"Not pleasant is an understatement," Raina chips in with a grumble. "They're racist jerks who think they have the right to do whatever the hell they want. I was this close to giving that one guy a black eye."
She sighs and shakes her head. "That's right, we also heard the sounds of a riot coming from across the river."
Cressida seems to take everything in stride, until Raina mentions the riot across the river.
"Bloody hells. I knew Old Korvosa wasn't the most stable of situations, but I wasn't expecting that!"
The weight of the past couple of days bows her shoulders as she rubs her temples.
"As if that's not bad enough. I've got reports of the monsters that are supposed to keep the sewers clean are running rampant in them and that some of my men and women are missing."
She sighs and her shoulders slump a little more.
"Our best course of action is to contain the rioting in Old Korvosa and then move in once we have the situation here under control." Parchment rustles as she pulls out a map of Korvosa and lays it atop the stacks of reports and documents. "The docks are currently the worse of it, idle hands and whatnot. If you can scare some of them into straightening up. A little birdy told me that you've meet Brask Alpsbane. Crude and proud of it, that one, but he's a good soul and his tavern should be a good place to rest and recover. I need you to patrol the docks and bust up any gangs you see. If they are trying to help, send them here with a note and I'll find a use for them. Any questions?"
"We'll get right on that Cressida. Hopefully our tactics will be more effective than those nasty Hellknights."
"What if they won't be scared into being better?"
Tusilak frowns at the possible implications of Talliree's comment, then suggests, "Then we bring them in, right?"
"Who said anything about scaring them? It's a matter of reality: you either shape up or you get to spend some quality time behind bars. If they don't want to believe us, they get to see the consequences of their actions first hand." Raina cracks her knuckles nonchalantly. She's quite used to the realities of acting as a guard, after all.
Russ cringes slightly as Raina cracks her knuckles. Wouldn't want to get in a fight with that one! He smiles and says, "if they aren't scared of us at first, I have a feeling that'll change right quick."
"Sounds like we're all ready. To the docks." Tusilak joins the rest of the group heading to Old Korvosa and the docks.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I have a feeling that even hardy souls such as yourselves would need rest after a day walking about. There's food in the mess hall for you, it's to the left and the second right. I'll be sending out a half dozen guardsmen. If they don't disperse, use a show of force them the wisdom of doing so. Anyone else, do your best to apprehend them. We can't jail them all, as much as I'd like to. Be ready shortly after sunrise. Until then, you are dismissed."
"Grabbing some food is probably a good idea. No telling when we'd have the opportunity to do so again," the tiefling agrees, as her tail wagged almost happily, kind of like a dog's.
"Sounds like a good plan. Want to go back to Brask's or find something around here? Brask might be able to tell us something about the situation at the docks."
"Yeah, Bradk's probably has more information. If he wants to deal with our lot again, that is."
"You know he loves us." says Tusilak with a smile. "It's all an act."
"He seemed to really love those he's taken under his wing anyway. I think he won't mind.
Talliree beams, seemingly undaunted by the city falling apart around her.
The night passes all too swiftly as you awaken, some with a deeper understanding of the magics given to them, others with epiphany about how they can be of better use. In any case, you all seem a little stronger and wiser than yesterday.
Corporal Schmee escorts you to the courtyard, a plate of hot, if bland, bread and some spiced drink sits on a table by the door as nearly a dozen of Korvosa's guard huddle around the warmth in the chill morning air. The marshal arrives shortly after everyone's finished a light breakfast.
"Good morning to all of you, or rather, I wish I could say that. Things are worse than we thought, there seems to be some petty thug with aspirations of being a crime boss organizing. And for those of you who are bit behind, no, it is not Gaedren Lamm. We found his body, along with those of his cohorts the night before all of this insanity happened. We don't have much other than he's bitter, he's brutish, and loathes Ulfens, Varisians, and Chelish merchants with equal hatred. That said, we're sending in three patrols. Stay sharp, and stay off the streets at night. Things are calming down some in the richer areas, but the docks seem to be getting worse. No, they are getting worse. Do what you can to protect the people, but don't do anything foolish. Any questions?"
She pauses a moment, then continues on, her voice carrying a tone of urgency.
"You'll be staging from the Dwarf's Axe. Brask is a rough one, but treat him with the same respect you'd show me. The Inheritor be with you, and be safe."
The city is quiet in the dawn hours, though the din of rioting can be heard to the north as you approach the Tavern. The streets are empty and the air is crisp and cold. The night's fog grows thick as you approach the docks and the Jeggare River. Finally you see the looming shape of the Dwarf's axe appear. The air seems to be growing colder and wetter as you arrive at the door. Brask answers shortly after a quick knock.
"Git in 'ere. Tha weather's getting colder or I'm a bearded gnome."
The inside of the tavern looks much the same as it did when you last say it. Save now that there are a few sailors and guardsmen lying about.
"Bloody place's gone goblin-mad. These lads were the lucky ones. I guess that's why yer here, though."
One of the guard steps forward, hand extended.
"Sergeant Samuel Black. Is there anything you can tell us about what's going on, besides the obvious."
