Copper and Senjin go through the streets, and wind up back where they dropped Verik off just the day before. When they walk in, Copper asks a nearby guard, "Where is Verik being interrogated?"
Neva, having finished her morning prayers, decided to take a short walk and check in on one of her recent deliveries. The child had seemed healthy enough a few days ago, and her experience told her that there was nothing to be worried about.
But she wanted to check in on the young parents...and also to try and recapture a bit of normalcy after yesterday's bloody chaos.
Cressida leads you into a small, windowless room where Verik is bound to a table. Beside him stands none other than the young Tian woman that accompanied you to the warehouse where you took your revenge upon Gaedren Lamm. A flicker of recognition crosses her face, but she doesn’t greet you in any other fashion.
The questioning begins in a straightforward manner, Cressida asking questions, using threats to Verik’s health and his kin as coercion once it is obvious that he will not willingly cooperate. All that he reveals is that he was gathering an army at the butcher shop, although he lets slip mention of a woman that inspired him to do so. It is also obvious that he was in some sort of romantic relationship with her. However, he realizes that it was a mistake to mention her and quickly clams up, despite further threats.
At this point, the questioning gets uglier, as physical torture is applied to coax further information from the man. The questioner uses standard torture equipment (thumbscrews, heated irons, etc.) and soon Verik’s howls of pain fill the small chamber. After several minutes of this, Verik loses some of his willpower and lets loose a curse of ”Wish I’d never met that Arkonan wench!”
As soon as this is uttered, Cressida turns sharply to you and dismisses you ”It’s time for you to leave now, the further questioning will be confidential.” Two other guards in attendance usher you quickly from the room, although you can still hear Verik’s cries echoing through the door.
You know that the Arkona family is one of the oldest and most powerful in Korvosa due to their trade ties with the distant country of Vudra. They are de facto rulers of Old Korvosa and seem to turn a blind eye to the vice there, which leads to them being viewed as heroes by the lower class of Old Korvosa and troublemakers by the rest of the city.
A few days of rest and relaxation have done wonders for your spirits, and when you report again to the Citadel, it is with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. Your fellow guardsmen recognize you and usher you into Cressida’s office. In addition to Cressida, a handsome man sits in one of the chairs at her desk, and as you, he rises and bows. Cressida welcomes you ”Well then, if it’s not the Queen’s finest, a bright spot in my day, finally. This is Vencarlo Orisini, Vencarlo, this is the hand-picked squad that I’ve told you about.”
You know that Vencarlo is one of Korvosa’s most respected and renowned teachers of the honorable arts of fencing and swordplay
Vencarlo gives you all a wide, disarming smile and introduces himself to each of you in turn. Upon hearing each of your professions, he offers a compliment. He comes across as a very well-spoken and intelligent man who is never at a lack of words. He speaks to all of you as a group after the introductions are done. ”Well, I’ve heard much of your brave deeds, if Korvosa had more fine folk like you, we’d already be out of this mess.” He appears to be about to continue on and say more, but Cressida cuts him off.
“As much as I would enjoy continuing the conversation, I fear we just don’t have time. Vencarlo has often come to me with news of important changes on the streets, and this is no different—indeed, what he’s learned could degrade into sanctions, embargos, or even war against Cheliax if we don’t act now. This problem is a man named Darvayne Gios Amprei. You might have heard of him—he’s an ambassador from Cheliax whose disdain for Korvosa is well documented, and yet he’s taken great pleasure in what our city has to offer. Even before this recent unrest, this man was ready to recommend to his government a sanction on trade, or perhaps even an embargo. Vencarlo has learned through his own considerable sources that Ambassador Amprei’s actual goals are to undermine Korvosa’s economy to the point where he can buy up large portions of the city from desperate landholders and establish himself in a position of power here. Whatever the ambassador’s reasons, we can’t let his bias or personal plans hurt Korvosa. Yet neither can we take drastic action—not only would killing him be wrong, but it’d simply martyr him in Cheliax’s eyes.”
