Seeing the tone of the guard become more aggressive, Albrekt ceases his rodentisms and steps forward, his tone flat and harsh;
"Let uss pass Männchen..."
Haruk steps up next to their escort, eyeing Kamau and offerning him a warm welcome "Ah Goodman Kalluk, how nice of to drop in." Turing to the guard he explains "Sir this is a thief taker I hired some weeks back to recover some books that were stolen from me. He did such a good job I've decided to retain his services for an extended contract"
The guard looks between Haruk and Kamau, his scowl still readily apparent. "I don't buy it. Get back," the guard shoves Haruk away, gesturing to Albrekt and Solace with his sword. "Alright, then, you lot keep where I can see you and stay close together. We're going to take a walk down to the barracks and you can all pitch your little tale to the captain!"
"And you," he turns quickly back to Kamau "best be getting over onto this side of the fence to join 'em unless you want your face plastered all over every wanted sign from here to Belkzen!"
Kamau had been half-shadowed in the alleyway when the guard had looked away. When he snapped his eyes back and his eyes focused again between the shadows of the fence and the lights all around, Kamau was halfway up and over the fence. He landed lightly.
"Rethink this course, guardsman," Kamau said softly as he straightened up. "It need not end this way for you, but it will if you persist." He laid hands on the protruding grips of his blades, clearly ready to wet them again if it came to that. "Follow your orders, bear us until we no longer require you, and be gone."
The guard takes a step back from the fence, looking back and forth between Kamau and the others.
The guard continues to scowl, searching up and down the street for signs of other guards. Finding none, he lowers the tip of his sword reluctantly. "Move along then. The sooner you're gone the better."
He resumes his role as shepherd, setting out ahead of the party but glancing over his shoulder to keep tabs on the group more frequently than before. He does not deign to sheathe his weapon and holds the torch higher now, its light casting long shadows into the castle courtyard as they pass. The journey is brief and uneventful and soon the guards posted at the opposite end of the castle square are visible from afar.
Kamau followed, deliberately maneuvering so as to edge in and out of the guard's peripheral vision, never letting the man have eyes on the entire party at once.
Haruk pauses a moment, turning to the guard "Listen, we don't want any sort of trouble, alright? Let us get my friend here the help he needs, and everybody can have a lovely night. In fact, I'll sweeten the deal. If you help us all get past this and any other check point, I'll toss a few gold pieces your way."
The guard stops in his tracks, turning slowly to regard the sorcerer. It doesn't take a trained eye to see the inner struggle within the young man's conscience. Finally, he looks towards Haruk's coin pouch and then to the fine silk robes he wears.
"Fine. 20 gold pieces and I'll walk you right through those gates like nothing happened. Just keep your mouths shut," he glances back to Kamau, his brow furrowing again. "And you stay where I can see you."
"Fair enough, but half now, half once clear of any danger, to keep everybody honest."
The guard grumbles his acquiescence and accepts the first half of his payment from Haruk. Stepping into line once more, he escorts the group the rest of the way to the barred gates ahead, where two more castle guards stand watch.
"Ho there, Sergei. What's all this about?" one of them calls out, seeing the group's approach.
"This man is hurt," Sergei gestures to Albrekt. "They're bound for the apothecary's shop at the north market. All is well."
Sergei's tone is somewhat less than enthusiastic, but he manages to be convincing enough. The other guards raise the barricade, allowing Sergei and the party to pass through. Sergei leads them across the road from the checkpoint, turns a corner out of sight, and immediately stops.
"There. I want the rest of my payment now. You're on your own to get to the market, but the other patrols shouldn't give you any trouble unless you draw attention. I have to return to my post."
Kamau gives a derisive sniff at the man's demand, but after meeting Haruk's eyes a moment, he turns and keeps walking while they conclude business.
Albrekt gives a grunt of frustration and lumbers on, flexing his heavy hands as he does...
Solace had stayed quiet, allowing Haruk to deal with the guard. After the guard receives the other half of his promised money, Solace will lead the little group on to her shop. As she does so, she hopes that they don't run into any more trouble along the way.
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Haruk hands over the money "Thank you, Sergei, you were most helpful. If I ever need an escort again, I will not hesitate to ask for you by name" He says with a grin
With a huff, the guard accepts the remainder of his bribe and returns to the checkpoint. The streets of Caliphas are remarkably silent and largely deserted at this time of night. A few wandering guard patrols are the only other people the group encounters on its way to the marketplace. Before long, they arrive at the market square where Solace's shop stands silently among its neighbors.
In the marketplace itself, there are a few shops with lamps still burning within, their proprietors toiling through the evening to meet some deadline or special request of their customers. A man dressed in a dark grey cloak wanders the area, inspecting the sides of a few buildings and assessing various parts of the square with a careful eye.
Solace purposefully pays no mind to the thiefcatcher. After all, she is only going into the shop that she own and thus has every legal right to be here.
