Perhaps unsurprisingly, Aerodus's calm and emotionless demeanor doesn't help calm Meliandri down, and she begins pacing, nervously moving her fingers across her rapier's hilt. "No, she could not 'ave. Zere were five of us, and we 'ad weapons and armor, and I still almost died! She 'ad a dress and no-one with 'er. 'Opefully she surrendered quickly. Better zat zan dying, surely."
After a minute or so of worrying, she calms down. She keeps pacing for a moment before turning on her heel to look Aerodus in the eye. "Well, we are 'ere until zees ones wake up, zen. 'Oo are you? All I 'ave eez a name to go off of, and yet I must be trusting you? Not without more, I think." She flops down against the wall next to him, crossing her legs as she struggles to get comfortable on the cobblestones.
"Aerodus Aulorian, disinherited son of Haldmeer and Kendra Aulorian. I have intentions to remove Barzilai from this city and you seem to share my ambition. That should be enough in my eyes for now. Now let me concentrate."
What a rude man! Meliandri pouts as she turns her head and shoulders away from Aerodus while still leaning against the wall. "Fine. Concentrate all you want. Do not be letting me stop you." After a minute, she pushes herself up to a standing position and watches Aerodus intently before turning and pacing again, drumming her rapier's hilt with her fingers and occasionally peering out into the street.
After stripping and binding the two men, with Abigail's help (which is more useful than he'd like to admit; the ropes seem to twist in all sorts of unfortunate ways as he attempts to work with them), Veccio dusts his hands off on his trousers and carefully places one on Meliandri's shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine," he says in an attempt to soothe her. "Maybe she just... slipped away and went home?"
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After a while the two bound thugs regain consciousness... and almost immediately panick, thrashing and moaning pitifully. The one Aerodus tried to influence with his magic seems even more frantic in his attempts to escape.
As you examine the man he seems to briefly regain consciousness and, with painstakingly slowness he manages to pull a small vial of blue liquid out of his sleeve and then to his mouth. After gulping it down the man's wounds seem much less severe and he groans a little before finally speaking:"Uuuugh... that was close..."
He then focuses on your group for the first time, squints and then smiles weakly adressing you as he tries to raise.
[spoiler=DC15 sense motive check]Seems like this man knows at least some of you although he probably didn't expect to meet with you under these circumstances
As he notices Isabella's condition he shakes his head and without speaking he hands Aerodus another potion, similar to the one he just imbibed and points to Isabella before clearing his throat and speaking again.
"Well met friends. My name is Rexus Victocora and it appears I owe you a great deal. Here is not a safe place to speak, as this attempt on my life has abundantly made clear, but if you were so kind to follow me to a nearby safe place I'd be willing to start paying my debt. I believe you and me share something of the same goal, getting Kintargo back to its feet and out of Thrune's clutches. Well done with these bootlickers by the way. They ambushed me and I was overwhelmed, but there's no doubt they wanted to get rid of me... permanently. " so saying the man starts limping away from the hallway motioning for you to follow.
Aerodus was just about to sink into meditative prayers, as the man stirred. He abandoned his original plan, taking the potion and standing up.
"I'm sure we can talk more freely there, a safe place is just what we needed. Aerodus Aulorian is my name by the way." he says with a bow, watching the man's reaction to the name and watching his facial expression.
Seeing his spell has apparently failed to have the intended function, Aerodus sighs. Propably only got the man confused and increased his fear and hate. Killing them would really have been the best course of action, but his companions would not have taken kindly to it.
He then sinks to his knees adjacent to Isabella and forces the potion down her throat. Once she opens her eyes, he smirks at her and whispers "Now you owe me a scroll and a potion, girl."
Meliandri tenses as Veccio's hand touches her shoulder, then a moment later she relaxes and slides closer, moving his arm from a consoling position to a more friendly embrace. "Do you think so? I do 'ope, but even eef so...she weel be so mad at me for abandoning 'er."
