"So, what can you tell me of Caggan? Does he have family in town? A love interest, perhaps?" The incident of being struck was obviously still stuck on Penance's mind.
"Oh, tell me. Do you still like dogs? Or maybe rats?" Penance was more concerned with terrorizing the former guards and less so about actually learning information. Still, fear was a powerful motivator when looking for information.
The deputies answer Vokrin with sullen glares and muted actions, but when Penance starts in they very quickly tumble over themselves to explain.
"Don't bring Rhonna into this, she has no idea of what we tried to do.
And Caggan doesn't have a family. He's loved by everyone in town, but the man is a mystery."
Rurisa is cleaning her nails and waiting on the Nidalese priest to finish glad-handing. Presumably then we'll go back to the jail?
Kayal nods along thoughtfully with Ingoe's explanation, face pressed into mild amusement as the word 'revolution' enters the conversation. No sooner than the man is done speaking does the Fetchling sigh with notable disappointment, though he's quick to smooth it over as a fluster. "Ah, well then! I suppose Caggan will inherit more than a few coppers from me yet," he hums, showing a few too many teeth in the process. "Thank you, Master Zoags, and I apologize for taking so much of your time. Please see that you enjoy your evening."
From the very moment he turns from the all-too-easily spooked commoner, Kayal's expression returns to relative normality, his hand and its shadow rubbing at where his cheeks hurt from the strain. "Confirmation of instigation and a transient presence of which we are already aware. I am beginning to consider you a unique production of this place, Ms. Thelvarn. Too many of these people are imbecilic." The priest sighs again, still soothing his facial features. "Shall we see if our interrogators are having any further success?"
"You didn't see me before the Hellrazors. I was raw ore, and they made me a blade, as it were." Standing up from against the wall, she chuckles. "As long as they remember their place I suppose I don't really care if they're dumb as sheep. We have what we came for?"
"Then you are well forged, ma'am." Kayal dares another smile at the analogy, albeit with a wince. "Rector Maldune followed a similar theology. Your Hellrazors would be welcome in Ridwan."
"We have all we are deigned to receive." He shrugs. "All wounds fester when left to bleed. No doubt we will know more of this before the day is out."
Kayal and Rurisa return to the city jail and find Cimri where they left her. She comments about the former deputies being scared by Penance's words and demeanor long before anything could actually be done to them while cleaning her fingernails with her knife. "So what did you two find? Know where that bard is going to be?"
Rurisa goes to the door to the holding-cell room. "Hey you two, we're back. Come on, we've got things to discuss." she take the opportunity to survey the prisoners--and their condition. Leaving the door open, she crosses back an takes up a place by the wall, off to the side of the entrance but with a clear line to it.
Wordlessly she gestures to Kayal that he has the floor.
Cimri waits eagerly, finally seeing a way out of this town under the guidance of the Archbaron.
Kayal opens with a brief cough before he begins. As if to aid with his explanation, or mocking it, his shadow begins to solidify and pull itself into silhouettes at his feet—as if performing some satire puppet show on the Fetchling's behalf.
"Longacre is proving largely dumb or uncooperative on the subject of Riley Kels. The location and host of the Bard remain unknown. We do, however, have the word of one Ingoe Zoags, for what it may be worth. Kels has a penchant for preaching and sates his appetite for it at the Last Stand, typically spitting nonsense pertaining to revolution and a certain, as-yet unspecified, knight." Kayal looks down to find a the unmistakable outline of the so-called 'Angel Knight' helm paraded across the flooring. He quickly draws a heel over the image, dismissing the outline back into indistinct shapes. "If Kels proves predictable, we should expect to find him at the Inn this evening, presuming we fail to give him ample reason to relocate."
That said, Kayal leaves a small pause, hands coming together at the small of his back. "If I might make a small suggestion? Caggan is already overdue his sentence. If we take him and this balladeer in the midst of their parading, we make a point to those in attendance."
