"Oh!" Wednesday exclaims while getting a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well at least you admit it."
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Suddenly, as they wait for Terri and Cassandra to return, Terri feels a horrible chill run up her spine. Her shoulders hunch as she grabs her arms and rubs them for warmth vigorously.
"Why do I have the feeling that Wednesday is about to start a fight?"
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It isn't long before the heroes meeting with the wererat women can hear the sniping coming from the main level of the book shop. The proprietor leads the way, tea tray in hand. "Oh, my. I didn't realize that the tunnels would be so extensive. But I think I have enough tea for all who want it." His voice drops to a whisper. "An additional gentleman has joined your companions with the food. There seems to be an... argument of sorts. Please, take any fights outside." he adds as he sets the tray down and scuttles back into the shop.
"Girrigz and his followers maintain a home of sorts. I can easily direct you there." Eries says. "I wish we had something of value to give you in return. But, as you can see, we are a poor folk."
Meanwhile, Cassandra, Wednesday, and Landis make their way into the shop, down to the cellars, and into the tunnels...
Amira raises an eyebrow as the shopkeeper mentions someone joining their group. Given the likelihood of them being very hig profile targets at this point, it would be ineresting to see who was either brazen enough, desperate enough or crazy enough to openly approach them unless they were sent by Croft. She turns to watch the cellar entrance to the tunnel.
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"We're back!" Cassandra sing songs as she leaps into the room. "Wednesday has the food. Some guy followed us. He talks. A lot. More than me. He talks sort of like the male courtesans you see following Calistria. A lot of hollow, empty, flowery words that are supposed to be impressive but are just boring as hells. Wendy hates him. I think they might bang, too."
"Heads, not bottoms." Wednesday adds on. "He also says a whole lot of nothing even with all that crappy filigree."
Not breaking stride he takes the food over to the people needing it.
Landis walked towards Terri, Tolenn and Amira, creating small waves on his cloak with each step "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Landis Ryne" He greeted the three women with a small smile "I am here to help" The grin grew slightly, now showing some teeth.
"Aaaand that's pretty much all we know about him."
At Cass' ebullient entrance, Amira's customary intense gaze cracks, a grin creeping across her face. The same grin that her partner was able to draw from her pretty much anytime she felt like it. Still smiling slightly, she shifts her gaze over to the man in question, taking in both his appearance and approach, while rolling the name around in her head.
"We're doing this to help all of Korvosa. There's no need to worry about payment," Terri tells Eries, "fighting amongst ourselves only hurts us, and you all are as much a part of this city as I or Tolenn or Amira are."
===
When Wendy and Cass return with a new person in tow, and the rather crass comments are made, Terri feels her face heating. It heats even more as Wendy hammers the point home and her hand rises to cover her face.
"Landis, was it? I hope Wendy here didn't cause you too much trouble," she mumbles before taking a deep breath and looking up at the smiling varisian.
"My name is Terri. I'm a priestess of Shelyn, and you've definitely come at the right time. With all... of..." Terri's voice trails off as she notices someone missing.
"Where's Victor?"
Wednesday just rolls his eyes. "Yes, the gods forbid me causing trouble for the man who has been stalking us for who knows long and won't tell us why."
After a moment he starts to look around,"Yeah, where in the hells is Victor?"
"His family's been victimized by Hellknights. Parents'shop gutted, his brother called out as a Sable company traitor and killed in the fight that erupted. Word on the streets was that you ran with Devargo the King of Spiders. Crazy thing is, from all appearances you walked away. Nobody makes it out of that bastard's web other than face down or with lungs full of water usually." Amira says looking at the newcomer shrewdly.
"Thank you!" Wednesday says to Amira with a nod of his head before turning to Landis. "See, was that so hard?"
Thinking on the other name mentioned he'll lift his head up, obviously slightly lost in a memory. "Heh, Knivesies was fun. I wonder what Ol'Delvargo is up to now?"
"Landis, was it? I hope Wendy here didn't cause you too much trouble," she mumbles before taking a deep breath and looking up at the smiling varisian.
"My name is Terri. I'm a priestess of Shelyn, and you've definitely come at the right time. With all... of..." Terri's voice trails off as she notices someone missing.
