Nicoleta reaches the flailing soldier, who reaches weakly to put an arm around her waist. A semblance of his training seems to kick in and he avoids the thrashing common to a drowning man, likely to kill both himself and his unfortunate rescuer.
The shark's fin glides idly past Nicoleta, curling around the monk in a lazy circle.
Garran fires another arrow at the shark, trying to clear the way for Nicoleta to get the soldier pulled up on shore.
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Alistair continues to splash and kick at the water. Trying hard to get the sharks attention directed towards himself. He mumbles to himself as he splashes around.
I have met some pretty cheap people in my time but never has anyone gone to these lengths to get out of buying drinks...
"Ok, flyboy, it sucks but I'm gonna need your help if we want to get back to shore without being turned into chum."
Danni touches a tattoo on her arm causing a number of bobbing lights to rise in the air. Almost like will-o-the-wisps, the lights float over to the edge of the dock to make sure everyone has enough light to see.
Her hawk circles around the sky above them, glancing off towards the direction of the castle.
The soldier moans feebly in Nicoleta's ear, half-conscious, but something in his nature responds to the dhampir's protest. The marine begins to weakly kick.
They make progress, guided by Danni's lights, but not before Nicoleta feels something bump into her side: the nose of the shark. It doesn't bite, not yet, but it doesn't seem to be paying Alistair's splashing any heed.
"C'mon, c'mon, get him up out of the water," whispers Alika, half to herself, as she waits for them to get away from the shark and up to where she can help resuscitate the marine.
Nicoleta tenses up in preparation for the creature to take a bite of her, but she's determined not to go down without a struggle. She struggles on gamely ...
... but she begins to flounder in the greasy water.
Disturbed by her hawk's emotions, Danni cries out, "Alistair, help her!"
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Alistair does a very slow turn and tilt of his head to look back at Danni.
There is not much any of us can do that will not result in the death of at least one of us. I am not drunk enough to go swimming into dark waters that is the natural habitat of a f#&~ing shark! You must have been dipping into my Dwarven spirits if you you think I am going in there for her.
He looks around the area hoping that something will catch his eye. Seeing that nothing comes to mind....
NO, I am not f$%%ing do it...no f~$+ing way...NO
He paces back and forth a few times..
I am not...NO....Alicia..What, NO! Even you would not do such a stupid act. NO!!!
He turns and looks at Danni and then at the water.
I f#&@ing can not believe I am about to do this ,I f!@@ing hate you.
He steps to the shore...
and pulls forth a dagger. The young noble runs the blade across his forearm to make sure it cuts deep and long, he walks into the water a few more feet. Making sure that his arm is in the water and moving around. After a few moments pass he makes his way back to shore as fast as he can... He hopes that what he just did was enough to draw the shark away from it's intended pray and towards the smell of blood in the water.
If this does not work out...I will haunt you...and your little bird too.
...and start to walk into the water
at least if I die, I will die looking good
...and swims out, splashing all the way and then back to shore. He hopes that he has done enough to draw the attention of the shark away from the others.
Garran sights in on the shark again with his bow, muttering as he tries to put another arrow in the animal to drive it off.
Garran's third shot finds its mark, and the shark thrashes about in the darkening waters of the river. Alistair swims out to Nicoleta, and between the two of them, drag the wounded warrior onto the pier.
The man is dressed in the uniform of the Sable Company: a tight-fitting set of leather armor stitched with the insignia of his unit. The broken shaft of an arrow or bolt sticks out from his side, oozing blood.
Drained from the effort of helping Nicoleta swim, the marine falls unconscious.
Nicoleta flops onto the dock, water dripping from her as her thin garments cling to her skin. "Tell me he didn't just die," she gasps out.
She sits up to looks at the injured man and then at the others in the group more skilled at healing than herself.
Danni doesn't really know a lot about healing, but she's grown up on the streets and learned some folk remedies.
"Ii think I can keep him from bleeding out, but I... I think that bolt was poisoned" she gasps. "Seems like overkill. I mean, you shoot him while flying so that he falls off his creature and almost drowns!"
"Do any of you know anything about poisons?"
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Nicoleta grabs a bunch of her hair and twists it, wringing out water onto the pier. She leans closer and gets a better view of the crossbow bolt. She frowns. "Wait, is that ... ?"
Alika leans down and touches the injured sailor with her healing powers.
