I got tired of waiting for the tea and crumpets party to end so I decided that the citadel was a better place to be. Sergeant Summerstride is there and I can check in on my family. May even see how the poisoned soldier is doing.
He says as he continues to slowly walk.
Garran chuckles at the analogy. "Tea and crumpets party. If the man had actually provided such, it might have been a more pleasant meeting. We've finished up now. Besides, now isn't the time to be wandering around alone."
Garran holds the other man's arm to stop him from walking, leans in and whispers, "The brooch we found in Lamm's things? It apparently belongs to Queen Ileosa. There's a reward for it of 1200 gold sails. Nicoleta wants to turn it in to Castle Korvosa for the reward."
Letting go of Alistair's arm, Garran steps back a bit and says, "I wanted to throw it in the harbor, but greed appears rampant in that one. Here's your share of the profits." He hands Alistair several money pouches that clink as he hands them off.
taking the money and placing the coins in a pouch along his belt, Alistair shakes his head.
Of course she would want that...
He turns and looks at Garran.
She has no clue what she is getting you into or herself.
He still addresses Garran but his voice is louder so that the rest will hear.
If that is what everyone wants to do. You guys can do that and keep my share of the reward. I will not be part of it. We already have a nice target on our backs that will be exploited by some low life wanting to avenge Lamm. Adding the nobility to that list is not something I will do. Queen Ileosa just took power and we stroll in handing over lost jewelry to collect a nice reward. Well the factions that do not want her will put us right beside her when they attempt to cut her head off. I am very fond of my head staying right where it is.
He again lowers his voice for Garran.
Garran, the citadel is the safer choice. The smarter...choice. The Korvosian Guard are know to hold the city as their first priority. The nails are out and about pushing their brand of justice. Sable company holds good ties with the guards. The city is a pile of kindling waiting for a spark. We go to the guard and avoid the nobles if at all possible...right now there are so many powers at work trying to gain favor. Showing favor right now to any group that is vying for power...will be a mistake. You go to the castle...you will be swimming in shark infested waters with a bloody brisket hanging around your neck. Trust me on this one...The citadel is the correct course we should take. They will know of the broach and the reward. They will be more discreet about the jewelry being returned to the queen.
Garran considers a moment, then says, "Well, I wanted to throw the brooch in the water anyway, reward or no. The Citadel might be a safer place. Personally, I think the safest place is anywhere but Korvosa right now, but seeing as that isn't an option..."
To everyone else he says, "I think I'll stick with Alistair. The city isn't a good place to be walking around alone, and if he's going to be by himself, he'd better have some backup with him. I'm sure we'll be able to meet up again later."
"Very well. Good bye and good luck, Alistair," says Alika.
Having only just met these people, she has no strong reason to stay connected to them.
To everyone else he says, "I think I'll stick with Alistair. The city isn't a good place to be walking around alone, and if he's going to be by himself, he'd better have some backup with him. I'm sure we'll be able to meet up again later."
"Fine with me if the boys don't want to come with us," she says, looking at Alika and Danni after Garran and Alistair leave. "That means we only have to split the reward three ways." She smiles. "Shall we?"
"Sure. I'm less worried about the reward than about doing the right thing and getting the opportunity to see how the city's responding to the news," says Alika. "We've already seen some chaos, I'm sure it's going to be worse before it's better. We should expect a general martial lockdown soon, to suppress unrest."
Danni frowns as the two men start to stride away. She wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of the palace herself. Hiding has worked very well for her for some time. But this was a very unusual time, and these were quite uncharted waters.
Still, the cleric helped to give at least the veneer of respectability. And Danni respects the way the children were treated by her church. She would support her for now. Resigned, she sighs heavily. "Wait for us at the Citadel. I'm sure we'll be along shortly," she says. She wonders if the words sound as hollow as they feel.
"All right. We'll try to be careful. If there is trouble, I'll do my best to meet back up at the temple," says Alika to Danni. "I don't really know anything about the new Queen... likely she and her retinue are so busy with the transition of power that a little thing like this is not really significant to them. Perhaps we'll simply fly right under their radar."
