"Would you give testimony to the Guard? If Barvasi is ever to be caught, there needs to be evidence. Witnesses. Although perhaps it isn't much..." Melianthe is pensive.
I would propose a more "sure" solution to that problem. Segang states with a flat tome. His eyes are dark and vengeful.
"Really? I'm free! This is a happy occasion!" The dragon's head disappears into he flagon as he takes another sip.
Seren sits back in the shadow of the tavern corner and smiles at the little dragon's elation.
Seems no one in present company cares for the idea of locking someone up against their will little friend. Segang replies to the creature. I am glad you have decided to stay and help us for a while, but you are indeed completely free. Welcome to the team.
"No testimony, then? Well, if the King of Spiders comes around we can just feed him to the sharks." Melianthe releases Hloire to crawl around on the table while she delivers these matter-of-fact words.
"If he intrudes, we might bring him up on charges for trespass or even assault on government officials," Absinthe says, one eyebrow raised. "The law could do us a favour in that regard."
"Abby, I had nearly forgotten our deputization," Melianthe says, beaming, or the dusk elf equivalent of beaming.
Absinthe smiles a small, subtle smile. "And mayhap we might earn a small reward for making the spider king prove he is a kraken, rather than a stirge, and granting the Marshall an opportunity to detain him indefinitely," she adds.
Nearly two weeks pass before you hear from Marshal Kroft. During the downtime, Rosa says her goodbyes returns to duties at her 'temple', while Demitri grows impatient with the inactivity and hires himself out as a guard on a caravan to Magnimar. Majenko remains a constant companion of Absinthe, though at times he flies off to soar with his city kin for a while.
Korvosa, in the meantime, returns to a semblance of normality. Still, the streets thrum with bridled tension and wild rumors. While the riots are quelled and order returns to the majority of the city, crime is on the rise. Petty thefts, burglaries and muggings skyrocket, keeping the guard employed beyond their limits.
In the taverns and markets, some still hiss "usurper" and "murdering harlot" at the mere utterance of QUeen Ileosa's name. More shockingly, rumors that the king's death was not of natural causes become heard more and more often. Most of the rumors purport that Eodred II was poisoned, and the queen is oft cast as the primary suspect.
However, just yesterday, news spread through the city like wildfire, telling of a young guard's confession as a co-conspirator in the late king's assassination. The guard swore that he and his partner, a painter named Trinia Sabor, slipped a specially-prepared poison into Eodred's tea the night he took ill and her contract portrait was completed.
After the confession, the guard is said to have jumped from a tower of Castle Korvosa, in shame for his crime. Trinia Sabor's name is now on the lips of the city, and riots again threaten to erupt... This time, however, the cries are not for the queen's head, but for the death of the king's true murderer!
This morning, as you set down for breakfast at the Three Rings, a breathless Korvosan Guard delivers a message to you: Field Marshal Cressida Kroft needs to speak with you immediately, and she should be arriving in a few moments.
Once the guard is gone and we have some privacy Segang cautions. I like this not. Men who confess to high crimes and name accomplices, and then die before any trial sounds very suspect to me.
"Very astute, Segang. I'd have to agree with you, although a good deceit is always rooted in truth. We may have to hunt to figure out what's true and what's not! A gold says that's what this call is about. Make a show of hunting down this so called partner in crime murderess."
As soon as she starts hearing rumours about Trinia Sabor being implicated in the old King's death, Absinthe starts putting out feelers in the Korvosan underworld through the Dead Fish Gang, looking for any hints as to where the painter might be hiding.
"We need to find her, and speak with her before anyone else questions her. ...and we also need a healer," says Melianthe with a grimace, squinting at the sunlight outside with distaste. "I do so wish this was an evening summons."
Segang leads the group to the place of summons. We must he cautious as to what we commit to do on this assignment.
"One also cautions everyone to hold back information regarding the latest addition to our group," Absinthe says as she strokes Majenko's skull.
A few minutes after the guard leaves, Field Marshal Kroft arrives at the Three Rings with a handful of guards and a slight, hooded figure in tow. Her demeanor is nervous and impatient as she waves you into the unoccupied dining room and closes the door with the guards posted outside.
