Indio will take a seat upstairs, leaning back and relaxing, hoping to have a chance to chat with Laria, preferably about something NOT Silver Raven related.
Stricia asks about a place where she can take a bath and then go to sleep as it's been a very very long day and she feels the need to rest.
Bastargrae settled in a corner, reading his book and restoring his memories, drifting off to exhausted slumber.
Stricia will read her own book as well!
Laria is happy to chat with Indio - often interrupted hopping up to check on the ovens or to help out tending to customers when there are too many for her morning worker to handle. The small talk gradually leads to more serious recollections on her past. "Why did I get into this? The Bellflower Network is dear to my heart. I was born a slave... my whole family... slaves. My Mother and brother were beaten to death, and I tried to stop my father from the same fate - I gave that smug $&%@ flogging him a pounding with my bare fists, but.. my father didn't make it. The Network got me out." She takes a moment, and gives Indio a serious look. "This isn't something I talk about. It's something I'd rather you keep to yourself. It does help to talk about it from time to time, but... " She shrugs. "I guess I trust you. I mean... you trust me enough.. knowing who you all are, and what you do."
You go about your own business for a couple days. Bastargrae, Erodel, and Stricia regain their stolen memories from the scrivenite's soul tomes. The Fushi sisters earn a fair bit of gold for the treasury, and Forvian Crowe returns with his crew - now with a pair of old allies to replace the one who perished in the Wasp Nest collapse.
Forvian Crowe finds you in the Longroads near closing time... a parchment in his hand. "Barzillai has issued another proclamation." He shakes his head and snorts as he slaps the parchment on the table.
"BY ORDER OF LORD-MAYOR BARZILLAI
THRUNE, THE CONGRESS OF HELLKNIGHTS
KNOWN AS THE ORDER OF THE TORRENT
IS FROM THIS DAY FORWARD STRIPPED
OF ITS CHARTER! ALL OF ITS HOLDINGS
AND POSSESSIONS ARE CONFISCATED, ITS
PRIVILEGES AND ENTITLEMENTS REVOKED,
AND ITS MEMBERS DECLARED OUTLAWS!
STEADFAST CITIZENS ARE COMMANDED TO
TURN OVER THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE
SLIPPED THE NET OF JUSTICE!"
Indio allows a small smile to play across his lips as he listens to Laria, a smile with just a hint of sadness to it.
"One day, one day I expect I shall share my own story with you.
I fear it might surprise you, possibly even upset you, but when I do, if you listen to the end...
You may end up understanding..."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indio reads and re-reads the proclamation, then he reads it once more.
For once, his mask slips enough that his very real confusion shows on his face.
"What in the world...?"
Probably a bout of paranoia induced culling among the ranks. Or setting up scapegoats to take falls. Should we investigate to get some allies?
Tyrants cannot abide any challenge to their rule, no matter how slight. History shows this. Stricia says simply. It is worth investigating.
|
"He's striped the Order of the Torrent of their authority?" Erodel asks almost in confirmation of what was just read.
"The order in question has a bit of history with the Silver Ravens as they were founded by the Hellknight that 'rescued' the 'kidnapped' son of Lord-Mayor Sarini from a member of the remnants of the Silver Ravens."
Erodel shrugs a bit as he says, "They're native to Kintargo, housed in the Castle District in Citadel Vaull. The Order of the Torrent’s primary purposes are to seek out and rescue abductees and missing persons and to protect coastal and river travel, but over the past few decades, the order has been going down hill. Not a fan of Hellknights in general, but as far as Hellknight orders go, they could be worse."
Indio quickly recomposes himself as he considers the information pouring in.
"Hmm, the very first thing we should seek to uncover is what became of the resources the order of the Torrent possessed."
"When one removes an obstacle from the board, one often seek to replace it with an ally in its stead."
Slowly drumming his fingers against the tabletop, Indio's mind is slowly working through the angles.
"At either rate, I agree this is worth investigating further. I believe I have said it before, an ounce of preparation can save a metric tone of heartache."
"So, information is the key, yes? What happened to the members of the order? What about their resources? What about their leadership? What are the reaction among the people?"
