And all this is rythmically accompanied by the cling-clan-clong from the roof of the Goblin...
Gods that was close. Hurry up Sable! Sebastian! Lets hope this place doesnt fall apart.
Watching the incoming missiles, he calculates their path of attacks and steps aside each, but can do little but urge his driver to greater speed.
One of the drivers looks at Kabal, his mouth still open, and asks
What the hell is that?
While Sebastian displays acrobatics totally uncommon for him, Sable just stares up to the sky and is hit several times
At last you have all managed to reach the roofed yard, outside people are still hit by ever larger meteors, luckily after about 20 seconds everyone on the street has found some kind of refuge.
About half a minute later the whole chaos has passed, only a thick layer of grey-black powder on the streets and roofs reminds of the strange "weather". Slowly people return to the street and fearfully look up to the Blot.
Kabal turns to the man with a sneer on his face and grumbles a
How in the blazes should I know man? This city is going to sh1t. Earthquakes, Blots in the sky and now rocks are falling like rain. At least we're out of it and safe as can be here under this roof.
Bree rushes back out to Sable, grabbing him by the shoulders she begins to pull him in, yelling at Kabal to get over there and help her.
The driver next to Sable yells loud enough that everyone notices how he falls!
The elf is down! help!
Rocks...even at this speed, the trajectory is straight...easy. A squishy tomato thrown from the center of a crowd with footlights in your face...much harder.
At the driver's and Bree's cry, Sebastian dodges back out to help guide in Sable's wagon.
As you pull Sable in, the divine energy of Winter's healing waves also touch Sable's body and restore him at least partially. (cf. Winter's post somewhere above).
Bree fetches Sable some water to sip at, meanwhile adding him to her slowing string of obscenities.
"Bloody elf. Trying to die on us, I just bet his creepy bird will attack us all if he dies. I'm surprised the bloody thing let us get close enough to him to help."
Korax lands next to Bree and cocks his head slightly...one can only guess what the bird thinks behind those jet-black eyes...
Engrossed in his convo with the teamster Kabal didnt get to Sable before Sebastian did.
Holy Hells! Its dangerous out there. That bird is too smart to deny his master help from his friends. Now if you were to try to harm him in some way then youd probably find out just how creepy it can be Id bet
Seeing that the rock shower had apparently stopped Kabal just shook his head.
Lets get this stuff unloaded before its starts up again
Bree stops dead in her tracks, her hand grabbing the hilt of a dagger before she continues on towards Sable, moving slowly and keeping her eyes on the bird. Not even sparing a glance at Kabal, or acknowledging his comments otherwise.
Having had heard Sable speak to it in Elven, she says "Go on now, leave me be. I'm trying to help him."
Korax hops a bit from left to right, then croaks loudly and takes off into the now meteor-free sky.
Following Kabal's command, the drivers steer the wagons next to the Goblin and help you unloading it. From the large front door a timidly looking Saul approaches you
What the hell happened? I got nearly deaf inside!
Yeah, whatever, are the barrels ok?
Saul strides past Sable and nervously checks the load.
"At least one of the barrels was punctured... It's OK though, Saul. We're all still alive, some of us just barely. I'm sure you're elated to know that you haven't lost the lives of more of your employees."
The sarcasm hangs heavy in her voice.
Saul pretends not to have heard that
Punctured? Oh dear, I hope not too much of it was lost...ah yes, I'm also very happy that you are all well and unharmed...now hurry up and get the rum inside, the first customers will arrive soon.
Yah yah yah. We're working on it. You should also know that there was some tough guy down there trying to buy this stuff out from under you Saul. Had it all loaded up and everything.
Kabal had a barrel over his shoulder as he walked and talked.
Saul pauses in mid-stride and turns to Kabal
Huh, what? Who was it? And why did Captain Fizgabon give him the cargo?
"Braddikar Faje. He said that he heard we were all dead. Said he heard Croat's men killed us all."
Saul laughs nervously
Rumours and gossip, this city is just terrible...now help Kabal and carry a barrel, girl.
Bree crosses her arms beneath her breasts and offers Saul a level stare. "Heard anything else about Larur?"
Sebastian helps heft one of the kegs off the wagon. "Luckily the thugs just threw up their hands and gave us the rum. Even smiled as we rode off. The most sensible and good mannered thugs you ever did see. Seemed happy we were taking the stuff." Sebastian heads into the establishment with his load whistling a jaunty tune.
.......
Heard about whom? Ah Larur! No, sorry, but don't mention him, I'm still grieving...hey, but look at Sebastian, he has the right spirit.
Bree harrumphs and turns to carry in barrels. A man like that deserves a blade in his back...
Corvax heaves the ruptured barrel out of the wagon he had been protecting sets to carrying it carefully into the Goblin, 'accidentally' spilling some of the rum in the general direction of his mouth every few steps. Passing Kabal heading the other way he gives him a sticky grin over the top of his burden.
"S'good rum we go' 'ere, shame tha' Sable got beat up by t'sky while we were gettin' it though. Turns out I was righ' abou' nothin' ever goin' quite as planned, eh?"
After depositing his first and most enjoyable burden Corvax picks up his pace is soon near jogging back and forth transferring the heavy barrels.
The unloading of the wagons takes about half an hour after which Saul sends the wagons back to Phileas and calls you all together.
You meet around Lyxi's ghoulette table and you're surprised to notice that Saul tells Hans to wait another half hour with the opening, even though the first customers have already arrived. He harrumphes and explains the urgent meeting
My most beloved employees, I have received news...news that will lift us from the gutter to the very peak of an enormous mountain!
