Bishop gives a short but loud whistle of approval when Illithia walks back into the room. When she looks at him with a grimace, Bishop just nods and smiles back. He seems to listen intently as she plays her song. "That was.. really good. Where did you learn that?"
Illithia's inspired performance, combined with the food and wine, puts you in a contemplative mood. Before long, you feel the tiredness from the eventful and stressful day overcome you, and succumb to the sleep.
On the next morning, you are awoken by the sounds of loud chatter and clanking of the cutlery from below. As you find your way down the twisting stairs, you end up in a mess hall, occupied by roughly a dozen people. These must be the rest of the Children of Westcrown, engaged in an agitated discussion. Janiven greets you, and you notice that her beauty has faded, bearing all signs of a sleepless night. Morosino is also here, his left hand is bandaged all over. He is pale and winces from pain every now and then, but looks more cheerful than you might expect from an injured boy. Janiven's efforts seem to have paid off.
Janiven introduces you to the other Children, and everyone raises a toast for you and your successful escape from the hellknight ambush.
As you are about to finish the meal, you see (and very clearly hear) a short-haired female gnome barging into the room, with a smirk on her face. Janiven springs up: "Yakopulio! What news do you bring? What of Arael?"
"Looks like your lovebird has chirped into a wrong ear", Yakopulio begins sarcastically. You see Janiven's pale cheeks turning bright pink, and her hands closing into fists, but she stays silent. The enthusiastic recruit he was trying to enlist turned out to be the Order's undercover agent. He was arrested on charges of sedition, and at first it looked like he would be put through the civic trial. But just about an hour ago, when every self-respecting dottari was still dreaming about getting his next rank, news came that someone powerful within the order got his eyes on Arael. One of the Hellknight Signifiers, calling himself Shanwen, barged into the precinct with a paper and demanded that Arael be given under his personal custody.
"Shanwen? Do you know anything about him, Yakopulio? What happened next?"
Yakopulio spits on the floor before replying. "You know, them hellknights are like peacocks. Each of them thinks he's the center of the multiverse, but in truth, he's just a kind of a cock." Muffled laughter can be heard from the table. Janiven makes a gesture for everyone to hush. "Nobody important enough for me to know about. But he sure as Hell scared the officer out of his pants with that paper of his. THAT must have had a seal of someone important. I'm sure this Shanwen is a simple tool."
Janiven looks pale again. "So what is going to happen to Arael?! Tell me!"
"Well I'd say, it depends on you." Yakopulio replies with a wink. "At dusk, Shanwen will provide an escort for Arael from the jail to the Citadel Rivad northwest of town. Word on the street is, no one who got there against his will ever got out. If you want to see him again, and maybe ever have some actual children, you better not let this happen."
"Enough with your dirty innuendos, Yakopulio! Leave them where you spend your nights before coming here!" Janiven is on the verge of a tantrum, but with a few deep breaths manages to regain composure. She turns to you, and you can see her mind is racing.
"We need a plan, and quick. I see two options: make sure this Shanwen doesn't find Arael when he comes for him, or make sure he doesn't return back to the citadel. Do you have any input?"
Dracius watches the discussion, trying to keep the disappointment from his face, That passion and fire that so moved me belong to another... And, of course, even had I not been moved by her, no true priest of Shelyn would refuse the attempt to rescue her love.
With some effort he pulls his attention from his own thoughts and back to the room, nodding and smiling once more at Illithia, Nor would one of her paladins... She will be as bound to this quest as I...
As Janiven turns to them, he smiles once more at Illithia before breaking eye contact, suprised at his own reluctance to do so as he wonders what thoughts pass behind those eyes, which hold the eternal song within their depth.
He tries not to sigh as he raises a hand to calm Janiven, "I would think it is probably easier to free him when he is on the road than to get him out of a locked building... However, wisdom would dictate that it may be worth seeing what we can learn of the conditions of where he's being held, or the size of the escort, before making a final decision?"
Ferrucio clears his throat before speaking.
"I would suggest that at this point, we want to make as few enemies as possible. Given that the Hellknights would be after us regardless, I say hit them as they are on their way to the Citadel. Outside the city limits, if possible. The dottari have no jurisdiction there. We would theoretically be immune from their attentions."
"Plus I mislike the idea of trying to assault the dottari at their headquarters, stealthily or no. It would be too easy to be discovered."