While the stranger begins to recover, Meliandri thinks about the other nobles she'd spent time with in her younger days; she hadn't quite caught his name, and it would be quite rude to ask again so soon, but something's tickling the back of her mind.
She disengages from Veccio's embrace to step closer to the man, giving a proper 'Lady Docur's' curtsy before offering a hand. "Meliandri. 'Ave we met? And more importantly, you say you 'ave somewhere safe? Eef zat terrible woman with zee dog finds us 'ere, we weel not last long." She follows Rexus, noting his limp and moving closer to offer a shoulder to lean on.
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Once Isabella is on her feet again Rexus looks anxious to move away but answers Aerodus politely:"Delighted. Sorry for being a tad nervous but whatever we do we should do it quickly... staying out in the open after the riot and after taking care of these rats is not the wisest course of action..."
Isabella's eyes flitter open and begins to panic until she realizes where she is. "My head," She mutters and looks at Aerodus. "You have my thanks again." She stands and dusts herself off and groans at the aches. She mutters under her breath and her eyes begin to glow a white-green. Cuts and scraps begin to knit themselves close as her own magic heals her wounds.
Aerodus pats Isabella on the back. "Next time you heal me. Now let's get going."
He looks towards Rexus with one eyebrow raised. "And I hope this safehouse of yours is safer than your last one, Rexus Victocora."
Meliandri shoots a glare at Aerodus for his comment. "'What in zee 'ells was zat for? 'E eez in mourning, and besides, 'e 'as done nothing zat would require such a comment from you!" She tucks her arm between Rexus's. "Can we be going now? I would love to be seeing your safe-house." Rubbing her head, she looks ruefully at the emptied potion bottle in Isabella's hand. "Especially if you are 'aving more of zose."
Somewhat put out by Meliandri's swift disengagement, Veccio sighs and follows the strange man. "So, Rexus, was it? Why would those... 'bootlickers' want to get rid of you?"
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Once you agree to follow him Rexus quickly leads you through the maze-like hallways of Old Kintargo, the city's oldest district. As you make your way towards Rexus' hideout, you notice the clamor from Aria's Park seems to have almost died down, although the air has somehow started filling with the scent of smoke, sulfur and the sickly sweet odour of burned meat. After a good ten minutes walk you emerge from the old district pass right behind the opera house (a sight that makes some of you quite uneasy) and finally reach a small bookstore called Crissali's Fine Tomes. It turns out to be closed, probably to avoid the trouble caused by the protest and its aftermath, but fortunately Rexus is well known here and one of the bookstore's halfling servants hears his call and opens the rear door for you to enter.
Only once you move inside does Rexus relax a bit, signaling that he feels this to be a safe place to talk, despite being quite close to Barzillai's Thrune's main lair. The owner of the establishment, a woman named Nandy Crissali, seems to know Rexus well and without much of a fuss lets you move into a well lit back room where you can finally sit down and wait for the nobleman to explain himself:
“Thank you again for that timely rescue. Truth is, our meeting was no coincidence. I followed you from the protest earlier today, but in the panic that erupted I lost track of your group. You proved yourselves to be people of uncommon skill, and I am a man of uncommon needs.
“As I told you before my name is Rexus Victocora, and until last week’s Night of Ashes, I was one of this city’s nobles. My parents’ estate burned to the ground that night—I escaped simply because I was studying at the Alabaster Academy during the fire. There were other fires that night, as you know—fires that many believe were started by Barzillai Thrune or his agents in an attempt to squash any spirit of rebellion Kintargo might have.
“Now more than ever we need that spirit of rebellion to stay strong, but Thrune’s actions have driven into hiding those who would stay strong and resist. Those who could once rally the city to a cause, such as Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus and my parents, are missing at best, and are more likely dead. I cannot do this on my own, but with the aid of talented citizens such as yourselves, I have hope that we can. Will you aid Kintargo? Will you save the city from the devil?”
