I have an holy mission for Calistria. So I can't accept your offer, even if it was.. fun.
A small smile of pride crept at the corner of Twilight's lips. She would do whatever she could to help Nargun excel at his quest.
...
"Arkonas you say. Hmmm" Twilight mulled over the information before turning to the Emperor "You aren't on particularly good terms with the Arkonas, are you? Perhaps you might have some information or assistance that you could provide that might help us get what we are after and inconvenience a rival?"
Salvatore shakes his head. "No, I just knew they helped people and they've got guards. Orsini's the one who told me they're criminals." He seems to be telling the truth, and the Arkonas do go out of their way to garner the support of the common citizen through their charity works.
"Your Majesty," Artegall says to the Emperor, "is there a reason you keep Salvatore Scream here under your... protection? Might there be an arrangement where we can take him off your hands?"
"I've been working with Salvatore since before he was called Scream. I'm the one who sold his first paintings to his first noble clients." Pilts cocks his head at Artegall. "And where would you take him, exactly? The bridges are closed, food is scarce, people are setting fires and kicking in doors. At least here he's got food to eat and a place to lay his head where he doesn't have to worry about someone breaking in while he's asleeo. Are you going to have him follow you around while you play hero?" He gestures at the painter. "Do you want to take him to the Arkonas' territory when it sounds like you're about to go assault the Arkonas manor?"
"Not at all," says Artegall.
"I would take him to safety, of course, but the specifics would not be your concern."
After a few minutes- not enough time for the runner to have left the sprawling building- one of Pilts's toughs pushes a flea-bitten, plain-looking man with dark bags under his sunken eyes dressed in paint-stained rags. He looks like he isn't eating or sleeping enough, and he looks around at the Emperor, the thugs, and the strangers with wild, frightened eyes.
Pilts beams at the desperate looking madman, though. "Here he is! The man himself! The dark genius of Old Korvosa, the mad prophet Salvator Scream!"
Scream flinches at Pilts raised voice, which the Emperor either ignores or doesn't notice.
Mirela look sadly at the group of humans around her. She has to admit: They have some community here, even if it is run by a madman.
However Mirela watches to see if Salvatore is really as interested in staying here as the Emperor seems to think.
No matter what Mirela says softly to Salvatore:
Would you be willing to be talking to us a little about your friend Neolandus, and what has been going on with 'im? Clearly both you and Orsini were very concerned about 'im.
The man has a point, Salvatore might be more secure here than outside with us. We do have targets on our backs. Maybe we should check if we do have a solid plan, a place where Salvatore might be as safe as here, and come back later.
No matter what Mirela says softly to Salvatore:
Would you be willing to be talking to us a little about your friend Neolandus, and what has been going on with 'im? Clearly both you and Orsini were very concerned about 'im.
Her read of the painter is that he's anxious and scared, his nerves tight as a piano wire. But he didn't seem interested in the idea of leaving, either.
Scream nods back at Mirela. "Yes, of course. I had no idea the Arkonas were criminals, I thought they were just regular nobles!"
I know, this don’t be your fault. You did be doing what you thought was best.
But tell us, why was ‘e ‘ere in the old city when the bridges came down? Did ‘e be saying anything about the Queen and the King?
Salvator explains his friendship with Neolandus, ending with a description of how the man showed up at his home, desperate, bloodied, and poisoned, early on the morning Eodred II died. Neolandus was delirious, but managed to convey to Salvator that he needed a place to hide. Salvator nursed him back to health, whereupon Neolandus confided in him that Queen Ileosa had murdered her husband, and that she’d entered into an alliance with the Red Mantis. They were the ones who tried to assassinate Neolandus, and his escape was as much luck as anything. Worse, Neolandus said there was something about Queen Ileosa that wasn’t quite right— that she’d changed recently. Grown “worse”... whatever that meant. Neolandus refused to divulge more to Salvator, saying that “the less he knew, the safer he’d be,” and that the seneschal needed more time to think things through and do some research before he decided on the proper course of action.
Wait she murdered the King and works with the Red Mantis?
Do there be any depths she won’t stoop to?
Mirela shakes her head as she tries to process this new information…
Only the depths of her grave will stop her. She's the cause of all the suffering of Korvosa, and that must be avenged.
"Well then, it sounds like its back to the Arkonas." She gave a bow "Thank you your lordship for your hospitality. Our task is pressing and with your permission we must depart." She waited a moment to see if the Emperor had anything else to add before exiting his domain.
Artegall nods to Twilight, ready to leave.
Mirla brings Whisper to heel and gets ready to leave with her companions.
Leaving the dilapidated kingdom of the Emperor behind, Twilight turned to more immediate concerns.
"So what do we think, walk up to the front door and submit our request to see Neolandus, or try to find a back door?" The priestess pondered for a moment more "We could also try talking to the locals in Arkonas territory to see if there is anything useful we can find out."
"I suppose that is our best option. Go up to the front door, ask the guards for an audience with Lord Arkona, and ask if we can make a deal for the release of Neolandus. I am pretty sure Orsini would have tried the 'back door' approach, and I think he was better at that sort of thing than we are, and it didn't work for him.
Asking around with the locals will take time. I'd rather not."
You two will be talking so, if you want to be going through the front door, that do be what we do.
Oh, I can definitively "go through" the front door if needed.
adds the dwarf with a grim smile.
Returning to the less chaotic top of the hill, the group makes its way to the home of the Arkonas. Arkona Palace is perched at the highest point atop Endrin Isle in Old Korvosa. The grounds are mostly open, decorated here and there with tiny copses of trees, exotic topiary animals (elephants, cobras, and tigers being the most common), beautiful flower gardens, and exquisite fountains.