"I can help treat the injury if it is poisoned," she says. "But using poisoned weapons on a member of the city constabulary... someone must really mean business."
Garran stows his bow and makes sure Hookshanks hasn’t snuck off. He didn’t know anything about poisons, so he didn’t bother taking a look. Still, attacking a griffon rider was bold. It was a good way to bring every authority’s wrath down upon you. No crime lord was powerful enough for that, and typically went out of their way to avoid it. The city might be about to get very dangerous. They needed to know more.
Alistair climbs up the bank of the river and stands there looking at the mess he is in. He looks down at the soldier trying to see if he recognizes him.
My family has supplied the Sable Company with horse meat over the years. They have always treated us fairly. We should tend to his wounds as best as we can and then take him with us to the temple. I think it is closer and may be the easiest way of taken care of this situation. I think we need to get to safety as quickly as possible. Fires in the city...the bells tolling at this time of night...and now an attack on a sable company soldier...with poisoned arrow no less. We need to do this now.
Danni looks up from helping the wounded soldier to Alistair. "Kirk said there's something terrible going on at the castle," she says, giving a nod with her head to indicate her hawk. "We can't just do nothing. We should find out what's going on."
"Haven't we done enough?" Nicoleta asks with a wave towards the unconscious soldier. "Isn't it time for drinks, yet?"
"Temple of Sarenrae first. We get the kids there, we get this guy there, and maybe they can tell us what's going on."
Nicoleta rises to her feet, picks up her small shoulder bag, and slips on her sandals.
"Fine. Temple first and then drinks," she says.
Alistair kneels down beside Danni.
help me get him up
As he helps to carry the weight of the soldier.
the sooner we start moving the better.
He turns with Danni and the soldier to look at Nicoleta
Since you seem to be very thirsty...why not go and get us a table at the The Bard's Trousers on Painted Pony street in the Midlands. We will meet you there.
Turning around to the others and the children...
Come..let us get a move on...kids stay with us...We need you to listen to us as we move. We are going to the temple now and will be moving as fast as possible. Alright...
He puts on a slight smile and nods at the kids and the others.
everyone ready?
Nicoleta continues wringing the water out of her clothing.
"What? And let you steal the glory?" she says to Alistair with a smile. "Not a chance. I'm coming with the rest of you."
Garran ignores the bickering, only nodding at Alistair's question of readiness. He'd shifted into guard mode, attempting to be more alert to their surroundings. Bow stowed, hand on his sword hilt and ready to draw, he scanned the area as they moved, looking for anyone considering threatening them.
Alika's healing magic stirs the wounded soldier into consciousness, although he's still pale from the venom in his body. "Thank you...," he manages.
A Sable Company griffon swoops to the street, its armored rider guiding the beast towards the party. The soldier pulls an arrow from a quiver built into his riding harness and knocks it, although he rests the weapon on his lap. "Did you rescue that man from the river?" he demands.
Nicoleta glares at the knight as she wipes another trickle of water running down her face from her still wet hair.
"No, I was just taking a nighttime swim with the sharks and look what I caught in my boots!" she gestures towards the river, flinging droplets of water across the pier. "Is that a serious f%#@ing question? What in the nine hells is going on? Who the f+*& is shooting at you people with black adder venom on their crossbow bolts?" She grabs her hair again and tries once more to wring more water out of it.
The shock of Nicoleta speaking to the Sable Company soldier almost causes Danni to lose her grip on helping the man. NOT TO THE COPS! She would have to help this one learn to keep her head down. You don't want to get noticed, especially not by the authorities.
"Umm, you'll have to pardon my associate, sir. The, uh, shock of being attacked by sharks while trying to rescue this soldier was, um, very disconcerting." She tries to give him her best smile.
"Yes, we helped this poor man. It was the least we could do for a brave protector of the city."
Alika says soothingly, "It just seemed that someone falling in the water and being eaten by crocodiles was not the sort of thing to stand idly by."
"We do need to get these children to a local temple, though, they are orphans," she adds.
Garran removed his hand from his sword hilt, but only so the Sable Company Marine wouldn't think he was threatening him. Danni and Alika seemed to have the situation in hand, smoothing over any feathers Nicoleta ruffled, so he left them to handle the talking.
Alistair turns away from Nicoletta giving her no more though.
Ilya alkar naa fleetien
Follows Garran's lead and lets his eyes flow from one shadowy corner to the next.
