Speaking a quick thanks to the waitress Daud will return Valeria's grin while removing his coat. "Oysters, neh? I hope I'll have room afterwards, and that you don't mind dessert before the main course." Tipping her a wink he'll crouch under the table clothes and, hiking up her dress slowly, partake of a different dinner.
A grim smile and agreement takes over Daud's face as Croft speaks. "Save the girl and bring her to relative safety of your dungeon-I knew you had bindings somewhere!- I can work with this."
"Hello,Zart. Being a Paladin of Sarenae is a calling, Zart. I will instruct Donna in some appropriate prayers, but ideas of holy service will gave to wait until her devotion has been evaluated. " she smiles to blunt any offense "I look forward to talking to her about this."
Tolenn listens carefully to Croft's speech, then nods "Justice would certainly not be served if the woman fell into the clutches of the mob"
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"But the calling will probably come easier since she'll have an Angel guiding her." he quips through a faint smile.
"It would be my pleasure to help you, the city and the Queen in this matter," speaking softly comes oh so naturally to the discrete Zart, "Even if the Queen would perhaps rather we didn't. Caution will be our watchword, and this girl will be brought to proper trial."
I WILL LEND MY AID AS I WELL AS I AM ABLE, MY MASTER, BUT SOME OF YOUR SUMMONED MENAGERIE MAY SERVE YOU BETTER. AS ALWAYS, I AM READY TO SERVE OR DISAPPEAR AS YOU WILL OF ME.
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A server brings the brew and food at this point, her arched brow the only indication of her knowledge of what is going on.
Croft nods, no smile evident at Daud's attempted quip, Tolenn's dutiful comment, or Zart's ready agreement. "To further entice you, I am offering you 1,000 pieces of gold for her safe abduction and deliverance to the Citadel. Be careful in Midland. The crowds are anxious and near riotous, and the Order of the Nail is hardly better. Do you have any questions?"
When we get to her, I am sure we will change her appearance to help get her here safely, so you may not readily recognize her when we bring her back to your office.
Croft sighs in exasperation, waving her hand to dismiss Pyron. "I am sure I will be able to figure it out when you six walk in with another. Please hurry!"
As you wish. Pyron bows and leaves quickly. (I assume we know how to get there.)
"One last question field marshal," says Zart quickly and meekly, "but do you happen to have her address or some suggestion as to how we might locate her? Or should we try to deduce that for ourselves?"
With nearly as much exasperation as Pyron received, Croft turns to Zart. "Again, it is 42 Moon Street. The structures there are multiple level, I am sure, so that's as good as it gets."
YOU'D BETTER HOPE SHE DOESN'T TAKE THST FOR SARCASM, MASTER. Raamanti knows his master's too-clever-by-half questions have gotten him into trouble before. Upon reflection, though, he realizes that the question is far too obvious to be called clever. His master is safe, even if he doesn't listen well.
Zart will rush to the Midlands with his comrades. He will duck into taverns and inns once there to hurriedly try to discover the location of Moon St.
As Valeria returns the favor Daud happily runs a finger along the rim of his tankard with a crooked grin until he can't hold back anymore, choosing to drown any sound escaping his lips with the entire drink in one long draw.
Daud thinks for a moment. "Um, do you know what she looks like?"
Croft responds to Daud, "Short, with cropped blond hair. Big green eyes, I am told. Good-looking." She shrugs, since she has only heard this information second or third-hand.
It shouldn't be too hard to find her, Gaius says matter-of-factly. We can just follow the angry mob to her doorstep. C'mon, let's go while there's still someone left to find.
Can Raamanti scout ahead to find the quickest way to the building?
"I AM AFRAID, GOOD PYRON,", says Raamanti, answering for himself, "THAT I MUST REMAIN WITHIN ONE HUNDRED FEET OF MY MASTER WITHOUT SUFFERING A REDUCTION OF MY LIFE'S ESSENCE. I HAVE NO MOBILITY ADVANTAGE OVER A REGULAR HUMANOID IN ANY CASE."
Zart ponders for a while, "I can summon a shadow creature that can easily climb up and down buildings to scout ahead, should you wish. Raamanti would need to leave us for me to be able to maintain its presence, however. Shall I?"
Daud holds back a chuckle. "I'll gladly help you exercise to counter-effect the food, although it's impossible for my mind to even fathom you as unattractive."
"Can they fight as good as Him though?"
Zart almost laughs, "Oh my goodness no. But I can easily bring more to the world should it fall. Also, as I am given to understand our mission, fighting should not be necessary... should it?"
"Rioting should not be necesary, and you see how well that is working out."
Daud merely shrugs. "Whatever it is you wish? I am your's to command."
He happily lets her drag him along, content to wander wherever she wants to go. "Is there any place in particular you wish to stroll to Milady?"
Daud's faint smile fades for a moment. "Where is it you'd like to go milady? Where do you truly wish to go?"
He lets a resigned sigh escape his nose before wrapping his other arm around her. "No need for imagination there," leaning in he'll kiss her deeply.
Side streets might be a more optimal path when considering the chances of getting caught in a fight with people from the crowd. Raamanti could hinder is by drawing more attention than is necessary, so perhaps a small critter that can scout ahead would be useful.
Daud arches an eyebrow. "He draws as much attention as you, Courtesan."
As the companions reach the crowd in the Midlands, Raamanti hears Pyron's reasoning and looks to the rest of the group. Responding to the mental dismissal from Zart, Raamanti begins to walk towards him, I WILL GO, THEN, MY MASTER.