Nearly within sight of the Korvosan Guard's headquarters, a filthy man dressed in nothing but torn rags and a wooden sandwich board stumbles out from an alley before the two warriors. The man casts about before his wide eyes land on Alistair. As he turns, they can see that the boards that hide his naked chest and back display an ominous symbol: a crude rendition of a leering skull-faced moon.
He takes a fumbling step towards Alistair before coughing violently, but the moment passes before he raises a trembling finger towards the swashbuckler.
"The Eye of Groetus has turned from the Boneyard to look upon Korvosa," he shouts, spittle frothing at the corners of his mouth. "It casts its gaze upon all nobility. They have failed this city!"
The mad man continues shouting as he approaches.
A man's scream, shrill with fear, flies out of a nearby alley. A group of tough-looking men armed with shovels, chair-legs, and other improvised clubs stand around a young, harried-looking nobleman. One of the rioters, a burly woman with greasy strands of hair framing her rotund face, jeers and addresses the beardless man in a booming voice.
"Betcha never worked an honest day's wage in your life, eh, Queen's Man? M'brother has his arm crushed by a barrel on the docks when he was younger than you. Never raised a mug of ale with that wrist again. Show him what it feels like, Jon!"
"No, please," the man shouts before he's shoved to the ground.
Danni's had enough of bullies. She runs forth and calls out, "Hey!" to get the attention of the rioters. As they turn to look, she waves her hand and a cone of swirling light and colors spews forth (casting color spray DC15 will). Her hawk flaps its wings as it hovers overhead.
Nicoleta pauses for just a moment as if she's about to say something about the wisdom of jumping into every single tussle they come across. However, the memory of the foul, greasy water of the river and the sensation of a shark swimming right by her shuts her mouth.
So, instead, she decides to lend her skills to that of the sorceress and charges into the fray.
"Hey, Fat-face! How about trying someone that hits back!" she shouts at the woman. A roundhouse kick aimed at her head follows.
"The Eye of Groetus has turned from the Boneyard to look upon Korvosa," he shouts, spittle frothing at the corners of his mouth. "It casts its gaze upon all nobility. They have failed this city!"
If that were true then all of Korvosa would fall under his gaze. The end of times cares not if you are of noble birth.
He keeps his weapon pointing downwards but in between himself and the mad man. He tries to navigate around the man without conflict.
He turns his head to Garran.
Let us keep moving, the sooner we get to the citadel the better...The others should have come with us. Stuck to the original plan instead of changing things.
The young noble lets his eyes roam around the area looking for the possibility that there are more problems that will come out of the alley.
Garran steps between the clearly deranged man and Alistair, saying, "Friend, if Groetus has truly turned his gaze upon Korvosa, then there is far more death to come. Let us put aside death for now. Instead, perhaps you should share your message with others. In the Gold Market, perhaps."
"And the bezan shall be huge and black and the eyes thereof red with the blood of living creatures, and the whore of Azlant shall ride forth on a three-headed serpent, and throughout the lands, there will be a great rubbing of parts. Yeeah..." Oblivious to Garran's words, the mad man continues shouting. Without warning, the prophet hurtles at the fighter, bringing him to the ground with a tackle.
"I have dreamed your face," he shouts, spraying Garran with spittle. "Death will come to you during a time of plague and famine, Korvosa's darkest hour! It will usher in a new age of writhing doom."
The nobleman on the ground cringes and raises his hands to protect his face. "Oh, please gods, don't hurt me!"
"Sorry, not one of my kinks," Nicoleta says as she holds out a hand to help the man to his feet. "So, did you do something specific to piss off those folks or were you just in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
Garran attempts to break the man's grip on him and stand up. "I don't know what you're talking about, lunatic, but your decision to attack me will go poorly for you. I strongly suggest you cease at once."
"Wrong place and time, I'm afraid," the man admits, accepting Nicoleta's hand. Once on his feet, he gives the party a practiced bow. "I'm Amin Jalento. Thank you for your timely intervention."
