Wu Chen suggests waiting outside in view of the Busty Minotaur. "I am afraid if we stray too far from here, there is potential for chaos. Maybe Corin will come from the other way and we will go all over own trying to find each other."
She agrees this scene isn't for her and is definitely not for children. She says to the twins, "Tina and Lina Locksly, would you care to join me outside? I am working on a new dance move."
Wu Chen demonstrates a twirl...
...which might have been beautiful in her rainbow skirt, but in martial arts attire, the move looks just okay.
She then spreads her arms and flaps them downward as she leaps...
...as if able to jump straight to Heaven!
She finishes with a splits-kick at the peak of her leap—
—and her form is absolutely gorgeous!
She turns to the children, "I am happy to teach you, but not in here. I can not afford to buy many broken glasses and chairs."
Thorion watches Wu Chen's awkward choice of platforms to display her dancing skill and then agrees to sit outside with her and Darion. When it comes to motivating the two children to leave, Thorion seems genuinely unconcerned. He simply walks out the door after Wu Chen’s dramatic display and looks for a comfortable place to sit.
Hu:
Hu replies
"Me telling you his traps is a problem
Since Slade is not a one trick pony, he changes things up every time.
So me telling you anything might work against you."
"Oh and he does have some special collars for the extra troublesome targets.
I've heard he only has a few, but do weaken those that wear them.
I do know he has one slave collar, for the one that need absolute control over."
Tina Locksly:
Tina replies to Duke and Lina
"See Lina, some stories are out of reach."
Lina Locksly:
Lina replies to Duke
"Speaking of Uncle Hu, any idea why Nat and Kat seem to be stealthily moving on the roof tops? "
Duke:
"Damn it, I think the kids are following Slade.
But thankfully Slade should know better then to attack or capture them."
Duke replies to Lina
"I'll tell you both a story, but I'll need to know where you saw Nat and Kat?"
Mina:
Mina walks with her 7 foot 6 height and load of goods to be put in storage.
Having failed to get the twins' attention, Wu Chen finds herself torn between hearing what Kat and Nat are up to and following the men outside. But as she attempts to leave the Busty Minotaur, in walks a busty minotaur. The petite nun patiently leaves room as the big, big woman ducks her horned head under the doorway. She looks way, way up and makes a friendly (borderline-fangirlish) smile. "Hi, Mina."
"I'll not have him clapping me or any of my family in irons," Corin declares defiantly, "So his collars will not avail him.
"Now, unless you expect him to ambush me in the street, I intend to meet with my friends - his other soon-to-be enemies - to prepare."
Hu:
Hu replies
"I don't think you have to worry about a street ambush.
So I'm gonna wish you luck, as you'll need it."
"Hi, Wu Chen."
Corindus does not intend to make such a noisy entrance to the Busty Minotaur, but in his haste he accidentally slams the door against the frame. He winces with each pair of eyes that fall upon him, then walks over to his assembled friends, still trying to compose himself.
"Trouble's before us," he finally speaks to the party, struggling to keep his words low. It is a similar struggle to stave off a quaver or cracking in his voice. "This man, Slade, is here on business. And his business is Mary, me, Kinshara, and perhaps more.
"He'll even try to take the children," he adds, avoiding the desire to slam his fist on the counter.
Wu Chen asks, "Why does a slave reclaimer have business with you? You are a lawman. And even if you were a slave in the past, slavery is illegal. Or if I am wrong, and it is legal, that is a very stupid law."
It is not lost on Wu Chen that she is rather ignorant of any Laws of Man that contradict the laws of her goddess.
"My point is I will help stop the slavers. It is my duty as a fighting nun.
"And as a friend!" Sweet as her added words may be, it occurs to Wu Chen that a friend who lacks fighting skills would just get in the way and die. "—a friend who happens to be a fighting nun."
Lina Locksly:
Lina replies to Duke
"I saw either Nat or Kat on the roof of the Jack n Napes."
Duke:
Duke looks to his wife Mina
"Mina, my dear can you get Nat and Kat?, I think they are doing something Hu and Noya don't want them doing."
Mina:
Mina puts down the stuff she's carrying and replies
"Alright dear, but you'll need to treat me later as they can be tricky to catch and return to Hu and Noya"
She then exits to get Nat and Kat.
Duke:
Hearing Corindus' words
"I had a feeling you were once a slave but didn't ask, as a man's past is his past and not someone's book.
And I'm guessing when you say children you mean yours, Mary's and Kinshara's children."