"PYRON IS RIGHT. MY MASTER WILLS ME BACK TO THE LAND OF SHADOWS. I WILL BE WATCHING, EVER VIGILANT. GOOD LUCK BRINGING THIS TRINIA SABOR BACK ALIVE AS REQUESTED. AS ALWAYS, I HAVE BEEN GLAD TO SERVE."
Raamanti walks towards Zart, his head seems fixed in position when he is about ten feet behind the fetchling, but his feet keep moving towards him. His hammer becomes shadow and then he becomes indistinguishable from Zart's own shadow. Moments later, he is Zart's own shadow.
Moving into a side alley so as not to be noticed, Zart immediately begins softly chanting in the eldritch tongue of shadowmancy:
"καλέσει τέρας ζωολογικό κήποζ"
A small shadow thing appears, pulling itself out of Zart's shadow. Zart gives it a few short commands in a tongue that none likely recognize (though Pyron likely picks up on a slight twinge of Infernal), "சந்திரன் செயின்ட் வழி ஒற்றன் மற்றும் ஆயுதங்கள் மற்றும் கவச மனிதர்கள் அல்லது கனமான கூட்டத்தை எந்த அச்சுறுத்தி உயிரினங்கள், வழியில் அமைந்துள்ளது என்றால் திரும்ப. மனதில் வைத்து உள்ளது, நாம், என்ன பெரிய உள்ளன நீங்கள் மற்றும் தேவைகளை தரையில் சேர்ந்து செல்ல வேண்டும் என ஏற. இப்போது போய்!*"
"Moon St is scout the way and return if any threatening creatures, armed and armored humanoids or heavy crowds are located along the way. Keep in mind, we are bigger than you, cannot climb as you can and needs must walk along the ground. Now go!"
Zart can also ascertain by the placement of the crowds, that they might know the woman is in Midland, they don't quite know where she is. But they are closing in.
"Taking the side streets should prevent us from having to defend ourselves from our fellow Korvosans." Tolenn says as the group heads out into the volatile city.
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Daud's brows raise slightly at the question. "Although I've never been I've heard the top of the world is entirely encased in ice, larger than any country or continent. It is from that, I'm told, that all rivers are birthed."
"Friggin Shadowcallers..." Daud mumbles under his breath as Raamanti disappears and a new creature of shadows takes his place.
As the Zoog returns (a creature that lookis like a mutated, squid-faced opossum with glowing eyes: Zoog) Zart quickly exchanges information with it.
"We are close, follow me down these side streets and we'll get there. The crowds are closing in, though, we'd best hurry!" with that, Zart hurries off down the alleyways of the Midlands, occasionally checking with the strange creature ahead of him before choosing this way or that. When they get near Moon St, he'll head as stealthily as he can towards number 42 (attempting to go behind the houses, rather than on the actual street itself so as not to attract attention).
Daud nods and follows along after the shadowcaller.
The summoner flits into a side street, Daud stealthily following. Gaius is likely able to match their stealth, and Pyron doesn't do terribly. Tolenn, meanwhile, rattles like a tin can. It doesn't matter, as there is no one nearby to hear. You can hear the angry voices of the mob a couple of blocks away. "Let's get that b~$**!" "She poisoned the King! Let's hold her down and shove some poison down her throat!" "Nah, I've got some rope right here, and there's a likely looking pole..."
This part of Midland is completely overgrown. All structures are at least two stories, and most have hovels and lean-tos constructed on their roofs, as well. Rickety bridges and ropes connect the rooftops, and the shabbily made buildings lean against each other precariously.
Zart looks around for building numbers and will head with all haste towards 42.
Daud feels a slight twinge within him as she wistfully talks about the snow, though her second comment gladly alleviates it somewhat as Daud lets out a chuckle. "That's what I've always liked about the cold, it always brings people close together."
Gazing up to the rooftops Daud begins thinking aloud. "Perhaps we should move our pursuit up there, neh?"
"Certainly once we get close," Zart nods approvingly, "But some should at least stay on the ground. I may be able to sway - or at least delay - the crowd with words. That will allow the more able of you to effect a pursuit from below and above. Should I summon another Zoog to help you on the rooftops? It can only speak Aklo (or to any animal tongue you care to name) but I'm sure it can gesture sufficiently to help out. "
The group is able to find 42 Moon Street without much trouble. Surprisingly, the area is clear of mobs or patrols at the moment. The angry murmur of the crowds is getting closer, though, as rumors and comments appear to be steering the people slowly in the right direction.
The party is rather dismayed to find that this tenement likely holds many apartments on its first and second levels, and an obviously added-on third floor. A grizzled looking man of about 40 sits on the steps outside, smoking a pipe. He looks at you distrustfully.
Daud shrugs. "For pursuit maybe, Vuk here can do fine if it's just tracking." He throws a thumb towards the gray wolfhound, silent as the grave.
Daud's faint smile returns. "I'd quite like that, milady."
"So who wants to try the doorman first?"
"Hello, my good man. You have no doubt heard the angry mob heading this way, yes? It is no coincidence that we find ourselves here at the same time. A tenant - or is it fellow tenant - of yours is in grave danger," Zart takes a moment to size up his reaction, "We wish to take her somewhere she will be safe, that we may get to the truth of the trouble that is afoot. I'm afraid we don't have much time to explain more to you, but if you want to avoid having a mob of bloodthirsty Hellknights and rioting citizenry ploughing through your home, you should give serious consideration to telling us where we can find Trinia Sabor (a blond, short-haired girl who lives here) that we may get her out of here. When the mob arrives, tell them they were too late and send them in the direction of the castle - for that is where we will be headed. We have no desire to harm her or you. We just want to be out of here as quickly as possible - and the quicker we are out, the better things will be for you."
Desna, I pray not to you often, but please allow the seven of us to outpace an angry mob.