"So what time do we want to head out? Dusk, early evening, midnight, some other time?"
"Too early and we risk scaring him off, too late and we risk missing him entirely. I would recommend we monitor the location discreetly while not being within it, perhaps have one of our number who is less conspicuous watch from within." Vokrin offers the suggestion, a plan he finds most fitting but not certain what the reaction from others would be.
"Vokrin is wise as well as powerful, we should watch the Last Stand and keep an eye out for this minstrel. Let him enter and preach his sedition, if he leaves early we follow and extend the Archbaron's invitation, and deal with Craggan at our leisure. I don't fancy the idea of facing down an entire bar full of angry ex-soldiers without backup, drunk or not."
Cimri pulls out an overview of Longacre that looks as though she penned it herself. "Let's see..." she hums. "There's the Last Stand right next to one of the town squares. If we wait there someone will be sure to see us and wonder what we're doing. The general store run by the Gield's is just down the street, though it doesn't have decent sight-lines to the front of the bar...There's a small patch of woodland right next to the target, but again no sight-lines to the front. Take a look at this, tell me what you think."
She pulls her map closer to everyone on a table and looks up expectantly.
"Perhaps Vokrin and myself could go in first? We would draw less attention I think. Kayal here seems to be an expert at avoiding notice too if he so chooses. Cimri, my dear, I'm afraid you're too well known around town to be inconspicuous so I think you and Rurisa wait outside. Kayal stays close to the window and signals once this bard is spotted. You come in the front and I can call some friends to block the rear egress cutting off any escape. A little disguise and Vokrin and I will be just another pair of wayward souls seeking the shelter and comfort of such a polished establishment."
Penance's eyes gloss over and his voice drops some as he continues "but Caggan is mine."
"The horned and infamous archmage is inconspicuous?" Rurisa's tone is polite but pointedly skeptical. "Perhaps we should just hire another one of Kayal's eager-to-please locals. A few shiny coins to go keep an eye out for us, and a few more after a report. We lurk somewhere nearby but out of sight and move once we have the word. Simple, and less likely to get us caught or assaulted prematurely."
Pulling out the chair at the sheriff's desk, the mercenary rifles through the drawer for a quill, ink, and several sheets of paper. Upon finding them, looks at each of the others in turn and continues, "I also have an idea about Caggan, if you'll hear me out. We ought to turn him--the Last Stand is clearly a hotbed of seditious sentiment, and Caggan would make an ideal informant. I don't know how if he'd willingly turn his coat, but if gold won't do it perhaps blackmail will. Someone so secretive about their past surely has something to hide--and if that information can't be used to blackmail him, then perhaps it can be made public to justify his continued imprisonment, and the even the seizure of his tavern. And if it doesn't work out then we gift-wrap him and give him to Penance."
Frowning down at the quill, she mutters, "My handwriting is atrocious. Can the rest of you help me with this? I want to inform the families of our former-guards-turned-inmates that their loved ones will be cooling their heels here for a few more days for assault." Whatever her fellows' answer, Rurisa sighs and starts slowly scratching out a polite but firm letter to that effect.
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Kayal blinks silently from his position, offering small nods amidst the conversation but failing to add to the debate. Tempted as he is by the thought of simply plucking out the minstrel and Caggan in the midst of sedition, the thought of having to manage a bar of stumbling drunks does sound somewhat less appealing when put into the wider context and he quietly concedes the idea to reason.
His brow does rise somewhat at Penance's impromptu complement, and more still at the thought of persuading the tavern owner to be more than the oaf he appears—but Kayal's not about to argue. Rurisa has a point, if not one he would typically concur with.
"The man has curious fears," he notes, tone thoughtful as he recalls the frightened mutterings of a half-beaten brute. "They may prove exploitable, if you think it worth pursuing. Master Zoags could be amiable to further assistance, given the motivation, but I am of course open to whatever course of action you all deem most fit."
