Qhude's insolence is met with a snort of contempt by the cudgel-wielding guards but they do not stop him as he leaves the scene. A few minutes later, Kieran and Ansha have returned from their quick trip to the Maw, on their way to see Mindra. They noted Bellis returning to the tavern on their way to the others. Mindra was not sat far from where Unwe, Tebati and Qhude were stood, the latter still being glared at in suspicion from time to time. The leader of the town seemed to be in conversation with Mitabu.
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Round 3-
The guard captain gritted his teeth at the noise Jakob had created but seemed determined to cut the irritating nobleman down. Darting away from the short sword, Jakob continued to play for time, his lack of grace augmented as usual by small things constantly working in his favour.
Mitabu spoke again, almost hissing out the words.
What folly do you hope to accomplish here? Once someone comes to see what's going on, they're simply going to help me apprehend you...
Though the immediate risk of bloodshed had passed, Qhude's blood and bile were still ascendant. He acknowledged the presence of the others cursorily but now that he was away from the guards his carefully cultured restraint was slipping. Fist clenching and unclenching he looked as though he needed something to hit... and for fear of it being someone who didn't quite deserve it - Qhude was guiding his feet away from the press of the crowd.
Ansha leads Kieran over to Mindra directly. Not waiting until Mindra's acknowledgement, she motions Kieran toward Mindra with a sweeping gesture. "Milady, pardon the interruption, but we have something that you should see," she says.
Mindra appeared to read something into Ansha's words and grave expression. With a soft nod, she quickly excused herself from Mitabu.
What have you discovered?
"Well, Lady Macini," Kieran starts, his words and tone polite, yet with hints of mischievousness, "it would seem Lady Marra has a... pen pal. Rights to privacy notwithstanding, the correspondence between them I am sure you will find quite interesting."
As he finishes, he produces the folded note he and Ansha found minutes earlier in the halfling woman's private chambers without elaborating how they came by it, at least not yet. The half-elf prefers to let the contents of the letter do the rest of his talking for him first.
"What is life but one pointless and embarrassing folly after another?" The phantom crowd breaks into muddled laughter and loud commentary.
"I am quite certain they would help you. Strangely I seem more certain than you else why not simply close the door and wait. Now why do you think that is?"
Loud confused muttering from outside. The voices are asking questions, making comments and urging someone to "Stab someone already!" exactly who is ambiguous.
"Any thoughts Tabansi? It is quite an interesting question"
Round 4-
Tabansi looked on in confusion as Mitabu continued the assault on Jakob and shouted at the Mauxi.
What are you doing, have you lost your mind? Your the guard captain, not a murderer!
Mitabu gritted his teeth and renewed his assault, skilfully moving the short sword in quick, agile arcs; one of which cut Jakob deeply once again. The nasty cut dealt, Mitabu changed tack; moving over to Tabansi's cell and producing a key from his clothing...
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Mindra seemed quite in shock as she read the note, several times over. She nodded grimly after catching her breath from the shock, assuming control of the situation.
You are saying you acquired this in Bellis Marra's home.
Very well... I am going to have Mitabu arrest Bellis, my cousin Salgarth and his crony Rutilus. I have one final task for you, and one that I will reward you handsomely for fulfilling. Zesaste has already retired from the festivities; capture him and ascertain his involvement, if you are able. Can I rely on you?
Several guardsmen seem to be whispering a short distance away, a few of them breaking out into a jog and heading towards the inner town.
Round 4, delusions of grandeur.
Ahighe!!!!! Jakob's own inarticulate cry of pain is echoed in one last shout as the phantom voices return to their rest. Steping back from the fray for a moment (5' step) The nobles eyes seem to go black and stiff chitin closes off the worst of the wounds.
Perception:
Qhude continues to move away from the crowd of people that gathered when he provoked Bellis.
Ansha glances at Kieran, hesitant to reveal just where the two former smugglers had located the incriminating evidence. After a couple of heartbeats, she nods perfunctorily. "It took a little bit of effort to find. Yes," she says.
After Mindra tasks them with apprehending Zesaste, the elf sighs. "I had hoped it wouldn't come to this," she murmurs. Raising her voice, she answers, "We'll take care of it. Any idea where he went? Toward his home, maybe?"
At least there's coin involved, she consoles herself.
Without a doubt. He has never had much interest in such holidays...
"If we are going to do this, we should hurry," Kieran points out. "I am sure Ansha will agree with me that we would not want to face a wizard in his own abode. It could prove... problematic."
