Noting the blood and scraped knuckles he echoes the strange Kobolds thoughts, "Some of that stuff looks pretty valuable. Stolen recently from Alba's faithful I'd wager, and not without a fight. Of course I could be wrong, perhaps you'd like to explain."
In other circumstances he'd check the items for enchantments, platinum made an excellent substrate. The trance involved didn't seem wise now. Tensing slightly he watched the men closely, if this was to descend into violence he would be ready.
The three men narrow their eyes and glare at Dr. Monroe and Egryzon as they accuse them of theft.
"I'm a butcher by trade," the man with the bloodstains lies, "Had a cousin that was in the church an' got hisself killed."
"See, nothing suspicious going on," the man growls, "now stop 'arassing my customers."
The threat is rather clear, either shut up or leave. Red doesn't seem to notice the exchange as she works, caught up in concentrating on the items before her.
Zaknador bends over the tool set and using the Jeweler's Loupe, he gives a close examination of the set. His concentration is so great that he does not look up when the others enter. The newcomers see a figure bent over a table, his robes of black and deep purple are of expensive quality. The first group continue to talk to themselves when more people enter the room.
Well this is becoming crowded.....what do we have here.
Zaknador barely moves his head as he catches sight of the items. His vision slips into the Arcane spectrum just out of curiosity to see what these items are.
As he does so he takes in the simple but obvious clues as to the circumstances behind the acquisition of such items.
Blood..wounds...these items did not come to them by chance....not good...what spells do I have right now...?
A hand black as midnight and with long dexterous fingers releases the tool set. The fingers starts to drum on the counter top. Keeping his eyes down, Zaknador continues his examinations of the tools, his voice lowers so that only Reesus can hear him.
Take your creations and get the children out of here...now
His voice raises to a normal tone and he stands up. Sweat glistens on his bald head as he looks on at Reesus.
Dahling...would you be so kind as to deliver these items to my room. Have your assistants help you as there are so many packages. I would be so please if you could do that now as I wish to start right away.I will of course compensate you for all the time needed for the deliveries. He watches as Reesus starts to move away and then turns towards the other people in the room.
Zaknador turns towards the two groups. His eyes roam from one person to the next. His red eyes narrow in on the pendant. It is obvious that he is Drow.
A holy symbol for Albia...that would confirm things.
Then the decorum went out the window as accusations were tossed around like a thrown weapons tournament.
Well this just got harder, fun times all around then
Zaknador does move towards a position of protection as he contemplates his next move.
No need to get nasty...Now gentlemen I would think very hard and long about the next words that come out of your mouths.
As the excuses come..
Butcher by trade....butchers tend to were smocks and wipe their hands off after work....manners you know, good upbringing. If that is your trade then you and your companions are not very good. You could not even trim the hind quarter off a Rothe without injuring your hands or is that your new dating technique. Punch the animal till in succumbs to your charms and have your way with it. Oh and one more thing....If your cousin did get himself killed, then that pendant is the property of the Albian church. Not some distant relative. I am sure the authorities would be happy to sort out the details and all. Shall we call on them for you?
Zaknador lets one hand lower to his belt and slowly removes a wand.
He looks at the smithy and in a kind voice filled with concern
Do you wish to continue to do business with these....
Zaknador looks over at the men and lets a smile slip onto his face
butchers
Milani is the god of uprisings and freedom, and Zendara's first thought is to scream to warn the people to try to get them to rise up and help her stop this injustice, but as she prays to Milani for her help, she gets a very definite feeling that Milani disapproves of that choice in this case.
Trusting her god to guide her in the right way, Zendara runs, not screaming, to the market square. She looks around, desperately wishing there was someone she could trust around. She thinks the crowd is good because Malgrave is unlikely to want to make a spectacle, but also that if Malgrave can buy Steiner, he can buy the guards, and all he has to do is walk in and say "arrest her," and no one will believe her side of the story. Shouting her innocence after the fact will only make her look guilty.
She slows, mixes into the crowd so that her followers can't see her anymore. She then ducks into a clothing stall run by a woman who has a child with her, thinking that if anyone will understand her plight, she will.
She shoves several gold into the woman's hand and whispers Please, please don't give us away. I'm trying to save her life. (indicating the girl she is holding).
