Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Christopher sighs, "Very well My Lady. Who is it I should speak with to vouch for you here in the city? It is not that I do not believe you, it is that you will need a resident here to convince everyone else of your innocence".
The men around Christopher practically explode in anger, with shouts of "She is a liar" ringing out around the young man.
He holds up his hand, "I have spoken, tell me to whom I may speak regarding your character and conduct and I shall ensure your safe passage from this place".
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Michele Querini
The mans face drops, "I am sorry Signore, I was just told to come seek you out urgently. There are others seeking you out as well. Can you leave a message for this person to meet you elsewhere? I don't wish to return to your father and inform him that I found you but could not retrieve you. You understand yes Signore?"
The man is wringing his hands anxiously clearly troubled by your refusal.
Alessandro sits in quiet meditation. Part of him missing her as already. Hoping she had heard his footsteps and might at any moment be standing next to him.
Strange. He'd thought he'd want to kill or destroy her. Instead he wished to know more.
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Xing Shi smiles at Christopher "You are a wise and kind man I can see why the lady fancies you. My friend here is Luigi Vespuchi (don't think we ever came up with a last name). He can vouch for me."
Storyteller Shadow
"Where does my father wish to meet me-at his residence?"
ST-Do I even recognize this man?
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Perception + awareness
Andrew considers the men gathered, watching for any who might give away themselves....
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Christopher nods his head to Xing, "Very well I shall check with Master Vespuchi (which is his last name). He is known to my family. If you are lying I promise you that my family will hunt you down and bring you low".
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Gunther steps forward, "Now that this unpleasant business is behind us, let us get back to the reason we are here, for a party".
The crowd gathered disperses and heads back inside the venue despite the protests of many who claim that the woman is a liar.
Gunther turns to Xing and Andrew, "It is best if you are off now. Remember what I told you, stay away from my daughter".
That said, he too returns to the building leaving the two guards at the door left frowning in your direction.
The rest of the crowd of hangers on who were not actually invited also gawk at you both and whisper behind raised hands.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Michele Querini
"Yes Signore. If it please you time is of the essence".
Lorenzo continues to pour over his notes, and tries to get a bit of rest while he waits for Moses to awake.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"Gentleman, Xing can stay in tha continous presence of either me or my men at tha Way o King's Inn. Seems tha she might be tha best help in findin tha person who did tha wrong. If tha not enough yer welcome tah send a senchal along as well."
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Christopher shrugs in response, "Stay with her or do not. If she is innocent then what she does is not my concern. If she is guilty then how would a woman of such exotic beauty hide, even in a city as large as Venice she will stick out to those who would earn easy coin with a few whispers in the right ear".
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Xing Shi wrinkles her nose a bit at some of the comments.
"I did not mean to interrupt your party was not my intention. if your men were not stalking me none of this of happened and I am truly sorry for your troubles Senior Christopher." she bows slightly.
"I will be off though as to not cause any more commotion."
She looks to Gunther. "You have a lovely family and wish your daughter the best with Chistopher and his family. Just don't let her stray to close to these other dogs." she gives the guards a glare and then turns to Andrew.
"Wasn't there something you wished to ask Christopher before departing?"
Storyteller Shadow
"I will be along to see my father after my meeting is done. Let him know I will come as soon asit is done."
I want to see the man's reaction after I say this.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"Aye tis true I had an encounter wit tha men o Christopher at tha Way o Kings Inn, an think now tha issues was wit tha men seeing tha heritage o Xing. Though I would ask tha yer men not come to me seekin troubles."
Venice by Night
Andrew and Xing
Christopher responds as he is walking away, "If your companion is true I shall not. If she is false, woe to any who give her succor".
Venice by Night
Michele Querini
"Very well Signore, if this meeting is more important then your fathers safety, so be it".
He turns and heads back the way he came.
Andrew and Xing
As Xing and Andrew leaves.
"I'm sorry you got caught up in that mess. That man needs to get better control of his men while they are roaming the streets else his reputation may be at jeopardy."
She looks around to make sure none are following them.
It's getting late we should probably head back to the inn.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Gunther Thesing, Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"Indeed, Gunther good even. I have enjoyed yer company an hope yah has enjoyed mah pipeweed."
Turns to leave with Xing...
also trying to see if they are being followed or ambushed...
awareness+alertness
Andrew pats Xings hand.
"We shall speak at tha Inn."
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Andrew, it would appear that you are not being followed. Xing, it would appear that the moon is really quite beautiful this night, despite the clouds that constantly pass overhead.
Soon enough you are both back at the Way of Kings. Xing suggests meting in her room so that you may discuss matters away from the rest of the Scottish delegation.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Andrew leads Xing far into the Way of Kings Inn...
"Let us go to your room...."
Andrew looks very serious.
Xing and Andrew
Xing nods and leads him up.
"Don't get any ideas big guy!" she winks at him trying to lighten the mood a bit.
When up in the room she makes herself comfortable by sitting on the bed watching him.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
Cautiously Andrew approachs this with Xing
"Let's talk fer a bit, I got tha feelin yah was not a fully truthful back there an I need tah know what's goin on, yah can't protect me from tha truth an I can't protect yah without knowin what's tha trouble."