She nods curtly once everyone is settled, then starts in a low voice. "You've doubtless heard the stories that the king's killer has been named. Yet there's something more going on here, I'm afraid. Queen Ileosa could have quietly had this Trinia Sabor arrested at any time, yet the way in which she revealed the information to the city seems to me like she wants the riots to come back." Cressida sighs and continues. "With the mob and the Hellknights out on the street the girl doesn't stand a chance at a trial... they'll lynch her the moment they find her. And even if she did kill the king, mob 'justice' isn't the way. Worse, if she's innocent, the real killer can use this distraction to throw us off the trail forever."
"Before Trinia is executed, we need to be absolutely sure she did this thing, and that means we need to catch her before the mob does. Fortunately, we know where she lives -- a flat in Midland -- but soon, so will the mob. The Hellknights don't seem to care as much about catching her as they do about containing the mob... something about the "order of law" makes it a greater priority for them than a possible assassin. I can't say I disagree completely, but the problem is the Hellknights are only making the situation worse. If I send my guards into this mess, it will be riots all over again."
She looks around to each of you, so distracted she takes no real notice of Majenko. "I'm sure you can see where this is going. I need you to get into Midland, find Trinia, and bring her back to me so we can deliver her, safe and sound, to somewhere she can be questioned, preferably with magic, to learn her true role in King Eodred's death."
She stops and gestures to the figure at her side. "Oh, before I forget... I heard that a few of your companions have moved on. So, I asked around... Vencarlo Orisini recommended a young 'man' doing good deeds for the locals in Old Korvosa. I thought he would be a good match for your group. This is Cherias."
You see a skinny, leather-clad figure wrapped in a cloak beside Kroft. Before he lifts his hood, firelight glints reflected in his eyes.
Pale, lavender hair, catlike ears, slitted pupils and sharp canines that show when he smiles -- as he is doing so now with as much charm as he can muster -- as well as a tail rising behind him from under his cloak, suggest this young man is a catfolk.
"Thank you, Field Marshall, I do what I can. I've heard of your exploits -- saving those orphans, finding the Queen's amulet, shutting down that horrible butcher shop -- and I can only hope you find me useful."
He steps forward, favoring one leg, with a walking stick in one hand. He doesn't seem to lean on it very much, though. "Cherias is my name, though many people call me Kitling or Kit. I'll answer to any of those. I'm not much good in a fight, though I can shoot a crossbow pretty well, but I have a talent for channeling the divine. I'm no physician, I've had no formal training, but the powers of the planes don't seem to mind that."
His eyes pass over the four of you, pausing briefly on Segang, seeming to find his tattoos intriguing.
"One greets you, Cherias," Absinthe says, inclining her head politely. "One was named Absinthe, as well as Mooneyes. Either will suffice, and one's comrades favour several abbreviations."
"Absinthe? A pleasure to meet you. Were you named after the vintage or was it named after you?" He grins at his own joke.
Segang rises at the introductions. Segang of the Shoanit. he says and offers the small man his hand.
Addressing Field Marshal Kroft the barbarian asks a question that from his expression he does not expect an satisfactory answer from. My lady, we have heard the rumors of all of all of this, of course. We have also heard the that guard who confessed and then accused Ms. Sabor fell to his death after his confession. As a matter of completeness, I would like us to be allowed to examine the guard's body. He waits for an expected answer.
"You say the mob will be there soon? How long do we have to find her" Seren queries.
He regards the newcomer with a warm smile and a nod. Seren himself is an unremarkable half-elf, but closer inspection reveals flecks of black in his irises and something off as he moves through the light as if his shadow is cast slightly askew from the light.
"Melianthe Ssulissien, of the dusk elves," Melianthe says with an easy smile. "Hail and well met, Kitling." Unspoken questions of his agathion-like nature flit across her face and then disappear.
She nods to Segang, all business again. "An examination of his body would tell much, Segang. As a physician, or reasonably like one, I may be able to determine the nature of his death and injuries."
Cherias takes Segang's meaty hand in his own slender, almost dainty one. "My, aren't you a strong one!" he says with a smile at Segang.
Seren's nod is returned, and to Melianthe he responds, "Well met indeed, I hope to learn much from accompanying a Doctor."
Noticing the pseudodragon, he takes a seat beside Absinthe, and murmurs to the creature, "Hello little one. Your kind have long been a joy for me to watch as you fly over the rooftops of oldtown."
