Irisa looks on mightily torn as the other girls argue.
First she looks to Sholti. "I'm sorry Sholti. We should not have started this discussion without you. You do bring up some good points."
Then the blond girl looks over to Zeldana. "I understand that you both feel strongly about this. However I do not think you are as far apart in this venture as it may seem to you right now. Sometimes it's easier to see the points of conflicts than what we agree on."
"You both wants what's best for Kintargo and agree that it's not the way Thrune have been handling things. You want people to speak their opinion without repression. Neither of you think it is right to punish people for minding their own business and being free. If we are nice to each other the world will be a better place, but the way Thrune has been handling things have been exactly the opposite. I've seen the kindness in each of you."
Irisa reaches out to grab out each of their hand. "What you disagree about is only methology. How cautious should we be? Who should we approach first? How we should work together."
She lets go of Sholti's hand as she turns to Zeldana. "By dealing with Dalth, we have a lot to gain. Winning the hearts of everyone in the city will make our chance of success much greater if we can do it. A strong man in position of power can accomplish things that us girls will be unable to do. As important, if not even more though, is that it'll give you personal freedom both in heart and mind. Once he's committed to our cause, you won't have to hide your actions or friends from him."
A smile comes Sholti's way before she continues. "However you are also right. A hellknight is perhaps one of the most dangerous people we could be dealing with. The risks are great. Caution is very wise as it really is the only thing keeping us alive. However, given how Dalth knows now of both me and Serra as well as Zeldana's thoughts on certain topics, I don't think it's possible to stop the events from unfolding one way or another. There are few beings more curious or inquisitive than a man in love. If we don't win him over, he might find out what we are up to on his own."
"I do agree it's probably a good idea for him to not know about you, Tiel, Larissa and the rest though. At least not until he's won over to our side."
With downcast eyes she apologizes. "I'm sorry for continuing this issue. I know you agree to disagree. That's fine. It's totally ok to have different perspectives. But keep in mind, you still agree on a lot of things. That's reason enough to keep on going together."
"Another thing you totally agree on, is that all the things mentioned just now are things that you would like to see be done. However we might disagree on what's risks are worth taking. That's why it's nice that we can discuss things amongst us and finally decide on what we want to do."
Irisa looks over to the mercenaries. "When they mentioned the salt mines, I got hope again, where I before had none. Perhaps my parents are there?" She looks to Sholti. "You've mentioned your family several times. If they were taken. Would you not want them to be free?"
"I feel like visiting the Salt mines is something should do, and soon. However I don't know if we should do other things first. Hiranno not showing up worries me. Perhaps we could try to find her first, then go to the salt mines?"
The blonde girl looks to the newcommer. "As much as I appreciate your thought to go do reconnaissance by yourself, having us along would open up avenues not otherwise possible. For example surprising and taking out guards in order to actually free the prisoners before they perish under hard work or the leash. If the opportunity presents itself after what you discover, we won't want to be unable to grab it."
"But I think a middle ground can be found. As Tiel said, we aren't all great at reconnaissance. What about the rest of us going to find Hiranno? If we do manage to find her, it'll be helpful to have her along for the salt works."
"Oh, one more thing. A man, named Morgar Manthai approached me on the streets and said he was a friend of my parents. I didn't learn much about him besides that as we didn't have much time to talk in such a place, but he told me some things of interest. Apparently three places burned down during the night of Ashes. The Thrashing Badger, the Silver Star, and the Victocora estate. I don't know too much about them besides the names. Perhaps some of you know of them? And investigating them further at some point could also be interesting. I don't think looking into those things, nor the tavern, is as important as figuring out what's up with Hiranno and the Salt Mines though."
Sholti avoids the currently more sensitive subjects Irisa raises, although she does appreciate her words. Instead she goes straight to actions they might take.
"I agree on the salt mine, it should be a priority. Actually I was thinking since I won't be going to Clenchjaw's I might take a look at it tonight. Just a couple of walkbys, and maybe watching it for a little while to get some sense of the place. Anything we could find out would help in knowing how to approach it."
