Segang cannot help himself. He leaps forward, unimpeded by the crowd (Urban Barbarian power), and while yelling to stop Blackjack he will get in the way of the remaining guards, not letting them pass through his square and moving to block their access to the pair. He will risk a wink to Trinia as he shoulders into a guard hard, pretending to be jostled by the crowd that in truth does not impact his movements at all. He will even make a show to yell Quit shoving me. at some random man that is close as he lunges into a guard.
If the guards begin to close on Trinia, he will become more forceful in his aid to her, even to the point of fighting the men defensively, using his shield as a weapon.
Melianthe's face darkens at the Queen's pronouncement, attempts composure, and then narrows her eyes thoughtfully at the sight of Blackjack. She steps back from the front line in the crowd and casts Ventriloquism, and proceeds to murmur throughout the crowd. The Queen's a liar! The accused deserves a trial! Blackjack is right! Justice!"
Cherias will establish a Lifelink with Segang as the larger man starts moving forward, then as soon as possible establish one with Trinia as well. He will also move forward, pushing his way through the crowd as best he can.
Using a combination of squirming, pushing, and slipping through people's blind areas, Absinthe makes her way over to where Blackjack and Trinia are, just as Segang is doing -- though possibly a bit more slowly. She takes a small, innocuous item in hand -- a mere pebble. As soon as she is within range, she underhandedly lobs the stone at the approaching guards, still doing her best not to be noticed.
The result of this is that the guards are suddenly at the centre of a 20 ft.-radius sphere of Darkness, the light dimming around them -- and possibly around Blackjack and Trinia, as well, facilitating their escape.
"Blackjack is a spellcaster! Run for your lives!" Absinthe hisses, trying to set people up to move out of the revolutionary's way.
Seren stands slack jawed and staring at both the event and even more so as his friends dive into the chaos.
"What in the Hells?"
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Your combined efforts to confuse and delay the guards are a success, and with the already confused crowd in an uproar, they don't stand a chance. Still, as you see Blackjack toss a grapple line up to the battlements, the wounded headsman gets to his feet and takes up his greataxe, unseen by the two of them.
The man raises the axe to strike. Any calls of alarm drowned out by the din of the crowd. As it falls, Trinia catches sight of the incoming attack and screams. Blackjack spins around, somehow avoiding certain death, before disarming and disabling the man with two quick swipes of his rapier.
After the headsman drops, Blackjack hoists Trinia up and over the wall, following close behind before cutting the line. In a moment, they are over the side and out of sight.
The crowd continues to thrash, until a minute later, the arrival of a fresh guard platoon signals the end of the show.
Melianthe looks for Marshall Kroft in the crowd and makes her way towards her if possible.
"You could cast that darkness more often," she mutters quietly to herself.
Try as you might, with all of the chaos and especially with the press of the crowd, you cannot locate Marshal Kroft.
Because he has existed for more than 200 years, nobody in the city believes him to be a single person. The most popular rumor surrounding Blackjack places him as a series of human men, with one training the next down through history. Another popular rumor claims he is an elf, ghaele eladrin, or some other member of a long-lived or immortal race who exists in secret among the short-lived humans of the city.
Get in line, Cheri, whispers Melianthe with the last of her Ventriloquism, then whistles innocently. She clears her throat and blinks at the rest of the part. "Well...that was unexpected. Let us go back to report to our vanishing Marshal, if she wasn't abducted as well."
If no one has a different plan, she will head back to the Marshal's office to find out what in the Nine Hells is going on in Korvosa.
Absinthe slips out of the milling throng and, indeed, the hall as quietly and unobtrusively as she can.
From there, she makes her way to Marshall Kroft's office as well, rendez-vousing with the others as she goes.
You are able to egress from the castle with no further trouble, though recovering your weapons from the beleaguered guards takes some time. Even when you make it back to Citadel Volshyenek, Marshal Kroft has yet to return. She finally does arrive, a few hours later, looking exhausted. Her bruises, scuffs and muddy uniform highlight a rough end to the gathering. When she sees you, she can only shake her head and frown.