After this, unless anyone asks him other questions, Cherias will wait and listen to the other party members, and follow them if they head out.
To Segang's request, Cressida frowns and shakes her head. "I share your concerns, but unfortunately I have no ability to grant your request. Castle Korvosa is out of my jurisdiction... I take my orders from them, not the other way around." She turns to Seren and the group. "That being said, the guard is dead... but Trinia Sabor yet lives. I cannot say how long until she is found out. Going door to door, it is only a matter of time. It could be within hours, if some neighbor gives her up... I recommend haste."
"42 Moon Street. Any other questions?"
"One has none," Absinthe says as she rises to her hooves, "at the moment. Until we meet again, Marshall Kroft."
Segang pushes it a little. If we get her, I am not big on turning her in to anyone until I know her guilt or innocence. I would ask to at least be present as she is questioned.
"Let's ask that once we have her alive," Melianthe says, moving to follow Absinthe. "Cherias, you will be able to follow?" Her gaze notes his walking stick with mild professional concern.
"I can manage about 20 paces for every 30 you can, I think. " Cherias takes a few steps to show his walking speed. He adds drolly, "If that's too slow, perhaps Segang could carry me onto his shoulders? "
Absinthe isn't sure about speedy routes, but she knows that Moon Street is on the opposite side of Midland, along the ridge leading up to the Heights. It is also one of the poorer sections of Korvosa, with a large Shingles section overhead.
As the group makes progress towards their target Segang proposes Perhaps Majenko could scout this our for us? It might be good to know how many ways out there are before we go in.
"I'll do what I can," the dragon shrugs.
While the party moves out, Cherias will walk beside Melianthe and ask, "Besides you and me, what other healing resources do we have? I've seen curing wands available in magic shops on occasion -- has anyone purchased one of those? Have we a stock of potions? Scrolls?"
"I...haven't taken the time to shop for those," Melianthe says, a bit embarrassed. "We should get arcane--and divine--items straightaway."
"Oh goody. I do love to shop." He walks along beside the elf for a minute in silence, then breaks it by bringing up a new topic:
[b]"If you're curious about my leg, I was in a carriage accident about a year ago, and this got all mangled. I was able to get the others in the carriage to safety, though. Infection and fever followed, but I got better. It was then that I first felt the touch of the divine. If you wish to examine my leg, out of professional interest, of course, I wouldn't mind."
Following Absinthe, you set out from the Three Rings and the relatively peaceful streets of North Point by following Sunrise and Harborview North Boulevards before leaving the main roads and cutting directly west up the hillside. As you get deeper into Midland, the tension in the air becomes palpable. Residents have their houses and shops closed up tight, but you can hear the echoes of shouting and knocking from searching mobs in nearby streets.
As you near the exit of an alleyway, heading onto Moon Street a few blocks from your destination, Majenko spirals down from scouting and warns in a whisper, "Hellknights, just ahead."
Melianthe casts Mage Armor and grips her Magic Missile wand.
"The examination will have to wait, Cherias, although I hear that divine wounds sometimes never heal," she says quietly while scanning ahead.
Cherias whispers, "Aren't we being sent by the Guard? Do we have to fear discovery by the Hellknights?"
"The power structure is too splintered to trust any other faction at the moment, Kit, not that I ever placed much trust in the 'Knights," Mel returns. "Be ready."
"Hellknights are Chelaxian. This is Korvosa.! Doesn't mean they won't be trouble. Should probably avoid them"
"Agreed," Absinthe says. "Thank you, Majenko." The tiefling ponders for a moment, trying to figure out a way to get to the destination without having to pass the Hellknights.
"Either we double back, or we hide and wait to see whether they pass us by," Absinthe says. "Either way, we lose time. Thoughts? Majenko, did they seem to be headed anywhere, or were they patrolling?"
"They were just standing there, looking around... watching the street, I guess." Majenko strokes his chin, thinking. "I could annoy 'em... cause a distraction, if you like."
Lets double back - I don't like being still and do not want a confrontation with these lawkeepers.
Cherias nods and picks his walking stick up, holding it in the middle of its length so that it doesn't tap on the ground. He seems able to move about as well without it.
(Add +2 if it's dim light, but I think it's still morning right?)