Irisa shakes her head with a gentle smile. "I don't think taking a simple stroll past the mines after curfew is the best idea. That's as likely to get you put in them as it is to learn something. Much better to let Sera scout a bit then we all meet up and decide where to go from there based on that information. Perhaps we can even do something about the mine tonight if the opportunity present itself. While she's looking around, why don't we try to see if we can't find Hiranno?"
"I think I'll be fine guys, its just a tavern with a knack for barfights. Besides, I have a few useful defensive abilities of my own, if I get punched once, I usually don't get punched a second time, so to be perfectly honest, I don't think I have much to fear." Sera responds, looking relatively relaxed about the situation.
"I'll help Irisa looking for Hiranno. Do we know where she lives? Or where we can start looking?"
"I don't either. I don't believe any of use really know each other." Zeldana said as she sighed. "But I would like to help."
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
Laria interjects, "Splitting up is a good idea but be careful being caught after curfew is dangerous. I believe Hiranno worked for a metalworking operation Vespam Artisans and as a maid though I do not know the operation she worked for".
The mercenaries turn to Laria, the first asking "Where should we stay?"
Laria responds, "I'll show you where you will need to be to keep your profile low though there are other guests in these quarters. I'll introduce you to them".
Kintargo - Clenchjaw's - Evening
You arrive an hour before curfew. Peering in through the front window you can understand why it is such a problem, this place is packed past capacity! While no fights have broken out you do see two separate groups of people arguing over drinks.
Plenty of patrons come and go some even drink outside. The presence of the Dottari does not mar the place from what you can see.
Kintargo - Sallix Salt Works - Evening
Sholti strikes out on her own and crosses the bridge to investigate the salt mines, the time to curfew draws near as she arrives in the vicinity of the mines. The Salt Works are located just outside the Salt Gate in Old Kintargo.
The foot traffic in the area is light to non-existent.
The Works is a squat, rectangular structure built around a low stone dome. If there are guards here it seems they have given up patrolling the grounds at night. The building has no windows but it does have a front gate and a back door. The area through the front gate is covered in salt residue.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
As Laria brings the mercenaries down into the safe haven of the Wasp Nest and Rexus heads back into the coffee house proper to work on continuing to translate the documents you found in the old Silver Ravens hideout. Sholti and Sera head out to continue their own investigations leaving the three of you (and Silver) alone to decide how to search for Hiranno.
Sera wanders into the tavern after drinking an extract of Heightened Awareness. She remains on high alert, and is prepared to drink an extract of Shield should someone have s go at her, but at the moment she is happy enough to stand in a corner and observe the room.
Sholti sticks to the shadows as she approaches the building at one of the front corners. Without windows to worry about and no guards in sight, she concentrates on not being seen from the streets outside the place.
She first approaches the gate and peeks around the side of it to get a look inside, careful to not move directly in front of the opening. She then works her way around the building. She checks the back door in her circuit to get an idea of the strength or the door and its closing or locking mechanism.
After finishing with the back door, she completes her circuit. Peeking around the side of the gate on the opposite side. Again she does not move directly in front of the gate's opening.
Afterward she makes her way back to Long Roads. As she does she pays attention to the streets leaving the area to get some ideas about better routes to travel with freed prisoners in tow.
"So.... How are we going to even go about finding her?" Zeldana asked. "Moving around right now freely will not be easy."
Kintargo - Clenchjaw's - Evening
As you watch from the corner you see a brawl break out in a most unusual way. One patron accuses another of pouring a drink on his head but you saw the encounter with your own eyes, the glass suddenly leaped up from the table of its own volition!
As you focus your attention on the area around that brawl
there you spot it! A tiny Dragon moving around the room so quickly that the bar full of people just do not see it.
Kintargo - Sallix Salt Works - Evening
Sholti is able to make a circuit of the Salt Works, no one notices her or at least they do not indicate that they have done so. Perhaps the best way to make a clean get away would be to escape via the docks behind the salt works, while not right next to the works if the alarm is raised the Dottari could collapse upon your group while it would be unexpected to exit by water.
As far as breaking in the gate would be easy to climb but unless the climber is invisible, they would be easily seen. The back door is locked but as you cannot see inside you do not know what sort of sentry could be inside.
You begin your trek back to the Coffee House. As you arrive at the bridge, curfew time sets in. A set of Dottari settle next to the bridge presumably looking for anyone breaking curfew.
