I hope they don't talk to each other to figure out I told this Owen a different name. That could arise suspicion. The captain was kinda nice though. He stood up to the hellknight and kept his men in line. The compliment didn't feel as bad coming from him. If things were different, maybe he could be on our side.
"Ah but Dalth, a city is a living thing, what happens to a dove when you hold it too tightly? Or if you prune a flower bush too much?" She asked with a smile. "Yes there needs to be rules, but at what cost? This newest proclamation, the one about the captains, Kintargo thrives on trade... and with this, the sea trade we have may die. Hundreds of people will lose their jobs, families will go hungry which will turn people to crime." She brought up. "I am not saying rules are bad, we need them, but at the cost of losing what they are meant to protect?" She asked.
Sera pauses on the invitation for a moment before giving a mental shrug - if the girl was desperate to thank her, lunch would be a fine option. "I'm very grateful for your offer, and I'm happy to take you up on that. Did you have a favourite shop or..?"
I'm not sure arguing with a hellknight like that is the best idea. It could end badly. I'm not sure I want him to get to know us too well. It could cause problems down the road. Though, he did say he disagreed with Thrune's heavy handedness, so maybe there is hope to get him over on our side still.
Irisa smiles and nods to Sera. "Oh, we are right outside a shop here. I've been here once before. It's nice. Let's just go." She motions to the Long Roads coffee house and moves towards the door.
Kintargo - Outside the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day -
Dalth hears what Zeldana says but does not respond. Sera and Irisa discuss entering the coffee shop and he changes the subject by stating, "I shall open the door friend of Zeldana. I am sorry, what was your name again?"
---
Sholti sees the Hellknight open the door foe the ladies allowing them to step in first. As the door opens you see Laria step around the counter and approach the door.
---
"Sir Knight, an honor to see you again! Your usual brew?" Sera a middle aged halfling female has stepped to the door to greet the Hellknight he appears to be a regular.
---
Tiel you walk briskly through the city without incident. The presence of the Dottari and the demonstration from the other day appears to he left citizens rather unenthusiastic about milling about on the first day of the work week. You arrive at Long Roads and see a Hellknight of all things holding the door gesturing for Irisa and Zel to enter!
There you go Zel... opening your mouth before you think if you should... oh Desna save me and Shylen help me... For all the people to like me it had to be a Hellknight? I open my mouth and speak my mind and have upset him...
"You come here enough to have a usual brew?" Zeldana asked as she raised an eyebrow. "I'll keep in mind that you really like coffee." She told him with a soft smile.
Oh no! They've been caught!
Tiel quickly looks in all directions to make sure there are no other Hellknights coming after her. What will I do? I have to mount a rescue! Wait, all my things are in the basement!
Her expression turns from fear to determination, and back to fear.
Usiu, noticing that his paladin seems distressed, says "Calm down. How about I take a look in the window and see what's going on before we jump to conclusions, hmm?" Tiel nods in agreement and Usiu flies over and takes a perch in the windowsill of the coffee house.
Sholti remains at her table, appearing to mind her own business while she does her best to listen in on the conversation between the hellknight and those he talks to.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day -
The new "friends" take a seat at a table near the window opposite of where Sholti is seated as it is clear she is trying not to look your way and Irisa picks up on that fact.
Laria brings you all come coffee and to Dalth she brings a cappuccino with significant foam on top, the symbol of Asmodeus in the design.
He grins and proceeds to say a brief prayer before stirring and drinking it. Silver sits on the floor next to Irisa sniffing at Dalth's feet. Laria does not produce or even suggest a bill though she does bring a small cake and plates for the table. She then runs off to serve other customers.
Dalth turns to Irisa, "So what was that all about?"
"Oooh, cake." Zeldana said with a smile as she began to cut into it. Though instead of serving herself she went about serving her friends. First Dalth, then Irisa, and finally Sera. Lastly cutting a small slice for herself.
"I too am curious what started that all. Sera correct? Mentioned something about them leering?" Zeldana asked as she cut a small piece of her slice away and ate it.
Sera looks a little irritated at having to repeat herself for every new arrival. Sure, some of them were clearly friends expressing an interest - but she found it...aggravating.
