"Well done, I am impressed despite myself. Only a handful more steps through the shadows and you shall be back on your precious island. Remember your job. Failure is not an option".
With that he brings you though the shadowy realm a handful more times until you stand on the docks facing the mainland.
"Here we depart", with that he is gone vanished into the night.
On occasion you have taken action where opportunity presented itself teaching these dogs a lesson. Over the years you have honed your craft. While the local people may consider you the jaded son of foreign merchants you are so much more. Your sword play is second to only the greatest of swordmasters.
The stench of this place fills your nostrils and you wrinkle your nose to clear it out. Despite its shortcomings you have come to love this city which perhaps explains why you feel so fiercly about protecting those who have no voice.
As you observe the comings and goings of young nobles. An altercation breaks out along the canal. Over a dozen combatants cross swords. The fight is chaotic and seems to involve foreigners including a woman! As quickly as it starts it ends as the Doge's guards rush to the scene.
Many of the combatants flee through the crowd.
Xing Shi will push him off.
"Sit down. You and your family are reckless and will ruin everything if you don't stop acting like animals."
She sighs and mumbles damn italians in chinese under her breath as she walks toward the door.
"Tell your cousin I have the money he wished to see to show proof that my employer means business and needs to speak with Michele. I will be back here tomorrow afternoon to talk you should probably take a cold shower to cool off."
She looks him up and down before leaving.
Gunther Thesing prologue:
Gunther's eyes narrow in response to his wife's
"Wife, do not give me any grief! If you only knew what just happened you would turn your gaze to our darling daughter."
Gunther looks over at Jordan and shakes his head with disappointment.
"Go on, young lady, tell your mother what trouble you got yourself into this evening. Tell her how you had to hide under tables to keep from being run through by one of the dozen or so swords flailing about. Tell her how, if not for your father running through a crowd of people and grabbing someone's sword just to rush to your side, you would not be home safe this very moment. Go on, young lady. Tell her."
Gunther looks back at Fiona, giving her a look to match her own, then silently leaves the room to grab a bottle of whiskey from the kitchen. Sitting down he pours himself a glass, drinks it down swiftly and pours himself another.
Andrew the Hardy Prologue
"Found yerselves a bit o fun appears, an yah left me out o it, fer shame on yah!"
Though he jokes he is not certain if they are being persued he takes his feet and prepares for attackers.
Fiona comes into the kitchen looking exhausted. "I sent her up to her room Gunther. What do we do now? I had no idea the streets had become so dangerous!"
Aodhan replies in Italian, "So long as we are not identified as part of the scuffle all is well, we did the right thing. Let's be off to bed and geth these fools blood off of us".
"Aye", grunts Luag.
No one follows your companions into the Inn so it appears they were not followed.
Andrew the Hardy Prologue
@ the bar
(in Gaelic)
"Aye lets get yah both in tha bath an I will check over yer clothes. Looks like a cold bath fer tha both o yahs."
@ the rooms
Heads up to the room, where he will start a fire in the hearth while the other two get a bath.
He them goes through their clothes looking for damages or blood...
(in Gaelic)
"Yah might lose a shirt o scarf tah tha fire iffen i see any blood on em."
"So what all happened?".....
Gunther Thesing prologue:
"We let her sit up there and think about what happened this evening; how she could have been seriously hurt; and why she needs to do as she is told."
Gunther slams back another shot of whiskey and pushes the bottle and empty glass away from him.
"I do not know what the issue at the docks was all about, but I can assure you that if and when Christopher comes knockin' to see about his beloved Jordan, he and I are going to have words."
"You won't find me. I'll find you."
Xing Shi blows him a kiss as she is leaving.
I want to keep an eye on his estate for a while and then make my way to the cousins place and keep an eye on that for a while to see if anything happens.
And a woman.
The words escape my lips, in surprise. Back home, in Egypt women have there place. And strong as they may be, that place is not in the streets after dark in a tussled with men. Refreshing and interesting...
There are too many to keep track of, and most of the men look alike in the darkness... But, the woman has a natural sway to her hips. A feminine grace imbued by Allah. I will follow her.
From high above, I try to keep her in my sight... moving like a shadow along the skyline.
Donnach rolls over in his bed but goes back to sleep once he realizes no one is injured.
After they settle into baths drawn by serving wenches they fall asleep. You are tired as well but the time of your meeting draws close.
She takes a circuitous route likely to ensure that she is not followed by anyone from the ground. Little does she know that she is being followed from above.
The woman and the man exchange few words as they run though your vantage point makes sight easy it makes hearing impossible. Soon she comes to an area of the city which is reserved for up and coming merchants, those who have not quite arrived.
They head into a small apartment complex. You pause to see what she does next, to your surprise within less than a minute she comes outside. She scans the area around the building...
As the night wears on you begin to feel tired. You wonder what other fiends roam the night and whether this new found strength would aid you against such creatures.
You look across the lagoon to the mainland where a few lights dance in the distance. Odd, the mainland usually has very little activity especially at this hour. Dismissing it you head back for home.
Perception + Awareness
Gunther Thesing prologue:
Xing Shi as you look around for a spot to hide you see a figure pass into shadow in the exact spot which is suitable for spying.
Alessandro to your surprise the woman looks up instead of continuing down the street as she did on her way here. Her eyes widen as she sees your shadow pass in the moonlight. While she attempts to play it off, by her body language you can tell she has seen something...
Jordan is laying in her bed deep in sleep, her eyes are bit puffy from crying but she is otherwise unharmed.
The night is dark and the streets deserted. When do you make your presence known?