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
She looks a bit perplexed at his question.
"Honestly, I do not know who those men were or who they were referring to that is injured."
"I do know those men are thugs and are run almost like the wild barbarians back in my homeland. They try to bully the weak and take what they want."
She sighs a bit
"But you were right I was not 'completely' truthful to those men. When I first came here I was hired to look for a man and arrange meetings. Unfortunately some men attempted to kill the man I was looking for on the first night I was out doing the job. I couldn't just stand there and let them kill him it was six to two!"
She seems a bit excited telling the story.
"Six to two! What men fight with odds like that? Cowards! So what did I do? I helped without showing who I was and that's all. But none of those men I recognized from the party were at that attack on the person."
She seems a bit relieved to finally tell her story.
"I only tell you this because you have been kind to me and seem like a good person who would understand."
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"Aye so tha real goal is tha discovery o tha witness to tha crime. What became o tha two men who stood gainst six?"
"An who was tha man yah sought?"
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"I will not give out information about the man I had to watch but once I intervened the bullies ran like the cowards they were and the other two left unhurt and are fine as far as I know."
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"Only tha word o those men might clear tha one who witnessed tha attack, so tha six fearing geater numbers scattered as dogs."
Andrew chuckles slightly,
"Yah should either find tha men who was attacked, err agree tah leave tha country. I fear no other recourse ken ensure yer safety."
Andrew bids Xing a good evening
"Please argue not, just think upon what I have said."
Andrew leaves the room as he has another appointment this evening.
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi
"They can not prove it was me as I have nothing to fear."
She nods to Andrew as he leaves and prepares to get some rest setting up her traps in the room.
Storyteller Shadow
After hearing what he has said I will get up and go after the man and put my arm on his shoulder.
"My fathers safety? Why didn't you say that before? What is the issue? Please sit and fill me in for a few moments." sounding very anxious
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Michele Querini
"My Lord, we must make haste, no time to sit down now."
Andrew spends some time gathering his thoughts until the appointed hour arrives. He checks in with Donnach and the others.
"I am attending a private meeting at tha church an going to meet some o tha elders at another place, I expect tah return."
Michael looks at the sacks as its content moves about in both shock and interest
"WHAT THE WORLD IS IN THERE?!! Or who rather. these people better not land me in trouble around here I have come to far to establish myself"
Michael walks to Sergi
"I shall not ask of your content, where is your destination but before we depart have you found whom you were looking for when last we met."
hoping sergei remembers he was looking for his sister, while creating his make shift mask
Storyteller Shadow
"Sometimes you must slow down to make haste." gesturing for him to come sit
"Now tell me what transpires and more importantly how did you know I was here?"
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Michele Querini
The tremor in the man's voice which you initially had mistaken for nervousness is actually filled with contempt, the close proximity to him brought that out. In addition, his smell is not of the perfume that fills your father's house, a scent you should have picked up if he were a servant of House Querini.
The man chuckles slightly, "Come with me or do not".
He begins to walk away. What do you do?
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy
"It seems all men err at odds over some matter o tha other here, I miss tha simplicity o tha army life."
"I will not et involved gainst tha Doge, when we came fer aid."
Andrew heads over to the church.......
michael does not flinch a bit and stares back into his eyes full of pent up rage and frustration
"I am sorry I have nothing new since we last met. I have been here several nights with brice trying to aid in your cause but I am offered very limited detail." Micharl glances at brice, then back to sergei " I was just hoping that you have found out more in the days that have gone by since we last parted. I know you are greatly distressed and as I stated then I will help as best I can to resolve your issue"
Michael points to this cargo. "does your luggage hold any clues you seek? "
Storyteller Shadow
I am going to allow him to turn and as he starts to walk away I will start pulling out my concealed long knife and want to get up behind him as silently as possible and put it to his back.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
"Come my friend, it is time for you to meet with the others".
You head down the stairs and find a much smaller party than the one from the previous time you were here. There are but five men, two of whom you met, three others you did not.
The first mane you met smiles at you, "Lord Andrew well met. It is time for us to go to this location you claim to have seen the bodies buried. Before we go, I feel it is my sacred duty to inform you of our names. A man should not go into battle without at least knowing the names of the men at his side. I am Claudio de Mendini. My comrade who you also spoke with earlier is Syrio Abran".
He grins, "Welcome Andrew".
Claudio gestures to the other three men, "These men do not speak Italian. They are Amaury and Laurent Amyx and Devery Devereaux. The hour is late. We have a boat that will bring us across to the mainland. Are you ready to reveal what you know to us, despite any potential dangers?"
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy
"I saw tha bodies transported to tha lands on tha evenin Federico sold his families land, I had not seen tha bodies buried."
"Well met comrades, let us unravel this devil's coil."
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Michele Querini
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
The men head out of a side door gesturing for you to follow. one of them bear weapons and all are dressed in plain clothing. The cool night greets you as a welcome relief after the heat of the church basement.
Claudio leads the way across the city to the location of the boat.
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Andrew the Hardy
"Even without mine aid, a body with tha head near detached would be tha correct one."
Afterwards Andrew spends some time in prayer....
Storyteller Shadow
Venice by Night - Sunday March 8, 1309
Michele Querini