"That seems prudent. If we can ambush the convoy, it serves two purposes. We get Arael back and we embarrass the Hellknights. If they start to lose their invincible facade, then the war is half won already."
Dario pauses and sighs. "That's a lot of 'ifs'. We need to know their numbers and their route. This Shanwen is going to be the biggest problem. The truth is that the Hellknights are feared for a reason. How do we deal with him?"
"Count me in with Team Ambush. If the man drinks anywhere, I think I can get the dirt on him." Bishop suggests.
A man in a white shirt with ink-stained sleeves steps out of the crowd. "A wise choice", he speaks softly. "We have to keep in mind the dottari are not our enemies. We don't want to be causing chaos in Westcrown, just a better kind of order."
"Thank you Sclavo, you're right. You all make very good points. I know the road they'll be taking him - only one road goes towards Citadel Rivad, and there are no bandits or idle travelers on it. Yakopulio, how many hellknights will we be facing?"
She shrugs. "Normally, four to six people are enough to escort one prisoner. However, recently several armigers were recently seen carried to the hospital in Rego Sacero. The streets are talking, they fell to the rusty daggers of the sewer goblins. Asmodeus alone knows what had they been doing there in the first place, of course." She stares directly at you with the ever-present smirk on her face. "Regardless, the Order of the Scourge and some noble houses now openly mock the Order of the Rack for their ineptitude. If I were to guess, I'd say Shanwen is the commander of the unit of armigers who has been tasked with performing a flawless execution of this escort operation, to shut up the dissenters and lead to some honorary inductions into the Order. Thus, I would expect to see about twice the normal amount of armigers, plus Shanwen himself."
Janiven casts a glance over the Children of Westcrown. Some lower their gazes as they think of the danger ahead, others, Rizzardo and Ermolos among them, assume a military stance and step forward. To your surprise, the frail Sclavo is also among the warmongering group.
"Most of us are workers or artisans, not mercenaries", Janiven muses aloud. "Facing nearly a dozen hellknights in the open is suicidal. We need to think of something more clever..."
As Janiven is lost in thought, a female voice says: "Divide et impera. I've seen this mentioned in a history book. One of the old Chelish generals has written this after having turned his enemies against each other and defeating them one by one."
"Tarvi, you're a genius. I know what we can do." Janiven turns to you again. "I have seen you in combat, I trust that you can match the armigers in the skill of battle. I will select volunteers from the rest of us and create a decoy for the hellknights, posing as bandits. They are inexperienced and I doubt they've ever met real highwaymen, so they are likely to fall for it. They will leave the minimal guard and dispatch the rest to deal with us. We will disperse in the woods around the road and lead them astray, while you ambush the remaining guards. This should give you several minutes to defeat them and rescue Arael. I am skilled at evading pursuit and I will teach those who volunteer to join me what to do."
"We could use some supplies to make this work. Flash powder, tanglefoot bags, thunderstones. Anything to disorient and scare the horses if not the Armigers too. Follow it up with an assault. In the chaos, I get to Arael and get him loose. Then we get out. We're not there to kill the Hellknights, just get Arael out and show everyone they're not invincible. I don't doubt there will be blood, but we don't need to kill all of them to make this work. And the less we get hurt the better too."
Bishop gives a short but loud whistle of approval when Illithia walks back into the room. When she looks at him with a grimace, Bishop just nods and smiles back. He seems to listen intently as she plays her song. "That was.. really good. Where did you learn that?"
"Growing up in the temple of Shelyn afforded me a great opportunity to learn many arts, though song was always my favourite." Illithia smiled. She had performed almost perfectly.
"I have seen you in combat, I trust that you can match the armigers in the skill of battle. I will select volunteers from the rest of us and create a decoy for the hellknights, posing as bandits."
Illithia was conflicted, such that she said nothing to add to the tactical conversation. Her paladin oath required her to be peaceful. She couldn't imagine striking first, even against the servants of the Hellknights. Armigers that, as far as she knew, didn't CHOOSE to be supplicant to the Hellknights. She looks at Dracius, almost pleading. Surely, he knew Shelyn's will better than her.
Shelyn's love isn't just for the righteous, her beauty isn't just for the innocent. All things that live love beauty, and I will show beauty's answer to them.
