"They had...allies in town...and...where did the leader...come from? I am sure....he had military training..."
"That just makes him a deserter as well as a thug." Markus belts out dismissively.
"Maybe we could....pay a visit...to the living prisoners...we brought in...they may illuminate....the answers to our...questions."
"If you wish to push the matter you are free to do so on your on time." he offers to Wynn.
"We shall return to the Mers once the storm has broken to report our victory." he states in a firm tone. "Then I feel that it is prudent that we return this message to the Baron in due haste... its contense may be time sensitive. Then I believe sometime to enjoy the bounty of our deeds is due." He announces to the others.
"He is the one we saw before, yes?"
"The Mers is the one we met before ... we have yet to ... meet Baron Paradus yet." he explains to Slandra, struggling to use simpler words.
"Oh, I see," Slandra says. "I get mixed up sometimes. What do you mean by...um...boun-ty...of our deeds?"
"ah ..umm.. what I meant is that we will have some time to ... spend some of the money we earned." Markus responds to Slandra, thinking to himself that the power of the Gods must have taken a terrible toll on her.
"Oh!" Slandra exclaims. "That makes more sense."
As the room fills up, and the focus of attention seems to be drawn to the band, Wynn gets quieter and more hunched. Offering nods to the others at the table she rasps:
I think we should get as much of this sort of thing squirreled away. Enjoy a day or two of food and warm beds. Let the Mers and the Baron wine and dine us if they feel like it, and than go see about that Ring for the Old Lady. I rather liked her."
"You feel we...can deal with...an ogre?...not an opponent..to underestimate...and not...friendly ground for...horses"
"If you wish to push the matter you are free to do so on your on time."
After a few moments pause the Hooded scarecrow nods and stands.
"I will...make inquiries now...I have little love...for..."Wynn looks around at a loss for words, then simple motions to the bustle of the room around them with one long arm. Pushing away from the table she lopes over to the bar
"Can you...prepare a...hot bath for me?...I will...return soon...and a room.."
Then the burdened figure heads out the door, looking for the local cells.
The Taproom continues to bustle and roar, drowning out the patter of the rain outside. The conversation of the table itself seems almost strangely secluded, despite the occasional ruckus tap on the back, or the strains of bad singing which occasional puncture through the air.
In response to Wynn's question about the ogre Kristaps shrugs "I've never seen an ogre honestly. But Five against one sounds like odds I could favour. Plus if we're going to be in this line of work for a bit, having the thanks of a healer woman is going to go along way..." He emphasizes that last statement by running a hand over where one of his more grievous wounds was. "But honestly, I'm just glad this has turned out well. I'm willing to follow our Nobleman friend here, and he's probably right about the scroll. Time for the Ogre after that?"" He shrugs and pelts down some more meed, showing definite sides of inebriation.
The Inn-keeper nods to Wynn as she rambles past the bar, seeing past perhaps bandages and mystery to the now well-laden purse soon to be more-so. "Of Course Sir, not too long, it'll take us a while to drag all the hot water up there, but it'll cool off if you wait..."
The Interrogation goes not much of any-place. While most seem just too beater to talk, those that do talk don't seem to know much. One of those you captured is ID'd as one who would come into town. They say their weapons were mostly stolen, and that most of the things they had stolen you got in the attacks. The winter months being rather lean in terms of banditry save for that Noble courier. They also don't know much about their leader, save he said he was a soldier and that he'd come out west to 'pick this single horse town clean'. There might be some more information there you can't glean, but men who are destined to soon swing from a rope aren't too talkative it appears
Wynn returns perhaps an hour or so after leaving, departing upstairs for a room and the hot bath that a poor maid has been busily pouring for her, having to force her way with boiling bucket after boiling bucket of water past half-drunken merchants and lumber-millmen. Kristaps seems to have gotten more deeply into the Drink, while he brother just arches an eyebrow and eventually carries his brother, still singing something resembling a tune, up to bed.
Oskar has Markus' room all ready, or as ready as can be. "Successful venture than Sir? Enough coin that we won't be sleeping outside the city Walls again? Said with just that tinge of sarcasm indicating some past occurrence Oskar is rather eager to forget.
The Morning brings a continued light patter of rain, though the worst of the storm seems to have broken. Kristaps is a tad hung-over, and despite this eagerly tears at the cooked Bacon and bread that is offered up for breakfast, the first of the Spring Pork having come in with the fair it seems. Kārlis is less worse-for-wear than his brother, but no less hungry, though he has been busy, laying out what goods you have that he thinks are saleable. Those who slept in the common-room are awake, save for one still sleeping it off in the corner. The Inn-keeper seems cheerful, if a bit haggard, a profitable night for her it seems, and with a few coins from the lot of you for rooms, her mood only improves. She mentions there will be Fish-Pies for dinner and than hollers for the maid to come help her try and get rid of some of the mud so many boots have tracked all over her floor.