“Fortunately, Darvayne has his foibles. Again, Vencarlo has learned that Ambassador Amprei has been making fairly regular visits to a place in Old Korvosa called Eel’s End. This den of vice is run by a dangerous man named Devargo Barvasi, better known in Korvosa’s alleys as the King of Spiders. I’d love to put Barvasi out of business, but he pays his vice taxes regularly and never causes any problems—in fact, since he keeps his business constrained entirely within the five ships moored at Eel’s End, he’s actually one of the least of my worries. Truth be told, I can’t decide whether Devargo is a stirge or a kraken. He seems like a bloodsucking pest most days, but sometimes I fear just how far his tentacles have wormed their way into our great city. In this case though, his insidious web stretching across Korvosa’s underworld might prove to our advantage.”
“Devargo would never let someone he recognizes as an ally of the Guard into Eel’s End, but your group’s a different case. I’d like you to pay a visit to Eel’s End and secure an audience with Devargo. Find out what he knows about Amprei, get proof of any illicit goings-on the ambassador might be involved with, and bring that proof to me to use to undermine any forthcoming attempts by him to get Cheliax to cut us off. Devargo might not be willing to part with his information easily. I’ll supply you with some gold to bribe him, and whatever’s left over you can keep for yourself. Remember: the man is dangerous, but so are you—if things get violent, I wouldn’t mourn his passing.”
She lets her orders and explanation sink in for a moment and then asks you for any questions, as she draws a purse from one of her desk drawers.
When Copper returns from the interrogation, he informs his companions about what went on, including seeing the torturer who Rutter would recognize, what Verik said about the Arkonan woman, and who the Arkona family are.
Once his tale is done, he looks towards their newest member, "So Jericho, might you know who he was speaking of in the Arkonan family?"
***
In response to Cressida asking for questions, Copper inquires "Are there any times when he leaves the Eel's End, or he there all the time from sun-up to sun-down?"
In preparation for the mission, Senjin goes over his clothes and gear ensuring that there is nothing indicating him to be a member of the Sable Marines.
Neva tried to remember if she'd had any direct dealings with the Arkonas, Amprei or Devargo Barvasi. She'd heard of the Arkona clan, of course, but didn't know much about them. There was nothing she knew about Amprei. And Devargo?
Didn't that little Shoanti girl, Narna, who had that huge baby work for Devargo? Maybe her boyfriend? Gray Lady that baby was big! He was ready to cut wood when he came out! Anyway, that doesn't help. And it was ten years ago!
At this last thought she sighed wistfully and turned back to the others.
Jericho has seen Verik with a Vudran woman on a few occasions, but has never been introduced. In fact Verik has made a point of avoiding Jericho when he was in her company.
Copper can't recall anything further about Devargo beyond what Cressida said.
In response to Copper's question, Cressida responds "We don't know too much about his habits, since he mostly keeps on the good side of the Guard. He spends most of his time at Eel's End and when he goes out into the city, he usually has several of his bravos with him as protection against his competitors in the vice trade."
"So, gang, any ideas how to approach Devargo?" Rutter turns back to Cressida. "What's Devargo's business? Gambling, prostitution, drugs? And do you know which ones Amprei visits for?"
"Perhaps we could enter the Eel's End as customers, going in as pairs, and scouting the place a bit before we make a move on Devargo."
"I like this. Much better than the butcher shop plan. Perhaps Jericho and I can pose as bodyguards as we have the more obvious weapons for more distinguished guests," with a wave of his hand indicating the other three. "We have some coin, I am sure we can clean you'se up a bit. If the Chelliax Ambassador is hanging out there, I imagine they expect a certain class of person." He scratches at his chin while coming up with all this, "Guess I could use a shave, too."
At Senjin's comments Neva looked down at her grimy leather apron and well-worn peasant's garb. "I suppose I don't fit an appropriate part, either. Better dress myself up a bit, too.
"I actually meant us all go in separately, but I guess going in as a group could work as well, as long as we were properly disguised."
Copper begins examining his own clothing and running through a mental checklist of things to purchase of what clothing to purchase to pass off as someone from a higher station.
Upon hearing Rutter's questions about the type of vices practiced at Eel's End, Cressida smiles "All of those and more are practice there, at last count, there were five ships pulled up to the dock, each specializing in its own breed of entertainment. Which one Amprei favors is exactly the sort of information that we're looking for... anything that we can use to discredit him publicly."