Looking like any other customer with a shawl over her hair, Idril came into the Longroads Coffeehouse avoiding attracting attention.
While ordering a coffee, she gave the signal to meet behind closed doors and moved into the back rooms.
Once together, Idril took off the shawl and fluffed her hair out.
"I've been looking for more allies and not having much luck.
But Setrona Sabinus made contact with me and asked for a favor!" She said, clearly excited.
Looking around at blank faces she paused.
"You know! Setrona Sabinus! Owner of the Tooth and Nail Tavern! The most famous tavern in Old Kintargo! Getting her onboard could double our network of contacts!
"Anyway, she wants an quiet audience with the Silver Ravens. All I could get is that she has a family member in trouble with the government and she could really, really use some Silver Raven type help!"
She looked around at the rest of the team expectantly.
"Welcome back my lady Ssethan, a pleasure to see you again, especially when you bring news of this nature."
"This sounds like a possibility for us to gain much needed information, not merely about what we just discussed, but other useful tidbits as well."
Stricia, wary of newcomers looks at the flamboyant looking woman with concern but relaxes a fair bit when Indio engages with her on a familiar basis.
We will help if we can. she says. I am Stricia. I joined the group recently. Do you know what kind of trouble the family member is in?
Idril nodded back at Indio, flashing a grin as well.
"A pleasure to be back, though it's only been a few days right?"
She offered Stricia a smile as well.
"Stricia? It is good to meet you! I am Idril Ssethan, also on the team. As for what trouble, she wouldn't say; she wants a face to face with the Silver Ravens. Tonight, after Midnight."
She nodded at Erodel as well.
"That's what I think as well."
Indeed. If you might recall, I am Bastargrae Layton Sweetgulp.I hail from Brastelwark but came to settle in Kintargo. It is not only my home but my investment. My poor tea shop...These Proclamations are absurd and I refuse to stand for them. This is my home and I refuse to be forced out of it by the tyranny that controls the rest of Cheliax.
Bastargrae introduced himself formally to Stricia, offering her tea and mint candies.
You slip out into the streets after curfew, and make your way through the dark alleys.. only hitting main thoroughfares when necessary. You do well remaining unseen as far as you can tell, and avoid patrols of dottari. The moon is but a sliver tonight.
You then come near the Bleakbridge, and see the lantern light of sentries on either side.
"hmmm, at this point, we have no reason to believe that they know we previously used the sewers to traverse the city.
Thus we may use them again, distasteful as it is."
"However, in future, let us not become...predictable."
Idril looked at the sewer grating and flinched.
"Ugh. Yes, I suppose you're right." She replied to Indio.
Swearing to herself to find an alternative later, Idril tied one of her many scarves over her nose and mouth in preparation.
...Ugh. Skulking about like kobolds.
Bastargrae shuddered, adjusting his albino crocodilian poncho so the collar covered his lower face. He had finally finished tanning the skin taken from the beast that had laired in the Wasp Nest and fashioned it into a rather handsome poncho. He's glad he had it waxed and treated to be oil and water repellant.
Hopefully it would hold up in the sewer.
"Allow me madame Ssethan."
Waving a finger in front of Idril's face, Indio uses a fraction of power to scent the scarf with lavender.
He then fasts a scarf over his own face and scents that as well, before finally offering the others a scarf each.
You descend into the grate under the eaves of Clenchjaw's tavern, and after a brief cramped jaunt to the east, you return to the sewer main and the gate which leads under the Bleakbridge.
Idril - who had not yet traveled this way - stumbles a bit. Erodel and Stricia both nearby reach to steady her, and both make a bit of noise. Loose stone drops which lightly taps a support before falling into the river. You see the glow of lantern reach the edge above you, and the muffled murmur of the sentries.
You wait still and silent for several minutes before they relax their vigilance, and then continue. Five minutes later you reach the far end, and re-enter the sewer main on the south side of the Yolubilis.
We're almost there.Let's press on.the gnome hissed.
Stricia, only allowing herself to breath as little as necessary nods. We must not reveal ourselves!
"Indeed, as long as possible, we should remain undetected.