"I 'ave a feelin' but I'm waitin' on a friend ta get back with the latest word. Other than that, if ye have any women with ye, get 'em ta run first if things get ugly. Never seen Kin or Ijreka turn that pale before."
As is his habit, Tusilak wakes before the dawn light warms the horizon. He slowly recites the names of Shoanti ancestors who passed on this day, beseeching their spirits for his spells this day.
Before leaving the marshal, Tusilak answers, "We're familiar with Brask. We'll certainly show him respect. He's done us favors before and us him as well. Do you know the name of this thug?"
At Brask's he inquires, "So what's going on out there? If they're organized enough to take out some of your fellows, this sounds like a serious problem. How many are there and what else can you tell us?"
At the Mrshall meeting: "Is there anything more you can tell us? Name, description, his usual tactics, anything more we can go on? "
At Brask's: Rhade nods her head at Tsuliask's questions. If they could deal with Brask's well organized outfit, that meant some real trouble.
Great, more thugs who think they're above the law... and above everyone else in the city. "The docks, eh? I'm somewhat familiar with the area... we'll do what we can to make them safer."
Later, Russ sits with the others, waiting for Brask's friend, and glad to have somewhere warm to stay.
"No name, unfortunately. I don't have much beyond what I hear second and third hand at the moment. Some of the guard I sent into the area went missing, others wound up here bleeding buckets. From all accounts, he's a right nasty characters and isn't above using underhanded tactics." Cressida answers.
"If by fellas ye mean blokes I found bleedin' on me doorstep, then ye have a different meanin' of the word than I do. Most o' the friends I've got are listeners, not fighters."
Brask slumps in a chair, his sigh a sign that he's almost at his wit's end.
"Ne'er seen tha docks this crazy, e'en when Eodred II proposed raisin' taxes on tha ships an' goods comin' in. Ye, Black. Tha girl Kin an' Ijreka brought in was one o' yers. Ye... ye should problly come with me."
The dwarf leads you up the stairs to the rooms above the kitchen. He stops before a door where a half-orc girl sits on the floor curled up in a ball. He turns to Sergeant Black and warns him in a low tone.
"Be ready. This ain't purdy."
He opens the door to reveal a fairly spacious and comfortable bed in a room that can easily hold all of you and then some. Kin, the half-elf, is busy dressing the girl on the bed's wounds. Her hands have obviously been smashed and her face is swollen and bruised. A bloody bandage covers her head. The wounds on her torso are many, but five are particularly gruesome. These five form a bloody pentagram on her belly and from the looks of it, they took their time, ensuring that every line was straight and prefect.
Despite this, she's still alive, and awake even.
"Shorry sharge. Dey jummed me."
A familiar face emerges from the kitchen, four of them actually. Raseri, her two sisters, and the little girl that told Russwin about Mara.
"Hello again. Wish it was under better circumstances though."
Rhade follows along with the dwarf, wondering if she might be able to lend a hand with the healing. She paused in momentary shock at the scene before her, seeing the girl so obviously tortured by some strange group.
"Perhaps I can help, friend Brask.". The tiefling steps to the injured girl. "Would you object if I were to ask for the Dawnflower's blessings to help heal your wounds, my dear? She has granted me a meager bit of healing power."
Assuming no objection, Rhade touches her holy symbol and directs the warm power of healing towards the injured girl, hoping to heal her grievous wounds.
CLW
Some of the wounds close up, but the worst of them seem hardly affected.
"I tried that. I tried until I was exhausted and they still won't close." Kin's voice waivers, and tears well up in her eyes.
"Thanesh." the girl says weakly, even managing a pained smile.
"How did you she was one of ours. I can't even recognize her." Sergeant Black asks.
"When Minus found 'er, she was wearin' this, an' her smallclothes."
Brask holds up what at first appears to be some bloody rags, but on a closer look, it's the tunic that most of the guard wears under armor, and in cold weather, cloaks. It's been shredded, but the Korvosan Coat of Arms is still intact on the sleeve.
"If I didn't have a gaggle o' kids ta keep tabs on, I'd go out there and kill tha bastard that did that meself."
"Can you tell us where you were when they jumped you? We plan on going there and bringing these punks to justice."
Tusilak joins Rhade and while she heals and speaks with the girl, Tusilak looks over her wounds curious why they aren't healing.
Having no knowledge or skill in healing, Russ stays behind to keep an eye on those laid up here. He smiles as the children enter from the kitchen. "Hello there, little ones. Brask treating you well?"
"She's still weak and needs to rest. Brask can probably tell you more." Kin says at Rhade's question
The woman, as if to confirm Kin's point, is passed out, though her breathing is still shallow.
As Tusilak examines the battered guard, Sergeant Black turns dark eyes on Brask.
"If I find him, he'll wish for death."
With that, Brask leads you back to the common room in a heavy silence.
The girls beam when Russ say's hello.
"Oh yes! He let's us play and have yummy treats if we're good!" says the little girl.
"He hasn't found a home for anyone yet though. Says it's too dangerous." chimes in one of the twins.