Zendara sheds her distinctive hat and scarf and grabs a large conservative cloak with absolutely no distinctiveness... one like several she has seen in the crowd. She whips it around her shoulders one-handed and ducks back into the crowd, getting lost again.
Druask is looking over a few pieces of work and hears the commotion. Not intently mind you as he hears Butcher. This perks him up as his stomach growls his never ending hunger making him want to consume something.
" So a butcher, I bet that then is animal blood right? I myself have tasted a variety of animal and human blood. Personally human blood often is salty. I sware you all must salt everything, still thats not the point. The point is I cold taste it and see if its true. If not then I get the whole hand. Kinda didnt get enouvh to eat at breakfast so either way I get to eat" he said looming over the men nonvhalantly looking over the weapons.
Sannah inclines her head respectfully at Ferri's compliment...she's heard such things in whispers during her time at the Fastness, comparisons to Connot, the legend. She pays such comparisons no mind, as she herself has accomplished nothing yet, besides her training.
"I hope to be fortunate enough to someday be regarded as a fraction of what Connot is, but the fates will decide. " Sannah says modestly, "As for what I want or need...I will refresh myself, and with your leave, I will walk down to the town and acquaint myself with the environs."
"So a butcher, I bet that then is animal blood right? I myself have tasted a variety of animal and human blood. Personally human blood often is salty. I sware you all must salt everything, still thats not the point. The point is I cold taste it and see if its true. If not then I get the whole hand. Kinda didnt get enouvh to eat at breakfast so either way I get to eat"
As it turns out yes, yes it could... Dr Munroe gave the half orc a sideways look and quipped to the muggers, "I don't think he's joking... Look if you don't want to be brunch, why don't we start again with you explaining where you got this stuff?"
Xavier didn't care if he got kicked out, but he wasn't going to be intimidated by the likes of these.
Flicking his tail in agitation, Egryzon crouches and readies himself for battle.
Reesus is quick to get the children and himself out of the way, promising to make a special delivery just for Zaknador as he scurries off. As accusations fly, the three men's hackles rise.
"We don't have to explain ourselves to you lot," one of the other men says, stepping and and attempting to glare Drausk down. Not the easiest thing to do when the other person has several inches of height over you. Drausk sneers at the man, but fails to do much in the way of shaking them.
The other two glare at Dr, Monroe and Zaknador, unimpressed. Tensions continue to rise and Egryzon goes all but unnoticed in the brewing confrontation.
The fat man scowls and takes in a deep breath before bellowing.
He looks to the three taller folk that had come in company with Red.
"You lot best be leavin'. I was doin' legitimate business I was, 'fore you came along. Now git out o' my smithy," he demands.
Forgotten as tempers rose, Red lets out a surprised gasp as she looks at the holy symbol.
"Uh boss, I think they have a point. We should be–" she starts to say.
"You should be doin' only what I tells ya! Like that job that Sister Madrigal gave us, or is ya too good for that sort o' thing," he snaps.
The three men, meanwhile, eye you with hate. Their glares promise that this isn't over.
The woman is one you've seen before in the market square. You aren't certain of her name, but she does know you. She pushes the gold back into your hand and gives you an oversized cloak to hide yourself and Audria with. She shows you out the back of the tent and tells you to make for the gate to Akiheton.
"I completely understand. You are welcome to stay here, but If you prefer, I can have you accommodated wherever you choose. I do hope you enjoy your walk," Ferri says.
Soon you are walking down the street with a young woman in tow. A maidservant that seems eager to please, though you've had to struggle to get her to string two sentences together without her apologizing profusely for her inadequacy. You are approaching the market square of the lower part of the city when a cloaked figure bowls into you and your guide.
As you run, Zendara, you look back for only a moment. Seeing no one behind you giving chase, you turn back to find that you are about to collide with a beautiful looking woman and her maid. The crash, as expected, has all four of you in a tangle.
Sannah, you now find yourself tangled up with a woman wearing an oversized cloak and a young girl that she was carrying who appears to be unconscious. Your guide is dazed, having not seen the incoming disaster and getting the wind knocked from her.
Bless you Zendara whispers to the woman, smiling gratefully, and vowing to remember and repay her kindness if and when she can. She ducks through the back with Audria and starts making her way towards the Akiheton gate.