And the sewers, at this point, do offer us the best possibility of doing so."
"Let us move on."
Idril nodded reluctantly with the others and followed them on.
You continue through the sewer line under the main thoroughfare. There are frequent waves of stench as you travel, and more than a few rats, but you encounter nothing to impede your progress. After what seems about an hour of trudging through the dank underground, (with Erodel's sense of direction and distance) you reach Old Kintargo.
Drifting in from the grate above you, you hear a pair of drunken voices singing... every few bars of their tune contains a punctuated word of belched out lyric.
"... Down to the pub for a two copper ale
The bread on the counter is brrrp-going stale
If I don't get some fresh bread soon
Gonna brrrp-punch you in your face and bark at the moon!
Ha Ha! Arf Arf Hooooowwwoooooo!"
They continue to laugh, bark, and howl... not too far from the grate and your destination by the sound of it.
"It would be no stretch of the imagination that these drunkards would call attention to us should the spot us as we emerge."
"Distastefulness as it might be, we could be cautious and remain here until they leave.
It does run the risk of they attracting attention from the Dottari, who may remain here afterwards."
Couldn't we just ambush them and blame it on drunken ramblings? I can't stomach this sewer too much longer. Bastargrae muttered.
Should they not be following the curfew themselves? Stricia whispers. If they are unafraid of patrols then maybe we can be as well? Can we see them without them seeing us?
"Or perhaps it would be serendipitous if they suddenly... fell asleep?" Whispered Idril, waggling her fingers suggestively.
"Lady Ssethan's suggestion is by far the best alternative presented so far.
Even if only one of them were affected, it could serve to have the other one drag his sleeping "friend" away."
"And should they be found sleeping outside by Dottari, this breaking the curfew...
Well, they seem unafraid enough of the consequences now..."
There is an edge to Indio's tone, hinting that if they WERE to be caught and thrown in jail, he would loose no sleep over it.
Suiting action to words, Idril jumped up to the grate, grabbed the bars and looked through them to see if she could get line of sight on the drunkards.
You hear a faint thud and clang, and the drunken noise-making stops.
"Wha-? Ha.. you old girl.. shou'n't be surprised, eh? Naw... Ah well." You hear humming of the same tune which fades, and soon cannot be heard at all as the one still awake wanders off.
As you rise from the sewers, you see an older fellow sleeping peacefully with a stein not far from his side.
You find yourself not far from the main drag, between two buildings. The one to the west bears a sign reading "Sweet Tooth's" on the near side. Toward the center front of the building is a post with nails and what appear to be large canine teeth hammered into it. You see lantern light in the window by the center door.
Is this the place? Stricia asks quietly ready to take the lead by opening the door.
Idril quickly used a liberal amount of Prestidigitation to decontaminate herself and her clothing. Then she breathes a sigh of relief.
Noting the post with nails and teeth, Idril nodded.
"Yes, this is the place." She whispered.
Inside the tavern there is the lingering stink of stale beer and tobacco smoke. A lantern and a sputtering sconce behind the bar are the only light sources at the moment in the main room. A short petite woman sporting red hair with a boyish cut hops to her feet from a barstool. A large fellow in loose-fitting dock worker's garb stands behind her.
The woman nods her head in greeting. "Good eve to ya." She flashes smirkish smile and a wink. "I'm Setrona." She jerks a thumb back toward the man behind her. "Akukho."
Setrona gestures to the table upon which sits the low-burning lantern. "Have a seat, and I'll fetch ya a drink if you like. On me. What'll it be?"
Indio takes a seat, folding his hands in front of his face.
"Some brandy if you have it would be appreciated, a little red wine if not."
Setrona clucks her tongue, but then grins with Indio's second choice.
"Red wine for the spiffy gent. You got it."
Just water, please. Stricia says and stays quiet otherwise, similar to Erodel.
Idril waived a hand at Indio.
"I'll have what he's having thanks!" She said, laying out a couple of silver pennies.
Akukho moves behind the bar and begins providing drinks with a practised hand. The wine is poured first and then Stricia's water.
The water is remarkably good, fresh and crisp with a pleasant after taste.