Settling impatiently into the common room, looking just as ragged as before the bath and full nights rest. Fidgeting and picking at breakfast she rasps out to whomever is gathered.
"Let us get ...this done. I would rather not...spend much time...dealing with petty hu....lords and mayors...Do you...need help with the goods...Karlis?"
Slandra comes down to breakfast looking cheerful, but kind of haggard. She's still covered in dirt and blood from the day before, having apparently not bothered to clean up overnight. She digs into the bacon and bread eagerly.
"I didn't know lords and mayors are pretty," she responds to Wynn. "Why do you not want to deal with pretty people? What difference does it make if they are pretty or ugly?"
Wynn turns her hood towards Slandra
"I did not say ...pretty...though I would still much....rather deal with pretty..Petty ...little lordlings...using there position...for their own gain...not for...their people...that Mers...he disgusts me....and the baron....in my experience...nobles are....worth less then the cheap stinks...they wear"
The hood lowers to the floor, probably Wynn lowering her head, after the lengthy diatribe.
"But honestly, I'm just glad this has turned out well. I'm willing to follow our Nobleman friend here, and he's probably right about the scroll. Time for the Ogre after that?"
"For certain... I intend to learn more about the habits and nature of this giantkin during after our time with the Baron." Markus replies.
"Successful venture than Sir? Enough coin that we won't be sleeping outside the city Walls again?"
"Of course we were successful Oskar ... there is plenty coin to keep us in better standing so you can cease with your griping." Markus states sternly.
"Let us get ...this done. I would rather not...spend much time...dealing with petty hu....lords and mayors...Do you...need help with the goods...Karlis?"
"Yes let us be off ... no need Karlis and I can handle the supplies" He replies dismissively.
"But honestly, I'm just glad this has turned out well. I'm willing to follow our Nobleman friend here, and he's probably right about the scroll. Time for the Ogre after that?""For certain... I intend to learn more about the habits and nature of this giantkin during after our time with the Baron." Markus replies.
"Giantkin?" Slandra says. "There's a giantkin as well as an ogre? We have our work cut out for us! We should start immediately!"
As breakfast is consumed, and talk continues, Kristaps looks like he might make an effort at correcting Slandra, but his hang-over wins out and he just lays his head down instead.
The goods divided as best one can, Kārlis inclines his head to Markus. "I think that will do it. I'm not sure how much of this stuff will sell for, but we can make the attempt at least.."
The Morning is quick, if a tad dreary. While the rain is slowly letting up, the ground has more than fully melted, and while the main-streets and the main-square are well cobbled, the side-streets are mud-filled nightmares. It's a quick measure to figure out what you can sell, and what you can't, and while you can find some small measure of coin for the weapons, and a bit of the rope goes as well, it's the coin itself and the three gems, plus the silver clasp, you are able to pocket some real money from. The Alchemists apprentice takes all the gems, while a merchant gladly exchanges some coin for the silver clasp. All in all, once the bidding is done, and in truth no-one seems int he mood for haggling, the party is richer by 145 Crowns, 327 Silver Wolves, and 18 Coppers.
After that has been taken care of, the Company can head back to the civic hall, where the clerk you encountered on your previous visit looks at you with a combination of startled nervousness and what some might think of as fearful awe.
"Oh Yes... Oh yes, Sir Vangazi's band. I... well that is to say We, were expecting you, just... a moment. Yes a moment. Please.. please just take a seat..." There is only a single slender bench propped against one wall and the Clerk's own chair, you would have a hard time doing so.
Through the door and in a moment the Clerk exits, acccompanied by the Rotund form of the Mers, who is smiling like a fox in a henhouse.
"My Good Sirs! And Sister..." He quickly amends with a touch of his hand to his forehead in Slandra's direction. "What can I say. At first when I was told of the first lot you have brought in I was glad enough. Than more, and their Rascal of a leader! Dead of course, sadly, but I'll not mourn a man who was right for the noose."
He moves about to offer each of you his hand in turn, Starting with Slandra and than going through Kristaps, Karlis, Wynn and finishing with Markus.
"Truly you've done a blessing for this town. Cleaned up this muck and filth just as the rain comes in to wash away the winters debris. Now, for the simpler matters. Ervīns!" He calls, looking back to the Clerk who jumps a half-foot in the air. "The Reward, and the signed letter of thanks... be quick, do you think folks like this want to wait around all day for a clerk to shuffle his feat?" The clerk does shift away at a fast trot, returning mere moments later with a bag and a small note. The Bag contains 112 Gold Crowns, the note is a simple missive thanking you for services rendered to the town.