She tries to keep an eye out for trouble, but unfortunately, in her hurry to get away from Malgrave and his goons, she looks behind her at the wrong moment, and runs into some women coming the other way.
I apologize. I'm really, really sorry. Zendara says quickly, darting another glance behind her, and trying to stand up and pick Audria up at the same time. We're, uh, trying to avoid some trouble...
Seeing the woman notice Audria's unconsciousness, she decides explaining is necessary, or the woman might alert the guards.
Speaking very quickly, so she can get this done and still try to get away from Baddie McBaderson, she explains:
I'm Zendara. I promise I am not a crazy person abducting a young woman. In fact, that is exactly what I am trying to prevent. This morning I found this girl half-dead in an alley. I stopped the bleeding as well as I could and took her to a healer to get her wounds seen to--not well enough yet, but I couldn't get to the temple--and then, when I was trying to leave the healer's place to take her to the temple, some people (including one of the most important men in town) showed up to kidnap her, or kill her. I don't know. They might be the ones that attacked her in the alley, but I am not sure. Anyway. I have no idea why they are after her, but I'm trying to save her, so please, please, don't call the guards. I'm sure Malg--er, I mean the evil nobleman--has them in his pocket.
And he called me a fisherwoman. Doesn't get more evil than that.
You didn't see any guards out by the gate, did you? I think leaving town might be the best choice, although I wish I could buy a potion or two for her first. You don't happen to have one, do you? If you do, I'm happy to pay whatever you like.
He noted the fat man's tone with Red, disliking it. The man, presumably the owner, mentioned a Sister Madrigal, and Munroe wondered if he'd heard of her.
Addressing the fat man calmly, Dr Munroe tried to appeal to the better side of his nature, saying, "Hey I'm not looking for a fight, but these do appear to be stolen goods, possibly taken by force. I'm sure a reputable establishment like this has brook with such things. Let's get the Sheriff to sort this out. If it turns out this stuff is legit then you, and they, will have my apologies with no harm done, right?" The way he put it made it sound all so reasonable, it was the civilized thing to do.
You know that the town guard answers to the lord fo Spindle, but you don't know who this lord i.
You do know who Sister Madrigal is. She's an Erastilian priestess and one of the most respected in the small temple dedicated to all of the gods no represented by the larger church in the center of town.
The man considers Dr. Monroe's words. Pragmatism wins out over greed in the end, and he sends a runner to fetch the guard.
The men, no looking desperate lunge for Red and the items they'd hoped to sell. One holds a knife to the young, elven woman's throat as the others being snatching up the weapons and armor.
"One move and she dies," the thug now holding Red hostage shouts.
Red, for her part looks more annoyed than scared.
"Really? Grab the woman for a hostage? That's your best plan for getting out of this mess," she asks.
"Quiet! I've still got a knife to your throat," the man replies.
Zaknador steps out of his protective niche with wand in hand and steps towards the man with the knife. He gives a slight nod towards the others in the room that someway are joined in common cause.
Now that will not do at all. Gentlemen you will surrender your weapons right now. This has gone on long enough. You have very few options...you release the women, put down the items and and surrender to the proper authorities. This option will let you live. Another option is...
Zaknador takes another step forward, his red eyes blaze momentarily with anger. He lets a evil smile cross his face and he chuckles.
I blot out the light and and use a pair of tongs to pull your innards outside your body. Which orifice this is...well you will know soon enough....
Zakndaor looks at Red. He looks her in the eyes and see that she is more than capable of taking care of herself.
or I just step away and let the women saute your balls over the forge and feed them to you and your friends. Your name is not Chet is it?
After a few seconds for them to contemplate their situation...
I strongly suggest you drop the knife and surrender....but I am holding out hope that you are stupid enough to try me or better yet the woman. I have been bored as of late and would look forward to some fun.
The man drops the knife and slowly raises his hands in surrender.
"F%@+ this," one of the others shouts as the remaining two bolt for the door.
Moments later the other two men run for it, and Dr Munroe leaps after the one on the left - trying to prevent him from escaping!
Egryzon is taken aback by the severity of the drow's speech, bringing him back to a relatively normal state. Avoid him, he notes, then quickly adds for now.
Unwilling to allow the thugs to escape, Egryzon swings his hand upward, coated by a thin layer of ice, as a slab of ice suddenly forms in the path of the man running to the right.