Darion upon seeing Corindus show up joins the group in the smoke ridden tavern again. Having heard what Corindus said he states Well let’s put a stop to this. But first we need to ensure that none of our loved ones are kidnapped or used as collateral. What should we do first then?
Seeing Darion enter the Tavern, Thorion stands up and follows him inside. Standing off to the back of the group, he listens to the conversation as best he can without escalating the situation any further.
"It is something that I'd hoped was left far in the past," Corin says quietly and morosely. "As a lad, a press gang snatched me off the street back in Kintargo, and I was forced into service aboard a galley. It was many years before I managed to...get free and wash ashore near Augustana."
Wu Chen's brave enthusiasm brings a wan smile to the sheriff's face.
"Thank you, my friend," he sighs with a modicum of relief. He then turns to look at Darion. "As for what we do next, I'm not quite sure. This man relies on lulling his prey into traps, so we need to avoid acting recklessly or being caught divided."
Corin glares at an indistinct point in the distance, clearly grappling with simmering anger.
"Honestly, nothing would please me more than to rally a posse from among the locals and simply drub this slave catcher beneath dozens of clubs and axe handles. I don't know much about the politics and business in Almas, but I do know that folks in Andoran don't abide slavery. This man, Slade, treads on unfriendly territory. That may be our best advantage."
Duke:
Duke adds
"Just hope he's passing through, and I know those that were in the Redrock guild do know of him, as most left in a hurry when he entered here.
I also know they know some of the stories of what he's done, Heck I was in the same bar for one of them years back, he used a f***ing wood spoon to off 4 people in the bar with little injury to himself."
Thorion continues to stand vigilantly off to the side of the room, showing little to no reaction to the current conversation. Although his attention is clearly fixed on the escalation of events, he simply looks as if the situation doesn’t weren’t any response.
Wu Chen does not believe in letting evil pass through, but based on Corin's words, the point seems moot.
"Then we hide every wooden spoon in the kitchen, so only metal knives are available."
From her tone, Wu Chen is clearly not trying to be funny.
"What I mean is we solve nothing if our actions are based in fear. Hiding wooden spoons is solves nothing, just like hoping the bad people will just pass through solves nothing. Slade has already come into this bar and made grown men run, and his girlfriend beat a man while everyone watched and then let the troublemakers walk away. I think Slade was making sure this town is weak—weak enough so if he takes away a family or two, the people just wave goodbye-forever and think 'better them than me.'
"Corin just told us he is Slade's target, and Mary is his target, and Kinshara is his target. Rather than hope Mr. Gag-Me-With-a-Spoon passes through, we better hope he underestimates our willingness and ability to fight for our loved ones."
Darion listens and gauges the looks on everyone’s faces then replies
Let’s secure our loved ones especially Corindus’s, Mary’s and Kinshara’s. Then let’s make a plan to confront him. Corindus? Does he have any weaknesses or fears that we could use to our advantage?
Darion stares at the group with a sense of urgency
Also if he is willing we have Thorion that may be of some use. Thorion what say you.
Darion motions to Thorion to come join the group and strategize with them
Thorion stands vigilantly listening to the conversation while showing no sign or reaction to the topic. After considering Darion’s invitation, he turns to him and replies. “Although I consider the slaver to be nothing more than an inconvenience. I can’t deny that his activity could possibly throw a proverbial wrench into my investigation. Having the community up in arms, in fear, or attempting to flee would undoubtedly prolong things. That would be largely inconvenient for me. Assuming you are willing to advise me of any information that comes up in regards to the text that I seek, I would be willing to help derail this slaver.”
"I'd be glad to have your help," the sheriff says to Thorion with a nod. Corin still eyes him with some guarded curiosity, as he would any stranger, but the fact that Darion has brought him allays Corin's concern.
"I learned from...my source more about this man's strengths than his weaknesses," Corin confesses. "Allegedly, he possesses iron slave collars that can weaken those they are forced upon, and he has one in particular that grants him control over the wearer. Most troubling though is his supposed talent at 'stealing spells.' I don't fully understand it, but I've been told he can steal spells, then turn around and use them himself."
He raps his knuckles sharply upon a wooden beam, signifying that he has come to a decision.
"Personally, my first course of action will be to rally and dispatch my deputies," he quietly announces. "I'll send them to escort Mary, Kinshara, and the children to safe places in town. I'm sure Lady Cirthana will provide sanctuary for Kinshara's family in the kirk, and I'll have Mary and the little ones stay either at the Magistrate's office, or possibly at Jak'a'Napes."
Duke:
Duke adds
"The Problem is that you might be playing into Slade's hands,
say that Slade can't seem to find his targets, him revealing himself might be to get people to reveal who and where they are.
