"Thistle tea does sound quite yummy." Damieka says almost as if she believes what Tsuto had just said. She lifts the man's chin with her finger and looks at his neck then wipes off the mess from that area, keeping quiet as she does this. The woman dabs at a bruise then sits up and looks directly at the monk.
"The thing is that you are not likely to tell us anything. I mean, what is there? Four or five tribes ready for a tea party over a dead village, plundering as they go?" She shrugs, "But there isn't anything new about this plan. Is there? It is a shame that we can't help Nuala from death though."
Bluff on the death bit:
"Good to see you." Zara says to Silva as he approaches; "That red-head was quite cute, going to ask her to step out with you? Or is your eye on someone else?" she glances to the proprietress.
"We were wondering if you could manage to sell on the items we had acquired? And what we would need to buy, especially if we are to venture to Thistletop." the last is a hushed whisper, for she does not want to scare the villagers. Zara is quite enjoying becoming a celebrity and a hero to the towns-folk.
For a moment she even considers doing a dance; however the armour would be unsuitable and without it her routine would be shorter and not for the prudish.
"I think Nicea was annoyed with her lack of destruction. Of course we need to throw a party for her once we have a measure of freedom, I wouldn't want her to, continue to, think of me as boring." the dancer adds. "Samara, the silver dagger could be of use to you. Whilst the longsword for Damieka."
"Huh? Oh. Well, you know. Rats," Silva responds a few moments late, putting no real effort into the lie. He is all too happy when Zara changes the subject.
"Good news about that actually. Ameiko said she'd just buy all the stuff off us - she's pretty confident that she can sell it through her connections. Apparently tiny black dresses are all the rage in Magnimar. Can't say I'm very surprised."
Zara's eyes boggle at the thought of squeezing into the hankerchief sized dress; "I don't think even I could squeeze into that."
She spends a moment imagining it, then looks up to see if Silva is too.
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"Yes, I think I will use the dagger. That is a thing I will do. I am more of a fencer, though, but it's nice to have something concealed," says Samara, not thinking there's anything particularly terrible about that opinion.
"How much is our individual profit? Is it even split?" wonders Samara, as usual not really addressing anyone in particular.
"I would say an even split of what we don't share out, but that's upto our leader I suppose." Zara thinks. "Of course, if you need anything desperately Samara, I could led you some of my share." she says quietly and slightly embarrassed.
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Davben wonders a moment if Damieka actually believed the obviously false story of thistle tea, she couldn't possibly be that naive could she?
He could tell she was bluffing about death and Nualia although he wasn't entirely sure why, her dying as a result of this was quite likely. The monk nodded agreeing with Damieka even if she is bluffing "Yes, it is a shame, I was hoping Tsuto would be able to give us some information to stop her transformation, and cease this disruption of balance, it would be easier to maintain an equilibrium that way." he shrugs his shoulders as if it is no big loss "I suppose we'll simply have to kill her."
Moving over to Damieka he puts his hand on her shoulder "I'm afraid it seems that Silva may have been right. Tsuto just isn't important enough to be given any details. Perhaps we should ask one of the goblin chiefs they may have a closer relationship with Nualia."
"That's good, Samara. Debt can be bad, especially owing the wrong sort of people..." she shudders slightly. Taking a sip of her pink water she resolves to talk to Aldern Foxglove, she still had to thank him for the reward he had given her. 'I'm sure he'd approve of the leather that I bought with his money.'
"I'll return anon." she tells the table before leaving. Walking purposefully upstairs with a little wiggle; she rubs down a panel of her armour getting a good sheen upon it.
After a side-trip to her room, dropping off her equipment and making herself presentable she goes to Alderns room. Rapping upon the door...
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
After a side-trip to her room, dropping off her equipment and making herself presentable she goes to Alderns room. Rapping upon the door...
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
From the other side of the door you can almost hear the sound of gentle sobs. Following the rap at the door there is the sound of quick stumbling and then quickly rummaging about. It takes a second but the door opens a crack and the man from within peaks out. It is Aldern. Seeing Zara, his look turns to one off immediate joy. The door swings open and Aldern greets Zara in a very gentlemanly fashion.
"Zara! Its a pleasure to see you. I thought I might have to wait until the Hunt tomorrow before your beauty might grace my presence once more."
The words had been spinning in her mind since she was told of the declining of a potential patron.
Zara goes down to one knee, as she had mis-read in some stories as a greeting to nobility before she rises. "Lord Foxglove...." she hesitates, subconsciously biting her lip.