Between Dr. Monroe and Egryzon, the two remaining thugs are halted in their tracks. After a few moments, you have them tied up for the guard.
"I'll hang on to these," the fat man says indicating the weapons, armor, and pack. "If the holy symbol belongs to the church o' Albia, it should be taken to 'em."
F*%% me...That did work...what the hell was I thinking stepping out in the open like that.
Zaknador watches as the other quickly take care of the other two ruffians. He looks at each individual for a few seconds. His voice is calm and his tone is polite.
I thank you for the assistance, it is greatly appreciated.
He turns away from the others and looks at Red.
I apologize for my lack of etiquette and at putting your life in danger. My tone and manners were a simple ruse. It can help to enhance the validity of a suggestion spell, so I bluffed the thug into believing that I was what he thought I was. The spell took hold of his mind and forced him to surrender. I felt that you were capable of handling him yourself but I could not take that chance. I am sorry for placing you in danger.
He then turns to the fat man of a smithy.
Good sir I think the authorities will want to look at those items. You are a smithy by trade and a damn good one from everything that Sister Madrigal tells me but you just were about to purchase stolen items from some rather unsavory characters. I think it would be best for you and your business....to distance yourself as much as possible from this situation...don't you?
"You fooled me with cheap tricks," the man who had held Red hostage shouts before the fat man kicks him in the gut to quiet him.
"Fine, you take them to the guard then," he growls. He is about to add something else when another of the workers comes up and whispers something to him. A brief exchange goes on for a few moments before he grabs Red and shoves her at you.
"And take that thief with you! Tell the guard they'll have reason enough to keep her seeing as she sold off something that wasn't hers," he shouts, his face reddening with rage.
Red looks confused as she recovers from being manhandled.
"Thief? What are you talking about?"
Though surprised by the collision with the other woman and her unconscious 'friend', Sannah easily maintains her balance.
Raising her hand to calm the woman, she listens to the torrent of words carefully, looking closely at the girl as she does so.
Making a decision quickly, she reaches down to help the maidservant up from where she struggled, enmeshed in a confusion of skirt and petticoats, "Hasten back to your lord's manor. Inform him he's to have two more visitors."
Her tone brooks no discussion or argument , she watches to make sure the woman has begun her way back.
Looking back, she quickly examines the other woman, Zendara, "I am Sannah Trexl, come , back here..." she says, indicating a cool alcove off of the square.
"I can help her now or later at my friends' estate and determine who the girl is...and why noblemen are so interested in her. What was that noble's name you started to say, I would know his name." she says to Zendara, realizing the woman would probably want to continue to flee her pursuers.
Drausk just watches this all go down and shrugs for the most part through it all. He could have done something but the others were quite capable of handling the situation. The trick used was funny and the studious one and the kobold seemed quite adept at subduing the thugs.
When the fat man accused Red he scowled. He cared little for most things in life but to hurt a person who had shown him some compassion was not right.
"Are you saying she stole from you?Or is it this snivelling little one who did it?" he said pointing to the man taking in the mans smell. The man who accused her.
Drausk leaned in and licked his teeth as drool dripped down his face close to the man's body. He was lingering closer and closer, so much that he could basically lick the man who accused Red of wrong doing.
Drausk seeing no effect growls and looks at the others. "Fine if she is to be punished I will go with her. But if you seek to do worse I shall eat you ALIVE!"
Zendara studies the woman, wondering if this is just going to get her back into another impossible situation.
She looks just as safe as Steiner. Oh, wait. Steiner just betrayed me. ... I may not be the best judge of character. Let's get what we can and get out.
Zendara gratefully moves to the alcove, at least partially shielded from the easy glance of a guardsman. She looks around to make sure they don't need to run immediately, but seeing no immediate pursuit, she considers and says I prefer that you help us here, Ma'am, if you would. I don't have any love for noblemen, especially today, and I have to assume that if your friend is a "Lord" with a manor, that he's probably in on it as well. No offense to you personally of course, but the filthy and rich usually stick together.
If she heals/helps Audria, she trusts her a little more, and adds
The man's name is Malgrave. He's pure evil. You don't want to have any dealings with him. Last I saw he had just killed the healer
Fisherwoman! Augh!
and he was right behind me. If we linger here too long, he might find me, and you, and I don't want anyone to be harmed because of me. You have my heartfelt thanks, Ma'am, but it might be best if I take Audria and allow you to continue your journey.