Once the group has left Cressida behind, Copper suggests, "Why dont we all go prepare ourselves for the mission now and meet back up in a couple hours at the house?"
If no one objects, Copper will leave to have himself a bath, and purchase himself a new set of fine clothing to wear for his 'disguise' before returning to meet with the others.
Neva purchased some new clothes and traded up on her leather armor before finding a bath. Once back at the house, she used the fragments of a mirror to test different ways of putting up her hair. Eventually she became self-conscious and then frustrated, falling back on her traditional method.
Hmphf.
Senjin gets some new clothes too. Nothing too fancy, but something black, that fits over his chain shirt, and is not covered in blood and cuts.
His hair he gives a good soak to get the knots loosened. He knows he doesn't have to pass as a noble, but he still must look like someone a noble would keep around.
After Cressida and Vencarlo offer a good description of Amprei to help us recognize him, Rutter is ready to start scouting. "While you all go shopping, I'm going to make the rounds of the End, and get the lay of the piers. If we know which ship offers what, we can just wait outside to see which one Ampray goes into."
"Sounds good to me. Let us know what you find." Copper says, watching Rutter walk off towards his destination, "And be careful!"
As Rutter leaves to scout out the lay of the land, Vencarlo speaks up "Mind if I walk with you for a while? My house is near Old Korvosa and I could use some conversation for the journey if you don't mind company." If Rutter doesn't object, he goes along with him most of the way, mostly making small talk, although Rutter does get the feeling that the man is trying to tease out some information about his past.
When Rutter gets to the dock, he finds the situation to be accurate to the description Cressida gave. There are five ships tied up there: the Goldenhawk, which appears to be a floating inn; the Twin Tigers, a gambling hall; the House of Clouds, a brothel; the Dragon's Breath, a drug den; and Eel's End itself, which advertises no business, but is home to the toughs that keep order on the dock and Devargo himself. Patrons of many different social classes frequent the establishments and generally the place is kept orderly, the one fight Rutter sees is broken up quickly. At this time, it appears to maintain order better than much of the city....
Everyone else is able to outfit themselves well and when Rutter returns, he almost has to stifle a laugh at seeing the rough group dressed to the nines and resembling the sort of fops he's used to seeing hanging around the castle, hoping to catch some gossip.
Senjin never had much reason to look nice. Growing up on the streets and then with a gang. Even with the Sable Guard, he mostly works with the animals. So even though he knows he will never pass as a noble man, it feels good to have nice new clothes and clean hair.
He turns to Neva with a self-conscious smile on his face, "So what do you think?" Senjin stands tall, a loose black tunic over his chainmail, a large and small axe on either hip and the bow on his back. His thick black hair hangs down to his shoulders like a mane, his Shoanti features scarred, his nose bent off at a noticeable angle, and his smile clearly showing a broken tooth.
Copper finishes smoothing back his slicked hair into a loose tie as Rutter and Vencarlo rejoin the remainder of the party.
As Neva looks over Senjin, Copper begins making sure everything is proper in his own attire. Clean white shirt, brown vest and pants with polished boots. His dagger sits in its sheath on his right side, but he appears otherwise unarmed. He awaits the inspection and approval of the sole woman of the group.
Seeing Rutter's smirk, he calls out to the halfling, "What's so funny? I think we look rather good." After stealing a glance at Senjin's poise, in trying to appear presentable, he adds, "Well, I do, anyway.", giving Senjin a mock half-smile, to let the larger man know he isnt being serious.
Neva smiled at the banter and did her best to be kind and supportive of everyone. Even Rutter got a curtsey fit for a lord in response to his smirk.
Holding out her arms for Senjin and Jericho, she impersonated Queen Ileosa's voice and demeanor and said haughtily, "Let the festivities commence!"
"I'm sure the scum hanging about the Eel's End would be honored if they knew how you'd dressed when meeting the queen, by comparison." Rutter says, still smirking.
So the group is walking towards the Eel's End...
"It feels odd being dressed so well in Korvosa, especially after the riots. I've always dressed plainly to express my admiration and support for the poor, so I can't help feeling a bit guilty for even this modest display of wealth." She looked over to the others as they walked, realizing that she was babbling nervously. She smiled sheepishly.
"Perhaps I should find a way to get over it and shut up, eh?"