If things keep the same he just might pass though thinking his targets are elsewhere."
"That is one of the problems in dealing with Slade, you don't know if your playing into his hands.
It is a battle of wits, patience, and will power when you deal with Slade, one wrong move and he'll win."
Thorion nods in agreement with Duke. “It would seem that there is no simple answer about when to act. I would suggest prioritizing a target and then escorting that target to a safe location, in person. I would also consider that a man like the slaver likely has eyes and ears all over the city. That includes The Busty Minotaur, right now, as we speak. Subjects like who and where should be talked about only when necessary and in a manner that is difficult to overhear.”
"Well, in that case," Corin replies, his patience wearing thin, "It should be obvious what I would see done first.
The sheriff stands, waiting to see if anyone seconds or second guesses his implied course of action.
Thorion quietly prepares to join the escort and then waits patiently for the others to prepare.
Darion nods in agreement with Corindus and adds My first responsibility is to my own family so I will want the safe as well. Corindus is my family could be included in that escort I would appreciate it
What Wu Chen finds most obvious about Corin's words is that his tone is decisive. He will act rather than wait for the enemy to make a move.
"You know I will not falter, even in the face of a deadly enemy."
Wu Chen follows Corin.
Duke:
Duke adds
"Come to think of it something Slade did show one of his tells when he was here.
As he had that look in his eyes when the Redrock guild members left as if saying; good, flush out the rats for me."
"I bet he didn't find then since they've been out of town for the past month, Corin's home is a good distance out of town, along with Kinshara's home and she's been so busy at her half-way house that she's not come to town."
"I think you just hit a big lucky break with Slade."
Corin pauses at Duke's words, heaving a resigned sigh before speaking.
"I'm not a terribly bright man," he admits. He leans in closer to speak more quietly with Duke. "Are you saying that our families are safer where they are? Outside of town? I can't afford any missteps, so I need to be sure."
Duke:
Duke replies
"I think that is the case, That and he likes it when others do the work for him.
So I'd say I'm about 90% correct, and only 10% wrong.
I only put that possibility since he could of worked on his tells, but he is a prideful and doesn't really like admitting he has flaws or weaknesses."
Thorion pauses a moment and then glances over at Corindus to see if the group's objective has changed.
"In that case, Duke, I'm back to my original plan of just finding Slade and using my hatchet to help him accept his weaknesses."
Corin pauses, mulling an idea. He leans in closer to his friends and whispers.
"If he likes striking when he thinks his target is vulnerable, perhaps I could be bait in a trap. I will pretend to be on my own, while a handful of friends lurks just out of sight or in disguise."
Wu Chen smiles at Corin's words. "Sounds like a plan," she says, then adds, "whereas doing nothing and waiting for the enemy to strike does not sound like a plan.
"Corin, just tell me how far back to remain. Shall I wear all black. Black is the least conspicuous color outfit I own. Most of my clothing is bright, bold rainbow colors."
Duke:
Duke speaks to Tina and Lina.
"How about I get a note from your father to say I can tell you some of the stories."
The Twins quickly leave to get the note so they can hear a story from Duke.
The information provided by his source has become somewhat muddled in his mind, diluted by stress and worry - not to mention the conscious effort needed to disguise these emotions.
He hopes that a flash of insight will guide him true.
Where should we stage this trap? And when? Perhaps I can find some magic to assist
Darion begins to think of magic that might be useful
Slade has a habit of overlooking escaped slaves who serve the law and keep order in small towns, like you are, provided they don't attack him or stop his work.
Given you are likely the only one he found he'll ignore you and likely move on without a fuss.
Also you were warned Slade is Stronger then you think he is.
Duke:
Duke whispers to the group
"If you attack him with magic, You might want to be careful with your spells, as I have heard casters are his easiest prey."
"Bah, it won't work to use me as bait," Corin groans, pounding his fist into his leg. "He'd ignore an escaped slave who's turned to working for the law. Well, he'll ignore me up until my hatchet is flying towards his head.
"If we want to set a trap, we'd need...well, I'm not terribly fond of putting someone else into such a dangerous position. We can't take this lightly. This man is stronger than we...than I think. As much as I just want to run him out of town, it won't be so easy."
"Oh, phooey," Sister Wu Chen says in frustration, though her tone is calm. "But you do have a thought, donyou not? You said we need..., then trailed off. What is it we need to set this trap? Please share. You lose nothing from brainstorming. And this is more of a brain-drizzle, since I have no idea to offer.
"What I offer is loyalty."