"Growing up in the temple of Shelyn afforded me a great opportunity to learn many arts, though song was always my favourite." Illithia smiled. She had performed almost perfectly.
"It's real pretty. Suits you." Bishop smiles.
"We could use some supplies to make this work. Flash powder, tanglefoot bags, thunderstones. Anything to disorient and scare the horses if not the Armigers too. Follow it up with an assault. In the chaos, I get to Arael and get him loose. Then we get out. We're not there to kill the Hellknights, just get Arael out and show everyone they're not invincible. I don't doubt there will be blood, but we don't need to kill all of them to make this work. And the less we get hurt the better too."
"Well, we could rig up some gunpowder to explode. I can make a good amount of it. That'll cause some chaos." He chuckles.
"Unfortunately, we don't have alchemical supplies readily available, Dario. We could buy some, but that would make us easily traceable. But you have it right - we should disorient or scare them, extract Arael and get out.
Bishop, gunpowder is an interesting idea, but I don't like the explosion. First, I want to avoid any deaths if possible, and second, the horses can run amok and crash the carriage with Arael inside. Can you instead rig the powder so that it burns gradually and creates a smoke screen?
Gorvio, your uncle is a horse trader. Can you borrow six horses for us? I promise to do my best to deliver them back in one piece and before curfew. Go now, the sooner we have them the better." Gorvio runs off.
Ferrucio nods as he listens to the conversations going on around him.
"I for one am with Tarvi--splitting the armigers up is probably our best option."
He turns to Janiven.
"Do you have a sense as to where would be the best place for the ambush? I'd also like to understand expected armaments--what are the armigers likely to be armed with? And how will Arael be transported? Will there be a wagon involved, or will he just be trussed and slung over the back of a horse? How much time will we have to devise our plans and set our ambush?"
Ferrucio looks at Illithia as he contemplates other potential means for attack. She seems...different. Ferrucio's analytical mind goes to work as he notes small differences in her demeanour: a clenched hand here, folded arms there, shoulders pulled close together as though she were cold.
Then it strikes him--she is actually worried about the armigers, the men that, within hours, they may have to cut down in cold blood to free the Children's leader.
Ferrucio's mind races. Without Illithia's support, they are unlikely to succeed--her strong arm and sense of purpose are both critical to the group. She has to be made to understand...or we have to give her what she needs.
Ferrucio holds up a hand as Janiven and some of the other children are engaged in close conversation, and waits for them to quiet down. "If I may," he says, waiting for Janiven to nod before he continues.
"We are engaged in a war for the hearts and minds of Westcrown. Before it's over, we can safely expect that the blood of those on both sides will be spilled. But there is no reason we need to be the aggressors."
"If we were to free Arael without shedding blood, would that not help our cause, and give us the initiative in the propaganda war that is surely to come? If we go around killing armigers, that can only go badly for us--it gives the government a means by which to demonise us, and our cause."
"Much as it will make our task so much more difficult, I think our best option is to ensure that no armiger is permanently harmed."
Ferrucio looks Illithia directly in the eye, holding her gaze well beyond what would normally be comfortable.
"I have yet to select dweomers for today, so perhaps it would be best if I chose those that are unlikely to inflict permanent damage. And maybe we can investigate the use of non-lethal force in combat as well."
Finally, it's Ferrucio who breaks eye contact.
In his mind, the memory of the osyluth contemptuously tossing Gerrick's corpse aside plays again and again. Never forget why you're here, he reminds himself. Distractions are not permitted.
Ferrucio goes quiet as he waits to hear what everyone else has to say.
"I am fairly sure it will be a locked windowless carriage. This is pretty standard transport for those who have crossed the hellknights." Janiven turns her head to Yakopulio, who nods in agreement. "If you live in Westcrown for a long enough time, and walk the streets with both eyes open, you get to know such things.
"I agree we have to keep the bloodshed to a minimum. Attempt to intimidate the armigers, instill panic in them. They won't be prepared for the ambush - the Order has become arrogant in the absence of those who would stand up to their misdeeds. But we have to be prepared in case some of them will be ready to die for their duty. I am especially worried about Shanwen in this sense. But if we are able to take him out of the fight non-lethally, all the better for us - his superiors are likely to be much more cruel to him than we could ever be."