Round 5-
Ignoring Jakob, Mitabu opened the cell door with the key in his hand, advancing on Tabansi, who backed up to one corner of his small cell. To the head rancher's credit, his fist was clenched and he looked set to defend himself from the guard captain's attack...
Round 5 Ohhhh this is gonna hurt
Jakob recklessly hurls himself at the guard captain arms spread wide.
Whirling at the sound of Jakob's footsteps as he rushed to catch up with him, Mitabu brought up his short sword to ward Jakob off. It scratched his arm but did not stop the man from getting a firm grip on the Mauxi. As he grabbed Mitabu's armour, Jakob was acutely aware that the metal he held onto felt like leather under his fingers...
Round 6-
Tabansi took the opportunity to try to wrestle the short sword from Mitabu's grasp while he was distracted with Jakob, but found the man's grip too strong. Likewise, Mitabu squirmed to try and take control of the wrestle, but found Jakob to be quite unyielding...
Surprised to be alive and startled by the chain that feels like leather Jakob grabs what bits of his for he can reach.
"I do not know who you are, but you are not going {grunt} anywhere!"
Round 7-
Cries of alarm at the noises Jakob conjured finally seemed to be attracting attention, but no one had yet arrived; the three occupants of the town jail could hear footsteps and shouts coming closer.
With Mitabu held firmly and his arms locked, Tabansi was able to take the short sword from his grasp. His eyes wild, the head rancher brandished the sword and seemed ready to strike, while Mitabu struggled furiously to escape- to no avail.
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Try as he might, N'bellocq found no other conflicts or easily malleable distractions.
Ansha turns to leave as Mindra turns to speak to Mitabu. Kieran presumably in tow, she spots Tebati and Qhude and heads toward them, her steps purposeful. Arriving with an uncharacteristically grim face, she says, "We have a date with the town wizard. Where are Jakob and N'bellocq?"
After receiving an answer, she frowns, "We want to try to catch Zesaste before he arrives at home, so we should probably go without them."
"I don't know where Jakob and my cousin are," Tebati replies. "Perhaps the archery field? Zesaste? Then you found something at the inn?" She is ready to move, even as she asks the question. "Unwe, are you allowed to come with us?"
His stalk arrested by Ansha's questions, Qhude sets his jaw and breathes heavily... attempting to reign in emotions unrestrained. "I can seek them out? A run would do me well."
"We found a delightfully incriminating letter from Salgarth to Bellis, which also happens to mention an elf," Kieran answers with a smile. The half-elf seems rather proud of himself. "And this town is hardly full of elves that also happen to have a connection with the Council, I should think."
Qhude's brow furrows for a few moments as he tries to work out what the word Kieran used means... incriminating. A look of grim satisfaction crossing his face as he understands. "What of Tabansi? - is he to be freed?"
Tebati looks grim. "Until the curse is lifted, he is still not safe from animals; the jail might yet be the least dangerous place for him. Assuming one of the conspirators has performed this magic, they must be forced to undo it. Qhude, we will watch for my cousin and Jakob as we go, but I would rather you stay with us until we find Zesaste; we may need your strength. Ansha is right: We should hurry. If he hears that his guilt is uncovered, he may flee."
Wandering around the market, N'bellocq is spotted by Tebati as the group converse, and called over. Unwe shook her head-I am sorry, but my duties here take precedence. Good luck...
Nodding as he shares the same grimness "Then we should be swift... where to first?"
"This way," the elf says, and leads the group toward Zesaste's house.
"Unwe," Tebati bids the soldier farewell, "if you see Jakob, send him to us." She follows Ansha and the others, filling her cousin in on the identity of the conspirators as they go.
N'bellocq is quick to follow and slow to ask questions. He takes in what Tebati tells him and keeps an eye out for trouble. He of course has difficulty picturing himself as the 'trouble'.
Tabansi appeared to hesitate but as Mitabu managed to break free of Jakob's hold, he did not hesitate- lashing out clumsily with his newly obtained short sword.
Round 8-
Mitabu raced out of the door and out of sight, Tabansi taking another swipe at him but missing once more. Cries and shouts of alarm beyond Jakob's own spell seemed to be triggered by Mitabu's hasty exit.
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The rest of the band made their way to the abode of the town wizard. Stood just outside it, the sign upon the wall by his door still read-
No unscheduled appointments or housecalls.