Despite not knowing any of these people, Izzy found herself following them out of the alleyway. Varro stayed beside her, tongue happily lolling out the side of his mouth. She looked over her shoulder countless times during their trek through the city. Above her as well. What am I doing? I don't know these people. They could be members of the church of Asmodeas doing some ruse to get me. Or maybe one of them is one of Thrune's men to root out those disloyal to him. I should run. Varro sensed her unease and nuzzeled her leg. She jumped slightly, before petting his head and feeling more calm. At least I have you Varro.
She looked around the building that the man led them too, studying the faces of the individuals they walked past, looking for any sign that they may be loyalists or anyone else that may hurt them. When the man relaxed she stayed on alert as she listened to him. she thought about his request. She's always opposed those with power, especially when they use that power to oppress those without it. She's never been able to do much, but now she may. She clutches her symbol of Ragatheil around her neck and nods. "I'll help," she says.
Aerodus took place in the most comfortable chair in the room as soon as the group was taken inside. He takes of his still wet raincoat, revealing a well-made armor underneath it, consisting of a breastplate with his family's sigil and blackened leather straps that cover the most relevant vulnerable areas in the abdomen area and the arms.
Stripping the armor down to make himself more at ease, he remains in clothes which look quite expensive and comfortable without being too fancy: form-fitting black pants, a black and velvet silken shirt with a high collar and a black vest adorned with red stichings in the current fashion.
After hearing Rexus' little speech, he sighs and speaks out with his usual emotionless voice.
"It is not the devil that we have to fear here, it is a much more direct and present threat - a madman with way too much power. We need to do all in our might to expunge whatever authority Thrune has in Kintargo and introduce a more liberal government. We are of one opinion in that regard."
Meliandri once again gives Aerodus the stinkeye when he quickly finds the best seat in the house. After a quick inspection of the other chairs, she eventually opts for the carpeted floor instead, lying on her side. She undoes her parade armor's buckles slowly, fixing her rumpled blouse with a quick spell.
As she listens to Rexus talk, she plays idly with her hair, only stopping once everyone's had their say. She looks at him and offers a hopefully-charming smile. "Per'aps not zee best in speeches, but eet will serve, I think. I am with you. After all, zee possibilities are immense; offend my family, 'opefully make up with Luca, meet exciting and dangerous people." She rolls over onto her back and stares off at the ceiling, apparently contemplating her soon-to-be-exciting future.
"Do not forget, that we might all well die in this endevour. You need to go into this knowing what this entails. Half-heartedness will not get us far." Aerodus swiftly throws Meliandri's way, hearing her almost joyous antics.
Veccio hesitates, torn between leaping into action and waiting to see what the ever-wise and sharp Mel thinks. He's a little apprehensive at the sight of Varro lolling at Isabella's side, but he eventually pats the beast on the head, mutters "Good dog," and quickly moves away.
Seeing Abigail's distress, he hesitantly pulls his woolen cloak from his shoulders, draping it around the woman's frame and giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Then, turning his attention to Mel, sprawled so languorously on the floor, he surprisingly acts as the tempering force. "Are you sure, lady Meliandri? I mean, this could be dangerous - in fact, I'm sure it will be, and while I never objected to a spot of peril, I'd hate to see you in harm's way!" Swallowing awkwardly, he quickly ads, "Of course, if you want to see this through, I'll stay with you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened."
"Hah! Eet weel be fine. 'Ave you not read zee stories? Zee brave 'eroes and 'eroines always triumph against zee forces of evil." Meliandri rolls over onto her other side to look up at Veccio. "Eet weel be perfectly safe, I promise. Well, more safe zan Galt, at any rate. Actually, I may need to be thinking about zis..."
As Meliandri lies on the floor, she strokes her chin almost as if stroking a goatee. She seems once again lost in thought, sitting still for several minutes before popping up into a sitting position and offering a delicate hand to Rexus. "I am in. I can take zis seriously, and I am sure I weel be kept safe enough." She says this last bit with a grateful look toward Veccio.
Izzy looks down at the day dreaming halfwlf and says, "This is the real life, not some fantasy. Take it from someone who's seem this city's true face, good seldom wins here. So yes, there is a very real chance of death should we continue."