"The road towards the citadel is a relatively quiet offshoot of the main highway. It goes through a tree grove, which the hellknights regularly cut back a few yards, so that it's harder to sneak unnoticed. But there are boulders and tree stumps along the road which could be used as cover. At one point, the road crosses a small stream. This also strikes me as a good ambush point, if a little too obvious, so they are more likely to be on alert there."
"Bishop, gunpowder is an interesting idea, but I don't like the explosion. First, I want to avoid any deaths if possible, and second, the horses can run amok and crash the carriage with Arael inside. Can you instead rig the powder so that it burns gradually and creates a smoke screen?"
"I've never used it for that, but I can try. I may need a lil' help with the particulars. I was thinking of using it for a shock and awe effect, but you got a point there. Wouldn't want to scare the innocent horses."
At one point, the road crosses a small stream. This also strikes me as a good ambush point, if a little too obvious, so they are more likely to be on alert there.
"Sometimes, what's too obvious is perfect. They won't expect it. I say we set up near the stream."
"How big is this stream? If it's large enough, it could hamper their ability to move and the noise from it might help keep us unnoticed."
Dracius sees Illithia's gaze shift from one of understanding to one of near panic, Something about this upsets her greatly... I hope it is only her own fears and not that she thinks our actions are discordant notes in the song... He smiles reassuringly, attempting to determine what's brought such fear into those lovely eyes.
I'm not sure what troubles her, perhaps we should discus--, his thought is cut off by Ferrucio's speech about protecting the armigers and winning hearts and minds.
As he speaks, Dracius listens and watches, He is merely saying what she wants to hear, mouthing as platitudes what should be truths... there is no beauty in his words... And look, now, how he now holds her gaze, making it clear that his words were intended for her alone, and to win her favour
After Ferrucio finally looks away from her, Dracius looks up at her once more, flashing her a look of concern.
Dracius returns his attention to the discussion of the ambush, and nods at Jerro's comment.
He then offers, "I have not yet offered praise to the Eternal Rose this day. I could ask her to grant me a mist that would hide us and help with the ambush. Such things are not uncommon near water, after all. However, sadly, I am not yet able to wield the higher mysteries and command them to release the prisoner."
"I am fairly sure it will be a locked windowless carriage. This is pretty standard transport for those who have crossed the hellknights." Janiven turns her head to Yakopulio, who nods in agreement. "If you live in Westcrown for a long enough time, and walk the streets with both eyes open, you get to know such things.
"Hmm." Ferrucio taps a finger on his chin as he turns his eyes to the ceiling in contemplation. His mind speeds through potential futures, trying to think of all the circumstances that might affect the outcome of the Children's desperate gambit to free their leader. He is quiet while the others talk as he works over the permutations, seeking the best answer based on the information he has available.
After a few minutes, he shakes himself loose of his reverie and turns back to Janiven and the other Children. He waits for an opportunity to put his opinion forward.
"As I see it," he begins, "there are six separate convergences of probability we need to deal with in order to successfully free Arael. One: we need to split the armigers up. Two: we need to reliably immobilise the carriage or it will simply speed back to Westcrown or Citadel Rivad with Arael inside. Three: we need to deal with the armigers who are left guarding the carriage--preferably in a non-lethal manner. Four: we need to deal with Shanwen. Five: we need to open the locked carriage. Six: we need to make our escape--with Arael, who may well be insensible."
"We have adequately dealt with Item One. The others remain to be resolved."
"As far as immobilising the carriage goes, perhaps there is some way to foul the wheels?"
"I am comfortable leaving the question of dealing with the armigers to later, when we have properly explored our other options."
"On dealing with Shanwen, we know little about him. He is a spellcaster--but of what order, and what sort? Does he wield divine or arcane power? I would suggest that it may be best to deal with him when we have the advantage of numbers, or target him with specific dweomers."
"On unlocking the carriage, Yakopulio, do you know if the escort carries the keys, or are they held at Citadel Rivad?"
"And lastly, getting away--we may need to go quickly, and if Arael is unable to move on his own, we should perhaps have a horse ready--or take one from the Hellknights. We could always return it later," he says with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"As far as problem two goes, its not hard for wagon wheels to get stuck in the mud, especially in a river. Fer problem three, I'm okay with beating them unconscious. Four, see problem three. I'm sure our professor here has "studied" how to open a locked door right, which is five. Six is a lil' tricky. Though I think if we bring along a few horses, we should be fast enough to get back before they do."