"Your orders, Marshal?" Melianthe doesn't immediately ask were you expecting that autocratic nonsense from the Queen or how do you feel about this miscarriage of justice combined with a severe blow to the monarchy's rule via charismatic folk hero.
Once they are alone wiht Kroft Segang asks I know you still serve this city Captain, but can you still serve the queen?
"She has her duty to Korsova, even if she might disagree with..."
Cressida gives Segang a sharp look, but then nods to Cherias's words. "Korvosa has had its share of monarchs come and go over the years, and not all of them handled it well. King Eodred was considered mostly fair and even-handed, but even he had many critics. Our queen is still new to the throne... not that that justifies whatever that show was meant to be."
"Ultimately, Ileosa is the queen and doesn't have to explain her reasons. I assume she was trying to close the book on Eodred's death so that the city could move on, like she said. I cannot say whether the event helped or hindered her case to the city."
The marshal shakes her head. "I have no other work for you at this time. Things have settled down significantly, but the city is still on edge. I'm sure something will come up before long. Your service has been more effective than I could have hoped. If needed, I will contact you again, if you so desire."
"Should we assume we are on retainer until that time?" Absinthe asks, with every appearance of innocence. "With housing and such included?"
Unsatisfied Segang returns the sharp look and gently presses. My word still means something to me. he explains. Had the girl died, the blood would have been on all our hands. She trusted us. We trusted you, who in turn trusted the queen. That chain is now broken. I am asking you where it is broken. Think about this before you ask for my help again. He does not wait for an answer, but simply walks out of the room.
Cressida frowns as Segang walks out. "Obeying your queen has nothing to do with trust," she says to those remaining. She looks like she is about to continue speaking, then grimaces and remains quiet.
To Absinthe, she nods. "If you wish to remain on hand, I will extend your billeting at the Three Rings."
"Forgive me," Absinthe says, still with every impression of innocence. "Common is not my first language, so I do not... quite understand. If trust for the one commanding is not the basis for obedience, then what is, please?"
"Authority," Cressida replies simply. "One obeys their superior because it is their duty. I do not need to trust the queen or my betters to know I must act upon their orders. My position and powers derive from the monarchy's, not the other way around. This is Korvosa... we're not radicals like those in Andoran."
Seren cocks an eyebrow at Cressida's statement, then mutters to his friends, "Told you working for the government comes with certain baggage. Careful, or we become part of the problem."
"Blind loyalty is dangerous, Marshal. You've been fair and honest with us, and I appreciate that. You've shown us the better side of order, but I'd ask if your superiors are being fair and honest with you as well. No need to answer me, but be sure you're being true to yourself and not just a playing piece on a game board."
"Marshal, we thank you for your keeping us in reserve and for the lodging. As an elf who has already seen more than one human lifetime pass, let me just say that the fortunes of those in authority wax and wane. Beware placing allegiance to one that is waning, or you may suffer the same fate."
She turns with a flourish of robes and white hair and follows Segang out.
"Your philosophy interests me, Marshal," Absinthe says, smiling. "Mayhap you would accept an offer to join me for drinks? It seems to me you could stand to unwind a bit, and we could discuss our philosophies, an it please you."
"Would I be intruding if I came along?" Cherias asks Absinthe.
"That would be up to the Marshal," Absinthe replies, still smiling.
Cressida gives Absinthe a look before finally nodding. "Perhaps you are right," she sighs. "About the drink, that is. I'll clean up and meet you at the Three Rings later."
The dusk elf trots to catch up to the somewhat taller Shoanti.
"What now, Segang? That was disappointing."