"Perhaps you would prefer to dictate, Ms. Thelvarn." Despite its content, it's exceedingly clear that the sentence is not intended as a question.
"I do tend to stand out somewhat. Even robed as I sometimes go, the horns rather make blending impossible. Not to even mention the fact that I am simply abuzz with arcane energy." To belabor the point, he buzzes.
"You have horns? Huh, well I can't really see that high" Penance said with a shrug. "Well, I suppose paying a few pieces of coin is a good investment in the local populace as any. I do like this idea of a gift wrapped Caggan though, that sounds absolutely delicious. If he can be turned to our service, so be it. I can learn to live off of his fear for a while. It will have to do."
"Alright, we have a plan. Everyone ready?"
You manage to secure a relatively covered location with a great view of the door to the Last Stand. While waiting several people enter the establishment, each in no more than a pair, and it seems as though half a dozen have gone in before the sky lights a bright orange. As dusk falls you see a rather foppish man with long golden hair and patched together colorful clothing enter the establishment with a train of followers, eight in total, each looking around more nervously than the last. The fop says something that makes the rest laugh and puts them all at ease. He leads the pack into the bar and the door shuts firmly behind them.
Cimri leans forward, "Well, if anyone is a bard, it's probably that guy with the long hair. Do you want to head in now or wait and see how many enter the bar?"
Rurisa's eyes narrow as she stares at the inn's door. "Sixteen inside, including the bard and Caggan. I think we should wait. Kayal, has your man entered?"
"I think we need to ensure that we have all exits covered. There is likely a back door, for the hauling of refuse and indiscretions. Rurisa, as you are a sizable obstacle I would recommend that to you. Most of the rest of us can enter through the front, but without a pincer attack it is largely useless as many will escape justice." Vokrin lays out a plan, carefully and slowly, taking the time to ensure that he's making a correct amount of sense.
Kayal levies his arms into his sleeves, bristling a little at Rurisa's question but managing to remain neutral as ever. "I've not the foggiest idea, ma'am."
Vokrin's suggestion has sound promise, but the dim glow of Kayal's eyes narrow at its conclusion. "I believed the notion of direct hostilities disregarded? Sixteen souls to combat our own is poorly balanced." The Fetchling leans his weight on a wall, his quarterstaff hugging to the crux of his neck. "Let Ingoe find their names. For now, we count how many flock to the minstrel's side—and gag him when they leave."
It is well into the night before people start to leave the tavern, each peeking out the door before heading home in twos and threes. In the midst of the pack is Ingoe, looking just as nervous as the rest.
Cimri looks up from her game of knives, "That's..." she counts a number of slashes on the tree next to her, "13 of them gone. Good enough to arrest Caggan and shut the bard up?"
Kayal, having managed to remain so painfully still that he may well have become a statue for the duration, looks back to the others for confirmation.
Donning her helm, Rurisa checks to ensure that everyone else is ready, then strides swiftly across the street to the tavern door. Tapping herself on the chest, she indicates with hand motions that she'll go around back.
Do try to be cordial, Ms. Thelvarn, Kayal's expression seems to say at the foot of the Tavern, giving the Hellrazor's armoured shoulder a pointed prod as she advances ahead, a fraction of his own shade seeming to tear off with her.
That done, Kayal clears his throat and ripples another fragment of magic; this one fixing a purposeful grace to his demeanor and coaxing his shadows to life.
Cimri cracks her knuckles with a smile and pushes the door open for Kayal. Stepping inside there are only a few people remaining, Bolgart, the bard, two barmaids, and one other man from town.
Battered shields and dull polearms decorate the walls of The Last Stand’s taproom, overlooking the tavern’s bar and tables. A small stage rises to the left of the bar, in full view of the room. The tune the bard was playing for the barmaids comes to a halt as everyone sees you enter.