"As far as problem two goes, its not hard for wagon wheels to get stuck in the mud, especially in a river. Fer problem three, I'm okay with beating them unconscious. Four, see problem three. I'm sure our professor here has "studied" how to open a locked door right, which is five. Six is a lil' tricky. Though I think if we bring along a few horses, we should be fast enough to get back before they do."
Ferrucio nods. "I think perhaps a little clarification is in order: Janiven, does the road cross the river at a bridge or a ford? And will we have enough horses for all of us to ride, or only your decoy group?"
"As for the locked door, while I don't doubt the Professor's skills in that regard, I prefer to leave as few things open to chance as possible--if there is some way we can obtain the keys first, we'll be able to execute our rescue with much less risk."
"And as far as Shanwen goes, beating him unconscious is predicated on reaching him first; doing that if he's casting spells at us may well be difficult. Perhaps I can summon a creature or two from the Outer Planes to harry him while we make our initial assault..." Ferrucio trails off into thought.
Illithia felt her heart jump as Ferrucio intoned his idea for knocking the armigers out instead of killing them. She smiled at him when he looked at her, a warm smile, thankful. A calculating mind, for true, but perhaps a compassionate soul as well. It was then that Illithia caught Darius' cautionary look from across the room. She looks inquisitively back at him.
Illithia takes Dracius' warning seriously though, and checks Ferrucio for any traces of Evil. Not finding any her confusion only increases. She puts aside those feelings for a moment and contributes to the tactical discussion.
"The Rose has blessed me with the power to shrug off all but the most powerful of spells. I may be best suited to face the spellcaster, and she will have difficulty with casting her spells within reach of my glaive."
"I reckon getting the keys would be easier... I think I should get in Shanwen's face too. It'll be harder fer him to get rid of both of us right? I think the others can handle his goons."
"I've opened many a tomb with locks and traps, but doing the same thing in the heat of battle may be a bit different. It's no guarantee. But I do think I can help put down some of the Armigers gently. I know a spell which can put several of them to sleep. It's pretty useful to slip past guards, but it will certainly work here too."
"The road crosses the stream via a small bridge. The stream is about 20' wide and roughly chest-deep. The brigde is around 20' wide and 40' long.
As for immobilizing the carriage, the idea is that the decoy presents an easy threat for the hellknights, enough to make them think splitting the group is safe. If they decide to storm through, their horses will be stopped by caltrops and smoke. If they decide to go back, turning the carriage around will take some time, and this is when you strike.
We can agree to use the blunt ends of our weapons, and wrap them in cloths, to prevent mortal injury. The disabling spells, if successful, will, of course, be the key ingredient of the plan.
I'm not sure what kind of spellcaster Shanwen is. Most probably, he's a servant of Asmodeus. There are wielders of arcane arts among the signifiers, but they are tolerated rather than respected, and are much fewer in numbers.
I hope they will carry the key with them. The separate keys are sometimes used for especially dangerous prisoners, but Arael hardly qualifies.
We will travel on horseback in pairs. Once there, we will leave the horses in the forest and perform the assault on foot. I don't think we could keep up with riding and fighting at the same time. We will have to force them to dismount, which I think the caltrops will do fine."
"Look, I'm all for ending this without any bloodshed. My spell ought to do some of that. But remember that Shanwen and the Armigers won't be thinking the same. They'll be willing to cut us down like wheat. Nothing in history shows otherwise. If it comes to blades, we can't afford to take it easy on them. I don't have enough skill to take on a Hellknight and promise not to hurt him. Otherwise the next time we meet here, there will be far fewer of us."
Dracius says, "To be fair, if they do not surrender and we must search them for the keys, then I would imagine it would be faster for the Professor to work the lock himself.... and, from what I recall, Hellknights are loathe to surrender. Beyond that, however, I do think it there is a certain elegance and grace to the plan... I do agree that we need to be prepared to strike our opponents to the best of our abilities -- although I would prefer it be a last resort. However, rest assured, if we do such a thing, I will implore Shelyn to keep them from dying, as best I can."
He pauses then looks up again, "So, then, shall I ask for a Mist to obscure us, or shall I try for other magics?"