"The pleasure was all ours, Mr. Jalento," Nicoleta says with a friendly smile. "We couldn't just stand aside and let an innocent man be beaten." She glances at Danni and Alika, silently hoping they don't call her out on her initial reluctance. "Is ... uh ..." she looks around for any guards or other observers. "Is there someplace we can take you? We're heading towards the palace ourselves, but we could possibly take a side trip - if we had to - for a nominal fee, of course."
"I'm just glad we were able to avoid any more bloodshed," says Alika. "The city is going to go through a lot of upheaval before it gets better, I'm afraid."
Taking advantage of the scuffle, Alistair steps forward to put the man in between him and Garran.
Now you gone and done it. I do not know what sauce you are on but it is time to move along to another alley...please good sir...do not do this. Leave and all will be forgiven.
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[spoilers=The Men]Garran throws the lunatic off of him and Alistair steps between the two men to avoid an escalation of violence. The mad man eyes the two adventurers before laughing crazily and stumbling off in a different direction.
---
Citadel Volshyenek is an imposing granite structure, the largest building in the Midland distract. It sits atop a peninsular hill that juts into the Jeggare River, giving it a commanding view of the city and waterway.
Outside the main gate, a pair of Korvosan Guards stand at wary attention. One of them holds up his hand to halt Alistair and Garran. "Hold, citizens. State your business."[/spoiler]
He pulls a ring off of his finger and hands it to Nicoleta. "For your timely intervention," he explains. "Now, if you ladies don't mind, I shall accompany you to the palace."
---
Castle Korvosa is the centerpiece and crown jewel of the city. Perched atop the Grand Mastaba, a four-sided sandstone pyramid carved to cyclopean proportions, the high-walled citadel towers above the rest of Korvosa.
The northern face of the pyramid has a wide set of steps cut for human-sized travelers rises up the center of the northeastern face. At the top of the stairs, a pair of Korvosan Guards and a Sable Company Marine stand at wary attention.
"Hold, citizens," the Marine demands, gesturing for the party to stop. "State your business."
~~~~~
"Were concerned citizens here to return the Queen's personal property that we've recovered from a known thief," Nicoleta responds to the guard with her best innocent eyes. She holds out the brooch.
Alika steps up as Nicoleta speaks and says, "As a priestess of Sarenrae, I can vouch for the statements in question. In this time of difficulty we are hoping to provide some good."
Alistair nods at the guards.
Good Gentles. I am Lord Wellington and I am seeking Sergeant Summerstride. Earlier this evening my companions and I were escorting some children to the temple of Sarenrae when we happen to see a Sable Company soldier take a nasty spill into the river. We were able to get him back to shore when the Sergeant and Deathclaw came by. There is so much anger and chaos on the streets that we decided to wait out the trouble in...as the sergeant put it, "likely the safest place in this mess." I hope that he and the injured marine made it back here safely.
Let us hope the name drops will help. Not likely to just let anyone in.
Garran allowed Alistair to take the point on this. He knew that he looked exactly like what he was - a hired bodyguard who worked for the highest bidder. They would likely be far more receptive to Alistair, with his noble upbringing, than they would to him. Besides, he didn't quite trust the guards. They might try to conscript him or something like that.
Alistair keeps his tone and manners in check as he speaks with the guard. His words are polite and respectful.
Garran is more intelligent then he lets on. He knows when to speak and when not to. He is a survivor and I am glad to have him along for the ride.
---
"And I am Amin Jalento of House Zenderholm," Amin adds. "I have come to seek an audience with the new queen regarding a personal matter, but I can also vouch for the honor of these women. They likely saved me from being torn to shreds by a group of rioters."
After Alika and Amin speak, the marine softens slightly. "Let me have a look at that." The man scrutinizes the brooch for a moment before handing it back. "I'm no jeweler, but I'll see if I can find somebody to verify this. Leave your weapons here and please follow me."
The guards eye Alistair skeptically, but one takes their inquiry into the Citadel. After a few tense moments, he returns with Sergeant Summerstride right behind. Edgar grins, despite his obvious fatigue. "You came," he states, holding out a hand for either Alistair or Garran to shake. "Come in, I'll take you to Sabin."