"Where's Victor?"
"The only thing that saddens me about our meeting Terri is that it had to be in such a place, but I guess we can't always have the classical "and they met at a tavern" beginning...the bard who writes this tale will have their work cut out for them"
"His family's been victimized by Hellknights. Parents'shop gutted, his brother called out as a Sable company traitor and killed in the fight that erupted. Word on the streets was that you ran with Devargo the King of Spiders. Crazy thing is, from all appearances you walked away. Nobody makes it out of that bastard's web other than face down or with lungs full of water usually." Amira says looking at the newcomer shrewdly.
No movement came from the cloaked man as Amira ended her explanation. The smile Landis had shown since arriving did not leave his face, but for a few moments it seemed to wither slightly On the bright side this saves me going through the details myself, something I was not looking forward to Suddenly the Varisian turned to Amira, two gauntlet covered arms emerged from his closely drawn cloak, and then a slow a clap began "I can see that the streets have nothing to hide from your sharp ears, as for leaving the Spider...well while he is a sadistic, amoral thug he can be reasoned with, if you entertain his love for Knivesies"
"Thank you!" Wednesday says to Amira with a nod of his head before turning to Landis. "See, was that so hard?"
"Having someone narrate my life? No, took me by surprise though" A mocking tune danced with the words of Landis "But that doesn't really shed light on why I was following you around" Landis chuckled "Funny enough my interest in you all came completely by accident when I was searching for information on the Hellknights...I trust no one here has any love for them?" The question stuck out among all he said today like the somber ash of a burnt out flame in an otherwise jovial and colorful garden.
"Oookay, then was that so hard?" Wednesday corrects.
"Most people who care for the city bare little love for the Hellknights overzealous brand of law and order. As for your story, if you think the Spider has a big web...if it happens in my city, I'll eventually know about it." Amira replies to the newcomer. "So you're obviously not an immediate threat to us since the lovely Cassandra didn't show you a raindrop's point of view of the city, so the questions are, how do you actually know of us, why are you here right now, and why should we trust you in that order?"
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"Hey! Who want food?" Cassandra says, while Amira does her dark avenger routine. She steps forward, urging Wendy to do the same so she can open bags and retrieve tasty, good smelling morsels of roasts lamb kabobs and cheap ceramic bowls filled with fragrant rice.
She winks at the littlest of the children.
"There might be chocolate."
Getting nudged by the loud wizard Wednesday begins helping to dole out the food.
how do you actually know of us, why are you here right now, and why should we trust you in that order?"
"As I've said, I found about you purely by chance when I was asking about the Order of the Nail. After that I was intrigued, and can you blame me? A group of people going out of their way righting wrongs...in Korvosa no less. After that I started asking around about you, and finally I took to observing you myself, mostly to see if the what has been said about you has not been exaggerated...and you haven't disappointed me yet" The recount of his activities came at a casual pace and volume, almost as if he was speaking of a past time or hobby.
"I am here now because based on what I've learned from the tales being told about you, and what I observed...how should I put this? I decided to gamble on your success, and like any self respecting cheater I intended to see that my gamble is turned into a win" A smug half smile crawled on to the man's face "You see, your success could very well mean that there will be shifts in the positions of power, that shift is my best chance at attaining revenge and securing a better life for myself and my family" The former outlaw closed the distance between him and Amira.
"Why should you trust me though? I'll tell you why because any chance of me getting bought has long since passed. My family and I were thrown to the side, they let us slip through the cracks of...their justice" That last word dripped with malice and sarcasm "It is far, far too late for any of those that run Korvosa to offer me anything, for I would simply turn them down; you see I have a bit of a pride problem...and a grudge problem"
"My motivations in the end are utterly selfish, but I cannot be bought with gold or promises. I more than a lot of people who live here want to see you succeed, and I am more than willing to risk my life to see that happen" A full grin finally returns to Landis' countenance "As I've said when I first met all of you; I am here to help"
Once the skulk tries to get close to Amira Wednesday simply draws the rapier and thwacks the man in the chest lightly to a stop. "I didn't trust you before, and I sure as f@~~ don't trust you now."