"Your words do me a great service, however I cannot do you one." the tone light, Zara shakes a pale cascade of hair to hide behind "There is grave news, the goblins that helped us by bring us together with their vile attack upon the town. They are going to tear us asunder."
Trying to turn on the charm, positioning her body so that Aldern gets the most beauteous profile; "Led by a traitor the goblins plan to attack the town. With Sheriff Hemlock out of town, we are vulnerable..." Without realising she looks sadly on, her innocent words continue.
"Thus someone has to do something about it. We were tasked to ensure the safety of the town and my hands are safe." raising her hands there's a slight tremble to them, which is stemmed by her clasping them together.
She changes her voice, determined that she will save the town no matter the cost. "Tomorrow, we travel to their base. We will stop them before the tribes unite. We will bring the perpetrators to justice."
"Unfortunately, this means I must forego the pleasure of your company. My participation in the hunt must be absent, at least this time." Then she looks him in the eyes, "The common room is open, maybe you would like a drink?"
"Unfortunately, this means I must forego the pleasure of your company. My participation in the hunt must be absent, at least this time."
Aldern looks as if Zara might have well stabbed him with a knife. He speaks, gradually loosing his cool gentlemanly composure.
"Surely this venture could wait until some other time. I return to Magnimar the day after tomorrow and the hunt is the last chance for us to be together. I must insist you change your plans to accompany me"
Silva waves back at Samara, considers making a pass at her, thinks better of it, and then occupies himself with his drink.
A shadow of uncertainty passes across her visage, then she grasps a hand between both of hers. She looks into his eyes; "We will be but a few days. Then we can meet up, I shall have enough cash to travel to Magnimar!"
With a winsome look, "It would not be right to abandon the people of this town, in their time of need."
"The thing is that you are not likely to tell us anything. I mean, what is there? Four or five tribes ready for a tea party over a dead village, plundering as they go?" She shrugs, "But there isn't anything new about this plan. Is there? It is a shame that we can't help Nuala from death though."
Bluff on the death bit: 1d20
Threatening Nualia has obviously struck a chord with Tsuto.
"Whut ould you hath me thell you? You want thew know about the thecret threashure pile down the hole at thisslethop foretht? Or how bout that Bruthazmus is thucking all of Ripnugghth's wives? Maybe you want tho know whath behind thu falth wall in thu Gobthn's latrine? None of ith mathers. If you make ith patht thu Gobthins you sthill have to deal with Orick, Bruthuzumuth, Lyrie, Rithnugget and thu dogth's bethore you find Nualia. Make no misthake, Thithletop will kill you."
A shadow of uncertainty passes across her visage, then she grasps a hand between both of hers. She looks into his eyes; "We will be but a few days. Then we can meet up, I shall have enough cash to travel to Magnimar!"
With a winsome look, "It would not be right to abandon the people of this town, in their time of need."
"It would not be right to abandon ME!
Aldern's voice escalates to a level that can be heard throughout the common room. Realizing what he has done, a sudden look of embarrassment and shame crosses his face. Aldern turns away from Zara, and stares at the floor to avoid eye contact.
"I'm sorry my lady, that was inappropriate of me. You are correct, the town needs you more than I do. I do hope that once this is all over you will come find me."
Aldern steps into his room and shouts down the hallway.
"BETHANA! PACK MY BELONGINGS! I WILL BE CUTTING MY STAY SHORT!"
Aldern gives Zara one more glance and then closes the door on her. The *click* of the lock is enough to know that this is the end of the conversation from Aldern.
Zara's eyes go wide at his outburst; a gamut of emotions slide across her face. Shame, humiliation, anger (at herself and him), forgiveness, then settles with defiance; as she remembers her proud heritage. 'Foolish girl, fluttering your eyes at this man. He might have a certain charm, but not enough to be shouted and humiliated. She turns with a defiant swish, rolling her hips so that if he could see her; he would realise how foolish he was. Of course this is a childish act, Zara realises as much but she knows it'll build her confidence.
'I'm not chattal to be ordered around. Although he did seem contrite, maybe I should still talk to him.' she walks down the stairs back into the common area. Gracefully, but distracted she seats herselves with the pair. "That could have gone better."
Zara tries hard to keep the emotions from her voice; "However Aldern knows we will not be hunting with him tommorrow."