He steps to the side to readjust the weight of the soldier and looks at Nicoletta with a look of just shut the f!%& up already. Her disrespectful attitude towards the soldier was not warranted nor needed.
This is getting so tiresome. Really tiresome. Oh where is a Hell Knight when you need one.
There is no pardon for her attitude, she has no excuse for her actions and I will not defend her.
He looks back at the Marine. His tone is neutral and respectful.
Good marine. We were out for the evening and while we were walking off our dinner and libations, we noticed several children that had been misplaced from their home on the streets. To the how and why I do not know. We decided to take them to the Temple of Sarenrae to be taken in. It was then that we notice the bells tolling at this odd hour and the smell of smoke that seems to be much more than any normal tavern fire. We were just now making our way to the temple when the Griffin crashed into the river. We were able to pull the marine from the water but alas we were not able to get the griffin to shore. I am sorry for that. It was when we got back on land that we notices his injuries.
He nods to Alika...
My good companion here was able to heal and treat the wound. Once the marine was stable, we decided to take him with us to the temple. It was closer and they would be better to tend to him than we.
The man ignores Nicoleta's jabs and gestures to the space behind him on his mount. "I can't comment on Sable Company matters, but you have my thanks. Please set him back here. We can get him to healing quickly."
The marine nods to the children, most hiding from the griffon behind Alika. "The streets aren't safe right now, but I think you know that. The king is dead and some citizens are throwing a tantrum over Queen Ileosa ascending the throne. Steer clear from the districts around the Castle, it's where the rioting is heaviest."
The king...dead? and the Queen...
was quick to take control it seems...
...she ascended to the throne? When did this all happen?...it seems all so sudden.
Alistair looks in the direction of the Castle, at the marine, at the others and then back at the marine...
I do not mean to over step but...whatever is going on we just stepped into it...or swam into it as it were. I hope that you are willing to tell us what really is going on and where in all this mess stands the Sable Company. Rioters typically do not use poison arrows to show their displeasure.
Nicoleta frowns as the knight conveys the political events. "Of course some people are unhappy. Some people will always get their knickers in a twist when a woman takes charge."
The king...dead? and the Queen ... she ascended to the throne? When did this all happen?...it seems all so sudden.
"Death is always sudden," the monk says in a matter-of-fact voice.
Alistsair ignores Nicoleta and waits for the marine to answer.
Alika goes back to herding the children.
The king is dead? Hmph. Not sure how that changes the plight of most of us. Still, riots aren't good for business of any sort.
"If not the queen, who else would take over?" Danni asks, putting the 'take over' part in air-quotes.
No question about it. This is clearly not a good city to be in right now. We should get the kids dropped off and sell the loot so I can get out of here. Maybe head to Magnimar - gotta be some decent opportunities there.
Garran impatiently waits for the others to finish asking their questions so they can hurry up.
"Last night," the marine answers. "King Eodred had no heirs, so rule falls to his royal wife. After her, probably some distant relation of the king's. I don't know who, royalty is beyond me." He shrugs and nudges the griffin toward Alistair. "Now if you please, lay my comrade here. As you say, he's been poisoned, and Deathclaw and I can get him to a healer faster than you."
Alistair takes the injured marine's weight all on his own as he moves away from Danni and towards the griffin. He steps are slow and certain. He tries his best to not spoke this magical beast that could shred him into pieces within seconds. Getting the injured man up on the beast was difficult but is able to secure him to the griffin. Stepping back, he looks over the griffin with a gleam in his eyes and mumbles to himself.
a well balanced conformation. Impressive...
He looks up at the marine
I pray to the gods for your safety.
With the wounded marine secure on the beast's back, the rider nods to the party. "And I to yours," he replies. "I'm Sergeant Edgar Summerstride. If you seek me out at Citadel Volshyenek, I'll see you're rewarded for your heroism. Not to mention it's likely the safest place in this mess." With that, he spurs the griffin into the sky and deeper into the city.
Luckily for the party, they make it to the temple of Sarenrae without incident, although the sounds and smells of danger become stronger through the journey. Standing in a relatively sparse spot atop Citadel Hill, the temple is a grand structure of gleaming marble, tall minarets and spacious courtyards in the Qadiran style.