Solace leads their small group to her shop, takes her key from her belt pouch and opens up the door and leads the way inside. Once inside, the shop looks even smaller in cramped in the dim light cast her Solace's light spell. There are shelves lining all the available walls, covering even the widows which are kept shuttered. Only the doorway they have just entered and another small door in the back of the shop are clear.
Lining the shelves on the right side of the shop are numerous bottles of various shapes and sizes, containing any number of odd ingredients as well as finished products. The section of shelving on the left side of the shop appears to be taken over by a small army of figures. Dozens of dolls of various sizes are lined up, all seeming to be made of a mixture of bits and pieces of things both man-made and natural. Not all of the dolls are recognizable as human in in tent and some have small animal skulls in place of more normal looking heads. The back section of shelving contains working materials, bits of bones, twigs, scraps of furs and cloth and bundles of herbs both fresh and dried. Things obviously used to make the dolls and potions with.
Solace will light a lantern on a small table and pull some chairs up around it for everyone to sit at. "Well, hopefully we won't have any further problems this night."
Kamau paces slowly around the small shop, using his elbows to hold the crossed blades on his back inward somewhat to prevent them knocking things over. He is the perfect window-shopper - Look, But Don't Touch - and while he seems curious about some of the objects, he doesn't ask after them.
When the table is assembled, he puts his hands on the back of the chair, but doesn't sit, unable to settle into a seat with the two blades on his back and apparently unwilling to part with them for the purpose.
Once inside the Solace’s shoppe, Albrekt’s belligerence apparently dissipates as he is drawn to the miniature curios with a fascination that is almost child-like;
”Hrrmm. Charmand toys Solace…”
The sight of the hulking anti-paladin standing, captivated by tiny death moppets, is both macabre and unsettling…
All is calm in the market square as the party assembles within the confines of Solace's modest shop. The aging wooden floor creeks slightly with the movements of those within and the wind can be heard whistling through the alleyways on either side. With the windows shuttered, the lantern's light seems to be holding back an almost oppressive darkness heightened moreso by the myriad scents that permeate the shop... scents reminiscent of grave soil, mildew, and decay with but a hint of flowers and greenery left untended.
You are in possession of a copy of Elos' last will and testament, a large rod with a leering devil's head set in brass, a sealed letter, and a bag with 500 gold pieces inside. Your assignment, per the last wishes of your mentor, is to ensure that Haruk receives the items willed to him (the will, the wand, the letter, and the gold) and inquire as to his activities and assist in any way you are able.
At present, Pyrrius has just arrived at a marketplace tavern called the Winter Wolf Inn. The townsfolk seem downtrodden and perhaps a bit on edge, many of them giving you strange looks as you entered. There is talk around the bar of an assassination recently, and further investigation finds mention of someone you recognize as Haruk being involved somehow. Confirming that Haruk was merely accompanied by others as they helped the victim to safety and not, in fact, the victim himself, you learn that one of the other parties involved in the getaway was an apothecary woman who operates a shop in this very marketplace. The villagers provide you with directions to her shop, and you are able to locate the establishment with the aid of a local thiefcatcher who is working the square that evening....
To whom it may concern,
Would the recipient of this letter please pass it on to the individual known as Haruk, recently of Cheliax. If you are not an associate of Haruk, please disregard.
Haruk. This communication comes to you from Pyrrius Crispin, recently of Cheliax. I am in Caliphas, currently staying at the Winter Wolf Inn. At your earliest convenience, please come to see me in person. I have important information for you from Cheliax, regarding your uncle, Justice Elos. I will be at the Inn for one week and will be present in the common room every evening.
Sincerely,
Pyrrius Crispin, LLP, Esq.
He places the letter in an envelope with his card and finishes his meal.
Now ready on the off chance the apothecary is not at her shop, he leaves the inn and walks there, nodding at the thiefcatcher as he passes. He knocks on the door once he arrives.
Kamau sharply turns his head and scowls at the knock at the door. He glances at Haruk, then at Solace, tilting his head to indicate she should answer it. Kamau himself steps up next to a bookcase beside the doorway, drawing his heavy-bladed kukri and looming just out of sight of those who had chosen such a poor moment to come knocking...
Solace is a bit surprised that Albrekt seems to like her collection of dolls and poppets. "Thank you Albrekt, though they are not all toys. Some are used as focuses for various spells and hexes, some real and some not so real that I sell to gullible people. It is amazing that sometimes a persons belief can be as effective as casting an actual spell. You wouldn't believe how many people are willing to attribute ordinary bad luck to being the result of a curse. You can have one if you like."
Solace surveys the small shop and goes to open up the small door in the back that leads to the little storage space in the back as she looks for some blankets and her extra cloak. "Well, it is a bit cramped in here, but we could try to get some sleep in my shop for tonight. Unless of course any of you would rather attempt to wander back to your own homes tonight."