"With the power vested in me by the people of Trenci, by the Charter of this Town, the Noble Baron Paradus and our Noble King, I thank you for the services you have rendered..." He finishes with a little flourish of his hand and than shooes away his clerk.
"With the formalities out of the way, I do want to extend my personal thanks as well. If you and your companions..." He is clearly talking to Markus here "...would graciously like to attend to my own house tomorrow for Dinner, I and my family would be most honoured. The cook has fresh fish and a fresh supply of bacon for what promises to be a lovely meal. I find it's also good for men such as we to cultivate relations. Makes matters Civic more... well civil!" He chuckles a little bit at his own joke as he awaits a response.
"I like fish and bacon," Slandra blurts out before Markus can respond. "We will come!"
Standing with the two brothers, Wynn mutters
"Slandra forgot to.... mention the last thing... on the menu...Daughter"
Her raspy voice containing more then a hint of the scowl that must be under the hood and scarf.
"I will...be around the market...."
Then the raggedy figure strides to the door and away.
29 golden crowns, 65 silver wolfs, and 7 coppers, each.
With 3 coppers left over.
Markus takes in a deep breath to give a lengthy response to the Mers. "well..." before being interrupted by Slandra.
"...yes...we would be most.. honoured to attend..." Markus replies.
The Mers claps his hands together and his grin does the impossible and seems to widen. "Good! Good! My Wife and Daughter will be so looking forward to having actual heroes at the table. I'm sure the cook will spare no expense." A tiny crease touches his temples as Wynn walks away but he is back to all smiles and handshakes.
"I'll expect you some time after the Evening Bell, no need to stand on ceremony or anything like that. Now I'm sure you have things to attend to, if merely deciding how to spend your reward!"He lets out a little chortle and than waves a hand. "So much business to attend to you understand. The Job of a Town Official is never finished or so it seems. If this rain just manages to let up.."
He finishes his exchange of pleasantries and than moves to depart back through the door he came, whistling a common children's song called The Ducks by the River.
After his departure the brothers look to each other as coin is divided.
"Well first things first I am going to go settle up with the Innkeep and get that room for a couple of weeks. Than I'm going to go see what there is to spend money on in this town. I hear there is a Dwarven smith, though I doubt I have the funds to afford anything good. Still some better armour maybe? Or perhaps I should invest in more of those medicines from the old woman." Kristaps ventures, to which his brother merely shrugs and nods.
Stepping out of the Town Hall it seems to rain has truly let up completely.
Slandra collects her share of the money with a smile and dumps it into her bag. "I've never been to a fancy dinner before," she says. "Are there any special rules? I think he said that we don't stand on ceremony. What should we stand on then?"
After leaving the Mers presence the remainder of the day flew by, with heavy coin in your pocket and the rain clearing up by the evening. Mud on the roads didn't alter the elation of a job well done, and each member of your little band can persue whatever interests they had. For Kārlis and Kristaps that seems to be enjoying more wine and investigating the price of armour and weapons with a Dwarven Smith they had located, as well as gathering more tales and information about the surrounding area. For the rest of you? Who knows. Oskar seems content to have money to both pay for the room and stabling for quite some time as well as pay his own salary, which promptly vanishes. Whether the footman is spending it or hoarding it some-where is hard to tell, but he is, for the rest of the day, seen dutifully engaged in the repair of Markus' clothing, the care of his laundry, and a few other menial tasks. While the slush of cash has not made him a less grumpy servant, it has made him a quieter one.
The following morning a formal invitation for dinner arrives, by way of the Mers own footman, a dapper gentlemen in doublet and breeches just managing to be on the right side of fopish. The invitation is for Sir Markus Vengalis 'and company', though it properly identifies each of you by name in the text.
While Kārlis seems a bit irate at the prospect, his brother has already paid for a shave and to have his mustache tended. "If Mom could see us now! Invitation to the Mers for dinner. A bit higher up in society for two sell-swords from Ogre eh?"
Oskar has finished with Markus clothes and even shined his boots, though given the state outside it seems a rather pointless task.
As the hour approaches you make way to go to the Mers estate, which is located in the northern portion of the town, an impressive looking, rather modern dwelling of stone. Two stories tall, though with a southern 'tower' that has a third small story on it. All of it looks to have been made within the last few generations, though the tower is obviously rather new.
Wynn joins those attending the meal, garbed in the customary rags and hood. The bulging pack, longsword and shortbow are absent. Without the pack the 6'3 scarecrow seeming as lean as a beanpole.
Bueller?