Irisa looks around to make sure they are not being overheard. If they're not alone she'll lead him to a place where it's harder to be overheard. "Yeah, I agree. Would be nice if there were someone able to oppose what's happening in Kintargo. I don't think anyone alone have the power to fight against Thrune directly though. But if enough people thought like you, perhaps something could be done to make lives better for people in this town. I'm Irisa, what's your name good man?" She holds out her hand.
"I won't ask you to risk your life for some impossible folly. But if you tell me about your skills and how to contact you, perhaps even you could help out with a small matter towards making things better"
Kintargo - Morning -
The man shrugs, "I am just a simple carpenter my dear, my name is Mack Kjeld".
He wrestles with your offer, pets the dog and then stands again, "Alright, I suppose I can help with a small matter if it does not endanger my wife and children. After all, if all I do is talk and never try to do anything I cannot expect others to make things better for me, can I?"
Kintargo - Morning
The shop is humming and business is good though it seems most of the flowers that people purchase are for missing loved ones which brings a somber mood to the shop and to you.
By noon the shop is free of customers and you sit in the back with the mercenaries patching clothes and eating lunch with them. The small talk is interrupted by the bell clacking signifying another customer has entered.
"Zel, are you in the back?" the booming voice of Dalth rings out.
The Devil's Threads -
Haace smiles at your statement, "I am, it may look like sales have increased but instead it is the available products that have decreased. I have played off the scarcity by playing on exclusivity but how long can that last? I need a new seamstress, are you the one?"
Long Roads Coffeehouse - Late Morning -
You step in to the coffee house which by day seems quite different full of customers drinking and carousing. Rexus is nowhere to be seen, at least not up front. Laria turns to you and smiles, "What can I getcha honey? Your first time here right? You need help with a selection?"
Zeldana looked to her guests and gave them a nod. "I'll be back." She folded up the shirt she had been working on, sticking the needle in a spot she'd easily be able to retrieve it, before settling it on her seat and heading to the front of the shop.
"If I'm not in the front I'm in the back." She told Dalth as she came into sight. "Dropping by on you lunch break?" She asked as she moved to him.
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
Dalth smiles, a not unpleasant smile but its contrast with the dark armor and its dark motives is somewhat unnerving. "Indeed, perhaps we can close this place and I can take you somewhere?"
"How thoughtful." Zeldana said with a soft nod. "I do have some guests at the moment, if you don't mind if I inform then I will be gone for a bit." She told him before returning to the back of the shop.
"An acquaintance has come to ask me to lunch, will you two be alright here?" She asked the two men. "You're welcome to help yourself to the rest of the stew, and once I return I can finish the last of your shirts." She explained. "Or if you'd rather leave now and pick up the shirt later today, I understand that as well."
"That's the right attitude. We all do what we can. I'll keep you in mind in case I hear of a way that carpentry can be helpful to this situation we are in. It was nice to talk to you. Hopefully we'll talk again sometime." Irisa says with a charming smile before leaving.
Irisa returns to the coffee shop rather than trying to figure out more about the leads she has gotten in case maybe the others have heard more about the places that has burned.
Sholti smiles at Laria. "Yes, first time, but I've heard good things. Black coffee with sugar and a pastry please. Whatever you think is best today on the pastry."
After ordering Sholti takes a seat to wait.
Tiel lifts a finger to her chin and looks up toward the ceiling. "I suppose I could put in a few hours a day. But I do have other obligations." She looks directly at Haace, "I may may not be available at all hours."
Sholti keeps a discreet eye on Laria while she nibbles on a pastry and reads at her table. She doesn't want to miss any signal from her about what to do next.
Outside the Long Roads Coffeehouse - Late Morning -
As you and your trusty sidekick the Mastiff Silver are about to enter the coffee shop you hear a voice call out, "Arrika Telleryn!"
You pause to look around as no one else on the street appears to be responding and see a patrol of three Dottari guards, two of which you recognize as having encountered the other day. One hustles up to your position, "Hiya, it's Owen, I'm sure you remember me right doll?" He gives you a look that makes your skin want to peel off and crawl away as the other two approach more slowly.
Silver begins to growl at Owen, you certainly share his sentiments.
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
One of the men smiles the other responds, "If it is alright with you ma'am we'll remain here until you get back. We appreciate the hospitality".
As you step back out to meet with Dalth he smiles broadly, "You like Coffee? I know a great place. Long Roads".