The palace itself is a breathtaking structure built in the Vudrani style, with golden pillars; high windows that rise to tapered points; minarets; and domes decorated with slender spires. Inside, walls are made of ebony and carved with depictions of elephants, tigers, monkeys, and peacocks, all with shimmering mother-of-pearl eyes. Mahogany doors are carved with a six armed, four-faced giant who rides a tiger with human hands for paws.
Every room is brightly lit by magical everburning torches. Exotic plants in clay pots are abundant, and each room is rich with their scents, mingled with that of sandalwood incense burning in brass censers that hang in various spots along the ceiling. The rooms inside the palace are spacious and grand, airy and full of light.
The group is stopped by a very polite- and very well armed- patrol of liveried guards like the ones they'd encountered on the streets to the west. "State your business, please," says the man in charge.
Twilight was very impressed with the display of opulence. "This is certainly a pleasant change from the conditions by the dock."
Upon being approached by the well appointed guards she stood up a little straighter and took the briefest of moments to compose herself, taking on the demeanor of someone more accustomed to the grandeur around her.
"We are investigating the disappearance of a person of importance who was caught on this side of the bridge when the barricades went up. He went missing shortly thereafter and thus far our search has suggested that he may have been last seen in this neighborhood. Would you be able to direct us to someone in authority who might be able to assist us?"
The patrol leader nods. "I'd be happy to, ma'am, but it is quite late." He takes in the group's equipment, the general quality of their gear, the fact that they don't appear indigent, and seems to come to a quick decision. "I can offer you the hospitality of the house for the night, if you would care to stay until morning. Otherwise I will have to ask you to return after breakfast."
Aroden looks to the others.
"I believe we should accept the hospitality of the Arkonas."
He doesn't say any more at this time.
A bed would be nice….
I agree. Even I need a break sometimes. Some sleep in a nice place won't hurt.
"It sounds like we would be more than happy to partake in House Arkona's hospitality."
Twilight followed the guard to the offered lodgings.
The patrol leads the group through the grounds and into the palace's entrance. The doors, while closed, are notably unlocked. A black marble arch depicting dozens of elephants standing one atop the other frames a great ebony door in the south wall of this wide and airy entrance hall. Above the door, an elephant looks out over the hall, its single eye a glittering bloodstone the size of an apple. Tall windows grant a commanding view of the palace grounds, and a rich red carpet, ten feet wide and luxuriously thick, provides a pathway between doors to the west and north, and around a corner to the east. Each of these doors, as well as three smaller ones to the west of the northern pair, are decorated with images of a six-armed, four-faced woman who rides a tiger with human hands for feet.
"Normally I would take you to the lounge," he gestures down the hallway to the north, "but given the hour I assume you would prefer beds. I will take you to the guest room the Arkonas leave empty for unexpected visitors. This way," he says, before turning left toward a set of double doors.
The group is led into a darkened room suffused in the smell of exotic smoke. A few dim lights barely illuminated the wall by the door and the a flight of stairs leading up to the second floor. At the top of the stairs the guards opened another door, leading into a better lit but still dim group guest room.
The floor of this room is thickly carpeted and strewn with numerous throw pillows and furs. The walls are carved with erotic depictions of men and women engaged in all manner of sexual acts. The only real furnishings in the room are the beds against the western walls.
"Please make yourselves comfortable." With that, the guards left the group in the room, closing the door behind them.
The six-armed four-faced woman riding a human-handed tiger is of interest to Artegall. Does he recognize it as a creature or deity?
Upon being led into the room, Artegall looks at the wall carvings with mild amusement. He offers his opinion once the guards leave.
"Probably not the cleanest sheets...
Anyway, we should take watch shifts. I don't think they would try to slit our throats in the night, but they might try to take us captive for interrogation. They are likely curious about us and our capabilities. I can take any shift."
Mirela looks around at the room and the carvings with interest, as she and Whisper give the room the once over.
Yes, setting a watch would be good.
This place do be feeling very off to me.
As I don't be seeing very well in the dark, I'll take the last watch She says while pulling back the blanket on the bed and giving it one more check before climbing in to sleep with Whisper.
The precautions seemed prudent given what they knew of their guests.
Twilight admired the artistry and subject matter presented on the walls. "Oh, I don't know." she gave a sly smile, "I would suspect that given the opulence of this place that they would have the staff wash the bedding at least once a day. Perhaps more as needed."
She took off her footwear and ran her toes through the thick carpet before tossing her pack on one of the beds. The priestess gathered up some of the cushions and furs into a neat pile and made herself comfortable. Taking her spell book from her pack she began doing a little reading. "I can take the last watch with Mirella. I have morning prayers and studies to tend to, unless I am needed at another time?"
I can do whatever watch you want me to do, as I can see reasonably in the dark.
Contrary to expectations, the group is left alone to rest in peace.
Twilight slept soundly in the comfort and opulence of the room. She woke up for her watch and took care of her morning observances to Callistria. The lack of a nice breakfast was unfortunate, but she had food in her pack.
She waited for everyone else to wake and take care of their morning routine. She was a little disappointed that they weren't sent for.
"I wonder if they are making us wait on purpose, or if the guard just forgot to mention our presence. I don't recall him saying that we were obligated to stay in this room. Perhaps we should have a look around now that we are refreshed?"
"My instinct would be to either wait here, or go back to the entrance hall. But it is very strange behavior to leave us here without summoning us, and I really have no idea what to think."
Strange indeed. I'm not sure how to act in society, but I wouldn't trust someone like me alone in my home.
Lets be going to the Entrance 'all and see if we can find someone to talk to. They did be saying that we would normally be going to the lounge, so we might meet someone there.
Can you use your magic to get a look-around, Princess? I'm suspicious. But in that time of troubles, being suspicious keep you alive. Being hard to kill helps too.