Luckily for you they are not very dedicated to their job and you are able to slip behind them and over the bridge. Soon enough you are back at the coffee house and entering through the back door...
Sera spots the dragon but makes no aggressive moves, besides since only she could see it, anything aggressive would cause the patrons to react. So for window dressing, Sera gets an alcoholic drink in one hand, making a beeline for the tiny dragon. "Little dragon, come talk to me, I mean you no harm, I just want to talk"
As she talks Sera hopes that any curious patrons dismiss her statements as the ramblings of another drunk.
Sholti settles back in at the coffeehouse while chiding herself for foolishness.
Hopefully what I know now will be useful, but that was too reckless. If I'd realized the distance I wouldn't have done that so close to curfew. That was too much time out after curfew. Too easy to get caught for something that could have been done at a safer time.
Kintargo - Clenchjaw's - Evening
His little voice "Eeeps". He turns invisible when you spot him. One of the patrons nearby turns to you, "Hey pretty Lady buy you another drink? I uh... see Dragons too!"
Kintargo - Sallix Salt Works - Evening
As you sit in the back of the coffeehouse Rexus comes down the stairs. "You are back, the rest have yet to arrive. Are you alright?"
Looking up at Rexus Sholti replies "Yes, fine. But in hindsight I should have waited to go until less time out after curfew would have been required."
"I did get a look at the saltworks. It shouldn't be too difficult to get inside if we have someone who can work with locks. There's a door at the back that isn't easily visible from the surrounding streets."
"Once we're out with the prisoners it might be easiest to leave by boat. There's a dock nearby. It's a very long trek through the streets from there back to here, and I don't like the idea of trying to make it with a large group while being hunted. We would need to have some idea of how many people we have to bring out though. We'd need to plan ahead to have enough boat space."
Sholti seems to hesitate for a moment, as if mulling over something she wants to say. Then, she stands up and takes Rexus by the hand.
"I want to thank you again for going to all that trouble tonight. Things didn't turn out as I expected, but it had nothing to do with you. Without going into a long story, I thought my mother's past would make her sympathetic to the situation we presented. I guess what was good for her is not good for me as far as she is concerned. Or perhaps she wanted to please Ferran. I don't know."
"In any case, I will be staying here tonight. Depending on how things go with them over the next few days, I may discuss with them taking up lodging on my own. Also, in case you were wondering, my parting words to them and failure to return tonight was clear. We have chosen lovers over lessons. I may have to call on you again at some point if you don't mind."
Sera smiles politely at the patron. "Thats very kind of you, but I already have a drink, perhaps you can ask me some other time when its empty, yes?" she responds, deftly avoiding confrontation as she heads deeper into the tavern, heading for a quieter place before folding her arms as much as she can, certain that the dragon is probably still keeping an eye on her.
"Don't be silly and hide from me little dragon, I just want to talk, thats all. I talk, you listen, then you talk, and I listen. Then we can go our separate ways. Sound fair?"
"I guess we could go to Vespam first... But I have no real reason to be in that part of the city... Do either of you have a good reason, or at least reason enough for this late, to state why we're there if we get caught? I'm not really the stealth type..." Zeldana pointed out as she crossed her arms slightly.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
Irisa chimes in, "Well we do have some time before curfew is up. At the very least if we find someone there who knows where she lives and then we head right back here we can explore that location tomorrow".
Tel shrugs and offers no objection to the idea.
Kintargo - Clenchjaw's - Evening
The tiny voice squeaks in reply very close to your left ear, "OK, you meet me out back and we can talk but if you swing a weapon at me I'll flee and you'll never see me again human err half breed".
"Yes! Let us use what time we have left and see if we can find someone who knows where she lives. If we can find that then we'll have a good start tomorrow." Zeldana said as she nodded to her friends with a smile. She felt hopeful for once, this might just be looking up.
Kintargo - Sallix Salt Works - Evening
Rexus squeezes your hand in response and smiles, "I will help you any way I can my dear. Don't be too harsh on your parents, they do only want the best for you..."
