Gaius' light tone switches to a louder, menacing one as his face hardens.
Vengeance is my business. You would do well to remember that before I have to show you first hand. Disperse.
Daud doesn't say anything but simply rolls his shoulders and begins cracking his knuckles.
The entire crowd agains turns to Gaius. It appears at first that the fat man and his cronies are going to turn back to the business at hand, but they then glance at Daud casually getting loose for an altercation and think better of it, dispersing with mumbled threats and curses.
The young nobleman rushes to Gaius, gushing, "Oh thank you, kind sir! I truly think they meant to tear me limb from limb! Please, take this as a token of my gratitude!" He palms Gaius 5pp, then turns away, glancing around warily before hurrying down the street.
"Ayup, working for tips now." Daud mumbles flatly after the noble flees.
There you go. You help a guy, and he gives you some money, which you can use to help those children.
Might be a good idea to stay off the streets for awhile, Gaius says as the man prepares to leave.
Then, to the others: I won't say no to a donation to our cause. He could afford it. Should we press on?
"Yes. Onward to even better tips. And pretty ladies."
You continue onward, Castle Korvosa looming before you. Petitioners to the Crown approach by The Great Ramp, and there is a crowd milling there, so you insert yourselves in for a long wait while bored guards wander among the petitioners, asking questions. It looks like things have not returned to normal, since the castle seems to bristle with polearms and crossbows.
A sergeant and two helpers come up to you, the sergeant eyeing you warily as his subordinates try to hide yawns. "What's your business at the Castle?" He asks in a well-practiced tone, as he likely utters this phrase hundreds of times a day.
"We have retrieved an item belonging to her Ladyship." Daud replies curtly and flatly to the sergeant as he points at Gaius.
What's my business? Gaius chuckles, looking at the sergeant with a smile.
It's me, Gaius. We spoke earlier today, remember? Her Highness asked for our opinion in the matter of her misplaced goods.
The guards quickly furrows in confusion, and he stares at Gaius and Daud with narrowed eyes. Comprehension blooms, and his eyes go wide as he nods.
"Ah, yes, Gaius, come right this way."
The guard sergeant quickly leads your group to the base of the stairs,where a score or more of guards await with halberds and crossbows, then turns to you with an apologetic smile. "All weapons will have to be checked in here, if you please."
Despite her own much changed status, Tolenn still feels herself in awe of the palace grounds, it being a focus of fantasy and childhood longing in her own early years.
An eyebrow raised at Gaius' ease in gaining entry, she doesn't comment when the guards ask for her weapons, handing over her scimitar, after briefly kissing Saranae's image graven into the cross guard. Her crossbow and daggers followed.
She then waited in silence for the sergeant to lead them deeper into the palace.
Gaius hands over his arsenal, raising his arms and smiling sheepishly. It's dangerous out there.
Daud will hand over his equipment as well, being without his weapons doesn't seem to bother him as much as one would think.
Pyron hands over his weapons too.
After you hand over your weapons, a group of four guards peel off, two with halberds walking in front of you, two with heavy crossbows behind. You ascend the stairs to the top of the pyramid-like foundation of the castle, the stairs to the third floor and the infamous Crimson Throne spread out in front of you. At this landing there is only one person.
A woman of exceptional beauty, with long dark hair and blazing blue eyes, waits here. She is wearing an elaborate suit of plate armor, and a longsword rests easily on her side. She nods curtly to the PC's and says, "Greetings. They tell me you've something that belongs to the Queen. Is this correct?"
Daud gives a slight bow after the women speaks, or at least what he thinks passes for a bow, leaning forward for a moment with his arms still at his side.
"We have recovered some jewelry that belonged to her."
Pyron views, giving away his time as a guard.
Gaius opens his bag and produces the brooch to show the soldier.
We found this in the dwelling of a murderous thug named Ghaedren Lamm. I don't know how he procured it, but we come to return it to the Queen.
Pyron views, giving away his time as a guard.
*bows not views
The lovely woman steps to the side as she smiles at you all, extending her hand towards the third floor in obvious greeting and invitation. As you start up the steps, she moves to follow, putting up her hand to halt the other guards.
"You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to the Queen."
She follows you up the grand steps, stopping you in front of the door with a soft, "Halt."
"How would you like to be introduced to the Queen?" She asks, her deep blue eyes intense. You feel as though she is weighing every word you say carefully.
Just as humble, loyal servants of Her Majesty. We are honored to help her in this small way.
The woman's lips curl up in an amused smile. "That is indeed good to hear. However, even the most humble, most loyal servant has a name to share. What is that name, good sir?" She chuckles throatily, but it is easy to tell that under the humor she is very pleased with Gaius' response.
Gaius returns the smile and, with an exaggerated flourish like a self-important herald, points to his companions in turn: Tolenn, stalwart defender of Sarenrae's teachings. Pyron, honorably discharged guardsman and rescuer of children, Wednesday Daud and his faithful dog Vuk, fearless warriors both, and I am Gaius--I serve the Savored Sting, as well as the good Queen. We are pleased to meet your acquaintance.
Gaius tries to remember what he can about the queen before meeting her in person.
Still smiling, she nods in approval, then opens the entry doors. She leads you forward a few dozens steps, then turns a corner, putting a hand out behind her to indicate you should stop.
She says, loudly and clearly, "My Queen, entering are your most loyal and humble servants" only a hint of sarcasm leeches through her voice, "Pyron, formerly of the Korvosan Guard, the warrior Wednesday Daud and his faithful dog Vuk, Sarenrae's holy warrior, Tolenn, and Gaius of the Savored Sting." The lovely woman steps aside, her plate armor gently rattling.