"Just a casual display of a man seeking to exploit his power over those than have none" she remarks in a bored tone, as if this was nothing knew. In truth, it was also a subtle jab at the Hellknight sitting at the table, the remark not personally directed at him, but something that would make him uncomfortable.
"The two guards wandered over to Irisa. It was clear they wanted to intimidate - at a minimum and it could have easily gone further by the way they were looking at her, so I stepped in and that caused the commotion. While the situation is distasteful, abuse of power regrettably is a common sight in the city - as we just saw if they were brazen enough to try it on the streets...what do you think Sir?" she finishes, directing the question at the hellknight.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Irisa opens her mouth to speak but closes it as Sera's final comment is directed at the HellKnight.
Dalth shrugs, "I agree with you citizen. Power should be wielded silently and with great reserve. Accosting and assaulting citizens on the streets like common thugs is not the purpose of the Dottari. We seek order not chaos.
Some it seems are overstepping their mandate. Those two shall not do so again.
However, you should be careful. You should all be careful. Interfering in the business of the Thrune directly, even when just can lead to unjust results..."
"Is that why you stepped in when that Dottari guard almost took my head off with a mace even though I did nothing?" Zeldana asked with a slight smile before she ate more of her cake, leaving only a third of what she had started with.
"How can they allow that? If it was just and exposing those who use their power to their own means against those they are suppose to be protecting lead to something unjust?" Zeldana asked.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Irisa remains silent as she believes that she does not have nearly as much latitude to be so direct with this dangerous HellKnight.
Dalth cocks his head at Zel, "My dear, Justice is not always swift. We must weed out those who are non-compliant among the citizenry first then those who oversee them will follow. When both can be done at once so much the better but this is an imperfect world. We cannot allow for open rebellion, that will lead to chaos which only hurts the weak not the strong".
He finishes his drink, "I fear that I must go. I wish to look in on these Dottari patrols. Twice in one day I have seen things that do not sit well with me. A pleasure to meet you all. Zel, I shall call on you again on the 'morrow".
As he leaves you can all hear a sigh of relief from the assembled customers.
Laria keeps her distance though from the table where Zel sits.
"Be careful out there Dalth. Please." Zeldana tells the knight as she gave him a soft smile before he left. Though once he was gone Zeldana settled low into her seat letting out a long sigh. "Out of all the coffee shops to like it had to be this one..." She said as she before she looked to Laria. "Um, may I have a small coffee?" She asked.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Laria heads over with a fresh pot, "Anything for a friend of Dalth!" She then steps away from the table saying nothing further.
Irisa grabs your arm Zel, "What is going on? Did he come here by coincidence?"
Sholti sits for a few minutes longer, trying to decide what she will say when she talks to the others.
"He stopped by the shops to asked me to lunch, he is the one who named where and this was it. I told you all when we met that I'd caught a Hellknight's eye... I wasn't lying..." She explained. "I don't believe he knows anything. If so he is an amazing lier..."
Sholti sits for a few minutes longer, trying to decide what she will say when she talks to the others.
Sera looks a little puzzled with all the whispering going on, and glances around the table curiously.
"What's so special about this coffee shop?" she asks in response to Zeldana's earlier point.
Since the others' table has been such a center of attention in the cafe, Sholti isn't sure how to approach it without becoming included. The unknown woman at the table with Zeldana and Irisa is also a problem. She opts to take out a piece of paper, writing a quick note.
As things now stand, what we do as a group demands careful secrecy. Would you also spread the need for such extreme carefulness to every part of your life? if you make any error with the hellknight or act in any way that catches his notice, the consequences for you could be fatal. But the consequences don't end with you. There will be tremors that reach out on all directions to those people connected to you and to those people connected to them. How can I wager my parents on the likelihood you have the hellknight well in hand, and then do so again tomorrow and the next day until some unknown end in the future?
You banter with him about justice and morality as if you might convert him to your views. But he is a hellknight. He did not gain that station by doubting his own ideals. To risk everything else just to shift one person's views is not reasonable. What you are doing is too dangerous.
