-Posted with Wayfinder
These are my people. Segang says to the party. Though some seem to forget with whom they speak. I will send for you after Thousand Bones reprimands this youth.
[b]Lead then. We have gone through much to bring the burden we carry.
The man nods and waves for Segang to follow. The others stand by, blocking the street from the rest of the party.
The old blind man nods as you enter. "Gaekhen's remains are returned to his clan and family. It will burn and send his spirit to the Great Sky."
"You have done us a great service, young warrior, and we owe you a debt. If you require our aid in the future, you have but to ask. You are welcome in our home as a respected brother. I cannot guarantee our men will cool their want for wrath, but returning Gaekhen will do much to ease their strife."
Showing all the customary respect for an elder Segang adds It was an honor to be called upon revered elder. But I must tell you that I could not have done this deed without the help of my friends. Dark creatures known as derro had the moral remains of Gaekhen and panned vile necromancy or worse upon his body. Without my friend's help I cannot say what might have happened. They are not Shoanti but they too deserve respect and honor.
Absinthe eyes the Shoanti guards, her face still as a mask. Her sinuous tail lashes once, twice -- and then draws up and slips under her shirt. For a few moments, all can see it move under there as it slithers around her chest, finally coming to a rest, all unseen.
Without another glance for the guards, Absinthe clip-clops over to Melianthe and places a steadying hand on her shoulder. "One worries for you, Sister Mel," she says, a small frown on her brow. "While it is undeniable that the sun is betimes unpleasantly bright, its shine helps life grow hale and hearty. Possibly we should look into some protection for your eyes, so you might stand under the light...? Until such a thing may be found, one could conjure darkness for you, should you deeply desire it."
Melianthe sighs. "Ah, Abby, I suppose I was too irritable upon getting out into the sun. Truth be told, it does not bother me overly; were I to engage in melee or archery, then yes, but it merely annoys. I was just happy to be belowground for a while. For this time being, Korvosa is my home, such as it is. "
She purses her lips. "I suppose things are going well, seeing as how the other Shoanti did not draw weapons on Segang. I couldn't tell if they were thankful or angry that we returned their kinsman. My hope is that this business is concluded soon; we have the crown and the turmoil surrounding it to think of."
Segang nods his understanding and bows. Call on me again if I may be of service revered elder. I shall take my leave if you have no immediate need of me. I must report in now to the Queen's watch.
Segang reports in to the group. The body has been returned. The people are grateful, though it may take some time for them to properly show it. For now, they greave. Next we should go and report in to Vencarlo who offered us payment for recovering the the body. then I would like to go and report in to Field Marshal Cressida and ask of Trinia.
"Hmm, what? Um, Vencarlo, yes ..." Seren returns to his perusal of the spellbook as they move along.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Best beware with that tome, friend Seren," Absinthe suggests as the group moves on. "Depending on what's in it, you might find some folk eager to confiscate it, should you flap it about too much..."
"Agreed on all counts, Segang. Trinia's fate concerns me. Were your kinsmen...receptive? Grateful?" Melianthe's face clouds over at Seren's reading material.
Leaving the Shoanti tenement, you make way for Orisini Acadamy. With several of you already familiar with Old Korvosa, you have no trouble finding the place. The front doors are closed and locked when you arrive, and it takes a minute of knocking before you hear the bar and latch open. Vencarlo greets you wearing fencing pads and showing signs of exertion.
"I apologize for your wait. I was in the midst of a complex routine. It took several thumps at the door to finally break my concentration." He shakes his head and then sketches a quick bow. "Where are my manners? You have the look and scent of a recent delve into the sewers. I hope you were successful in recovering Gaekhen's remains..."
"One was not aware you were a... recreational fencer," Absinthe says, choosing her words delicately and eyeing Vencarlo with some curiosity. "As to our task... Yes."
"Agreed on all counts, Segang. Trinia's fate concerns me. Were your kinsmen...receptive? Grateful?" Melianthe's face clouds over at Seren's reading material.
Thousand Bones was grateful. The tribe will come to be grateful as well. Remember it was this city that murdered the grandson of Thousand Bones. Do not expect the People to be grateful only because the city now returns his body. In time they will come to see that we have done them a service. For now many see us only as an instrument of the city.