"I am sorry...but I believe the woman can decide who can and cannot approach her" Landis easily side stepped the paltry swing and stood facing Wednesday "Now, ever since I met you I've made no threatening gestures and yet you constantly draw your blade, am I that frightening to you?" The mockery in Landis' voice rose above the usual.
"Is it the hood?" His smile grew, then he looked to the rest of the group "But seriously, is this really acceptable? With one hand you give food to the needy and with the other you threaten the life of someone who has not only not harmed or threatened you in anyway but also offered his services to help...very hypocritical, don't you think?" He asked rhetorically, his voice still rich with the pangs of ridicule "And what is your reasoning? You believe I am threat? You do not trust me? So if you believed the sky to be green than it must be so? If you did not trust a guard walking down the street you simple walk up to him and stab him?" Landis laughed heartilly.
"Now, Amira and I are having a discussion...something that civilized adults do. Civilized adults also don't swing swords at random people because they believe them to be threats without concrete facts" Landis spoke each word slowly as if he was addressing a child "I also urge you to consider the consequences of your actions, do you really think your friends will simply welcome you back with open arms when you start attacking people simply for not trusting them? I see a paladin and a cleric in our midst, and I believe both would take not only offense to your actions but would probably try to stop you at the very least and at the worst beat you to unconsciousness and throw you in a cell"
"You do not appear like a man who has much friends, I suggest not driving away the ones that are still bothering to remain in your company"
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"I am sorry...but I believe the woman can decide who can and cannot approach her" Landis easily side stepped the paltry swing and stood facing Wednesday"I'm sure that line works wonders on guards you halfwit."
"Now, ever since I met you I've made no threatening gestures and yet you constantly draw your blade, am I that frightening to you?" The mockery in Landis' voice rose above the usual.
"You've been vague as all f#@& and sidestepped the simplest of questions unless someone else answers for you."
"Is it the hood?" His smile grew, then he looked to the rest of the group "But seriously, is this really acceptable? With one hand you give food to the needy and with the other you threaten the life of someone who has not only not harmed or threatened you in anyway but also offered his services to help...very hypocritical, don't you think?" He asked rhetorically, his voice still rich with the pangs of ridicule"I don't see how you see helping people out and skewering your ass are related. Though with the way you act some might be glad about the latter."
"And what is your reasoning? You believe I am threat? You do not trust me? So if you believed the sky to be green than it must be so? If you did not trust a guard walking down the street you simple walk up to him and stab him?" Landis laughed heartilly.
"I don't trust people who don't answer simple questions but insist on following me around and want to pretend like we're the best of buds."
"Now, Amira and I are having a discussion...something that civilized adults do. Civilized adults also don't swing swords at random people because they believe them to be threats without concrete facts" Landis spoke each word slowly as if he was addressing a child"Noooo, you weren't having a conversation, Amira was answering simple questions you yourself refused to answer just to be a prick."
"I also urge you to consider the consequences of your actions, do you really think your friends will simply welcome you back with open arms when you start attacking people simply for not trusting them? I see a paladin and a cleric in our midst, and I believe both would take not only offense to your actions but would probably try to stop you at the very least and at the worst beat you to unconsciousness and throw you in a cell"
"You are a very, very stupid man."
"You do not appear like a man who has much friends, I suggest not driving away the ones that are still bothering to remain in your company"
"I like the friends I have, why would I go sound shopping for defective ones like yourself?"
Turning to Cassandra he then adds "Are you insistent on keeping him as a pet or can I kill him now?"
Landis laughed louder than any of you have heard him laugh since you've met him "Oh this beyond amusing! I can see why they keep you around now, those childish retorts and petty nature. Nothing could draw a smile like these things when one feels down" Another guffaw followed "Oh poor Wednesday, did the bad hooded man annoy you when he refused to answer your questions? Is that why you called him stupid? You certainly showed him!" The venom of sarcasm dripped with each spoken word.
"Oh and Wednesday you couldn't afford friends like me"
"Oh, and here I thought you were just another humble prick, but no, you're gaudy as well." Wednesday simply retorts while shifting the rapier from idly hanging to stab-ready.
