The Marine shrugs to Garran's question. "It's difficult to say. I would have expected it to be safe by morning, especially with the Hellknights getting involved." The young man frowns. "Something is different though."
His eyes widen as he realizes something. "Where are your companions? The Shoanti and the Varisians?"
Before any of the women can respond, they've rounded a corner and are inside the throne room. Sabina snaps to attention and announces each name clearly, following the pronunciation offered moments earlier. With that finished, she steps neatly aside, allowing entry to the hall.
Pristine and strangely empty, the throne room is an open, airy room with a vaulted ceiling and elaborate stained glass windows portraying previous kings and queens lining the eastern wall. Crimson banners displaying the sigil of Korvosa hang opposite. An immense fireplace, carved from the same black marble as the castle itself, provides additional light and warmth to the hall and a silken rug offers a gently arching path to the raised dais at the room's end.
Upon the dais sits the Crimson Throne, a baroque iron chair draped with deep red silks and plush cushions the color of fresh blood. The Queen sits in a smaller, less ornate throne next to it. Dressed in a black gown of silk, she holds a small silver coffer in her lap. "Please enter," she calls out, her voice a small thing compared to the opulence of the room.
As the women approach, the queen's legendary beauty is obvious, even despite the black veil she wears, making her features indistinct.
"Your Majesty, you have my sympathy for your loss," she fumbles out. "If I can do you ... I mean ... If there's anything I can do to you ..." she cringes. "If there's anything I can do for you, please ask."
She closes her eyes and waits for the impending doom.
Garran considers, then says, "Last night, we encountered some criminals who we fought with. One of them possessed a brooch that was identified as belonging to Queen Ileosa. The others went to the palace to turn the brooch in. I did not feel comfortable going with them, nor did Alistair, so we decided to come check on Sabin, and see how his wounds were doing."
With the turmoil that the city is in right now, we felt...going to the palace to return a piece of jewelry was not the wisest course of action. They are very much capable of handling themselves.
"In any case, I have something for you. A small reward for saving my brother's life." He pulls out a small satchel and hands it over to Alistair and Garran. Inside are half a dozen vials, each filled with a bright red liquid. "Healing potions," Edgar explains. "A small stock Sabin and I had requisitioned. I don't think he'll be needing them any time soon and there are too many for me."
The queen considers the broken piece of jewelry before continuing. "This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. Its return is an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope."
The queen offers the women a sad smile. "I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. I doubt I need to tell you that his death has shocked the city, as it has me, but I will not see his legacy be its destruction. I shall not see this city be torn apart. All of Korvosa stands on the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this precious heirloom to me, and you shall be rewarded."
She offers Sabina the small coffer. The wood is smooth, dark, and finely polished. Sabina turns to the party, opening the box. Inside the red-velvet lined interior are a dozen gold ingots, each imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa. With its contents revealed, Sabina closes the coffer and hands it to the nearest woman.
"If you are willing, I would ask you to continue to serve your city," the queen says. "The Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it could certainly use the aid of heroes such as you. If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshall Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way."
"Thank you, Your Highness. If there's anything I ... we ... can do for you, it would be ... our ... pleasure. Anything." Her tone skirts the line between enthusiastic obsequiousness and outright flirtation. She bows to the beautiful woman and takes her leave.
As the ladies make their way down the hall, the dhampir leans in close and smiles, fanning herself with one hand. "Was it just me, or is that woman just an icon of screaming thigh sweats? I'd love to give her some 'Royal Service'." She laughs at her own crude joke.
"So, on a more serious note. Should we cut the boys in on this?" she asks, gesturing towards the box with the ingots in it. "I say 'no'. If they had their way, that brooch would have been thrown into the river. As far as I'm concerned, this is all ours. We took the initiative to bring it back here and we were the ones the Queen thanked."
As they walk away, Nicoleta's joke makes it clear that it was NOT her imagination. "She is a striking woman, though I don't know that she's in to the lowborn, like you and I."