Later, when Vencarlo answers the door Segang will answer We have recovered the grandson of Thousand Bones and returned it to him as you bid us. Those who held the burden have paid a price for doing so and will bother the living no more. We thought you would want to know.
Cherias shudders as Orsini asks about the sewers. "Not the sewers, but a worse place... I hesitate to speak of it."
Vencarlo nods, "Good to hear it. Every injustice that can be righted is a small salve to the wounds Korvosa has suffered. Such services may not seem like much to those in power, but they count in the greater balance of things."
"As promised, you will be rewarded for your service. I cannot pay you presently, but will see it delivered to you in a day or so. In the meantime, I have a message for you from Marshal Kroft. She wishes to meet with you whenever you are able... something in the matter of that Trinia Sabor character you apprehended." He gives a small shrug.
"Well, that's what we wanted to meet her about... but first, a long soak in a hot bath, and then a visit to the market to sell things."
"The bath can wait, Absinthe; Trinia's life may be in jeopardy yet. We should proceed directly. Ser Vencarlo, we thank you for our reward."
The dusk elf curtsies and prepares to go to Kroft's offices forthwith.
Absinthe blinks. "Indeed," she says. "One believes it was Cherias who vocalized the thought of bathing, but one is in agreement with it. Nevertheless, as you yourself said, Sister Melianthe, a life is in jeopardy and we should adjourn to the stockade, rather than the bathhouse, at all speed."
Segang nods and head that direction, expecting the others to keep up.
"Sorry, Abby," grumbles Melianthe, rubbing her eyes, "I clearly need some willow bark tea. Onward."
She trots after Segang.
Cherias sighs, thinking longingly about slipping into a steaming tub, and agrees. "I suppose that's for the best."
Excited by the prospect of a bath for a moment, Seren sighs and follows along, muttering under his breath, "Not like she's going any where ... stuck with the Guard and all ..."
You leave Old Korvosa and take the most direct route to Citadel Volshyenek, wasting no time with distractions along the way. The guards at the gate wave you in, and you find Marshal Kroft in the courtyard, speaking sternly to a few junior officers. She nods to you as you enter, then walks over when her business is complete. Her demeanor is cold and serious as she greets you.
"I am glad you are here. Late last night, a contingent of the queen's came and took Ms Sabor into their custody. Bastards waited until I was asleep before they came in and browbeat my lieutenant. By the time I was informed, they were gone." She shakes her head with a grimace. "Now, I've been invited up to the castle to attend her hearing. I'm not sure what to expect, but I know you wanted to be there. I am leaving in a moment, if you wish to join...?"
"Wait a minute ... queen's guard? Don't you work for the Queen?"
"Queen's retinue guard," clarifies Melianthe gently. "Meaning it's the Court's business. Which is passing strange, begging your pardon, Marshal. Yes, we would very much like to join. We promised her exoneration, or at least justice." She adjusts her outfit and attempts to dust off some of the dungeon's dreck on her sleeves, sweeping her pale hair as she does.
It might not be safe to say, but do not grow fonder of this queen of yours. Segang tells the guard captain, distancing himself from the queen's rule.
"I suppose a bath is right out. Let's go see her. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
"A bath would have been nice," Absinthe says with a slight sigh. "Should our aroma offend the Queen overmuch, we might find ourselves in the dock as well. But let us go about securing justice if we can."
"Seren, we shall remind you to have a prestidigitation ready next time we're in the presence of the Court...regrettably, the patrons of good folk such as I don't grant that spell," says Melianthe with a smile.
She follows Marshall Kroft, still adjusting her carriage, as befits a lady.
You follow Cressida and her escort through the city streets towards the great castle at its center. When you reach the perimeter gates, there is a large crowd assembled. The gate guards are busy filtering out the rif-raff and making sure weapons are checked at the entrance.
"No blades, no bows... leave you weapons 'ere!" the sergeant shouts repeatedly over the din.
Marshal Kroft mutters a curse while looking at the edges of the crowd. "This is ridiculous. I'm going to speak with my men... I'll find you inside." She waves to her escort and marches away from the gate.
The line of people continues to move slowly but steadily through the gate.