He then clears his throat and steps back his face getting a bit red, which you can see even in the soft lantern light, "I think I can also help with the boat, I am not the most gifted sailor but I could meet you on the docks nearby when you and the other Ladies assault the salt works from the streets".
Call me a half breed again and I'll punch you so hard you'll turn visible" Sera responds, temper flaring before relenting somewhat "My actual name is Sera, you can use that" she finished, heading out back as per it's request.
When Rexus mentions his ability with boats, Sholti's eyes widen with both surprise and excitement. She is surprised because Rexus doesn't seem the sailing type. She is excited because, by a stroke of luck, they might have a workable plan for doing something.
"Oh! That's excellent! Do you have a boat, or will we need to procure one? We must start on this right away!"
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House -
Zel, Irisa, and Tiel make their way through the streets towards Vespam. The crowds on the streets begin to thin out as friends and acquaintances say their goodbyes and head towards home. Taverns patrons though still hold on to the bitter end as you pass by them you can hear raucous crowds within. Dottari line up near one such Inn, perhaps they are ready to raid once the call to curfew falls?
The Ladies have little time to speculate though as their objective is not exactly close!
Soon enough you all arrive and luckily the doors are still open. The sounds of a lone hammer striking steel can be heard from outside as you approach the open door.
The Varisian half-elf kept her head down as they passed the Dottari line up, if some random one was able to notice her on the way to the Long Roads.. what would happen if she was noticed here?
Zeldana made her way through the door and began to look around for the salesmen.
Should I say we're friends? Would that raise an eyebrow if people came around asking?
Zeldana pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind
Kintargo - Clenchjaw's Out Back - Evening
As you step out back you find that you are not alone. One drunken couple at the far end of the alley are noisily engaged in coitus. Another man near the street but still within the alley leans over emptying what appears to be a great deal of content from his stomach. The dueling sounds so near one another are off-putting but perhaps a benefit to the conversation you are about to have.
The tiny dragon becomes visible fluttering near your head, its body the color of a bright rainbow, "OK Sera, I am here. You are the first human that ever spotted me since I had to move to this place! Do you want to be my friend?" He asks the question hopefully but tinged with an edge of suspicion.
Kintargo - Sallix Salt Works - Evening
"Ah right I'm excited by the boat idea too. So to answer your question, no I don't own one. Well not anymore anyway. I sold it a few years back as I was just not as into it as I had once been.
Considering how locked down shipping has been it might be tough to buy one. Maybe we can just borrow one for the evening and return it back to it's place on the dock with no one the wiser. I'll need help to pull that off though..."
Kintargo - Vespam Artisans - Evening
As you call out the hammering stops and a human male steps out from the back. He is approximately 40 years old, his hair is dark but peppered with grey, while not large he is well built. He smiles, "Good evening Ladies. I am afraid that I'll be closing soon so you'll need to make selections quickly. If you wish to custom order anything we specialize in several kinds of goods. My employees are mostly independent artisans so you would need to get more specific details from them as to what they can or cannot make for you. Personally I specialize in metalworkings that have complex parts that most blacksmiths simply cannot duplicate. Now, then, time for me to stop talking and start listening!"
Sholti folds her arms, considering possibilities.
"Yes yes, purchasing a boat would be no good, and more than we could easily afford anyway. It would need to be a large skiff at least. Probably the largest craft with oars available, although a sail would be good as well."
"How large a craft could you handle alone though?"
After another few moments of thought she adds "maybe our new Tengu friends downstairs would be willing to help. They could assist you with the boat. They seem like an able group if discreet work is needed."
Kintargo - Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
Rexus shrugs, "I can sail a ship alone that could handle up to a dozen people. With the Tengu perhaps more though they would need to at least walk through the rudiments of how to work oars and work the sails".
Sholti nods slowly.
"I will go down to talk with them about helping. If you think they could be shown what they need to know in time, they could help with the ship. Otherwise we could bring them along with us to the saltworks instead, or substitute them for any of us who might know something about handling boats. I wish we had some idea of how many prisoners are inside."
As she begins to leave for downstairs she stops and turns back to Rexus.
"Are you feeling alright? You seem a little flushed. If you're feeling ill or tired, you should take a break and rest. The documents can wait a while."
I will need to keep an eye on him. I suspect he is inclined toward overworking himself.