"As for the reward, I know this may not be what you want to hear, but I think we can do more with it than just profit. I have no qualm with having a share, but I was thinking perhaps Alika could ask her church to use some of this to help care for the Lambs. Once all this chaos is settled down, maybe we could help set up an orphanage or something. AND we might not have come this far without Garran and Alistair. It doesn't seem right to not include them." She waves her hand. "We can discuss it. Let's just see what's going on at the Citadel."
Nicoleta winks at the shoanti woman. "I can tell you from experience that naked and between the sheets, the lowborn and highborn sound just the same." She shrugs. "But you're right. She's probably got a list of playmates a mile long and I wouldn't crack the top fifty. A girl's gotta dream, though."
She turns to Alika.
"What does the sister say? Whichever way we decide, I think we should decide before we rejoin them. This isn't a decision they should be a part of. They already decided not to have anything to do with the brooch. If you both vote for them getting a share then they get a share." She rolls her eyes. "I don't think they deserve it, but I'll accept the rule of our ..." She twirls her finger in a circle indicating the three ladies. "... vote."
The floor is better than out there...so anything would be appreciated.
Alistair nods slightly and bows, taking the offered reward.
I thank you very much for such a gesture. It is well received and I will make sure that the others get their fare share of such a reward. They were involved as well, so it is only right that they get something for their involvement.
Garran also offers a short bow. "Thank you for your generosity. If there's anything else we can do to assist, please let us know."
She backs out as the group exits and responds to Nicoleta and Danni's question, saying, "I will make sure that the Lambs are cared for - those who don't run away. As for the money, I don't have strong feelings one way or the other; I'm curious to see what the boys turn up. I worry that we're getting dragooned into helping the guard crack down on a city in turmoil and we may need the lads' help. In that case we'd be well-served using what we can to make sure that we have a safe place to stay and the tools that we need to survive this turbulence."
Nicoleta rolls her eyes.
"So we have one vote for yes. One vote for no. And one undecided." She laughs to herself and continues walking. "Maybe we'll ask someone along the way to cast a deciding vote."
As she walks, she continues talking. "I have no plans to crush the beardless underfoot. But if the pretty lady back there would like us to help out, maybe we can be selective about the help we offer." She looks at each other woman in turn. "In times of turmoil, where you want to be is close to power and she's about as powerful as you get in this city." She smiles lecherously. "It doesn't hurt that she's a real sweet piece as well."
Yes, if there is anything we can do to help...do not hesitate to ask.
The escort is waved through the gates without interference and the party is escorted quickly to the central keep. It's obvious that the Citadel is manned by a skeleton staff—the grounds surrounding the central keep are practically deserted but for the odd attendant running messages from one place to another.
Once inside, the Guard member invites the party to seat themselves in a waiting room outside of Marshall Kroft's office then takes his leave. At the moment, the only other occupants are a Guard constable, standing watch beside the commander's door and a dark-skinned man dressed in the rich white and gold robes. A golden key, the holy symbol of Abadar, hangs around his neck. He smiles faintly at the assembled women. "Good afternoon," he offers in a kindly voice flavored with a Vudrani accent.
Garran looks to Alistair, giving him a nod to let him know he'll agree with whatever the noble decides.
As the ladies make a quick stop at her single room erroneously labeled a 'flat', Nicoleta shows no modesty as she drops her dress in front of her companions. She quickly replaces it with a pair of harem pants and a tight, midriff-baring top. "Much more comfortable if we have to flee from a mob," she says with a smile. She also retrieves a curved blade to hang at her side. It has a scarlet ribbon dangling from the pommel. The color of the ribbon matches the red stone hanging from her bellybutton.
Once they arrive outside Marshall Kroft's office, she takes note of the Vudrani man. Her eyes narrow slightly at the sight of his holy symbol, but her expression quickly changes to interest - or even hunger if one wanted to put a fine point on it.