Ansha stops in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes and murmurs an arcane phrase . Eyes limned with blue light, she looks the door over for signs of magic, her gaze then sweeping over any windows visible from the front of the dwelling.
"Well, we don't know whether he's inside already, or whether he's aware of events yet. Do we knock?" she asks, glancing at Tebati and Kieran.
Tebati thinks a moment. "We might as well," she concludes. "If there is any chance he will simply open the door and face us, we should grasp it. If he does not answer, we must conclude he knows his deeds are uncovered and is prepared to fight us."
Nodding, Qhude raises his guisarme and hammers a knock upon the door with the butt end of his polearm. He proffers no words, but does strain his ears as to whether there is a reaction within...
Perception:
"Are there any other ways out?" Tebati asks Ansha and Kieran, looking up at the stone walls for signs of movement at the windows. "A back door we should be watching?"
Round 8 The party's over.
"Well that was fun.." Jakob moves to the cell door. "I wonder who our dance partner was."
"You had better give me that pig-sticker. You are still technically under arrest though I doubt you will be here for long. Sending a fake Matibu to kill you is a compelling argument for your innocence. I wonder what forced their hand?"
Assuming Tabansi is agreeable Jakob will take the short sword from him and lock him back into the cell.
Once that is done Jakob will set both swords neatly against the far wall, take a seat with his back against the closed cell door and wait for the authorities or lunch whichever is forthcoming.
As Tebati addresses him, Kieran's eyes dart this way and that as the half-elf tries to see if he can spot Zesaste or anything else of note. "I did not notice a back door while I was his guest, but I have to admit I did not have the chance to make myself a little more familiar with his not quite so humble abode."
N'bellocq whispers to Tabati, [smaller]"How does one make an appointment, if he doesn't answer the door?"
"I can take a quick run around back if that will help."
"Perhaps he makes the appointment for you," she suggests archly, "or perhaps it is a strategem he uses to avoid unwanted company. Cousin, be wary."
Grimacing at the time being taken to look into more genteel ways of entering, Qhude sizes up the door and asks "Any reason why I should not just kick it down?"
"Only that one of the conspirators was able to place a powerful curse on Tabansi," Tebati reminds him. "Traps set by a wizard are unlikely to be evident until it is too late."
The door opened before the group after a delay, but Zesaste himself was stood atop the stairs, looking down upon the group gathered just outside his front door. His sword was held loosely by his side, the demonic-appearing hilt seeming to almost swallow his slender left hand. He spoke immediately, his right hand held up placatingly, attempting to buy himself time to speak, pensively and softly.
It was Salgarth who placed the curse upon Tabansi. Truthfully, I was promised greater wealth in exchange for my vote against Mindra's on the council. I didn't know the details or ask for them, although they have now become apparent. What are your intentions here?
The presence of the weapon in Zesaste's hand piqued Qhude's concern despite the words being spoken and his bearing slipped from ease into a more combative pose. Knees bent slightly, guisarme brought from vertical to an angled grip and eyes narrowing.
Kieran takes a step forward, his sword still kept sheathed and his hands held up in a placating gesture of his own. "I will not lie, Lord Talathel. There have been... developments, ones involving the discovery of a rather incriminating letter," the half-elf begins, his tone calm, even friendly to a degree. "And you are mentioned in it. Thus, we have been tasked by Lady Macini to hear your side of the story and, if needed, ask you to come with us for... well, further questioning, I believe those in the know call it."
Pausing to allow himself a little smile, he continues. "There is no need for any unpleasantness. I would certainly appreciate not getting hurt... again. If what you are saying is true and that is the extent of your involvement in all this, there should be no problem speaking of it to the Council, yes? After all, there has been no vote yet, so no actual bargain between you and whoever is involved has been struck and carried out."
Ansha makes no move to enter the dwelling when the door opens. Looking up the stairs at the town wizard, she gives an almost-apologetic smile and replies, glancing at Kieran as she speaks. "Salgarth and Bellis have been been implicated in Tabansi's misfortunes--as have you, milord. I have no doubt that they will throw as much blame at one another as they can, when they are interrogated. It'd no doubt be in your best interest to tell us your side of the story as well, just to make sure that they don't drag you down with them--not to mention making sure your family name isn't sullied in all of this."
Tebati looks as if she would prefer Qhude's method of dealing with Zesaste, chafing at the deference proffered to the elf who had attempted to ruin Tabansi, but she lets Kieran and Ansha take the lead, watching the wizard carefully to judge whether he is still trying to deceive them.