Segang will leave a small arsenal with the guards, making sure he has a claim ticket for the weapons he leaves. He watches the level of scrutiny given the people passing and if the is confident he can secrete a sap on his person he will try, otherwise he will not. He does not remove his armor or remove the shield from his back.
Seren will leave his blade and bow behind.
Absinthe tries to fade into the crowd a bit, keeping her head down. If she is challenged despite this, she hands over her rapier and her silvered mace. If someone spots the daggers, she gives all the signs of absent-mindedness and hands her last blades over.
"One sometimes uses them to whittle wood, sir," she mumbles, hanging her head. "Hardly think of them as aught but tools anymore. A thousand apologies, noble captain, yes."
Melianthe deposits her weapons with a smirk. "I should just leave them there for all the use I've had with them lately," she says. Of her hexes and spells, and Hloire, she says nothing.
Cherias turns over his weapons, getting a receipt for the crossbow.
Through the gates you find the inner courtyard is already filled with a large crowd. Notably, a good number of those in attendance are the toast of Korvosa, standing in a roped section nearest to a wide, raised stage at the end of the courtyard. That section has the feel of a grand ball or party, those inside wearing garish gowns, fine capes and enough jewels to glitter in the midday sun.
After a few minutes, a fanfare of trumpets and drums announces Queen Ileosa's arrival. This queen is not the subdued mourner you first met. She now carries herself with poise, style and grace. She wears a green and white silk dress, easily worth a thousand gold, and is attended by a small army of attendants. Chief among these is Sabina, her expression neutral but eyes watchful for possible threats to her monarch.
Queen Ileosa sits in a padded chair and waits, occasional smiling or nodding to nobles in the nearby section.
Melianthe glances at the crowd to see if they begin any sort of kneeling or bowing.
Segang stands out in his Shoanti leathers but makes no scene other that one one his mere presence incites.
Cherias is vainly trying to get as much ick and yuck off his armor as possible, as well as despairing of making a good impression without being able to change into his courtier's outfit.
Absinthe tries to fade into the background inside as she did without, hugging the walls and moving out of the guards' line of sight where possible. She keeps an eye out for Marshal Croft and for Trinia.
Seren stands and watches, interested in the proceedings.
Moving around is difficult due to the mass of people in the courtyard. Absinthe is able to find a little breathing room along the outer wall. Over a sea of heads, she eventually spots Marshal Kroft in the section with the nobles. There is no sign of Trinia.
Steadily, the crowd comes to a respectful silence. Queen Ileosa nods and a slow drum beat begins. Flanked by a pair of guards and trailed by a towering, muscular man in a black executioner's hood, Trinia Sabor is brought out onto the far end of the platform. She appears very frightened, but nonetheless bravely fights back tears, if only just.
After Trinia is forced to kneel, Queen Ilosa stands and addresses the crowd.
"Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each riot, each burning home,each act of anarchy, my heart bleeds a little more."
"This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the face of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer's timid nature -- she is a black-hearted assassin, a seductress and sinner, a viper amidst us all. I offer you her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered. Her death will not rebuild Korvosa, nor will it bring back the late king, yet tomorrow will be a new dawn -- a dawn over a city ready to rise from the edge of anarchy to become stronger than ever before!"
"And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice!"
"Off with her head!"
As the headsman hefts a massive axe, the already silent crowd freezes with anticipation. But before the man can see to his task, he gives a strange little grunt and staggers. He reaches towards the small of his back with one hand, and the greataxe clatters to the stage. He stumbles and crashes to the floor, revealing a dagger buried deep in his back. Trinia watches, eyes wide in confusion, as the crowd gasps.
"By the gods! It's Blackjack!" someone shouts.
All eyes are drawn to a man standing on the ramparts behind the stage, dressed in hooded cloak and mask. Wielding a rapier and dagger, he leaps down beside Trinia and cuts her bonds with a precise move. Helping Trinia to her feet, he turns to briefly address the stunned crowd.
"Yes indeed, my queen. Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you petulantly call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! Down with the Queen!"
Blackjack's words spread like fire, causing the crowd to erupt in a frenzy of activity. Some demand that he release the assassin while others call for the queen to abdicate the Crimson Throne. Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, then says something to Sabina before she and a dozen of her guards retreat towards the castle.
A few remaining guards move to intercept Blackjack and Trinia.