"He'll get over it," Silva says with a shrug, having overheard some of the noble's shouting. He takes a sip of his own apple juice, which was certainly strong enough for him. Perhaps a little too strong. "He's probably just used to getting what he wants. Better for him that he's getting out of here, though. There's no telling how messy things might get."
"Good point, I wouldn't want him to get his way all the time." Zara nods in agreement. 'I've seen the way he looks at me... well like most when I'm dancing.'
"Yeah, he'll be safe in Magnimar. Nothing bad happens in the big cities, so I've heard." taking a sip of her watered wine.
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Davben listens carefully paying attention to Tsuto in case he's trying to deceive them with this information. looks back towards Tsuto and shakes his head "A pack of goblins, their chiefs and some dogs? Is that really it? I've faced harder battles to earn my breakfast at the monastery."
"They expect to stop us without even any magic-users? Thistletop won't be a problem Dam, the chiefs probably won't put up much of a fight either." He looks towards Damieka "Anything else you need to ask? It's really a shame he doesn't know how to stop the transformation, it would be nice if we didn't have to kill Nualia."
Damieka shrugs, "There is nothing else I need to ask. It seems that saving Nualia was not in the cards. I was hoping we could save her the misery that book says the transformation will cause her."
Bluff:
"Who knows." It was obvious that the bluff would not work so she snorts gently, finishes cleaning Tsuto up and sighs, "Thank you for not being belligerent towards me. I'm sorry about what has happened to you and Nualia. I will do my best to try and make sure that you are not abused while in custody but cannot guarantee it will work. We know how most react to our kind."
The ranger stands and pushes the stool away with a foot while picking up the bucket with the water and rag and turns to leave.
After informing the pair, she looks around the Dragon for any of the others... "I'm off for a wash and then bed. I'll leave the hot water for whomever else." Then with a considered step goes to the rooms upstairs and after her ablutions retires for the evening.
ice=Sense Motive]1d20+10
Tsuto appears to be telling the truth as far as you're concerned. his story may have holes but certainly none that you can point out.
"Thank you for not being belligerent towards me. I'm sorry about what has happened to you and Nualia. I will do my best to try and make sure that you are not abused while in custody but cannot guarantee it will work. We know how most react to our kind."
"Oh, Donth worry abouth me. I'm a big boy. I can thake thare of mythelf. Hath thun dying ath Thithlethop!"
Tusto tryes to manage waving his hand goodbye at the pair through his restraints.
"Yeah, I'm gonna turn in as well," Silva says with a loud yawn, "I'll need all my spells tomorrow... and then some, probably." The sorcerer follows the cleric upstairs and retires to his room.
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Nicea hears Foxglove's outburst from the quiet of her room as she wipes the excess oil from her scythe. The bucket of bloody water and pile of wet, stained rags nearby testify to her evening's activity since her quick meal, as does the pile of newly cleaned and polished armor and weaponry.
Sounds like Zara has done her part, even if Foxglove is being a boor about it. We need to be ready for anything tomorrow. As leader, it's going to be important that we get the day started right.
She sighs and swallows, rising to bathe briefly before slipping between the crisp linen sheets.
The head that wears the crown really does lie heavy on the pillow. I had no idea leadership was such a burden. Good thing I am awesome enough to handle it. The others would be crushed. But I'll do it. For them.
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Not getting any sort of reaction out of Tsuto with his confident talk of taking Thistletop, or his question of magic users Davben decides they've probably gotten everything they're going to out of the half-elf prisoner.
He moves along after Damieka, and stops to speak to the guard. "It seems he has been mistreated. Assaulting a helpless prisoner is an unnecessary evil, we've enough evil threatening the balance here with the goblins off their equilibrium. Please make sure he is treated with courtesy as long as he is kept here."
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Samara sits at the bar by herself for a little while, still staring into her glass. She purses her lips lightly. Apple juice... She looks up towards the barkeep, considering whether she should ask for something stronger. No, she decides, she doesn't want to be a bother, and she's had too much social interaction for one day.
All too soon morning comes, Zara rolls from her bed. Her supple legs nearly give out from under her, shaking slightly with the need for more rest. The sunlight slipping through the shutters makes her blink away the sleep with a low groan.
The porcelain bowl upon the side-stand provides her with fresh water, which she splashes herself awake. Tracing the lines of her tattoo's across her body, as a preliminary to her meditative routine.
Before kneeling to pray, to the Goddess of illusions. The light refracting and flickering across the bowl before her; a prism of light stains the wall. The beauteous rainbow reminding the Cleric why she fights for all, the purity and that there is good in the world. The 7-hue fabric tied wrist-band, a symbol of her chosen status.