Listen well now: My informant - a man of great cunning and secrecy - told me that Cromarcky had rearranged the patrols during the night we were raided, this means that he is neither pro nor contra the Goblin, which is good...I mean he could have also told the Gendarmes to help the attackers...no one would have protested I guess. But now comes the even more valuable piece of information: My informant - a very gifted man - has also found out that it was not Croat alone who prepared the raid and that he meets with the other wirepullers tonight at the old boneyard, the one people call the Spar, ha! Of course you will be there and spy this meeting out, once we know who else is our enmy we can take actions.
Kabal was chuckling to himself at Corvax's antics earlier with the rum until Saul said 'listen well' and then he started paying attention.
Spy? I aint built for spying Saul. You sure you wouldnt rather we just jump this conspiracy and end once and for all our enemies? Whats that old River Kingdoms saying Corvax? Cut off the head or something or another? and the rest will perish. I like that idea better than me trying to sneak around and play eavesdrop.
He sat with brawny arms strapped across his metal clad chest wondering if thered be time for dinner before this nights work.
Sebastian sits on the side rubbing his chin, and mutters, "I thought it was cut the head off and two grow back..."
"Only saying I remember was the one tha' trainin' master 'ad "Cuttin' off 'eads ain't t'way to go cuz yer sword'll get stuck in tha spine. Go fer the armpit or up unner t'ribs if you wanna end'em quick." ... not much of a sayin' really, more like sound advice when yer stop an' think abou' it."
"Anyway, when's this meetin' meant ta be 'appenin'? Time fer a quick spot o'grub afore we 'ead out?"
"Well this is good news. Croat has seen to the sense in refraining from attacking the Goblin, and likewise we have had no trouble from Clegg. Beltias saw things our way as well."
"Whilst only one of the three gave some acknowledgement to peace through just conversation and decency alone, I am encouraged that the Riddleport rogues do see the sense in dialogue over steel, so perhaps this main wire puller could be brought to see reason as well. I shall go to this meeting, but I intend to be in attendance rather than as an eavesdropper. Erastil willing we will be able to talk sense and show the benefits of an orderly landscape, but if it comes to it I am prepared to use my plow to ensure it happens"
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"Where vultures of Riddleport nest, blood is sure to follow. I expect that even if they smile with honeyed words on their beaks, their talons will rend our backs once they're turned. Nevertheless, where the flock flies so will your scare-crow."
Sable approaches Winter and Sebastian when the opportunity presents itself.
"Well a sensible notion. So far though all the spoils we have managed have been pretty much the salaries and wages forwarded by Saul, with a small portion evenly split from Croats men... that was the money I spent on wages for the workers to repair the goblin and then a further sum spent sending more people to salvation up in Three Trees."
"I hope that we can find further ventures to increase our wealth, as I have so much to do in this place to bring a an orderly garden into at least some small corner of this unruly forest... until then it seems a fair split for each person has done us well so far"
"What did you have in mind?"
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"Three things, at the moment. First, everyone should make their mark agreeing upon terms of shares. Secondly, if any of our fellows have specific requests for their bodily remains or wish to list next of kin. And finally, I feel that we as a whole should fly under a common name. Our reputations precede us already for besting Croat's men, but a name can give bards something to sing of. It may make it easier for enemies to number us, but prospective employers or fortune may also wing their way towards our flock. If there are any suggestions, I'll hear them."
Sebastian interjects a few thoughts. "So...like an acting troupe? Have our fame proceed us to ensure the best engagements."
"hmm...dead bodies? So you see this getting worse before it gets better?"
"A name..a name...it will have to be memorable and convey the right authority and power." Sebastian looks Winter and Sable up and down. "Well looking at you two, what comes to mind is The Perfect Murder. I like it for its dread, but that is perhaps too much dread, might attract the wrong kind of contracts. I will need to think on this."
Saul grimaces
Hello?! I've just laid out the plan of the century right in front of you, would you please stop babbling about nonsense? The meeting is tonight, in like three hours, so you should hurry up and get the lower end of your backs over there, capice?
Sense Motive -
Kabal raised an eyebrow at Sauls attitude and at three men who seemed to be having an important conversation away from the others...they better not be deciding my future without my input thats for sure...
He then motioned for one of the serving lasses to bring them all some food and turned to those that were still at the table with him.
Sounds like quite the nights work ahead of us. A meeting of criminal underlords. Think there wont be any guards? This is sure to get real interesting.
Normally such meetings are done without guards to prevent whole armies turning up, yet with scumbags like Croat attending one can never know. But you should really hurry up, otherwise our chance will pass to find out what they have in mind.
If it was possible Kabal's scowl deepened as it seemed Saul wasnt going to give them time to eat before heading out...this night is sure to come to violence with me on an empty stomach...
Yah yah yah Saul. Theyd be food...I mean fools not to have guards but if You say so. I dont see how Corvax and I will be able to sneak up on anybody with all the clanking and such we do in this armor. Why isnt your informant doing this spying nonsense for you? He is after all 'a man of great cunning and secrecy'.
Thankfully the lass chose this moment to show up with a tray laden with food so Kabal started snatching up whatever looked like it would survive a healthy jaunt through the streets and still be edible.
Saul, not very open for criticism at the moment, snaps the plate out of Kabal's hands and says
Eat later, now listen to me: The informant is far too important to be risked in such an action. And I would suggest you don't turn up at the meeting tonight wearing tons of armour, you won't need them anyway.
You really think Id go anywhere in the feckin city without my armor after what we've been through so far? Thats a good one Saul! Hahahaha
While he's laughing at the boss man's joke Kabal is seething with the intent to rip this insolent man's head right off of his shoulders.
...if he ever snatches food from out of my hands again i will kill him as sure as that damn blot in the sky...
Saul notices your glare and hands you a chicken drumstick
Yeah whatever, as long as you manage the whole thing, everything will be fine.