I will go out to my people for a short time and meditate. They have a sense about them. If a leader breaks his word or acts treacherously they kill him or her. Turning more serious he adds Does it take an outsider to see what has happened here? This young Chelaxian woman gets to be the queen simply because she seduced an old man? And they call us barbarians. She has no more right to rule than you or I. Less I say, after that act of betrayal. He looks sick to his stomach.
Cressida gives Absinthe a look before finally nodding. "Perhaps you are right," she sighs. "About the drink, that is. I'll clean up and meet you at the Three Rings later."
"One shall also indulge in a hot bath," Absinthe says, plucking at her clothes. "And perhaps seek some quick laundry service. Hmmm."
The tiefling eyes the Aasimar and shrugs. "Come on," she says. "You also require some grooming."
Cherias's tail lashes back and forth as he considers a hot bath, and agrees with Absinthe. "This armor I put on in the pit is a poor fit for me as well. I must look clownish."
Cherias will head to the nearest bathhouse, clean himself, and change into his courtier's outfit to join Absinthe and Kroft for a drink.
Marshal Kroft arrives a while later, meeting Absinthe and Cherias (and any others that wish to join) at the Three Rings. She passes a friendly wave to Theandra on her way to your table. As she sits down, you can see she's had a wash and change of clothes, but still wears her guard rank.
"Good evening," she says with a rare smile. "What are you having?"
Melianthe appears in the doorway of the Three Rings, her adventuring/doctor's outfit exchanged for more civilian attire. After some time talking with Segang, she came to the conclusion that cleansing and solitary communion with her familiar was best for the spirit, but then stalked out the door in a fruitless attempt to lose herself in the streets of Korvosa. A terrible plan--the town's chaos and dirty looks at the grey-skinned elf caused her to stalk back to the Three Rings in short order. I need a second mask, she thinks, angry at herself. The local loiterers' jeers of 'back so soon?' may have caused her to unleash a Misfortune Hex or two as she strode in...
...to see Marshal Kroft sitting with her friends. ah, yes, I'd forgotten. Well. Melianthe puts on a pleasant smile and joins them.
Segang will skip this one. He is out strengthening the bond with his tribe.
Absinthe smiles and nods to the Marshal, and beckons Melianthe over when she sees her, then signals the waiter. "One believes we shall start with a pitcher of wine," she says. "One is uncertain as to what kind of meals are available...?" Absinthe casts a questioning look at the waiter.
Over dinner, Cherias will ask Kroft about her background and share his as well.
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The evening fare is pretty light -- cold cuts and cheese with sweet bread rolls -- but served with an array of different pickled sauces and spices. Theandra serves you a carafe of dark wine, better than the usual house blend, with compliments to the Marshal.
"I always liked this place," Cressida muses between bites. "Neighborly tavern without the drunkards and hooligans. I don't often have time to get out, and I have no patience for the posh locals of my peers."
To Cherias, she responds, giving a small shrug. "There's not much to tell. A few hundred years ago, after the last Shoanti war, my ancestors claimed some lands along the river to the east. It didn't count for much with the Chelish nobility, but they had respect in the military channels. Military service became my family's birthright."
"My father served in the Sable Company, as did his father. I was an only child, and I think my father wished for a son, to also serve with the Sables. Unfortunately, I have a healthy fear of heights. He died disappointed." She gives a rueful chuckle.
"Still, I upheld the family tradition and became an officer of the guard. I did well enough, kept my nose clean and my head down. I guess a combination of competence and not pissing anyone off is a good thing. A few years ago, King Eodred appointed me Field Marshal..." She pauses a few moments, a distant look on her face. "I'm not sure why I was picked. There were dozens of more experienced, better connected officers available."
"Feels like you're never certain you're good enough inside... I know how that feels. I often thought for sure that the empyreal lord who chose me made a mistake, especially after Eric and the others died."
Melianthe joins them and sits quietly, lost in her own thoughts and cognizant that her frustration at the town could easily spill over into anger at the Marshal. I'm doubly glad Segang isn't here, she muses. He wouldn't take kindly knowing that the Krofts live on land gained after killing Shoanti. Not that the Shoanti owned it...