Zeldana offered the aged blacksmith as she gave a small nod. "I shall take as little time as possible then. I am looking for a friend of mine and a mutual friend told me she works in the area." Zeldana explained. "Her name is Hiranno. I was hoping to check in on her do you know where I might find her?" She asked softly.
Kintargo - Vespam Artisans - Evening
"Hiranno? No I am afraid not... Unless. Well I have a woman named Keta that works for me, she is from Tien.
I sent one of my employees to her home a few days ago. She has been feeling unwell as I understand it but was in yesterday. Not today though. If you come back tomorrow my employee will be here and can tell you where Keta lives. Perhaps Hiranno is her last name? Curfew comes soon as you know..."
Kintargo - Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
"Speak with the Tengu and we can decide how best to approach the rescue. I am uh, just tired. Coffee should be fine for me".
"Yes, with curfew coming up it may be bast to return tomorrow. Thank you sir you have been most helpful and I am glad that she has someone else looking out for her." Zeldana said with a smile before she gave the man a wave and headed for the do. "Till tomorrow then."
Sholti makes her way downstairs to find the tengu sisters. When she finds them, she asks how they have been faring the last couple of days. Afterward she gets to the prison break.
"Korva, we are planning a project, breaking some prisoners out of a jail where they are now held. We're in need of people who can crew a boat and who can open locks. All done quietly as well. Does this sound like something you and your sisters could help with?"
Kintargo - Vespam Artisans - Evening
As the Ladies begin to head back to the Coffee House Tiel speaks up, "What do we even know of Hiranno? I mean the rest of us have been pretty forthcoming but not her, heck without Laria we would not have even known where to start looking for her!"
Kintargo - Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
When you step down the stairs you find the Tengu leader Korva and the two mercenaries chatting over cups of coffee. She shakes her head, "Picking locks yes. Sailing no, we don't even really like the water truth be told..."
One of the mercenaries exclaims, "Wait are you really going to try and break out Crowe?!"
Sera observes the tiny dragon for a moment, keeping her hands away from her body and as non threatening as she can, while speaking in a calm but low voice.
"I wouldn't mind being your friend, but that's entirely up to you, I won't force that decision on you. I'm here to be helpful really, I can appreciate what you are trying to do, but well intentioned as you are, its all going to come to a tragic ending. I love the idea of more political discussion, but the barfights, and the rumors about this place, means that sooner or later, their will be a crackdown - I guarantee the authorities will not tolerate the lawlessness for much longer. Continue if you wish - I won't stop you from this path if you are hellbent on it, but I warn you that continuing might have dire consequences for you, and the honest people in this bar."
Sera hesitates for a moment, before continuing. "If, if you could consider moving, I have recently met some friends that would enjoy your talk. You could talk to them, plus any audiences that we might have, entirely free as you will, I believe they even have a place that you could stay if you wanted, and enjoyed hanging around people that believe in and enjoy the ideals that you have. I'm a relatively new addition, but still if you wanted I could ask on your behalf?"
The mercenaries' presence is something Sholti had overlooked. She had forgotten about them entirely, had barely heard them mentioned in fact. She had been thinking of raiding the saltworks in terms of searching for the others' missing family members.
"Ah yes, I believe that is the name of one of them. A mercenary captain at the saltworks?"
You came this evening with Zeldana correct? My name is Sholti, it is a pleasure to meet you. I understand you are members of his company? We could certainly use yur help as well."
Kintargo - Clenchjaw's Out Back - Evening
The little dragon appears right on your shoulder and squeaks in delight, "Really? You would let me live with you and your friends? I did notice things were strange in the city but why was not something I thought much about, I don't want what happened to the Thrashing Badger to happen here!"
Kintargo - Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
The second man responds, "And you will have it! We have sailed in the past and can help".
Korva ruffles her feathers, "It seems that your kindness has rewarded you and your friends. Perhaps together we can all make a difference where individually we would not..."
"Is that so surprising?" Zeldana asked as she looked back to Tiel. "Some people don't want to bring up the past or feel knowing may endanger them." She stated with a sigh. "Some times it's better not to know but, I do admit this is something we should have maybe asked. After everything what do we really know about one another?"