Sannah holds still, regarding the woman Zendara calmly, as she gives her the once-over.
"She is cautious....a good thing in these times... Sannah thought,as they moved to the alcove.
She waves away Zendara's honorific for her, kneeling down beside the girl, laying a hand on her forehead while tracing esoteric pattering in the air above her. As she does so a pattern of lines and shapes falls down through the air onto the supine girl.
As Zendara contiues her tale, Sannah's gaze sharpens at the mention of Malgrave, "Malgrave....are you sure? "
Xavier had only just met Red, he didn't really know what she was like. Likewise the man throwing aspersions was unknown to him. Unlike with the muggers there was no evidence (they where literally red handed). He tried to decide if he believed the accusation or not.
Zendara looks the woman in the eyes and says Yes. I am in my right mind, and I am absolutely certain. He came in with about a dozen men to kidnap her, and announced himself like he was the king of the world and proud of his power to ruin other people's lives, and he didn't care who knew it--probably because he wasn't planning on leaving witnesses. He called me a fisherwoman, so his little speech is well-burned into my memory.
I don't even know your name or who you are. You seem kind, and you might be truly good. I have no idea, and I'm not trying to jump to conclusions, but if the Lord you were talking about earlier is Malgrave, I'm asking you, please, please don't tell him you saw us. I can understand you doubting my word, and he might be a good friend to some people, but he would only be death to us.
I sincerely greatly appreciate your help, and I will gladly pay you for it, but this isn't something that can be worked out by talking. I heard him killing Steiner as we were leaving. I'm all for politeness and logic and wit and charm when people are willing to be civilized, but this is definitely not one of those times. He's a power here, and he could have any of us killed and most people would go along with it. We can't... well, at least I can't... risk her freedom that way.
She reaches over to brush Audria's hair out of her eyes. Audria honey, how are you feeling? We need to go.
Yeah, it's been a minute or two since you managed to subdue the thugs.
Audria wakes, but still looks exhausted. Whatever she did to get her and Zendara from their would-be captors took it out of her.
"Al-alright," she mutters as she struggles to her feet.
The maid, however looks at Zendara and Audria wide-eyed.
"Master Malgrave would not do this! Why would he be involved in murder and kidnapping? He... He wouldn't," she says as she looks from one of the people that had run into her to the other.
"He was a finely dressed man that said his name was Anderson Malgrave. I remember that much before we got away," Audria says.
It is then that you notice that the street is empty and oddly quiet.
"Oh dear," A voice that the maid and Sannah recognize as Lord Dulci's says, "I was hoping to keep this quiet, it seems that you have a talent for messing up the Order's plans little Audria."
The Lord of Spindle is dressed for a fight in armor with a wicked looking Halberd in his hands. With him are four guards all with weapons at the ready.
"M-my lord? Wh-what's going on," the young maid asks as she backs a pace away.
"Poor Ellia, you were always the unlucky one. I'm afraid that you now know too much. As for you Sannah, why not join me. Your talents and skills are wasted on the Fastness. They and the Arcanum and the Academy seek to bury their heads in the sand and hide away artifacts that should be used to further our power. The Order has a place for you and you'll be showered with riches and power beyond your wildest dreams. All you have to do is bring that silver-haired girl to me," he says, his voice dark and seductive, almost mad. He points to Audria, the young girl that Zendara was carrying.
Though she's trembling like a leaf in the wind, Audria raises her head and looks Lord Dulci in the eye.
"My sisters, where are you keeping them," she asks.
The lord does not deign to answer, and instead laughs.
Zendara thinks Of course. She sent the maid off to get us captured, and now she returns with another nobleman in tow. How am I always so stupid? Kindness is just how they draw you in. Ah well, if I die here, I die. It isn't like I don't know what is coming.
Get behind me, Audria.
She nocks an arrow pointed at the nobleman's head.
You may kill me sir, I don't doubt it. But I will do my absolute best to hurt you just as much as I can in the meantime.
And she looses the arrow.
That is convenient now isn't it. Good sir, speak plainly...what theft are you speaking of?
The arrow looks as if it is perfectly aimed, but Lord Dulci is light enough on his feet that it only gashes his cheek rather than kill him.