Xing Shi will run up toward where the shadow is hiding hand on the hilt of her blade just in case. She moves with the grace of a cat through the area making her way up to where Alessandro would be.
Gunther Thesing prologue:
Andrew the Hardy Prologue
"I have a meetin tah attend, I shalt return."
Heads out the door for his meeting.
Greetings, Sister Shadow.
I am not your enemy, you have evaded them. Merely an observer. There was a fight, about what I haven't a clue. But you were female, this intrigued me and was ever so refreshing. I followed you.
I meant no offense, and hope none was taken.
How shall we proceed, Sister?
Alessandro's voice is measured, even and unassuming coming from beneath a kerchief which hides the lower half of his face.
Xing Shi eyes the man cautiously as she slowly approaches. Her eyes deceive her heritage that of the far east from which far east not so easy to discern. She is small framed but moves with the agility of a cat.
"Why were you spying on us then if you are no enemy? Women intrigue you? Do you prey on them like the other scum of this city? Where are you from and why do you spy on people you don't know?"
I was not spying, I was enjoying the night air... When a fight broke out. How would I know to be there, at that moment? And, it is not often that among two dozen men fighting... a woman can be found holding her own.
I prey on no one. But, you are into this... "spying". Perhaps an occupational hazard of yours. I make no judgments.
What will it be then, Sister Shadow... We can part friends, strangers or enemies. Are you going to kill me, and do I have to defend myself?
You can see that, like you the man is armed... But, unlike you, he has not reached for his weapon.
Xing Shi relaxes a bit taking her hand off her blades handle and looks at the man curiously.
"You see my face show me yours."
I would rather not, at this juncture. Perhaps another night, yes? I hope you can respect this. As I respect your decision, not to cover your own face.
I have never had to name myself, as I've never had need of anyone to call to me... Perhaps, "il Corvo". That should do, for now.
You seemed to have a little bit of an issue, earlier... Sister Shadow.
Was it anything I could perhaps help you with? You have not tried to kill me... yet. I do so appreciate that. And, I'd appreciate your keeping our chance meeting between us. Never mentioning me would be even better still.
Mutual consideration?
Alessandro extends a gloved hand and forearm, for a shake or warrior's clasp. In his eyes, no ill intent.
You do pass a few drunken nobles walking along the canal but they pay you no heed as they gossip about a battle earlier in the evening. You assume that this is the same battle that Aodhan and Luag interposed in but you don't stop to ask any questions.
Soon enough you are standing on the docks facing the Mediterranean Sea. The gentle breeze from the sea is pushing away the stormclouds from earlier in the day. The stars are bright in the sky overhead and illuminate a lone figure standing facing teh sea as well. Based on the stance and the dress this is the Templar Brian.
He turns to regard you with a warm smile. "Good evening Andrew, a beautiful night after a nasty day. It has been a few days and I wanted to follow up with you to see if the warehouse lead has borne any fruit".
Xing Shi looks to the mans hand and takes it in her tiny hands and shakes firmly.
"Just don't try spying on me anymore and we won't have problems. The altercation earlier was nothing but stupid men doing stupid things and luckily it ended quickly."
She looks around to see if anyone is watching them.
"Now if you would excuse me I must make my way someplace."
Gunther Thesing prologue
"No, I am not. I came up to check on you and see that you ate something. I could not let you go to bed hungry."
Gunther sets the plate down on the sidetable beside Jordan's bed and sits himself down beside her.
"Just answer me this... You do realize that when I tell you not to do something it is only for your own good, right? That it is not to keep you from being happy, but to keep you safe, right?
Andrew the Hardy Prologue
"The wharehouse is secure, an well guarded, one man got in and was killed fer his troubles."
"I have entered into business with a man there and hope to gain the list of persons utilizing the warehouse, and have met the owner of the wharehouse, whose family seems more interested in savvy business than tha religious views o tha Pope, Doge, err knights templar. Conflict wit them seems un-necessary."
"God willing I might make some money from a venture intah pipeweed which might help mah home in fightin tha English."
"I thought tah get tha man tah give me a list o who uses tha wharehouse an ask Cappelli fer references thinkin tha reference list will not contain tha shady dealins. I would think checkin references fer some goods should not be too troublin."
Curiosity gets the better of me at times, and the more I know... you will admit, the less I would ever need to "spy".
So many flavors of stupidity. A jilted lover, a malcontent politician, an over zealous up and coming merchant, too much tax, not enough homage... my imagination gets the better of me.
Care to share? I has been nearly a boring night. Alessandro inclines his head respectfully.
Michael's ears perk up as his name is called by a familiar voice and turns to greet the man that calls out.
"Mr. Querini, it's been a while since last received by your presence. How many I be of service to you?"
"Perhaps if you remove the mask we can get to know each other better but until I know who you really are..." she trails off as she looks around.
"Where I come from the only ones who were masks are criminals and assassins. My village was ambushed by such men so please accept my apology if I do not wish to provide you with information regarding this city and my dealings here."
I understand your distrust and respect it. As much as I accept my need for discretion. He points to his own mask.
I will wish you the best then, at I know not what. In ALL your endeavors, then...
I can and will share this, Sister Shadow. That spot, where you had your altercation this evening. It is a favorite of mine. Although I have no formal schedule, I frequent it often enough. You were good enough to spot me once, you can do it again. Very few others have.
If you wish to speak again, display this... He produces a saffron colored silk scarf. Offering it. We will meet here, again.
Until then, the most pleasant of evenings. Alessandro nods, offering his hand, once more.
Xing Shi takes his hand again and moves out into the darkness.