Long Roads Coffeehouse - Late Morning -
You look around the place but spot nothing out of the ordinary and get no signals from Laria. About ten minutes later your cheese pastry and coffee come out, served by Rexus.
He sits down an whispers to you, "So, what time are we going to see your parents?"
Kintargo - The Devil's Threads -
Haace nods, "Understandable, you have your own customer base. Can we agree to three hours per day five days per week for the forseeable future? I can pay you a stipend to start with and then once we begin moving your product thirty-five percent of all sales proceeds? Is this an agreeable arrangement for you?"
"Alright, I'm going to lock you in so you don't have to worry about customers okay?" She told them as she fixed her kapenia and her hair.
"I do, I prefer coffee to tea honestly." Zeldana told him as they left the shop and she made sure to lock the doors. "How long do you have before you have to return?" She asked.
Sholti smiles in greeting at Rexus when he brings her the order. "Thank you."
In answer to his question she replies in a whisper as well. "Tomorrow evening if you can. Otherwise I can delay for an evening or two."
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
The men nod as you leave them in the back.
Dalth chuckles, "When I wish to. My Commander is a coward who knows that the men respect me more than he. If you wish the rest of the day you can have it from me my dear".
You and Dalth begin to stroll through the city to the Long Roads Coffee shop at a leisurely pace. Dalth's armor brings respect or fear from all you come across. He stops on occasion to speak with Dottari patrols. To a man they all stare at you as if memorizing your features before moving on.
Long Roads Coffeehouse - Late Morning to Mid-Day -
Rexus pats your hand and nods. He then steps away into the back you assume to continue his research.
Zeldana offered small laugh "I'm sure your work is far more important than I." She told him. "Though I don't mind these lunches."
I feel like a gnome next to an orc when he's dressed in his armor... small... frail... Zeldana thought as she walked along with the Hellknight.
When ever Dalth stopped to speak with Dottari agents Zel would stay a respectable distance from them, either looking at some stalls or watching children run through the streets. However while she was looking at a jewelry vender a shiver ran down her back and she turned to look at the group Dalth was speak to, all the Dottari eyes upon her made her uncomfortable. She turned to them, shifting her weight onto her left leg and placing her hand upon her hip. Her left eye, the golden one, seem to gleam as she spoke. "Should I pose for a portrait? It would last far longer then this mortal frame. Even with my mother's blood gifts." She told them calmly.
Tiel looks at the wall thoughtfully. "If I'll simply be sewing your designs, that seems fair." She looks back at Haace, "when would you like me to start?"
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
Dalth grabs one of the men he believes is staring by the neck and holds him aloft with one arm drawing a dagger with his other hand, "Explain yourself else I gut you here and now!"
The man attempts to speak but Dalth's crushing grip does not allow him to do anything more than wheeze.
The leader of the group does not draw steel but exclaims, "We are simply trying to memorize her appearance Sir Knight so we know not to disturb her as she has your favor!"
Dalth drops the man, "Then take a quick look and avert your eyes. You are making my friend uncomfortable and I abhor poor manners towards a Lady".
"Soooory", the man croaks as he is unceremoniously dropped to the ground.
The Dottari pick up and quickly leave. Dalth turns back to you and sheathes his dagger. He grins, "I should think that the Dottari shan't disturb you for some time, even if..." He pauses, "Never mind, shall we?"
Kintargo - The Devil's Threads -
He looks at his shop more than half empty and then back at you, "Are you terribly busy today?" He grins.
Kintargo - Outside the Long Roads Coffee House -
Hood up you wander the streets of Kintargo feeling - lost. It has been a week, longer? - since... You push the thoughts down deep. You need to do something! But what? What can one woman do, a half-orc woman with no family any longer, do about the Thrune and his hundreds if not thousands of minions.
As you walk by a local coffee shop you see a woman with a dog, a very large dog being accosted by a few Dottari guards. Two of them leer at her with a look you know does not hide the filthy thoughts behind them.
"That was, well I don't know if you needed to go that far." Zeldana said with a soft smile to Dalth. She turned and looked at the merchant running the stall and said "I'll be back later to look at that ring more."
With that she took Dalth's arm and spoke "Dalth may I ask you something? It's been a question I've wondered for a bit."
The coffee and pastry are both tasty, but Sholti is busy trying to figure out if hunger or Rexus is responsible for her slight tummy ache.
Oh, right. I had lunch not that long ago. Must be Rexus. Ugh.