Haruk examines the various odds and ends, with a bit of a professional eye. After she explains her business practices he remarks "You know Solace, the two of us should consider entering into some sort of partnership. With my silver tongue and your false idols, we could probably make a small fortune, easily"
Kamau silently looks around at the trinkets in the shop, seeming more comfortable now that the day's excitement is on the wane. When Haruk's thoughts turn to profit, Kamau looks around at everyone. "Is our business concluded for the evening?" he asks bluntly. "Where shall we meet in the morning to continue our work?"
Albrekt nods at Solace’s offer and continues to look over the death moppets for one that suitably catches his eye.
At Kamau’s impatient comment the brute slowly turns his head, addressing the hunter in his flat, gravelling voice;
”Noch nicht. Still choosing…”
He returns to the decision of which to choose, before nodding again and directing Solace to a tiny form with covered in heavy stitching and sporting a minute snapping turtle’s skull for a head.
”Ja. This one sprechen to Albrekt…”
As Albrekt reaches out to the tiny doll to claim it, there is a knock at the door of the shop. With the windows shuttered and covered over, it is impossible to ascertain the identity of the visitor, but the knock is genial enough. It does not convey the urgency of a law enforcement agent seeking felons, for instance...
Kamau narrows his eyes at the door, then turns his head to Solace and Haruk as he moves to cover the entryway. The fact that the door hadn't been kicked in or pounded on was a good sign, but it seemed nothing could ever quite settle his vigilant mistrust of events. One hand fell on the weighted kukri at his hip for good measure.
Albrekt barely acknowledges the knock, focussing instead on his death moppet of choice as he awaits Solace's more delicate touch to retrieve it...
Though not really wanting to deal with any customers right now, Solace moves over to the door and opens it. She will look at the person who knocked and and try to keep any hint of annoyance from her voice as she asks. "Hello, can I help you?"
A severe looking half-elf blinks in the light as the door opens. "Ahh, excellent. I was not sure if anyone would be in. Please excuse any inconvenience I am giving you," he says bowing before continuing, "I am Pyrrius Crispin of Cheliax, and I am looking for someone I believe to be one of your associates. If you do know this individual, I implore you to direct me to him. His name is Haruk, recently of Cheliax and I have information regarding his uncle, Justice Elos."
Unseen around the corner of the doorjamb and a bookcase, Kamau looks to Haruk after this is spoken, waiting for a confirming look, perhaps, or an expression of distaste or fear.
Not even looking up at the visitor, Albrekt grunts in frustration and impatience, before hamfistedly attempting to retrieve his prize...
... only to watch the ranks of moppets teeter and wobble...
"Kacke!"
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As Solace turns to look at Haruk, she sees Albrekt about to cause a mini-disaster and she abandons the door, dashing toward the shelf that Albrekt is about to upset. "Albrekt! Could you please be just a bit more careful? This is a shop, not a battlefield to go charging about."
While shaking her finger and scolding Albrekt as if he were a child, Solace retrieves the moppet he had chosen and hands it to him before turning back to the shelf and righting the rest of the fallen dolls.
Haruk nods that he knows of this uncle and that its not some trick or trap.
Albrekt looks quizzically at the delicate woman as she scolds him, the turns his attention to the death moppet placed in his huge hands;
”… Und what ist your name?”
Kamau openly rolls his eyes at the company, step-turning around the side of the bookcase and into Pyrrius's view. "We find ourselves at the end of a long day's labors, Pyrrius." He says, looking back over his shoulder at Haruk sitting at the table, and Albrekt and Solace at the shelf full of fetish-dolls. "Our manner is not all that it might be. The one you seek is indeed here."
Pyrrius glances down at Kamau's hand before looking him in the eyes and nodding. He slowly enters, his hands at his side, unthreateningly. Pyssius scans the room before his eyes rest upon Haruk.
"Ah, yes. You must be Haruk. I have some news for you regarding your great-uncle, and my mentor, Justice Elos. Would you hear the mesage alone or amongst your associates?"
He's talking to it now? Does he really expect it to be able to answer him? Perhaps we should have gotten some information from Ventar before we left him regarding Albrekts mental status...
Shaking her head with a sigh, Solace turns her attention back to the newcomer, listening to what he is saying to Haruk.
Apparently still oblivious to the newcomer the hulking warrior stands moppet in hand, deeply focussed upon the doll:
Mein name ist Rexx.
... before nodding and addressing it in his harsh voice;
"Rexx! Ein guter Name. Are you Albrekts neuen Freund?"
Ja. Ich will show you dir way.
"Way? Albrekt nei lost?"
Hush. Talk later.
Nodding again Albrekt carefully threads the twine of his fingerbone necklace through the skull, leaving "Rexx" sitting upon his scarred chest.
The brute then slowly turns to view the goings on in the shoppe...