"I don't think we'll need it." Bishop shakes his head. "Try fer something that will make it easier for us to take 'em down, maybe?"
"Perhaps you have spells which could instill magical fear in them? That would be a double disgrace for the Order."
Dracius nods, his tone skeptical, "I could, yes, but sadly, such spells only affect a single target."
"I think that's ok, Dracius. After I try to put them to sleep, then we can see who's left. I don't expect Shanwen to go down easily, so perhaps you can target him."
"Even one fleeing can be demoralizing to the group, and cause others to run as well." Illithia chimes in.
Dracius pauses to consider Dario's words, Indeed, there is certainly merit to that..., but before he can speak, Illithia adds in her opinion.
He looks over to her with a smile and says, "A most excellent point... Especially if it is one of their leaders...." He trails off in thought, then adds, "What's more, I am not limited to a single attempt. Very well, you've convinced me."
With that, Dracius rises, saying, "I must go perform my rights, now. If you'll excuse me?"
He nods to each of his new "allies" and begins to leave the room, slowly, as if trying to figure out where to go. These cells are rather plain... Have I seen a garden, or tapestry, or something that would help inspire my praise of the Eternal Rose? He stops at the threshold of the room to scan it, and then chuckles at himself, Well, to be fair, she is the most beautiful thing here... He calls out, his deep bass voice rumbling in the chamber, "Illithia, would you care to join in my prayers?"
When Dracius turns and invites Illithia to pray with him, she replies quickly: "Of course, Dracius." She makes no mention that she had already performed her morning rituals as she follows him out of the room. She was still thinking about the look he had flashed her. His invitation almost seemed like an after-thought though, so I doubt he wants to talk about it.
Illithia allows Dracius to lead her to his room, in which they both sit, and clasp hands in prayer. During the prayers, Illithia hums various tunes, though her eyes always remain closed, focusing on the sound of the music and feeling her goddess through her art.
"Yea, that sounds like a good way to cut down their numbers. You go do what you need to."
"If we have caltrops, we can spread them out behind the carriage. That way if they do try to turn around and run, the horses won't be able to go far."
"So, let us recap.
We have two means of control - caltrops and the black powder.
There is a bridge, which can serve as a choke point.
I lead a group of 5 men about 500 feet away from the bridge, and put the caltrops on the road near our position. You lay in hiding before or under the bridge, and prepare a line of black powder near your position. We let them pass you by, approach the bridge and my group jumps on the road, posing as bandits. Now, we have three options, depending on what they'll do:
1. Assuming they charge forward. This is probably the worst for us, but unlikely, because they will see the bridge as a tactical disadvantage. In this case, your best bet would be to jump on them immediately, trying to hold the carriage on the bridge, and we will rush at your help. They will be in cramped quarters, which should give us a slight edge.
2. Assuming they decide to turn back. We will run towards you. You have to wait until they turn the carriage around and then ignite the black powder, causing confusion, and leap at them. We will have them disoriented and surrounded and are likely to win.
3. If everything goes according to plan and they split up. Their avantgarde hits the caltrops and dismounts, while my group disperses. The rest will likely decide to turn around when they see it, so you wait when they are about halfway through and ignite the powder. Then you attack and, hopefully, make quick work of them. Does that sound about right?"
"Sounds bout right. I'm ready to go whenever everyone else is."
"Hmm...in an effort to honour our promise to Illithia, I would like to find a more humane way of dealing with the armigers..."
He turns to Dario. "Professor, since I am tied up here with my own preparations, perhaps I could enlist your assistance? The sleep dweomer you speak of--could you go out and procure a copy for me? I have the coin here." He hands over a coin purse with 37 gold crowns in it, as well as some loose change.
"Market rates for a dweomer of this sort are around 25 crowns, but you never know when you might have to haggle."
He looks at the other Children, still deep in conversation with Janiven. "And would you do me another favour? Take Tarvi with you. If we are going to succeed in our endeavours, we will need more than just the five of us doing the heavy lifting; giving Tarvi an opportunity to learn the ways of magic will help us in the long run. Plus her local knowledge will be useful to you. Send her in to see me when you get back, and I will take her through my spellbook and see if I can teach her the rudiments of reading magical sigils."