"Barzillai the Butcher. I do like this very much. Your mind is a great source of ingenuity, Abigail." Aerodus says towards the woman wrapped in a cloak.
"It will be dangerous and it won't be easy. But we have to do our part in this, we have to bring the Butcher down." he says to the others, and then looks at Rexus again. "You mentioned your parents as some of the people who would have been able to organize a rebellion. Do you know their contacts? This could invalueable. Building everything anew might well be impossible, as time works against us here."
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For a moment Rexus says nothing and then adressess Aerodus first and then everyone else:"Devil, tyrant, wrongdoer, self styled evil god... call him whatever you want, I'm not interessed in semantics at this moment in time. What I care for is saving the city. And make no mistake, if you choose to follow the path of freedom and fight for what is right there will be blood, pain and death aplenty before all is said and done and yes, we will most certainly risk our own lives... But doing any less means condemning the whole of Kintargo to damnation, and in the end we'll give the city's people a better future"
After this tirade Rexus takes a long breath in before continuing:"I'm sorry. I'm still in a bit of an emotional state it seems. I see we are all on the same page as we all want nothing more than to save Kintargo before the butcher" - Rexus smiles at ABigail - "turns it into an abattoir. As I told you I'm one of the few surviving Victocora. My mother was lady Porcia Victocora herself, the head of our family... but she was so much more! This is a secret very few people know, and I myself didn't discover until very recently, I trust you understand the importance of it and keep it close to your hearts... My mother... she was a member of the Sacred Order of the Archivists. A secret cabal dedicated to the preservation of Kintargo's true history. I was the day after the night of ashes, when a friend of my mother's found me and helped me avoid capture by Thrune's men. At first I didn't believe her, but then... then she produced this! so saying Rexus hands you a note written in precise calligraphy.
Ravens—few have. Mentions of them have been redacted by the agents of House Thrune, but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their kind again. Do not believe the government’s claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all who work against Thrune may find themselves in danger in the days ahead. The Silver Ravens maintained numerous hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the civil war. I have located one such site—the chambers below a building known today as the Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I was unable to seek further answers there myself.
Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search below the livery. There, if my research is correct, you will find something to teach you more of the Silver Ravens and their legacy.
Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!
Rexus waits untile everyone of you has read the note then continues:"You see, my mother knew something was going to happen. Alas it was to little to late, and before she could do something about Barzillai, or maybe because of it, the night of ashes happened. I don't know if my mother is still alive. I certainly hope so, but that's besides the point at the moment. What we need to do is to revive the silver ravens. A force of good and freedom to oppose Barzillai and his minions! My mother asked me to do this and I'll try, although I fear I'm not the most well suited to lead a full scale rebellion, as my talents lie elsewhere. Any way we need to start from this hideout my mother pointed us at. It's called Fair Fortune Livery and it's been long abandoned. Something is hidden down there. Would you help me uncover what it is?"
"Well, where exactly do we find that building?" Aerodus asks Rexus, his head lazily resting on his arm, making him appear quite decadent.
"I suppose you have not searched the place yourself yet? It would have been unwise to do so alone, seeing what happened to your mother. Even being there would have been foolish.
But if we go together - and make it quick - we should be able to bring some light into the matter before anyone alerts the wrong channels."
He then sinks into his thoughts for a moment, then speaking up again.
"We could wait with the plan to recover some strength lost in the fight, but I think it would be wise to move as soon as possible. The chaos caused by the civil unrest should cover us well."
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Rexus chuckles:"It's located in Redroof, but I'm surprised you never heard of it. It used to be one of that quarter's earliest business as a slaughterhouse, but then it was turned into a stable. The change didn't help it to flourish though and soon the proprietors had to abandon it. It's been left to itself for a long time now and there are actually rumors it's haunted. Possibly something the silver ravens themselves came up with in order to keep curious people away. And of course I have not searched the place myself. That's one of the reasons I was searching for help in the first place!" Rexus finishes grinning apologetically.