The old Sera would have lashed out, Sera reflects as she observes the situation with a flicker of anger. Now though, Sera had her temper well in check, as she makes a beeline towards the two guards. Like most bullies, ignoring intimidation was a good first tactic, and that meant numbers. Arriving on the scene, Sera plants herself between the guards and the woman, folding her arms as she does so, taking care to make the gesture defensive and reactive rather than aggressive.
"Is there a problem here?" she remarks in a minor tone as she observes the two men with an impassive face.
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
Dalth smiles back, "Certainly, whatever you wish". As you continue to walk in the direction of the Coffee House people trip over themselves to get out of the lovely couples way...
"I have to know, what drew you to me?" She asked calmly. "Most Chelish people have a great distaine for... half-breeds of any kind and... I'm probably the most well blended half-breed I've ever seen." She commented as she used her free hand to run it through the black side of her hair.
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
Dalth chuckles, "My grandmother was a "half-breed". One of the most powerful and commanding women I have ever met. Of course she was half an Orc and not half an elf. So such things do not put me off. I have ever been a man that does what I want to without care what others think of me.
I have never seen another woman as beautiful as you, not even in my dreams where the succubi visit me enticing me to evil. The circumstance of seeing you was of course... unfortunate. But by Asmodeus I do not believe in coincidences! This was... fate. I..."
He pauses and says no more as you finally close in on the Coffee House.
So he has orc blood... Well that explains the height...
At first Zeldana didn't know what to say. Her grip on Dalth's arm tighten slightly as she offered him a smile. "If you believe this was fate then you should be thanking Pharasma. If you are allowed to that is." She said with a soft giggle.
"You what dear knight?" Zeldana asked as she leaned on Dalth a bit more. "You shouldn't start things you don't plan to finish." She said playfully.
"Well, I hadn't planned on being out so long today," she says. "But it wouldn't hurt to take a look around and see what I've gotten myself into."
Kintargo - Outside the Long Roads Coffee House -
The first turns to you, "Wasn't talkin' to you half breed. I wa stalkin' to this doll right here". He leers at Irisa as the dog next to her begins to bark.
The second man chuckles and stares at Sera, "We are the security here in the city Citizen and this is official business. Move along".
Irisa retorts, "Official business to follow me around and act creepy?"
A third Dottari catches up, "What is the meaning of this Owen?"
The leering guard turns to what appears to be his superior and speaks, "That dog is illegal, I was gonna confiscate it when it started to growl at me".
The third man, clearly the leader looks at Irisa, "Is this true?"
"No", she exclaims. "He was leering at me and my dog, Silver, took offense".
Kintargo - Mid-Day -
Dalth shakes his head, "Of course I am allowed to acknowledge other Gods. So long as I remember they are subordinate to Asmodeus of course!" he says a small smile on his lips.
He pauses, "That is what conc..."
Before he can continue you hear voices raised down the block, it appears in front of the Coffee Ship and one of the voices is Irisa's.
Dalth turns to look at the scene, "That may be trouble, come along but stay behind me". He starts to walk towards the scene...
Kintargo - The Devil's Threads -
The stuff here is nice, high quality. It could take you twice as long to produce one garment as normal due to the quality of what you are seeing here in the shop.
Kintargo - Inside the Long Roads Coffeehouse - Late Morning -
A patron exits the shop and the sound of yelling can be heard outside. One voice sound a lot like Irisa!
Inwardly, Sera smirks, with that appears to be a superior on the scene and the two men immediately defensive. Unable to resist chiming in, she puts on a slightly indignant expression. "Those two men where extremely inappropriate, calling her doll all the time and leering at her - if you don't mind me saying sir, the vast majority do a great job but it troubles me that there are people like this here that would abuse the lawful trust and authority people give them - to prey upon someone vulnerable."
A small part of Sera wonders if she is laying it on a little thicker than needed, but in some way it was a perverse sort of pleasure to watch a Thrune supporter squirm.
That sounded like Irisa!
Zeldana held tighter to Dalth's arm as she spoke. "Dalth, one of those voices sounded like Irisa. She's my friend, and from what the other voice just said I believe she's in danger." The varisian half-elf told her knight. She quickly let go of his arms and ran straight for Irisa's side.
She quickly came into view of her friend, Sera, and the Dottari guards. Zeldana looked to Sera, who she figured has spoken as the Dottari where all men. "Did you say they where bring inappropriate?" The witch asked as she raised an eyebrow, then looked down to the growling Silver. "Animals are great judges of character. If he doesn't like you, nor does his mistress, you shouldn't hang around." She told the guards as she looked at them from the corner of her eyes, the golden one in full view.