"I spent years scrabbling on the streets, and then some time on a modest Sable Guards pay. I never imagined such wealth could come my way so quickly, just through some revenge and applied muscle...and a few new scars for my trouble."
"Ladies love battle scars, my friend. In moderation anyway. I dont think any woman would find the state of my back attractive."
"Ladies love a man who can bear the wounds that caused the scars, boys, not the scars themselves" Neva chided mildly, with a sympathetic smile. "Scars, ostentatious wealth, big muscles, magical prowess: they all can signify some inner strength. And it's that strength that women find attractive, not your face or your clothes. Or your back."
"Meh. Why worry what women like? They'll take care of what they want. They may tell you what you want to hear, but it's their own interests they're looking out for. They'll change their plans if they need to. You can't control them. You can only look out for yourself, same as they are."
Copper rolls his eyes at Rutter's comment. Not at his point of view, but that he is challenging the lone woman of the group in this discussion.
If the conversation gets too heated, Copper is fully prepared to put everyone involved in the conversation to sleep on the spot.
Neva opened her mouth to continue the discussion with Rutter, but then closed it. She felt she recognized the sound of past heartache in those comments and decided she didn't want to dance around that fire.
Besides, if you took away the insinuation that women were liars, most of what he said was good practical advice for dealing with people in general: you can't control them; they'll change their plans if they need to.
But there is something to be gained in worrying about what other people like, tough one, female or not. Maybe I can prove that to him over time.
"What should we be looking out for in this part of town, Master Rutter?" Neva asked lightly.
As the group travels, the more observant notice what at first glance appears to be a beggar child covered head to toe following them quietly, but they quickly realize that most beggars don't carry visible weapons, and this one appears be carrying a spear quite openly.
As the group approaches the docks area, Felgar leans up against the corner of a bulding at a vantage point where he can see their approach from any angle. When he notices the special Queen's Guards of Korvosa, he steps out and hails them.
A muscular Dwarf with a large ornate Dwarven War Axe strapped to his back lumbers in front of you. Some of you may have seen him around the keep, and maybe even recognize hima as a fellow guard.
Well met all! I be Felgar Stoutaxe of the Korvosan Guard. Field Marshall Cressida sent me to lend me axe and strong arms to yer job. I heard ya lost a good sword not long ago. I be willin' and able to toss in with ya!
Recognizing Felgar before the dwarf apporoaches the rest of them, Copper offers a smile, motioning for the guard to lower his voice after his initial greeting.
"Keep your voice low, good dwarf. Yes, unfortunately, Senjin was called back to the Sable Marines before we were able to carry out this mission. I'd be fine with having you join us, though I cannot speak for my two companions here."
Copper keeps an eye out, over Felgar's shoulder, towards the supposed beggar.
In a much more hushed voice...
Sorry Copper, didna know we be sneakin'.
He winks and nods at the others in the group.
As the party stops to talk to Felgar, Pravlox finally approaches. As he nears you can hear him muttering something silly humans and their cursed long legs under his breath. His greeting is direct. "You're the ones that killed that slimy good-for-nothing Bastard. Don't know why the guard suddenly took an interest, but it's about bloody time they did." The way he says bastard makes it very clear that at least in his mind, it is very clear who he is referring to. Upon closer inspection, you realize it's not a child, but short, even for his race, halfling, that has scars visible everywhere his clothes end, especially on his face.
Neva was briefly taken aback by the new arrivals, but took comfort that Copper knew the dwarf. She nodded in return to Felgar's wink, warming to him immediately.
As the scarred halfling approached, she took a sharp, involuntary breath. The wounds on his face looked recent and raw, and she felt a deep pang of compassion. Realizing, however, that such experiences make people wary, she did nothing overt, merely responding to his statement.
"Yes, we dealt with Lamm. I take it he was an enemy to you as well?"
Pravlox briefly pulls back his head covering, and you can see that while most of the scars have healed, there are still several that just won't fully heal, and a prominent one on the side of his face that doesn't look like it is particularly resistant to healing. "You could say that. Almost killed me, that bastard did." He says indicating the prominent scar.
His face looks as bad as my back. By the gods, it's a miracle he can see! Copper thinks to himself, trying not to let his reaction show on his face.