"Resting is a good idea. I believe Nandy will allow us to stay here for the night. She's been paid and she's known to be discreet. We won't be disturbed. And... another thing..." so saying rexus reaches behind himself moving a few books away from a shelf and revealing a small chest.
"This box contains what my mother left me along with the note you just read. It's the whole of my inheritace. If you help me explore Fair Fortune Livery I'll hand it over to you but for this small key, which holds sentimental value to me. It will be my first contribution to our common cause!"
"So, where exactly do your talents lie?" Veccio asks Rexus, reading over the letter with his heart racing. Secret organizations? A full-scale rebellion? Dark conspiracies? For a brief moment, he feels like the hero in an opera, and it's intoxicating.
"Well. Let's rest up, and be off at dawn, one day closer to the end of the Butcher's reign!"
"I do hope you have beds to spare Rexus. While I would not object sleeping on the floor, I can image more comfortable activities."
"I trust they will not oppose to Varro staying with me as I will not have him on the streets." Isabella says. Even if they won't allow him in she planned on sneaking him in. it has been too long since the two of them slept in a bed with a roof overhead. She was not about to let this opportunity pass.
Meliandri yawns and unbuckles her cloak, rolling it up into a rough approximation of a pillow. "Eef zere are no beds, zee floor will be fine. Een zee mean-time, eef we are not leaving today and anyone 'as any sort of divine power, my 'ead does still ache quite something awful..."
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Rexus gives Veccio's a thoughtful look before answering:"I guess I'm pretty good at ferretting out things and putting 2 and 2 togheter and learn why someimes they don't add up to 4..."
Onac eyou all agree to help him Rexus smiles at you all and mutters an heartfelt:"Thank you! I don't think beds will be a problem... we expected to be forced to stay here for the night so we asked Nandy and rent all of her spare beds for the night. She agreed, although she only has one single room with 5 beds. Don't mind me, I'll be confortable inside here. And Isabella" Rexus calls the strange red haired woman by her name "There will be no problems with Varro staying with us as long as he behaves"
"Excellent. We will be much more effective after a good night's rest, and then we can see what secrets await us in the livery." Aerodus says with a smile.
He then looks at Meialndri. "And I will see what I can do for your wounds later, after some rest."
"Rexus, can you by chance also spare something to eat? Hours of standing in the rain followed by battle and getting chased by the Dottari does make a man weary."
Isabella grins widely at the promise of a soft bed for her and Varro, nearly bouncing in place with excitement for a moment. She quickly stopped herself when she noticed her actions. Thank you for your hospitality," she says. Varro barks as well, a doggy grin on his snout and tail wagging furiously with excitement to cover both he and Izzy. When she heard Aerodus mention food she felt her stony act break away again. Warm food too? If she knew this would follow such acts she might have rebelled long ago.
Once the excietment of food and board calmed she realized something. Rexus spoke her name, something she remembers never giving, even to these people who fought and bleed beside her. "How do you know my name? I don't believe we've ever met." her borderline joy was gone and she was stern and reclusive again.
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"I'm sure I can get us something to eat. Nothing fancy I fear, but I think under the circumstances it'll have to do" so saying Rexus gets out of the room. He comes back after a while holding what amounts to a couple of loafs of bread, slices of ham and three smoked fishes. Not an hero's banquet by any means but is serves to quench your hunger.
Asfter finishing your meal Rexus points you at your room. It's a small room cleverly hidden in the shop's basement. Suddenly the enormity of the day's events catch up with you and you cannot but wonder about the consequences of your actions...
As Rexus leaves the room, Aerodus looks at Isabella with a wide grin on his face. His gray-blue eyes gaze intensly at her, almost uncomfortably so.
"No answer is also an answer. Got secrets this Rexus, it seems."
Having gotten quite comfortable in his chair with time, Aerodus has crossed his legs, and looks lazily upon the others.