"And he's right ye know. Go get Ijreka for me and then you can go play." After the girls scamper off, she turns her attention to Russ. "Minus said something when he was hear last about a lead on... Mara?"
Before Russ can answer, Brask and the others come into the common room, and someone bangs on the door.
"BRRRASK! IT'S ME. NEED HELP!" comes a voice that's more snarl than plea.
"That sounds like Minus."
Talliree had been observing the girls, delighted that they seemed okay despite the chaos around them now and Lamm's ministrations from before. Now though, her face was one of worry.
Russ opens his mouth to ask where Minus is just as he comes banging on the door. But, to be cautious, he grips his pole-arm and calls out at the door, "Who's there?"
Tusilak searches his memory of the tshamek gods to see if he can summon the name of the one that befouls the woman.
With the bang at the door he whirls to see what is happening.
Rhade also spins, worrying about what clatter was going on outside the door.
Brask and Talliree rush forward to unbar the door and find a disturbing sight. Minus stands hunched and bleeding with a bloody rapier in one hand, His cloak is gone revealing a short wiry frame and well-made, if torn and bloody clothes. His face is a grimace, but his eyes burn hot with anger. His other hand grips the arm of another figure, while his sword arm wraps around her back to support her. Her eyes flutter as she fights to remain conscious, but even more worrisome than Minus's wounds is the slow dripping of blood down her arm and off the tips of her fingers and the state of the Sable Company uniform she wears. It's obvious that not all the tears were made by the blades that made their mark on her skin.
"Bloody Hells. Minus, what 'appened to tha two o' ye?"
"That thrrrrice-damned idiot happened." Minus' staggered in and gently lowers the marine to the floor, revealing the full extent of her injuries, and the damage to her clothing and armor. "Cayden damn them to the pits of hell for this. Where's Kin?"
Tusilak rushes forward, "Thrice-damned idiot? Who?" He quickly begins looking over both the marine's injuries and those of Minus, attempting to triage who needs help the quickest.
Rhade moves forward and looks at the injured guard. "Let me peep at that injury, Tusilak.". Te tiefling uses her holy symbol to use a tiny portion of healing magic.
Rhade's magic staunches the bleeding, but the girl is almost as pale as death. Even with magical aid, she'd likely have to avoid anything strenuous for several days, if not weeks.
Tusilak looks over the girl finding that she'll need lots of rest and care. Whoever got their hands on her wasn't gentle.
"Varrrrgo. Apparrrrently the man believes he has been rrrrobbed and is using the dissent overrrr the Queen to gain followerrrs among the dock worrrkerrrs. Most of the worrrkerrrrs are good men, if rrrrrough. The ones closest to him arrrrre vile, and have taken to his misogyny. He's the one that beat the girrrrl upstairrrrs almost to death and he laid a trrrap forrrrr that one." Minus points at the marine lying on the floor as Tusilak and Rhade look her over. "Dion, Jakes, and I found anotherrrr guarrrdswoman lying beaten in the strrrreets, and didn't see the ambush until two marrrrines came to investigate. They killed herrr wingman and would have..." Minus shakes his head, the anger in his voice being choked by the sorrow that was hiding behind it. "Dion grrrabbed the other and should have her to Viliana's by now. Jakes died coverrring ourrr escape."
Minus looks older than he did a minute ago. Much of his fur is sprinkled with gray and his skin seems to sag here and there. His eyes tell of a life that is too full of saying goodbye to friends long before he was ready to. The same look that Brask has had on his face a time or two since you've known him.
"Jakes was a good lad. I know I'll miss 'im. Minus, what else can you tell us? This lot just came in an' are gonna hunt that cur down."
Russ stands by and watches the healers do their work, cursing himself for not having the training to be more useful in this kind of situation. He imagines the utter despair he would feel if that were Mara lying on the floor, him unable to do anything to help her. He looks at the Sable Company pole-arm in his hands, and the image of himself running this "Vargo" character through comes unbidden to his mind.
"What's her name?" he asks, nodding towards the wounded marine. "If we're going to keep Vargo from hurting anyone else like this, we need to act quickly, and work together."
Tusilak nods, "I agree with you Minus This is vile behavior. So Vargo is behind it and down by the docks someplace? Do you have any more specifics about his location? Is he hiding out in a tavern or residence or some sort?"
"I do not know herrr name, orrrr of Varrrgo's hideout, but he moves about the strrreets frrrequently. He stays close to the docks. I'm afrrraid that I know nothing morrre than that."
Minus winces as he moves. He looks a little lost, as if losing a friend and the revelation of what was going on was too much to process.
"I'm sorry for your loss, sir. We'll bring this man to justice, if not, well, it won't be the first, nor the last time someone has meet his just end on a guardsman's sword."
Sergeant Black's face is grim as he gives everyone their assignments. As you head out, rain begins to fall and the sky grows ominously dark.
"Lets to pay a visit to the Vargo. He needs to be brought to justice for his actions and right now, we are one of the few groups I trust."
"Yes, let's see if we can find him." The shaman's eyes are dark with worry about what this man is up to.