"Kill her and the maid take the others," he hisses to his guards.
"She was working on a special item for Sister Madrigal an' she was the last one who 'ad eyes on it. Now, it's nowhere to be found and she said she finished it," the fat man bellows.
"What? No! I left it for your nephew to finish up with the polishing, just like you told me to," Red tells the man.
The younger man cowers away from Drausk's imposing presence and does his best to look as non-threatening as possible.
Sannah listens to Zendara, frowning a bit when she claims she didn't know Sannah's name, but forgives that oversight to the woman's frenzied state.
However, her words served to convince her that Malgrave was involved, and she was determined to take this to Ferri's notice immediately.
Somehow, she wasn't surprised by Ferri's appearance, nor his sinister intent. Too many times, the so called 'noble helpers' of the Fastness, sought the knowledge and artefacts for themselves, but not usually with such boldness.
"Your honeyed words mean nothing, Ferri." Sannah says conversationally, unhitching her sword from her back, rolling her shoulders a little, "You entice me with riches, but your deception while well done, reveals your true nature. This woman and girl's story rings true...and you shall reap a just reward."
At the same moment, Zendara releases her arrow, Sannah raises a hand and inscribes a glowing symbol in the air. The symbol fades away, and so does Sannah!
The guards all hesitate a moment before going after Zendara and Ellia instead of trying to find an invisible opponent.
Zendara is able to avoid the thrusts of the men's spears, and miraculously, the two attack Ellia miss and only manage to put holes in her skirts as she screams in fear.
Hey, she actually believed me? Wow. Maybe I'm getting too cynical.
Zendara is tempted to keep firing at the evil Nobleman, but since this one hasn't called her a fisherwoman yet, she decides to keep the henchmen away from Audria.
She drops her bow, and draws and swings her morningstar.
"And when did you do this, Red?" he asks.
With a snarl, Lord Ferrianus approaches Zendara.
"Foolish girl, all that matters in this world is power. I have seen the weakness in the Fastness. It will fall and the world will be plunged into chaos. Only the strong deserve power, not some sniveling rats hoarding treasures for themselves or some bleeding hearts too scared of power to use it properly," he tells the invisible Sannah.
He takes his Halberd and brings it down in a powerful blow at Zendara.
Zendara manages to roll out of the worst of it, but still takes a nasty cut on her arm.
Meanwhile, Audria pulls Ellia back and energy crackles in the air. A bolt of lightning goes from her outstretched palm to one of the men that had attacked Ellia.
The man screams for a moment before falling to the ground, dead.
"What? It was a few hours ago. I left and... things happened. I meet Drausk and then the Professor over there over breakfast," she said.
Seeing that her glamer worked and Ferri can't see her, Sannah quickly steps back into proximity and mounts a furious attack on the unsuspecting Lord.
Bloodied and with the tide quickly turning against him, Lord Dulci calls out to his men.
"Cover me! We're retreating," he orders. The three remaining guards begin to disengage, readying themselves to parry any attacks that come at their lord.
Since the guards are disengaging, and she now knows where her ally is so she can avoid including her in the path of her spell, Zendara steps once to be sure she is both out of reach and that she is targeting Dulci and the guards and not her allies. She then lets out a strangely powerful scream of rage and frustration.
The guards shriek as they bleed from their ears and eyes. All three of them fall and Lord Dulci doesn't look much better.
"I'll remember this," he cries as he retreats.
Well, Zendara wants to make sure that he can't gather up more people and come after them again, as he basically just threatened to do, so she picks up her bow and shoots him as he leaves.
That will give him time to run, but not farther than she can shoot.
If he drops, then she is done, but if he doesn't, she will probably shoot again.
Zendara takes a move action to get closer, then
Another move action (if she needs to, to keep him in range)
To the fat man Dr Munroe asked, "Master Smith, Was the commission widely known? Who would gain the most by this item's theft? I know Red was last seen with it, but could someone have walked in and taken it? No offense intended, but security seems a little lax..."
If he feels the seed of doubt has been placed, he follows up with, "Put it this way if Red has stolen it she's the most incompetent thief ever. Surely she could have come up with a more convincing story?" Sometimes the truth seems farfetched which made it hard to tell want really happened, thought Dr Munroe.