After her prayers, Zara retrieves her remaining scarf and puts it on. The leather armour slips on too, before she goes downstairs. Getting an apple from the bar to go with the fruit juice, she awaits the others.
Damieka hooks an arm with Davben' and walks with him calmly thinking over the day and all the events which had happened. It was amazing how so much could go on within such a short time. Her thoughts go to what they would have to do the next day and fear strikes her heart thinking of the things that could go wrong. Then she feels Davben's hand in hers and smiles.
They would have this night together and all would be well.
"Who's room should we use? We should inform our hostess that the other will be available." She says this almost surprised that this was no dream but feeling as if she were in one.
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Moving away from Tsuto's holding area the balance obsessed monk doesn't object to Damieka taking his hand. However his attention isn't really on her, he's committing the information they got from Tsuto to memory to make sure nothing important is forgotten when they go to Thistletop tomorrow.
When the ranger asks about which room they should use he shrugs his shoulders "I carry all I have with me, so it's very easy for me to change rooms, perhaps we should use yours. And yes we should let Ameiko know that the other room is free."
Coming to the Inn Davben spots Samara alone at the bar, and moves over with Damieka to join her. "All alone Samara?" he looks curiously at her drink and shakes his head deciding it isn't adequate "What is that you're drinking? You need something stronger." He looks around for Ameiko, or Bethana "Would you each of us one of the strongest you have?"
Damieka smiles but then Davben gets them a drink with Samara and she sighs inwardly a bit concerned about the time they would have left to be together. It was enough to deal with Tsuto but if they were going to sit here and chat ... then again this was Samara. The woman was not known to be a chatterbug.
The ranger smiles in a happier as she realizes that this drink would not take long, "This should take the edge off from today's adventures." She says and drinks some of the liquid given to them.
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That was probably the closest Davben's seen to a smile from Samara, he wondered if it was just because they took the time to share a drink with her, or if she just wouldn't speak up that she wanted a stronger drink. "We probably shouldn't stay up long, but a drink might help us to wind down." He takes a sip of his own drink "Tsuto told us some information that being a treasure hunter you might find interesting, he told us of a secret passage, and a hidden treasure cache. We'll tell the others all about it in the morning."
After a short time his glass is emptied, and he decides another would probably not be a good idea. He looks towards Damieka "Ready to go? it's been a somewhat long day." He stretches trying to get his muscles to relax more. "I hope wake up call isn't too early tomorrow. Oh Ameiko! The monk calls over spotting their hostess "I won't be using my room anymore, we thought it excessive to each keep a separate room, so we're going to share."
Damieka drinks her alcohol slowly but not too slowly. She does not wish to be rude but she also does not wish to dull her senses too much. Maybe that nagging nervousness one gets when close to doing something they are still somewhat unsure of ever happening could be dampened but not other feelings.
"Ready. Good night, Samara. See you in the morning." Probably early if she knew their self-acclaimed leader.
The ranger nods to Ameiko as they walk to her room and she gets the door open even if her fingers do shake a bit. The room has not had much put into it as the woman tended to keep everything she required in her pack.
She turns to Davben as the door closes and moves closer, enough for their bodies to touch and to put her hands on Davben's face, "Are you still ready?" The woman says teasingly as she gives him a light kiss on the lips. She doesn't want to seem wantonly even if she want to be with this man.
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Early the next morning, Nicea rises, dresses, and heads down to the common room to speak with Bethana. "We need a good breakfast made for the group today. There's danger afoot, and it's bad business to fight on an empty stomach! Set up one table for the six of us, please, and I'll be sure they're here on time. What rooms are they all in?"
She trots around the Rusty Dragon Inn, banging on the doors of each of the party members until they promise to be down for breakfast in an hour at the most. "Say your prayers and study your spells, but get down here to eat in an hour, right?"
Zara looks at Nicea when she gets downstairs through refreshed eyes, normally a night owl Zara's exertions the previous nigh had caused her to sleep heavilly. However her hair has the bounce of someone who cares. Sitting down at a table Zara wears her leather vest with the scarf lower down a vivid contrast.
"Thank you for you kindness Nicea. It certainly was a tiring evening, I'm surprised I can still stand." there's just a hint of lethargy behind the perkiness.