"Good afternoon, yourself," she responds with a smile. Her tongue peeks out just a bit to barely touch her lips. "And who might you be?" she asks.
Marshall Kroft...I have never had the pleasure of meeting her personally. My father has had some dealings with her and always spoke highly of her. I look forward to meeting her. If the guard are in need of help...He looks to Garran and the back to Edgar. I think it is only just that we do what we can to lend some aid.
He pauses for a moment before continuing on.
[i]I hope father will approve of my actions. People are hurting and are in need of help.
Might I suggest...If you can get word to my family....We have a couple dozen trained Percherons that will take to barding easy enough. They could be used to help control the riots and crowds. I would recommend you task Master Tavis of the Corozal stables to attend the horses. He has the best control over these intelligent creatures.
When introduced to the priest she inclines her head but makes no effort to hide her own golden holy symbol, the sunburst of Sarenrae. "Good afternoon," she says perfunctorily.
"I am Ishani Dhatri," the Vudrani man replies, smiling at Nicoleta. "A healer and servant of the Master of the First Vault." He nods to Alika's holy symbol. "I'm pleased by your being here, servant of the Dawnflower. In the coming days, all men and women called to faith will need to do their part in the healing of this city."
He looks as though he's about to say something else when the door to Field Marshall Kroft's office swings open. A ruggedly attractive, raven-haired woman just entering middle age steps out and gestures to the Abadaran priest. Although dark bags beneath her eyes betray a lack of sleep, the Watch's commander seems alert and confident.
As the priest steps into her office, Marshall Kroft turns to the party."I understand you're here on the queen's business," she says. "I'll be with you momentarily. My meeting with Brother Dhatri shouldn't take long." Without waiting for a reply, she turns and shuts the door behind her.
Another period of waiting in a small room is about to begin when the door from the hall opens. Edgar Summerstride, the Sable Marine that the party met the day before, walks in, accompanied by Alistair and Garran.
He smiles faintly when Alistair mentions the horses. "I appreciate the offer, but unless your stock has wings, I'm afraid the Sable Company won't have use for them. Better to try with the Field Marshall."
Edgar leads the pair out of the building and across the citadel grounds. A conspicuous lack of guards makes it obvious that Volshyenek is running on a skeleton staff—the wide grounds' only occupants messengers running to and from the Citadel. Eventually, Edgar brings the two men to a small room. Inside, a number of chairs intended for people waiting to see the Field Marshall sit. A single guard stands at the far side of the room, protecting the door that leads to his superior's office. The only other occupants are Nicoleta, Alika, and Danni.
"Well this is a happy coincidence," Edgar exclaims with a grin as the party is brought back together.
"There's nothing hotter than an attractive woman with power," she says with a snicker. "Call it a weakness."
As the monk sees the approach of Alistair and Garran, her eyes narrow slightly. "Hello, Boys," she says with a smile. "Fancy meeting you here. So what's been keeping you busy?"
Garran grunts in surprise - he'd been sure they wouldn't survive the trip. Instead, he replies, "We came to see Sergeant Summerstride and see how his brother were doing. We offered to help out since we were here. How was your trip to the Castle?"
"As you can see, we're still counted amongst the free and living," she says with a spread of her hands. She's changed out of the loose dress she was wearing earlier and is wearing deep blue harem pants and a matching vest-blouse. On her hip is a curved blade that wasn't there before. "And I've discovered the next Mrs. Radacan, although she doesn't know it yet." She smirks. "We were sent here under commission from Her Royal Majesty to assist in keeping order in our fair city." The dhampir attempts to hold a serious face, but fails miserably, snorting with laughter. "We'll see how that pays," she adds after a moment.
Alistair looks on with a bored look on his face.
As you can see, we're still counted amongst the free and living....
A slight chuckle comes out of Alistair
free...You know nothing Nicoleta Radacan.Excuse me sorry...dusty in here.
He coughs a bit and moves on without an other word towards the other two women.