Without his broad cloak and the armor, he looks rather thin, and the dark clothes make him blend into the background even more - at least if he would take of the ves with its red stitchings.
Once the food arrives, he lets fall most of his noble demeanor - eating it with much joy, like most others would in this situation.
He doesn't actually enjoy eating this way, but he hopes to seem more approachable by using the manners of the common folk
Isabella glances at Aerodus, but doesn't respond to his comment, only glowers at his grin. When the food arrived she made sure to have enough for her and Varro without being too greedy. Despite being hungry she ate her food slow, wanting to savor every bite not knowing when she'd next get food like this.
Eating his meal slowly and carefully, Veccio watches Aerodus over the top of his cutlery with narrowed eyes. Eventually he breaks his silence and asks, stiffly, "So, with embroidery like that in the wake of the Fourth Proclamation, are you an agent of Thrune, or of Asmodeus?" He passes the fish down the table without taking his eyes off the other man, suddenly very aware of the large dog at Isabella's side. Knowing my luck, he'll turn us all in - Varro included, he thinks suspiciously.
Isabella stopped eating and glanced at Veccio, then over at Aerodus. She swallows her food and watches the exchange closely. Food already down on the table should she need to fight again.
Could this man really be an agent of Thrune or Asmodeus. He did save Varro and Me. But there's a reward for dogs like Varro and the church is probably still looking for me... She thinks to herself. Varro picks up on Izzy's tenseness and watches Aerodus as well.
Aerodus looks at Veccio with a mix of curiosity and anger.
"You know, there is a reason I chose to wear my armor and cloak above this vest. And I'd rather walk around naked than swear allegiance to Barzillai." He spits out a fishbone with so much cold fury, one might think he was personaly insulted by the fish.
"You can take this as my way of rebelling. I wear this vest proudly whenever I drink mint tea at midnight. At least I had some of it stashed away before the lunatic proclaimed his insanity."
With his lips a thin line, Aerodus' voice has taken on a cold edge. "But my supply is running low." he adds, then takes another bite of fish.
"But tell me Veccio. Do you take part in this operation only because of pretty eyes, or have you something else in mind?
Abigail hopes to save family. Meliandri is an idealist if I ever saw one. Isabella seems to hate Barzillai with a passion of thousand suns, and I for my part want this town free of him, before he burns it to the ground with his madness."
He leans slightly forward, and pins the man down with his eyes.
"But what about you?"
"Not just Barzillai, but anyone who uses their power to abuse the weak," Izzy mutters, still watching the exchange.
"*Urp*"
Meliandri burps, blushing a red almost as deep as her blouse and looking down quickly. "Apologies." She sets aside her mostly-eaten bread and looks over Aerodus's outfit, but doesn't see much out of place. "Eet eez just simple embroidery. Zee pentagram eez blazed across 'alf my clothes, embossed on my pauldron, and probably een a 'undred ozer places een my wardrobe. "ells, I found one on zose 'orrible nightclothes zee ozer day." Meliandri shudders at the memory. "Zees eez still Cheliax, even eef zee city eez odd, and zat symbol shows up quite a bit een my experience."
She stands up, stretching out her back and making sure her sword's still in its place, just in case she's misjudged. That done, she walks over to Veccio, placing a hand on his and giving him a quick look. "Veccio eez quite loyal, I assure, you. 'E and I, we 'ave a bond we share. 'E 'as kept me out of trouble een zee past, and will do so again, I think."
"Ah, you're hurt," Isabella says when she watches Mel stand. "I'm sorry for not noticing sooner, let me help." She walks over to Mel, Varro shadowing her, and places her hands on Mel's shoulders. She closes her eyes and mutters under her breath. When her eyes open, they are glowing a white-green as she feels energy surge through her and into Mel.
Isabella stretched after seeing Mel all healed and smiled. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough for one day." She looked back over at Aerodus, trying to gage if she could trust him fully or not. He has been helpful that is for sure, and aside from Rexus, he seems the most likely to keep the lot of them together. Perhaps most importantly though, she felt if need be, if he truely was an agent of Asmodeaus or Thrune, she felt she could take him.