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Samara is already awake, taking inventory of her poisons and other materials when Nicea knocks on the door. She makes sure all of her labels are still in good condition (given that she is carrying healing potions as well as poisons, labelling is a very important thing indeed!) but jumps a bit at the banging on her door. She quickly returns everything to their proper places and makes her way to the door to peek out at Nicea, nod once, and then close the door again.
It doesn't take very long until Samara comes down for breakfast.
Ameiko Kaijitsu has been anxious to strike the breakfast gong since it was suggested to her.
"So after breakfast, if Silva has traded our objects with Lady Ameiko, then I'll get some herbal remedies and a tent." Zara says softly to those gathered downstairs. "I suppose I should head to the Vinders for supplies. And the boutique for some new clothes." Zara strokes her bare legs.
"Samara, would you like to join me at Alivers' Place." she asks softly, biting her full lips gently.
It took longer than usual for Silva to fall asleep that night. For what seemed like hours the sorcerer found himself staring at the ceiling with a pout on his face, brooding over the day's events. It had been a long, long day, and very little of it had gone smoothly. And now of all things, he had a guilty conscience. When he had finally fallen asleep, he slept like a log. Perhaps fortunately, his subconscious chose not to torture him with strange dreams. And yet unfortunately, he was in for a rude awakening.
When Nicea bangs on his door, Silva simply groans in response, just barely managing to say something in the affirmative. Anything to make the crazy woman go away. Again, he finds the ceiling. He lies there on his back for another thirty minutes, before finally willing himself to move. With a great deal of effort he rolls out of bed, pulls on his boots and robes, and grabs his backpack. Not too keen on having their self-proclaimed leader yell at him any more, it is a matter of minutes before he comes down the stairs, saying his good mornings.
Hearing Zara's comment, he promptly retrieves the two magical scrolls from his pack and places them on the table. With loud yawn, the sorcerer nods. "Yeah, let's get this over with. I'm just itching to get to Thistletop." It was true, for the most part. Asides from his lingering drowsiness, inwardly Silva felt... great.
The banging on the door was not unexpected but Damieka had been sleeping comfortably in her newfound lover's arms, contented and at peace until the knock. She immediately opened her eyes and went stiff, her senses awakened and searching for danger until she realized where she was. The woman hadn't even noticed that she had reacted protectively towards Davben by making sure she was between him and whatever the noise had been.
A chagrined sigh emerged from her lips then she turned to the man in the bed and kissed his chest then his neck, jaw and afterwards lips, "Seems the boss has called." She says smiling at the monk.
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"Visit Aliver?" repeats Samara, turning her eyes towards Zara, "Maybe I should. That is a thing I should do. If I die, he tells me he's good at embalming. I think I would like him to know where my body is. He could prepare it." She nods a couple of times practically. Only Samara would think that an appropriate thought to pursue. This might be a reason that she does not speak up often.
She is also considering perusing his wares for poison. But with Zara nearby? That might be a problem.
"Die...die..." Zara splutters with wide eyes, the mere thought of this brings tears to her eyes. "You aren't... no-one is..." her voice is small.
"I was going to buy some potions and salves to ensure it doesn't happen to you or any others." Zara says pondering which oils and moisturisers will be needed, starting to be lost in her own thoughts.
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There's a grumble of complaint from Davben at the banging on the door, for someone who claimed the others were no fun Nicea sure had strict rules around bedtimes. Despite the grumbling the monk does agree to come down within the hour. The kisses on his body make him open his eyes and look to the ranger sharing the bed. He gives a light smile, and a kiss when she reaches his lips.
"She sure is strict about wake up times. If we were sharing with her she'd probably push us right out of bed at the crack of dawn." He sighs softly, and works his way out of bed "I suppose we shouldn't keep the others waiting." He proceeds to get dressed not needing armour or spells to prepare it doesn't take him long "Come down when you're ready."
"Would we need numerous tents, or can you get one large enough for all of us?" The monk asks joining the others at the table, he notes Zara's lip biting when she asks Samara to join her, generally a sign of nervous anticipation, or anxiety as if she were asking for a romantic outing. "I think we want to get out to Thistletop as early as we can, the shopping is important, but I don't know that we have time for dates this morning Zara."
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"Now, none of that kind of talk. We've seen that Zara can take good care of us. We need to make haste for Thistletop this morning. Damieka, are you ready to lead us there? If we stop, it should only be for essentials for that battle, not for anything for further travel. I hope you all have your weapons sharp, armor cleaned, and spells prepared. It could be a long day!" Nicea's manner is brisk and determined, though she takes the time to eat a hearty breakfast.