She has to brag...wait for it.
We were sent here under commission from Her Royal Majesty to assist in keeping order in our fair city.
She just made herself some enemies. That did not take long...
We'll see how that pays
...and even more enemies. Narcissistic and self-serving.
Nodding at Alika and Danni as he makes for a chair.
Good to see you again ladies.
Nicoleta tips her head at Alistair. "We missed you too," she says with a smile.
"Well, I'm glad to hear things went well for you. Nice blade. I don't believe I've seen the like before. Care to tell me about it?"
The monk's eye flick for a moment down to the blade at her side. One hand moves self-consciously to adjust the red ribbon hanging from pommel.
"This?" she responds, her normal confidence seeming to falter for a moment. "This is ... is just something that a ... a friend of my mother gave me." She looks back up, her eyes roll as her normal bravado returns. "Kind of an a#&*&!$, really. But he said that sometimes you just need a little swagger with a blade to keep the vermin at bay." She grins. "And I've got that in spades."
Danni greets the men warmly. "We could have used your assistance earlier with some hooligans, but everything worked out. How is the wounded Sable Marine, by the way?" She snickers a little at Nicoleta's 'next Mrs. Radacan' comment. "You both seem none the worse for wear. I wish I could say the same for the city."
"I expect we'll be taxing all of our skills in the coming days to fight off vermin and to treat the wounded," says Alika. With a slight sigh she says, "Troubled times."
Nicoleta shrugs. One hand moves down and begins twiddling with the ribbon on her sword. "Troubled times can be painful," she says without her typical attitude. "But they can also be a time for lights to shine the brightest." She drops the ribbon as if realizing what she's doing and leans back on the bench, crossing her arms over her chest.
"At least that's what Akimitsu ... the a@@+$@& ... used to tell me," she says. She rolls her eyes. "Personally, I think he was full of s~!+. And lots of ale," she adds, but it seems to lack her normal vitriol.
"Huh? I thought that seemed uncharacteristically optimistic for you," Danni says with a smile. But she's worried. Who knows how much destruction this could cause? She hands Kirkos another snack from her belt pouch.
"Nah, not me," the dhampir retorts, her sarcastic smile returning. "In my view, optimism just gets you bent over and ploughed up the bum."
Garran studied Nicoleta as she seemed to have moments where her normal personality was buried. That's interesting. There may be more two her than rage and lust. I wouldn't have thought her capable of many emotions beyond that.
"Incidentally, Nicoleta, that outfit is great," adds Alika. "I mean you wear it well and it's quite pretty."
"Why thank you, Alika." Nicoleta responds in a posh sounding voice. "I think it shows off my waist rather well." She laughs and pulls her feet up onto the bench and wraps her arms around her knees. "And it doesn't show off the goods when I sit like this," she adds with a rude giggle.
"Sabin is recovering," Edgar explains with a smile. "Without your help, he likely would have died in the river."
Before he can continue, the door to Marshall Kroft's office swings open again and Ishani leaves. "It was a pleasure making your acquaintances," he says to Alika, Nicoleta, and Danni. "I wish you well in these dark days." The Vudran man nods pleasantly to the newly arrived men before exiting.
Marshall Kroft returns to the doorway to her office. The Guard's commander seems refreshed, the dark circles under her eyes somewhat diminished. She glances at the message in her hand. "These are the Queen's volunteers then?" she asks to the guard standing near her door.
"They are, Field Marshall," Edgar interjects, cutting the other man off. "All five of them."
"Alright, come in then," Kroft replies, stepping back into her office. Edgar just grins and winks to the party. "Good luck!" he offers before heading back to the Sable Company barracks.