With the tension rising and a naked blade drawn, the two women standing in the chamber reflexively move in front of the third and the children and shift into wererat forms - with sharp fangs and claws. They hiss and stand ready to defend themselves and the children if a fight breaks out.
Wednesday holds a hand palm outward to the wererats without taking his glare off the rogue. "Calm down ladies, you don't have anything to worry about from me."
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Tolenn had stood up from where she' d been ministering to the child, when the food and argument had some down into the sewers.
Sbe watched calmly as the 'discussion' continued, Wendesday and the newcomer trading barbs like an old martied couple.
Her brow furrowed in anger though when Wednesday drew his weapon, gaining vslid admonishment from the hooded man.
As Wednesday settled into a combat stance, she'd had enough, Wednesday, sheath thet weapon! she snapped, her voice steely with the cold authority of her faith.
Stalking up to the two men, seething she hissed There are children present....you should both be ashamed!
"I will when this f#+*off gets lost!" he growls back, then adds on, slightly confused "What do the children have to do with it?"
" Look at them , Wednesday, they're terrified. " she says softly, her anger under check.
" Now, go upstairs and cool off, while we talk with Landis." she suggests in a voice that makes it far from a suggestion.
Wednesday keeps a look locked with a Tolenn for a good moment before throwing his hand up and leaving, not even bothering with a reply.
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"Thank you." Cassandra mutters as she hands coaxes a frightened child into accepting a kabob. "It was like listening to my Aunt Rex and Uncle Dober have a 'discussion', blade and all."
Letting out a sigh Amira watches as Wednesday storms off, before turning her attention back to Landis. "I can see how that antagonizing attitude could be useful in a fight, taunting your enemies into making mistakes, but Wednesday is not the man to play that game with. If you work with us, you're going to need to reign it in."
Looking over at Tolenn she shakes her head. "Another one that'll have to stay outside when we see Croft." she mutters.
"Well Landis. Your reasons seem valid enough on the surface. Can't blame you for having a grudge or looking so see a few things change."
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Terri nods gratefully to Tolenn as she breaks up the burgeoning fight. She then turns to the newcomer.
"I know Wednesday's a bit... well," she says, trying to find a diplomatic way to say what she wanted to, but there wasn't one. "Look, I appreciate that you want to help, but you can't just antagonize him. I keep trying to get him to see that, but he just doesn't want to, or he can't."
The Varisian looks between the rest of the party "If that is what it takes, than fine I won't antagonize him, but I am sure you understand that having a blade pointed at you can wear thin very quickly" He replied in a calm and composed manner "I would say my sharp words were far less likely to draw blood than his sharp sword. Others would have hastened to draw their own weapons or leave...this if anything should speak to my commitment to joining and assisting you in your quest"
"I realize that my appearance and history do not inspire trust, but a modicum of civility should not be too much to ask. Now I am sure you would have all proffered a more moral and more selfless person, and I would have happily directed my brother in your direction if he was among the living, but too bad for you, my parents and this city he is not"
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"Go!" Cassandra stands up and points back to the sewers. "If you're going to have this discussion have it away from the terrified children who just need kindness and not your blah blah blah."
Then she returns to helping make sure everyone has food.
Cassandra's outburst draws a warm look of deep affection from Amira, before she turns to the other and nods, leading the way further down the tunnel away from the frightened and traumatized group.
Landis followed after Amira in silence, preferring to save any words he had when they've put enough distance between them and the children Everyone is on about the children...oh the poor children! A small grin crawled onto his face.
With finally a place to talk without fear of further traumatizing anyone Landis turned his face from those that followed after Amira, and finally set his eyes in the direction of the druid.
"Are there any other questions you would like to ask? Or can I start proving myself an invaluable asset and we can go about putting a queen out of her throne?"
"That first of all is far easier said than done, and not something to get in the habit of saying out loud." Amira responds quietly. "Speaking of proving yourself though. What exactly do you bring to the table?"
Slowly and carefully, Landis parted his cloak revealing the hilts of two short swords "I am told I am quite good at using these, but I do not care for that opinion I think I am excellent at utilizing them...not in the traditional sense of course, I never received much formal training, but I use my weapons in very inventive and unpredictable ways. It would be best to show you when we do meet someone who's asking to be stabbed" The jovial man let the cloak fall back into its closely drawn stance and walked to the left, his eyes focusing on what is beyond them.