"Not to be rude, master halfling, but are you in need of something that we could be of help with? The three, er, four of us, I guess, have pressing business at the moment.", Copper says, correcting himself when he glances over to the dwarf.
"If its tied to that Bastard, and I know you took a prisoner, so chances are that it is, I intend to join you. I won't allow someone else to do my work for me if I can help it."
"Hmph" Rutter regards the dwarf warily. He figured Cressida might match them with another physical type, and he had been afraid it would be a fellow with obnoxiously loud armor. At least Senjin and the criminal had been light on their feet, for physical types. Though maybe a little too light, considering how much damage Senjin took.
"Good to meet you." Rutter offers his hand, but not much of a smile.
When the scarred halfling approaches, Rutter looks around in disbelief. Here they were trying to be somewhat discreet, but everybody and their mother seemed to know who they were and where to find them.
As Pravlox speaks, Rutter considers using the fellow's misconceptions to their advantage, but thinks twice - he'll find out the truth eventually, and it's not worth the hard feelings.
"Whoa... we're not with the guard." He casts a sidelong glance at Neva, not particularly pleased with her bragging in public about killing a scumbag who still may have friends who haven't drunk themselves sensible yet. "And our business with Lamm ended with his passing."
Neva admired the gumption of the halfling, but worried that he seemed too young to be of any real help. Ah, but Rutter taught you not to treat halflings like children. Perhaps you should remember that, woman!
She looked to Rutter and Copper. "It is rude to ignore unexpected offers of aid. More importantly, it offends Pharasma, the Lady of Graves, who watches us closely in these moments of fate. I am inclined that we allow this earnest halfling to help us, if he feels so compelled. But only if you two are willing to risk such a stranger in our midst. And only if he truthfully answers any questions we might have."
At this she turned back to the scarred halfling. "I do not doubt your intensity, friend. But our work is dangerous and requires trust between us. If you feel a debt to us, what oaths might your heart make to our safety and success?"
"I'm not big on oaths, as I've seen too many people break them, but I suppose Pharasma is as good as any other if an oath is required. No one in their right mind offends the goddess that controls their journey beyond this world. I see no point in passing up an opportunity to help clean up some of the street scum, regardless of who you're with or which scum you're currently after."
Growing a little agitated at the amount of eaves-droppable conversation his companions are now having, Copper grasps the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger and rubs slowly, trying to avoid a headache. "Yes, that sounds fine. I suggest we either get this party moving or retire to some other far-less-noticable place, if this conversation if to continue."
Neva finally noticed the discomfort of Copper and Rutter. "Oh, right, of course" she said, slightly embarrassed.
Well, I might not be a master of shadow and sabre, but let's see them deliver breach twins! she thought, providing a bit of petulant comfort to her ego. Then she smiled at Copper's exasperated gesture, placed a hand on his shoulder and gently mocked healing him of an affliction. "Sorry."
Turning to Rutter she took a deep breath and bowed slightly. "Perhaps you should lead us in this matter, Master Rutter. When I asked what dangers we faced in this part of town, I didn't expect the answer to be 'my rambling mouth'."
"Wehl, wehl, wehl. Whut 'ave we 'ere! A fancy lit'el dandy." At first the voice startled the group, as if it was directed at them. You quickly realize that it is coming through the alley from the next street over.
It is followed by the mousy response of a young male. "Please, gentlemen, I'm just trying to get home." he pleads.
The loud man speaks up once again, "'Ome, from wut, a 'ard day's work? Hah! Bet'cha neveh worked an 'onest day's wage in yeh life, eh, Queen's man?" the sound of other's grumbles can be heard, a murmur from a crowd agreeing with the loud man. "M'Bruffer 'ad 'is arm crushed by a barrel ona docks when 'e was younger den you. 'E neveh raised a mug o ale wif dat wrist agin. Wanna know wut it feehls like?" at this point the group of easily influenced hangers on grumbles agreement, and it sounds like it will shortly resort to violence.
While Felgar shakes Rutter's hand, he glances over at the interruption and the imminent threat of violence. He speaks to Copper quietly but takes a step towards the potential violence as he lets go of Rutter's hand.
Copper, just how quickly do we need to be gettin' onto our task?