When the party is seated near her desk, Marshall Kroft takes a moment to take in the look of the group sitting before her. If she forms an opinion, it doesn't show on her face. She reads the message from the queen again and sighs deeply. "Greetings, heroes, she begins. "The Queen has sent you here to aid the Guard, and I won't lie to you. We need all the help we can get. You've been on the streets. You know how bad things can get out there. It's breaking my heart to see Korvosa tear itself apart like this. Every ounce of aid we can get from citizens like you helps. If you're willing, I'd very much like to retain your services as agents for the Guard. You will, of course, be compensated for this work."
Field Marshall Kroft is a ruggedly attractive, raven-haired woman just entering middle age. She's dressed in the red armor of the Korvosan Guard, and seems on the brink of exhaustion.
Nicoleta smiles at Marshall Kroft. She shifts around in her chair and for just a moment it looks like she's going to put her sandaled feet up on the edge of the Marshall's desk and lean back in her chair, but in a rare show of manners, she just gets more comfortable.
"I can't speak for... " Her eyes shift to Garran and Alistair. "... everyone, but I would be happy to take a compensated position as an agent for the Queen ... for the Guard."
Her smile grows a little broader. "Would I be working under you?" she adds.
Heroes? Well, that might be a bit much. She can feel her cheeks reddening. Danni is still a little nervous about all this. More than a little. But dammit, as much pain as it's caused me, it's still my city. Of course, it doesn't hurt being paid. And maybe, just maybe, they could get rid of some of the scum, like Lamm. "Yes, ma'am," she says to the Marshall. "Just tell us what you need."
Alistair remains quiet as the Field Marshall speaks.
Garran feels his hesitation fade slightly as compensation is mentioned. So, we won’t be conscripted into the guard. That’s helpful.
”If I may ask, what sorts of tasks will you have for us?”
Kroft looks at the party frankly. "There's a reason we want your help. Korvosa's got enough troubles as it is without my own guards losing their way. Many have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. Maybe understandable, yet not all of the deserters have family—some of them are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain. One such man is Verik Vancaskerkin. Worse than a lone deserter, he's convinced a small group of fellow guards that the queen is going to ruin the city."
"I need all of my guards working with me to see us through. A deserter is worse than a lost resource—it's an infection. I can't afford to pull any of my other patrols off duty to deal with Vancaskerkin, and I'd rather not expose any of them to him anyway, since I don't want Vancaskerkin to turn any more guards with his talk of secession, nor do I want some overly patriotic guard killing Vancaskerkin outright. I need somebody talented and impartial. I'm hoping that it's you."
"Vancaskerkin and his followers have holed up in an abandoned butcher's shop up in Northgate—a place once called 'All the World's Meat.' I need you there. Try to avoid killing any of the deserters if you can, but if you must, they brought it upon themselves when they threw in their lot with Vancaskerkin. I'd really prefer it if you could capture Vancaskerkin alive and return him to me for interrogation, but if he makes that impossible, I'll accept his body as well. Finally, see if you can find out why Verik deserted—if there's more to it than simple personal politics, I need to know immediately. Bring me Verik alive, and there's a five hundred gold in it for you. Dead, he's worth only half that."
The Field Marshall leans back in her chair, her speech finished. "Interested? And if so, do you have any questions?"
"Of course, she's a woman. What could she possibly know about ruling a city," Nicoleta comments, the sarcasm dripping off her words. She shakes her head in annoyance.
She thinks for a moment. "Five hundred gold alive?" Nicoleta finally confirms with a raised eyebrow. "Alive it is, then."
"Any idea how many followers Verik has and if there's any reward for them?" she asks after another moment of thought.
Garran listened to Field Marshall Kroft's explanation of what she wanted them to do, then nodded. "I think we can do that. We might even be able to talk Verik into surrender. It seems like it would be the ideal outcome."
Alistair looks to Garran and speaks to him as if he is thinking out loud.
That is the only way this situation looks bright for us. If it goes south...Guards tend to look out for one another and may very well seek payment for an outsiders interference. Justified or not.
"Nice to know you're looking on the bright side," Nicoleta says to Alistair with a grin as she waits for the Field Marshall's response.