When Sholti hears the voices from outside through the opened door she recognizes Irisa's among them. She takes a look out the window to see what is happening, and doesn't like what she sees.
Some sort of confrontation with a dottari patrol, including another woman. An argument?
Sholti watches things unfold for a minute, and sees Zeldana arrive as well. More precisely, it looks to be an argument between a couple of the patrol members and Irisa, the woman, and now Zeldana, with the third dottari, maybe the ranking one, caught in the middle.
Great, and here comes a hellknight as well.
Sholti weighs what to do. On one hand, going outside might put more pressure on the dottari to walk away from whatever it is. On the other, it might make them feel threatened enough to want to assert their authority and make things worse. A larger crowd around them could tip things either way.
Also it would mean we may be remembered and associated with each other by the dottari. It might be a good idea if one of us remains unseen. This is also taking place right in front of Long Roads, which isn't good. Unless things start really going south, I think I should stay put.
Kintargo - Outside the Long Roads Coffee House -
The Captain of the three huffs exasperated, "My apologies citizens we do indeed do a good job with the exception of a few bad apples. Owen. Tharald. Fall out back to headquarters and we will discuss this further".
Tharald places his hands up, "But. But. But. I didn't do anything"!
The Captain glares at him. He then shuts his mouth and runs along.
At that moment the Hellknight arrives sans helmet. The authority in his voice is unmistakable, "Is there a problem here Captain?"
The Captain turns back to face the Hallknight, standing only a half inch shorter, "Disciplinary problems Sir Knight. Nothing I cannot handle".
The Hellknight cocks his head, "Perhaps I should speak with your men". His tone is one that does not invite debate.
The Captain shakes his head, "No. They are my men. Shall I come running to you or another Hellknight every time they stub their toe? If we do that..." He turns and gestures to the crowd that is growing and watching.
The Hellknight defers, "Very well".
The Captain then approaches Silver holding his hand out. Silver growls for a moment then relaxes though he does not sit comfortably. He then looks at Irisa, "I am Captain Kogaj. Should any Dottari trouble you again feel free to seek me out".
He then leans closer,
He then nods once more to the Hellknight before following in the direction he sent his men.
The Hellknight then approaches Zel, "Perhaps introductions are in order?"
At the same time Irisa turns to Sera, "Thank you for sticking up for me. That could have gone badly for you".
Zeldana let out a long sigh as she gave Silver and pat on the head. "Good dog." She told him. When Dalth approached her she blushed a bit before saying "Yes you are correct. Um, this is Irisa and her hound Silver. Irisa, this is Dalth, you remember the hellknight I mentioned." She leaned slightly into Dalth, though only slightly because of his armor. She then looked over to Sera. "I do not believe we've met, but you stood up for my friend, so thank you." She smiled.
Sera tilts her head in a 'think nothing of it' gesture, "Please, you don't need to thank me, I just did what anyone would have done in such a situation...which fortunately seems to have resolved itself."
Kintargo - Outside the Long Roads Coffee House -
Irisa looks up at the heavily armed and armored Dalth, "A pleasure to meet you of course Sir Knight. Tell me, do you know that Captain?"
Dalth shakes his head no, "I do not but if the Dottari had more men like him and less than his subordinates there would be no need for the Thrune to be so very heavy handed..."
"Most in this city wouldn't, so thank you still." Zeldana said with a smile to Sera before taking Dalth's arm. "Are you sure about that Dalth?" Zeldana asked with a slight smirk. "Perhaps I should not speak any further... for now." She muttered as she looked to Irisa. "Are you okay?" She asked her friend.
Sholti relaxes as she continues to keep tabs on the others outside from the corner of her eye. The whole thing seems to have blown over, and everyone seems at ease now.
Zeldana's Hellknight is worrisome though. If he's around and is intelligent at all, there are so many chances to slip up. Or even without mistakes, for him to make connections and find patterns.
Kintargo - Outside the Long Roads Coffee House -
Irisa grins, "I am fine. Sera, the least I can do is buy you lunch and a coffee what do you say?" Silver barks in agreement.
Dalth looks down at Zel, "I am quite sure my dear. The Thrune rule has brought order to the chaos of Cheliax. Heavy handed to be sure but order nonetheless. What could be worse than a society with no rules no laws?"