After Alika and Amin speak, the marine softens slightly. "Let me have a look at that." The man scrutinizes the brooch for a moment before handing it back. "I'm no jeweler, but I'll see if I can find somebody to verify this. Leave your weapons here and please follow me."
Nicoleta hides her trepidation as the soldier examines the brooch as well as her relief when he instructs them to follow him.
The monk looks at the others and her lips lift into a crooked grin. Her eyes move down to her dirty hands and then back up. She waggles her dark eyebrows a little and then moves to follow the guard.
Accepting the offered hand, Alistair follows along.
It is good to see you again and under better circumstances.
His eye brows raise slightly at the mention of the name Sabin. His voice remains polite and respectful.
Yes by all means lead the way.
Garran followed Alistair into the Citadel, keeping a wary eye out in case the guards decided to try and lock them up.
The women are separated from Amin and lead through a courtyard and up a flight of stairs to the third floor of the castle. Deposited in one of the many antechambers that lead to the throne room, the guards move to either exit and stand at attention. Further inquiries are met with brusque replies that they're awaiting word from the queen.
The chamber is comfortably furnished and well-lit, its walls decorated with memorabilia affiliated with the royal family: the Arabasti battle standard and a pair of fine jousting lances mounted on a rack.
After what seems like nearly an hour, the party is joined by a stern-faced young woman. The woman's dark hair and pale skin give her a distinctive gothic beauty, but her Korvosan Guard uniform and a jagged scar bisecting her right eyebrow serve to de-emphasize her femininity. A pair of duelist's blades hang low on her hip and she stands with an easy confidence.
The guards in the room immediately straighten when she enters, but a nod from her sets them at ease. She extends a gloved hand to the group. "Lieutenant Sabina Merrin, Guard attaché for Castle Korvosa. It's my understanding that you have something that belongs to the Queen. Is that correct?"
Nicoleta steps forward with a smile. "Good morning, Lieutenant Merrin," she says. "My name is Nicoleta Radacan. These are my companions; Danni and Alika Karela. While we were engaged in an attempt to rescue a number of orphans that were being held by a known criminal, we recovered this." She holds out the brooch to the dark-haired woman.
"We came to learn that it belonged to the queen. So after securing safe shelter for the children, we came here to return it to its rightful owner."
Danni has to concentrate to hide her expression of disbelief when Nicoleta speaks. Oh, thanks the gods! I thought she'd get us killed for sure.
Danni nods along. "Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant."
After they leave, she returns her attention to the party. "The queen will wish to thank you herself, I'm sure. How would you prefer to be announced?"
"Thanks to you and your friends," Edgar says quietly, "Deathclaw and I got Sabin to a healer before the poison could take him."
There's a moment of silence as the situation processes in her head. A smile finally appears, but then fades away. "Just Nicoleta Radacan, please," she says at last. She turns to the others with an expression of bewilderment on her face. She mouths the words, 'The Queen' towards the other ladies. She mouths something else that might be 'Holy f+**!', but then turns back to Lieutenant Merrin for further instructions.
Alistair nods in appreciation.
We happen to be in the right place at the right time.
The young noble keeps his stance relaxed as he talks.
It is the least we can do to repay the service all of you do for us...each and every day. The Sable Company has always been good to my family...a slight grin come across his face...and the guard have pulled me out of few gutters over the years. We are just glad to know that all of you made it to safety.
His face turns serious.
The street are dangerous, too dangerous for us to get to my family's estate outside the city. We were hoping we could remain here till things calm down a bit? This being probably the safest place right now.
Garran looks at Alistair, then nods. "We were glad to be able to assist when we could. How long do you think the streets will be disrupted by rioting?"
Nicoleta leans in close to Alika. "Did you ever hear the one about the two sisters and the cucumber?" she asks with a smirk, but then she frowns. "On the other hand ... uh ... you might not think it's funny. Sorry." She shrugs in apology.