"Aerodus, was it? Do you think you could heal Varro before bed. I would do it myself but I feel too exhausted to cast another spell and he's still a little beat up from the riot." She asked coolly.
"I can do that, surely. Aerodus simply replies.
"We will need him in good shape tomorrow."
Finishing the meal, he leans back and continues to watch the group.
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Soon after consuming your impromptu dinner you all feel the weight of fatigue and soon drift to sleep.
It seems like no time has passed at all when you hear a light tap on the door of your room followed by Rexus voice:"It's morning already... early birds and all the rest..."
In a matter of minutes all of you get dressed and get out of the room joining your host, who greets you wearing a grim expression on his face:"Seems like Thrune's agent did quite the number on the protesters in Aria's Park. According to the official statement, his forces "rehestabilished order" and "crushed the violent upraising that threatened the safety of Kintargo's citizens". More than 100 people were taken, and rumor has Barzillai had even an hellhound set loose on the protesters... It was a massacre. And now the butcher intends to start with his public excruciations anew! We need to move quickly and stop this madness!!!"
So saying he leads you through Kintargo's hallways and backstreets until you reach the Redroof district. After the rain of the previous day the sky seems crystal clear, with no clouds on the orizon, although the sun has just started rising. The city is deadly calm and very few people populate the streets, despite the early hour things are not normally this quiet in Kintargo. Seems like Barzillai latest show of force has caused the usually headstrong and independent kintargans to keep a low profile least they cause the tyrant to take notice.
The good thing is no one bothers you and in a matter of minutes you reach your destination. Fair Fortune Livery. This aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. The air reeks of stale urine. It's not a nice place. As you approach the doors a low growl warns you that despite its appalling state the building still harbors some inhabitants... and they don't seem very friendly!
"My reasons are my own, just as yours are. I doubt your own are as shallow as the inane proclamations." Veccio slowly and deliberately tears a piece of bread in half. "What makes you think I'm anything more than another idealist? Maybe I don't care about the rebellion. Maybe I just want to look out for a friend. Maybe I'm just in this for a lark. Maybe I miss my own embroidered clothes. Or maybe I saw a man lose his farm, his livelihood, and everything he held dear because of spilled grain."
Meliandri's hand arrests his before he can further divide his bread. "My loyalties are strong. You'd do well to earn them." Pushing his chair out from the table, he gives Mel a quick, half-pained, half-grateful look, before heading to bed.
"A hundred taken?!" Veccio's mind reels from the shock of the revelation, even as he pulls on his boots and cloak. "Hellhounds and Dottari? Gods, we escaped just in time!"
He keeps one hand on his rapier as he hurries after Rexus, the other held behind him to reassure himself of Meliandri's presence and safety.
Meliandri isn't shy at all about changing, quickly pulling her blouse off (her back to the boys), inspecting it, and magicking it clean before pulling it back on and strapping herself back into her armor. The last buckle takes some work, and she has to struggle for a moment or two before she finally fits the prong through the very first hole in the leather. Her head feels much better, though, and she quickly heads out after Rexus.
As the young nobleman talks, Meliandri finds herself once again worrying about Lucca. Her hand unconsciously drifts into Veccio's as she nervously rattles off pointless facts about Redroof. "Zis area 'as been a middle-class one for quite a long time. Zee buildings 'ere, zey do not 'old up to zee changing seasons as well as zee rest of zee city. Zat eez what 'appens when you build from clay instead of solid stones, like zee rest of Kintargo. Do you think zat Lucca's okay?" She catches herself and continues rambling as the party moves closer to the livery. "I mean, I met a boy from 'ere once, at one of zee coffee'ouses. Most uncouth, most improper, but 'e was fun for a few weeks. Listen, zere should be more on zee streets, especially 'ere. Busy district, lots of people working."
When the party approaches the old stables, she sniffs at the air and wrinkles her nose, walking close to the door before jumping at the growling sounds from within.