yet, well nothing major, but there will before this is over I am sure. Thank you for telling me this, and keeping me in the loop, but I'll leave it in the hands of Ishani and the Gray Maidens." She stands and gathers a few papers to work on at home.
- - -
Fondo, Barael, and Dandilion head back out to Lavanders to see what happens there, if anything. They approach by the same road they took last time and the lines outside the shop appear, at first, to be gone. As they get closer however, they see ten or fifteen souls sleeping rough so they can be first in the shop when it opens in the morning. You walk by the shop and see one of the guards taking up a comfortable position in the shop apparently ready to settle in for a nights watching over the place. You do not see Vendra or her assistants in your walk by.
You do find a nice spot a little way down the block across the street in an alley to watch the shop - and you don't have long to wait. About an hour or two after you arrive, before your joints even have time to properly stiffen, you hear the sound of troops marching in your direction. About a block away they stop and you hear some distant orders being called out. Shortly after you see a squad of 6 Guard lead by a Gray Maiden march up to the front of the building and knock on the door. They quickly gain entry and question the guard for some moments.
Apparently there were at least two such squads because it doesn't take long before you see Vendra brought in from some back way into the shop. She's manacled and very briefly questioned before being led away by one of the squads. She's joined by both her guards also in chains, but of the store assistants you see nothing. One squad remains behind and they seem to be boxing up everything in the shop and from some other chamber beyond.
Within an hour they too have left leaving an empty shop, two Guard, and a sign - Closed for Business...
Nikolay joins half the party on the roof and lets his eyes adjust to the darkness. Without a ring like Barael's, he doesn't venture too close to the edge. He watches the show.
Satisfying, but a bit boring.
"Are we done here? Shall we have a drink to celebrate?"
Barael jumps at Nik's suggestion. "Wonderful idea. Warm us inside and out." Once ensconced in a comfortable seat at Nik's recommended tavern, Barael smiles at Fondo. "There you go. No drama, no draw of attention. The Queen's own had not a care of putting on a show, but doing what was right. Vendra manacled, the shop closed, all in the dead of night, with no delay." Barael leans back, pops a crisped potato wedge, and chews a spell.
"That about the right of it, aye Nik? We didn't even see bloodshed. They just needed to be present, and the law saw justice done." Barael rinses the piece of potato down with table wine.
Dandi muses quietly, "I suppose you were right... but did you not say there were two others there before?" I was so certain it would go differently. I'm not disappointed and yet, something still seems off, Wraith. "I'll walk as far as the tavern with you, but it would be better if I returned to work."
Fondo snorts. "The Queen's men need not make a show to the people. Indeed, it'd do her ill to take away their hope. Meanwhile, her maids've solidified their command over the Guard. Your love's a fool. But we shall see. For now, aye, a drink."
Fondo's eyes cast around the pub, anxious to find tonight's prey.
Nikolay finds it hard to admit.
"Yes. The Queen's Maidens did well. Of course it didn't look like there was much to deal with. It does give me some hope."
Nikolay takes several sips before continuing.
"Of course, this could all be the grand machinations of the queen or someone else. I can't help but feel like a pawn."
Nikolay drinks some more.
"Tonight, at least, I'm a happy pawn."
Fondo toasts to Nik's sentiment. "May our cups be empty and our beds full this night!"
Briar works hard on getting his crafting area and, really, all of DOLL to a state of near-completion using as much magic as he can to honor the intent of this underground shrine to Nethys.
We will work into the night until sleep calls.
In the morn, he will arise and have a longer, deeper conversation with the whispers from the void, hearing new commands and phrases to unlock greater magics.
Such things make Briar happy.
I am becoming one with magic.
Barael does his best to convince Dandi that work can wait for dawn's light. "At least share a strong kahve if your intention is working through the night. I might try and keep up with you, but you should find your strength through rest sooner than later. We can rest better now, eh? Vendra won't vend, rather want for a more comfortable bed than the ones in the cells of the Citadel." Barael pauses. "The two assistants. Likely they'll be in custody in the morning when they show for work. Then I guess it's up to the Guard to figure out if they knew they were selling sugar water or no."
"Happy pawn. I like that, I do. Puts things in perspective.". Barael clinks his cup against Nik's. "To pawns, the little guys that stand on the front lines and know that, in life, there really is only one way to march, and that's forward."
Barael listens to Fondo and his sour grapes, and tries to enjoy the wine none the less. "She's a fool alright. A fool to not see what's right under her nose, waiting for her, ready to do right by her." Barael pushes the third cup of wine across the table and out of reach. "You know, when this is over, this, this madness, I'm fixing to ask her if she likes frogs." Barael tries to bite through a belch. "There's this lovely little spot down by the Jeggare, late at night, when a chorus of frogs makes its overtures, and the moonlight reflects on the still waters like a mirror. A perfect place for our first kiss." The cup, it turns out, is not out of reach after all.