###
Dario take the purse of coins, tossing it back and forth in his hands with a slight smile. He adjusts his hat. "No problem. I'm sure I can find what you're looking for. Maybe I can find some other things too. Anyone else want to give me some coin? Tarvi, would you like to accompany me?"
When she is ready, Dario and Tarvi head out of the hideout. As they depart, Dario is overheard saying, "You know, there is something I've been wanting to try out..."
Tarvi lowers her gaze and blushes. "Thank you, Professor Westone and Master Ferrucio, I would be honored to assist you."
After they leave, each of you begin their preparations, knowing that your life may possibly be at stake, and fate worse than death can await you if you are captured.
As you leave, Tarvi tells you about a curio shop where a retired wizard sells some magical parchments and strange ingredients. She spent a lot of time in front of this shop's windows when she had breaks in her relatively well-paying, but extremely dull job in her father's jewellery store.
Dario suggests that they try the wizard's curio shop first, since Tarvi knows it. He chats with her on any subject she wants, especially magical theory, hoping to prep her for Ferrucio's lessons.
As you enter the curio shop, you see Tarvi's eyes start gleaming. She is enthralled by the enigmatic books and mysterious things lined up on the shelves. Having been schooled in a real magical academy, you realize that while the objects on the display are mostly mundane, some of the books are actual treatises on magical arts, many in foreign languages. This isn't something you'd readily expect in an oppressive city like Westcrown.
The proprietor catches your glance. "May I help you, sir?"
When you ask for a scroll of Sleep, the shopkeeper nods with an understanding look, and begans muttering under his beard as he rummages through the scroll cases.
"Aye, that I have. Nice and simple, but ever so useful. A good start. The young lady rejected all the suitors, I'm glad she has finally found herself a tutor." He giggles and winks at you, handing out the requested scroll. Tarvi is beetroot-red, unable to say a word from embarrassment.
"That'll be 25 crowns, sir. I can recognize a discerning customer when I see one. Would you like to order something for yourself as well? I wish I had my special stock I used to order from Egorian, but alas, I had to stop doing that because of the rampant banditry. The Dottari protect us within the city walls, but the trade routes are ripe with highwaymen. All couriers I've sent recently were robbed near the town of Westpool, and now I can't find anyone willing to go that route for any money. I wish somebody could take this matter into their hands, if neither Westcrown nor the Orders can cope with this blight."
Dario smiles warmly at the shopkeeper and glances back at the embarrassed Tarvi. "She's sharp and she knows what she doesn't know. That makes her a better student than most." He winks at Tarvi if only to heighten her embarrassment. "Seems like you have a good stock here." He nods toward a thick, but relatively new book. "Goran's work on runes. It's good work, but a dreadful read. The man needs an editor."
"Bandits near Westpool, you say? You think simple robbers or something more? Dario pays for the scroll using Ferrucio's coins and he bids the man goodbye, allowing Tarvi to exit the shop ahead of him.
"Now, we need a visit to a blacksmith."
"Right you are, sir, an expert assessment if I ever heard one!
As for the bandits, they behave like robbers - they don't just take the cargo, but also all the personal belongings of their victims. Which is usually not much, so it makes me wonder, why are they so relentless in attacking my books! It's almost like a competitor trying to drive me out of business, but don't have any business feuds. It was driving me mad at one point, but I decided it's better for my health to stop mulling it over and just take what life gives me.
All the best to you sir, hope to see you again! Trust me, I have the best selection in all of Westcrown, even with the bandit trouble!"
Around lunchtime, the door to the safe house opens and in walks Tarvi, carrying a scroll. "Professor Westone said it's of crucial importance to deliver the scroll as soon as possible. I believe he is still looking for the buyers of your equipment, and he solemnly promised to return on time."
At the end of his prayers, Dracius smiles warmly at Illithia, "Thank you for adding your lovely voice to the Song. It was the music of liturgies that first drew me into Shelyn's service...", he pauses and chuckles slightly, reminiscing, "...I literally stood entranced for hours, sitting through rehearsals and services both... and risked a beating to do so... and your soft song today was even more uplifting to my soul than that choir...."
He stops for a moment, slowly rising, and then offering Illithia a hand up, continuing in an even tone, "...and it certainly does no harm to look upon something as beautiful when contemplating the incorruptible beauty of the Eternal Rose."