"It's not for us to decide the gifts we receive from gods or demigods, dear Cherias...or from earthly rulers. Marshal Kroft...how is it you have time to visit us? I would imagine your office is in the eye of the storm. Or is the court guard closing ranks? Perhaps I've said too much, but I am damnably curious."
"No, I've always been confident in my abilities," she replies to Cherias. "I had reservations about my appointment, initially, but once I got used to my position... and got the guard used to me, I knew I was made for it."
To Melianthe, "I do have lieutenants, and a deputy for the night shift, though its been a while since I've had a quiet night. The show at the castle set off a buzz, but at least no riots. I'm not going to stir the pot..." She shakes her head, sighing. "One of the reasons I've done so well as commander is that I've kept my nose mostly out of the political mire, but I do have some contacts. Things should settle down in a few days, and then maybe I'll get some answers as to what today was all about."
"One apologizes for her cynicism, but it seems fairly evident what today was about," Absinthe says, blinking and wide-eyed.
"Control. There was - and is - much unfocused rage and unhappiness at his majesty Eodred's death, with much suspicion in her majesty's direction. By pointing to a clear culprit, her majesty focuses the rage of the simple masses on a clear target. One supposes the death of the victim... ah, suspect, would have been cathartic.
Is one mistaken?"
Cressida shakes her head. "No, what you say seems likely. The queen nearly said as much, explaining that Trinia's execution would put King Eodred's death behind us, so that the city can move forward. With a public display, there are many witnesses... to verify that the killer is truly dead, and not being secretly imprisoned, or worse, set free."
"The first weeks of Queen Ileosa's reign have been ones of terrible chaos and destruction. I admit that today was a travesty, but can we blame her for trying to gain the trust of the people?"
Absinthe cocks her head at Cressida, giving every appearance of puzzlement.
"But... she did not do so," she says. "Without honesty, there can be no trust. Trust would have been earned with a public investigation, would it not? As one said, her majesty the queen sought control, not trust."
"I certainly do not trust her any further. There was talk of a cover-up. Marshal Kroft, this is Korvosa. There are laws. There was no trial. If she is lawless, and Blackjack is lawless, the charismatic lawless outsider will trump the lawless ruler who grasps at straws to seize...yes, Abby, you've hit up on the word. This is control and little else."
"I wouldn't blame the queen for wanting to take control of things. The thing is, I'm almost certain Trinia didn't really do it, and executing an innocent just to get people to trust her to keep order will probably have the opposite effect. Actually I feel a little sorry for her now that I think of it. She didn't expect to be the sole ruler so soon, if at all, and now she's struggling to be the kind of ruler the late king would have been. I hope her advisors are giving her good advice -- if they advised her to do this to cow the populace, it won't have helped. People are like clay, if you squeeze too tight, they slip out between your fingers."
To Absinthe, "It is the duty of a monarch to control, but you say it like that's a bad thing. This is Korvosa, and the law is paramount, but that power flows from the top, not the other way around. Like I said earlier, this isn't Andoran," Kroft flashes a half-grin.
"But I agree with you, Melianthe, and what chafes me most about today is that I was almost certainly sidestepped. We apprehended Trinia legitimately, saving her from a reckless witch hunt, and I thought her safe in custody. Safe until her alibi or her deception could be sussed out. The whole process got hijacked, and I'm not impressed." Cressida stops herself speaking abruptly, looking around the tavern warily.
"I should mind my tongue... and don't get me started on Blackjack!" She lets out a groan.
"The duty of a monarch is to rule. The mission of a tyrant is to control"
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"witch' and 'deception' are two of my specialties," says Melianthe with a smile.
"Anyhow, we're going around in circles. You have a duty, the Queen has a duty..." Melianthe thinks for a moment. "She has to do something to restore order. I hope she doesn't use this as an excuse to declare martial law."