"I am a people person, always was even back when I was in the academea. I always found it more enjoyable to engage someone in a conversation then to attend classes...especially if that someone is a beautiful woman. In time I have learned how to refine my words, and say exactly what the other person wants to hear; even the most stubborn professors and brutish thugs gave me a pass. Of course when that failed I could always lie, and lie well, and last but not least, hmmm how should I put this...I am very good at planting fear in others, especially in the heat of battle" Landis paused and turned to face those around him "Something that I am sure we'll have need of as we go along"
"I can move around the city with ease, whether in tightly knit buildings or up high on the rooftops. Stealth was something I never struggled with and I even know a few magic tricks"
Tolenn allows the others to leave first, before turning back to the fightened ratlings.
"I'm so sorry you had to witness that. Please, enjoy the food and we'll return once we've talked with Girrigz. " Tolenn says softly, before retreating and following the other back up to the shop.
She catches Landis' last soliloquy and walks up beside him, "Well, Landis, if you do truly wish to help us in our important work, I suggest you put your skill with words to work with Wednesday." she says with a smile, "He is as obstinate as he is loyal, though he is consumed by a constant darkness...his past. Be forthwright and forthcoming, we all need to be honest with each other..our survival depends on it. We've all revealed parts of ourselves to the group, you cannot be an exception. Save your prevarications or blandisments for our adversaries."
Her piece said, she waits calmly for Landis' decision.
"There is really nothing to add on what Amira uncovered herself...excellent work by the way" He smiled in the druid's direction "And the answers to the questions she asked me, but if you would like the short version of my life story then fine, I'll tell you if it will help put you all at ease"
"When I was fifteen I was expelled from the academea, later I found out it was because of accusations of treason made against my brother by the Hellknights who killed him. I returned to my home to see it in shambles, and to witness said Hellknights questioning my parents as they tore the shop apart...I'd say this is what every growing boy needs to see, his father and mother's spirits broken and his childhood home being ransacked by strangers" Landis cleared his throat and paused for a moment, he looked at everyone around him to make sure that he still held their attention.
"I had to put my rage and hate aside, because one can't feed a family such things. I went about trying to find a means of making ends meet; especially seeing how being questioned by Hellknights is pretty much a death sentence for your social status here and for a shop that means no more business being done. I ended up working for Devargo Barvasi, charming fellow; immoral, cruel and has a sadistic streak, the kind of person you invite to your wedding...if you want the bride to mysteriously disappear" Sarcasm returned with a vengeance to his voice, still it didn't lose its usual tone of joviality.
"After a while I grew sick of working for the man, I was especially tired of his dealings in Shiver. I was somehow able to convince him to let me quit and that was just in time to see my father attempt to reopen his shop...I helped of course but people have long memories and they still refused to deal with my family, so with nothing to do but nurse my malice I went about looking for information on the Hellknights; my hope was to hurt them in anyway really, but I instead found information about your merry band and what you were doing to help the city. I knew that if I were to have any hope of taking down the Order of the Nail it would be by helping you all, after all your ultimate goal of removing those that corrupt this city will shift positions of power and I aim to make use of that to end the Hellknight's presence in the city and get a better life for myself and my family...if I happen to become a minor noble along the way or spy master to whoever runs things around here afterwards then that is just an added bonus" Landis exhaled "I wish I were as mysterious as you all want me to be but there is nothing else to my little tale"
"As for Wednesday...I'll try, but as good as I am I doubt I'll be much help. Wednesday needs a miracle worker and someone with compassion, and while I have no hate towards the man I have no compassion towards him either" Landis shrugged "Everyone has issues with their past. My own has filled my heart with so much hate that I find it hard to have ill feelings towards anyone else but the Hellknights, if anything I should be a brooding, quiet man who constantly sharpens his short swords and looks menacingly at all who cross his path...still handsome of course. You cannot force a man to help himself, if he wants to change he'll let you all know, if anything you all are more well equipped than I am to help him, but as I said before I'll try...no promises on succeeding or how long I'll keep trying of course"