As you step into the throne room, you see seated upon the Crimson Throne a woman of a different kind of beauty. The woman who escorted you has a distant, gothic type of beauty, severe yet appealing. This woman entails more of the typical notion of loveliness. Creamy white skin can be seen where the black veil does not cover, and silky red hair is styled in a seemingly impossible combination on her head. Her green eyes shine with curiosity as you round the corner, but she maintains silence.
The throne room itself is odd, likely because it is so empty. Only you, the guardswoman, and the Queen are in it. High vaulted ceiling rise overhead. Lush carpets and rugs cover the floor, and stained-glass windows of past kings and queen are regularly spaced along the walls. As you peek around and try not to be overwhelmed, the armored woman strides towards Gaius, hand outstretched expectantly.
Gaius hands over the brooch to the guard and awaits the queen's response.
The woman carefully accepts the brooch, then walks briskly to the throne. She bows low, kneeling as she presents the brooch with both hands. A smile comes to the full red lips of the Queen as she takes the brooch, turning it over in her palms a few times before looking back up at your group. “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. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope." She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at 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 bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more. If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters—my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning.”
With that, the Queen rises and begins to glide towards the back of the room and the exit there. Her green silken dress covers her from neck to toe, but it accentuates her curves to a high degree, and her walk is seductive as she makes her way out. The guard, Sabina as she was called, walks behind the throne and retrieves a small silver chest. She strides towards you, then bends down to one knee, setting the chest down in front of you and opening the clasp, flipping the lid open. Inside are twelve gold bars stamped with the Royal Seal of Korvosa. She then gets to her feet and backs up a step, eyeing you expectantly.
If I may start. It was just an hour ago that I received my honorable discharge as a Korvosan guard; in fact, I still have my papers with me. However, I won't turn my back to my queen when she personally offers me a commission to help strengthen Korvosa. What type of position am I being offered?
"Help a grieving widow stop a city from tearing itself apart. I'm in." he does seem to be speaking to anyone in particular, not does he make a move for the gold. Vuk on the other hand does a rudimentary inspection of its contents.
"Korvosa was and is my home. Saranae looks upon this city with love and light, I will do her will and serve this fine city. " Tolenn declares with sincere dignity.
The woman cocks her head to the left at Pyron's question, but answers, "Good Pyron, you will not receive a formal position in this matter, I believe. Field Marshall Cressida will have more details for you, if you choose to assist us in this matter."
At Daud's words the woman's features become unreadable for a moment before she nods, her straight dark hair shaking around her face lightly with the movement.
She outright grins at Tolenn's statement, reaching forward with her hand to clasp Tolenn's, "Korvosa is proud to have such protectors as yourself, Tolenn of Sarenrae." She gives her hand a hearty shake before releasing.
We were brought together from a desire to rid the streets of an evil scourge named Lamm. If the queen has deemed that we may continue to help in such a way, I will offer any assistance of which I am capable. Please give my sympathies to the queen. Her grief is our own, and we will do what we can to allay her fears.
Gaius does not shy away from the reward, closing the chest and picking it up.
We will have to drop by the temple to give some money to the children that we rescued from Lamm. I made that promise to them.
The tall beauty turns to Gaius, her smile not as outgoing as the one Tolenn received, but nevertheless sincere. "I have vaguely heard of this Lamm. If you have removed him from the streets, Korvosa is even more in your debt, sir. I will relay your sympathies to the Queen. The events of the last couple of days have caused her much sorrow."
She steps back, addressing the entire group, "I am delighted you have chosen to continue serving the Crown. I will assign you a small escort to make sure you make it to Field Marshall Cressida uninhibited. From then on it will be up to you, but I am sure eager, talented heroes like yourselves will be able to meet the challenge she presents."
Gaius catches the glance and watches Sabine's eyes. When she sees him he smiles and winks at her, but says nothing to the others.
So that's why the Queen keeps her around. Can't blame her.
Perception
Having taken a moment to gaze up at the wonderful architecture of the throne room's ceiling, Tolenn returns her gaze to Sabina, returning the smile directed her way, but completely missing anything suggestive...
Sabina's eyes narrow ever so slightly at Gaius' wink, though she quickly regains control. She raises her hand and a pair of guards trot up the stairs to her. She speaks in a commanding voice, "Gather four guards and escort this group to Field Marshall Cressida Bonas. Send a runner to make sure she is aware of their pending arrival."
She turns back to your group, speaking more formally. "I wish you the best of luck. Cressida is sorely taxed and I am sure you will help her greatly." She gives you a curt nod and proceeds to go in the third floor door, no doubt to be of...service to her Queen.
The escort of guards is quickly assembled and you move swiftly through the streets towards your objective, Citadel Volshyenek. The streets are mostly calm, although you hear a few called out curses against the new ruler of Korvosa. None are as loud and hearty as they were yesterday, however. The sergeant assigned to your detail keeps his eyes forward, but clearly is speaking to you, "Afore we's get thear, yous got anys bizniss to be taking cares of?"
We made a promise to make a quick stop at the Temple of Serenrae after we met the queen. We need to keep our promise.
Daud nods affirmatively.
At that, the guards escort you to the Temple of the Dawnflower, taking up posts outside the building.
Pyron talks to the group. What do we have to give to the children?
Daud shrugs . "A chest full of Gold?"
We have already given them their freedom, and a home in the church, two gifts more valuable than any amount of gold. And I do not think it wise to give gold bars bearing the royal seal to children, given the current state of the government's affairs. Still, we promised them some money to set them on their way. These 5 platinum bits should set them up handsomely for quite some time, Gaius says, producing the nobleman's coins.
If you all feel that is not enough to help them heal from all they have suffered, then we will need to fence Lamm's other stolen goods to get more coin. I should be able to find a buyer...
"Not to mention a church of Abadar to turn these bars into something useful."