It seems you will be seeing him again tomorrow. Take the time between now and then to consider the people, completely ignorant of all this, who would find themselves imprisoned and forced to prove their innocence under the cruelest of conditions if you make some mistake playing at this.
Sholti folds the note and walks over to Zeldana's table. She smiles as she approaches the young witch and says "Good day to you Zeldana. I'm so glad to run into you here. It will save me a trip to your shop later."
Handing her the letter she adds "Here is the order of flowers we spoke about the other day. I hope you have everything I've listed."
After adding "Have a good day", and collecting her things from her table, Sholti walks over to Laria.
"Is there a discreet way for me to get into the back? To see Rexus?"
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Irisa nods at Sera, 'It's just the best place in the city. Tell me Sera, what have you been doing in the city now that the curfews have been put in place?"
---------
Laria motions to the back door Sholti.
---------
Tiel, you se the HellKnight step outside and sigh. He then looks back at Zeldana and begins marching away from the shop, you see anyone on the street near him take five steps away from him.
Zeldana offered Sholti a smile as she took the note and stated "I'll give it a look over once I return to the shop. It should be ready by tomorrow if I have everything." She said, playing along.
"I really should get back to the shop... I shouldn't leave it closed for so long." Zeldana told Irisa. She looked to Sera and offered her a nod. "Thank you for setting in on my friend's behalf. I am glad we met."
With that Zeldana stood, though she stopped by Laria. "May we speak business before I leave?" She asked.
Sera frowns at Irisa's rather obvious dodge to her question - she didn't care how good the place was - it was no reason for Zeldana to appear to be upset or frustrated over the Hellknights choice.
"I'm not doing too much in the city - working on various projects mostly, so regrettably I tend to stay out of trouble at the present" she responds, before nodding at Zeldana's apparent farewell.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Irisa takes the seat next to you Sera, "You seem like you want to be involved to make a better world. What if I told you that you could?"
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Sholti as you step outside you see Tiel standing there and partially looking in the window partially watching the HellKnight who can barely be seen as he walks up the street and away from the coffee house.
Tiel looks at Sholti with some concern, then at the Hellknight, then back at Sholti. "Do you know what that was about? I saw the others being led into the shop by a Hellknight. I didn't know what to think."
Sera stays quiet for a moment, taking her time to think through the offer. She was always wary of possible Thrune agents but the concern shown at the location the hellknight had picked seemed sincere - so in balance Sera considered the offer genuine. "I'm always interested in making the world a better place - though I have learnt that better depends on your point of view. What did you have in mind?
Sholti motions with her head for Tiel to come along with her to the back. Once they're walking she explains.
"There was some sort of problem between Irisa and a dottari patrol outside. The other woman with them stepped in supporting Irisa. Zel showed up with the hellknight and he broke it up. From what I could make of what they said inside, it looks like the dottari were misbehaving."
"It was a social outing. That's the hellknight that's been sniffing around Zel's shop lately. It seems he comes to the cafe enough to be known there. Laria knew him. So there was no problem... Right now. It makes me nervous though. I'm not sure what Zel is doing or thinking as far as he's concerned but I can't see how any good can come from being close to him or having him around. It's very dangerous."
"It's something I think we're going to have to talk about."
When they reach the back door Sholti knocks.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Irisa gets closer, [smaller]"Come by tonight around 8 pm, to the back of the shop. We can talk more about it then. Interested in finding out what I have to say? Then come".
Irisa stands and gives Silver a command to follow her out the door of the shop.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Laria smiles, "Why don't I come by your shop later on today? Sound good?"
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
You come round the back and enter as instructed. Rexus is seated at the back table paperwork clutters the space. He looks up and smiles at Sholti, "Back again?"
Sholti doesn't reply to the question asking the obvious except for a "Hello Rexus". Instead she walks over to look at the papers scattered about.
"Are these the papers from the Silver Ravens cache? Have you found much of interest in them?"
Zeldana gave her a soft nod. "Yes that sound like a wise idea." She told her before she waved good-bye and quickly made her way back to her shops.
Gods help me... Desna guide my path, Shylen help his heart...
Zeldana, lost in her own thought, made her way home. She did toy with the idea of heading to the temple of Shylen to ask for guidance but then she remember that she had guests to return to thus quickened her pace.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
Rexus shakes his head, "It is. Sorry not yet just trying to get it all organized..."