A warrior armed with shield and scimitar confronts the party at the perimeter, a white scarf wrapped about the scaled shoulders of his armor. His angular features and slightly pointed ears suggest elven heritage, but his expression softens when he notices Alika.
"Alika," he stammers. "Mother Udara is looking for you." The half-elf warrior looks at the rest of the party and the flock of children. "Who are your... friends?"
Nicoleta looks up at the grand temple with apprehension, but doesn't say anything.
Citadel Volshyenek? Wow, that would really violate my 'steer clear of the authorities' mantra. I don't think any of us were really expecting a reward, but I must admit, a reward would be appreciated. Perhaps we should head there after the church.
Danni has rarely traveled to this part of the city and can't recall having set foot in the temple before. She helps herd the children inside, hoping that this will indeed be a safe refuge for them given the chaos. I only hope the temple will be able to help these kids more than the city ever helped me.
"And I to yours," he replies. "I'm Sergeant Edgar Summerstride. If you seek me out at Citadel Volshyenek, I'll see you're rewarded for your heroism. Not to mention it's likely the safest place in this mess."
Alistair lets his gaze fall to a far away place it seems and then his attention comes back to the marine.
Sergeant Summerstride, Has any of the rioting gone beyond the city walls?
Alika inclines her head respectfully to Quinray. "It's good to see you here," she says. "I fear turbulent times are ahead."
She gestures to the assemblage and says, "These good folk assisted me in rescuing these children from a petty criminal who kept them in forced penury. They are orphans, without anywhere to go, and in need of help. At the very least a hot meal and a good scrub." She goes through her pouch and says, "I have some coins - I can help with the costs in seeing to their care for the immediate future."
"But we have also heard news that the king is dead? There is fighting in the streets. I will see what Mother Udara needs forthwith, but these children need to be cared for."
"My associates here are people of good character, even if they can be a bit rough," she finishes. "I'm sure they can be of help too."
She turns to the group and says, "I hope I won't be long. Most likely some direction given recent events. I'll be back to help with figuring out how we can get the children settled in here."
She lingers a moment to see if anyone has anything to add before she goes to see what the superior priestess wishes of her.
Alistair keeps his demeanor calm and relaxed even while he smells and is filthy.
Nicoleta continues her silence, watching the armed guardians suspiciously. She leans against the perimeter fence impatiently. Her gaze turns out towards the city, listening to the changed sounds indicating something something out of the ordinary is happening.
Garran eyes the Saerenite warrior appraisingly, but otherwise maintains a bored look on his face. They needed to get these kids taken care of, then sell their loot from killing Lamm so he could get out of town. A city on the brink of rioting was not a safe place to be - least until things calmed down a bit, anyway.
Edgar doesn't hear or doesn't answer Alistair's question, flying up and away from the party.
---
"The death of the king and the riots are what are on Mother Udara's mind," Quinray explains. "She has called all of the clergy back to the temple for their safety." The knight gives the party an appraising eye. "Your friends need not wait out here. All are welcome inside a house of the Dawnflower, unless you have a torch or pitchfork tonight," he adds with a grin.
Groups of faithful or opportunistic Korvosans huddle inside the temple's sanctuary as acolytes move among them, offering healing and conjured water. Even at night, the grand chamber is brightly lit by soaring bonfires, their radiance reflected by mirrors of gold and brass.
"Sister Alika!" a voice calls out. A Varisian woman in the twilight of her middle age approaches from a crowd. She wears a long white chasuble beneath a red and gold tunic displaying the rising sun. Atop her graying hair rests a golden crown designed to appear as a sunburst—a single massive ruby forming the center of the piece. Despite her ostentatious garb, her face expresses kindness and wisdom.
"I have been looking everywhere for you, child," Mother Udara explains, embracing her pupil. "Danger clutches our city tonight." After Alika explains the evening's events, the priestess nods and smiles.
"I will see that the children are well taken care of. Your friends are welcome to spend the evening in the temple, of course. It wouldn't do to be on the streets tonight. We've heard rumors that people are rioting from Old Korvosa to East Shore and that the Sable Company and the Order of the Nail are mobilizing."
Mother Udara, What about outside the city walls? Any news about the outlying areas?
Alistair voice is calm but shows a hint of concern.
Who in their right mind would set the Nails on civilians...
He turns to the others and with a voice filled with all seriousness.
We had better stay here for the night at least. The nails will met out swift "justice" for even the most minor of offenses.