He takes a deep breath with his eyes closed, as if closing his mind slightly to all of the beauty in the world, then reopens them, the expression of wonder fading from his face.
He speaks softly, his deep bass being something more felt than heard, "We should be wary of Ferrucio. I do not expect him to betray us, but he does not share our ideals, though he does give them lip service.
I sense that he cares little about possible deaths, and his words to the contrary were only spoken for our sakes."
Returning from his prayers, Dracius listens to the finalized Plan and nods. "I think that is likely the best we can do. Let us hope that Shelyn asks Desna to smile upon us."
After leaving the blacksmith and sending Tarvi back to Ferrucio with the scroll, Dario looks around for a weaponsmith to sell the various goods he has.
Around lunchtime, the door to the safe house opens and in walks Tarvi, carrying a scroll. "Professor Westone said it's of crucial importance to deliver the scroll as soon as possible. I believe he is still looking for the buyers of your equipment, and he solemnly promised to return on time."
Ferrucio looks up from his lunch as Tarvi enters, and closes the book he was reading. "Tarvi, welcome back. Thank you for going with the Professor, I'm sure your local knowledge came in handy." He gestures with the ham sandwich in his hand. "Shall we head to my room? I find peace and quiet an important part of learning elementary magical theory," he says, glancing at Rizzardo and Yakopulio who are busy miming the downfall of the Hellknights while guffawing and generally making far too much noise.
###
Ferrucio's room is sparse but meticulously kept: a pallet in the corner, neatly made up; a rickety desk with the too-short leg chocked up with an offcut piece of timber; two mismatched timber dining chairs; a few books on the desk, organised by subject-matter; and a wardrobe whose doors don't quite meet in the middle. Ferrucio opens the wardrobe and retrieves his backpack, and then his spellbook--a slim, small book bound in black leather.
"This," he explains to Tarvi, "is a wizard's most precious possession. If you can afford it, buy one as soon as you can. If not, let me know and I will see what I can do about providing you with some coin to get you started."
He drags the chairs across to the desk and sits down, indicating Tarvi should do the same. "Now, probably the best place to start is with the general theory of magic..."
###
You let Tarvi go and decide to backtrack a bit to try and find the alchemist's shop you took note of on the road here, to purchase the thunderstone. Unfortunately, you quickly get confused in the colorful facades and twisting narrow streets of this part of Westcrown. After an hour of fruitless search and a dozen 'I could swear it was right here!' mutterings, you abandon your futile attempts and ask the passers-by where the smithy could be. You are directed towards a building on an edge of a fairly big market square overlooking the riverbank. You are able to sell most of your haul at the various traders on the square, but whenever you produced the hand crossbows, you were met with scornful looks and the shopkeepers refused to do further business with you. You conclude they must be associated with some kind of criminal activity, and you will have to resort to shadier places at darker times to get rid of them.
When the city clock strikes three times, you realize you have to get back to the safe house without fully completing your task. You spend about an hour trying to remember the way backwards, often seeing the abandoned church ahead only to hit a dead end a minute later. At last you manage to find the correct route and reach the decrepit building.
Ferrucio finds Tarvi a very gifted and attentive student, and by the end of your short foray into the inner workings of magic, you both are filled with excitement as Tarvi manages to lift a book off the table and open it up by way of magic. It is far from the limits of the prestidigitation spell, but for someone who has never been properly instructed until today it is a very good start. Tarvi herself is overjoyed, but you notice she is very tired from the nervous strain.
As you finish the lesson, Dario returns, and he is not in the best of his moods. His backpack, though smaller, is not empty.
The professor finally finds his way back to the hideout late in the day. He walks in and tosses the bag of coins and the bag with the still unsold hand crossbows hard onto the table. "Spirit of Aroden! Do you know how many ways there are not to get to this place?! I swear I must have walked around this church five times!" He grabs a chair and looks around for what's left of the wine.
"I hope Tarvi made it back with the scroll. I had a hell of time after I sent her off. Those hand crossbows are too suspicious to be trying to sell right now. Three different merchants just walked away from the whole deal when they saw them. We'll have to figure something else out later. I did, however, manage to get these..." The Professor pulls out two common whetstones. "A little work with these and our blades should be a tad bit sharper."
He sits down to begin working on his own rapier, offering the second stone to anyone who wants to use it. "How have things fared here?"