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Mid-Day
You arrive back at the shop and unlock the doors, the men still sit in the back awaiting your return. The first stands, "Thank you very much Zeldana. We will take our leave and try and find our own way out of town. If a HellKnight is already interacting with you, you will not want to be seen with us if that is the case".
Before you can answer your shop doors open and Laria steps in, she pauses, "You have guests? My you are full of surprises my dear".
"No apology needed Rexus. I don't envy your job with all that stuff. So.... Dinner with my parents is soon now. We should, uh, prepare."
"Laria! Oh thank the gods. You're timing is perfect!" Zeldana said with a smile before she looked to the two men. "This is a friend of mine Laria. I think you'll find her a little more... easy going then the gentleman from before." She told them.
"Laria, these men where part of Forvian Crowe's company. Do you think you could take care of them? They are worried about Dalth coming around. Also if you see the others, can you tell them to quietly look into Forvian Crowe?" She asked before she quickly pulled out Sholti's note. She began to look it over as she spoke, "I almost forgot Sholti's no-" her voice was lost in her throat as she focused completely upon the letter.
Her faced turned to a look of anger as her hand crunched the note. "She has no right...." Zeldana hissed as she shoved the note back into her pocket. "... Laria, if you'd please help these men to safety, and should you see any of the others especially Sholti, inform them that they no longer have to worry. I'll stay away."
Kintargo - Zel's Shop - Afternoon
Laria turns to the two men, "Forvian Crowe eh? You boys are better off hiding in the back until night falls, then I can come and retrieve you. Zel, let's speak in private".
She allows you to escort her to a more private place to speak, "My dear, what are you doing with him and what note are you referring to? You cannot stay away now, you are committed..."
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Afternoon
Rexus grins, "Sure Sholti, what do we need to do to prepare? Backstory refresher?"
Zeldana took Laira upstairs to a fairly kind size living space, offering her a chair. "I told them, I warned them all before this started." Zeldana said as she crossed her arms. "When I got swept up in all this, which is what happened, I told all of them even Rexus that a Hellknight had taken interest in me. That this was very dangerous for me to be apart of, and even a risk for them. When Rexus kept pushing I finally said yes under the stipulation that I reserve the right to back out at any time!" Zeldana informed the halfling. "Then, Sholti gives me this!" She handed the note to Laira, uncrumpling it as she did so. "Since she is so worried about it, I shall keep away. I will still help with smuggling the tengu we met out of the city and if you all need things smuggled in or out I will do my best to arrange it." She said honestly as she uncrossed her arms. "I don't believe Dalth is an evil man... I just believe he is a orderly one. On the way to the Long Roads, we spoke of laws... when I pointed out that this latest law will strangle Kintargo's shipping trade, putting hundreds out of work, forcing them to a life a crime to survive, he was silent. I thought I made him angry but... what if he never saw it that way?" She asked.
Tiel looks from Rexus to Sholti and opens her mouth to speak, but stops. Biting her lip in confusion, she finally says "This has been one confusing day."
Kintargo - Zel's Shop - Afternoon
Laria sighs, "I believe you my dear. However, I do not think you should back out so quickly. We need you. Kintargo needs you. Your parents, if they are still alive, need you. Those men in your shop need you to escort them to my shop later, I cannot be seen dong so.
Then you can tell your allies that you will stay away. I leave it up to you".
With that Laria leaves you.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Afternoon
Rexus sighs, "Agreed Tiel. I think that Zel will owe us an explanation. Laria told me she brought Dalth with her today although... if he could be persuaded to see our point of view he could make aofr a powerful ally".
Sholti's eyes narrow as she looks at Rexus, but she is also smiling slightly.
"Sometimes I believe you are a wicked man who is toying with me Rexus. Always with that knowing grin of yours. Yes, we should review the backstory again of course. But, while we have Tiel here perhaps we should begin with the other."
Turning to Tiel she asks "Could you help us prepare for our upcoming dinner with my parents? We must appear as a couple, which means we must be comfortably affectionate with each other. It would be helpful if you watched and told us if we are believable."