Bolgart Caggan stands at the end of the bar, wearing a heavily stained apron, though he doesn’t have the pot and spoon he wielded earlier. He is intently not looking in your direction and rubbing a spot on the bar. Riley Kels sits on the stage, strumming a cherry wood lute with affection and watching you intently.
Coming in through the back way, Rurisa takes a quick look around and then moves through the next door, finding herself behind the bar with Caggan. Guess I'll handle him, the others can handle Kels Removing her helm, she sets it on the bar and looks at Caggan steadily before speaking in a low tone. "Sorry Caggan, this looks a lot more confrontational than I meant it to, but I didn't want to risk the minstrel running. I am going to have to ask you to come to the jailhouse. Two nights stay for assaulting a citizen seems fair." her tone is calm and reasonable, but she doesn't insult him by smiling.
Vokrin enters behind Kayal and Cimri, letting the others make the entrance so he doesn't have to be quite as open to attack. "Someone should ask them to disarm, surrender, or something. Make sure to signal our intentions." Vokrin has his hands loose at his side, ready to instigate violence should it become necessary, but trying to look relaxed (which he isn't.)
Kayal retracts a hand to his pocket upon entering, having graced Cimri with a thankful nod for getting the door.
"Ladies. Master Bogart." He addresses the bar staff with an unsettling candor, striding forwards as if he were a regular of the establishment, letting his quarterstaff trail against the floor and foot of the counter as he goes. Upon finding Caggan's shadow across the bar, Kayal simply offers Rurisa a nod and draws his eyes upon the tavern owner—routed as he is—and Riley himself in turn.
"Minstrel Kels, I presume? I am Kayal of Ridwan, loyal subject of Longacre. So good to finally make your acquaintance, sir. Were that it in better circumstances." At that the sickening glow in Kayal's eyes radiates involuntarily, casting an unnerving gaze in answer to Riley's own intent stare. "In addition to Master Bogart's preexisting charges, I'm afraid there have been accusations of sedition, sirs, and blatant disregard for a number Lord Fex's proclamations. In order to assist with our investigations, we ask that you surrender your armaments and accompany us for further questioning." Unlike their soldier, Kayal has no problem with producing a smile. "Your cooperation with our inquiries would be greatly appreciated."
Appreciated indeed—but certainly not necessary.
Caggan snorts and doesn't look up, "I served my time under Staelish, short though it was. Now get out of my place and stop harassing my customers and compatriots if you know what's good for ya."
Kels, the last remaining customer, and the maids all look tense and unsure of where this is going.
Rurisa does smile then, but all pleasantness is now gone from her voice. "Don't mistake me, Caggan. You assaulted a citizen over the posting of a notice, we're not going to fine you but you'll spend two nights in jail, starting tonight. And if memory serves, the last time we tussled it wasn't me on the floor spitting out teeth, so don't be an ass."
Following along quietly and bringing up the rear, Penance said nothing. His smile was almost ear to ear and his cheeks were turning red with excitement. Instead of ruining the moment with threats of violence, he simply watched. His fingers slowly traced the rings of a small chain that rested on his belt. His eyes took in the whole scene but eventually came to rest on Caggan. Truth be told he cared little about the bard, but Caggan was a different story. Caggan had slighted him, assaulted him even, and Penance dreamed about repaying the man. He even giggled a little as Rurisa briefly recounted the experience.
Bolgart's anger comes out full force, "I will not be bullied and intimidated in my own shop, now get out before things get messy"
"Shop? This refuse pit? Don't be silly Caggan. Why you've even got rats. Look there." As Penance pointed to one of the recently vacated tables, a feral looking dire rat began to shimmer into existence.
The woman nearby shrieks in disgust and moves to bash the creature away while the last customer screams in fear and barrels towards one of the windows, wrenching it open in a desperate attempt to flee. Caggan cracks his knuckles and roars, "That's it! I'm tossing you out right now!"
So since Rurisa is native to Longacre does she know anything about Caggan by reputation? Also may I make a general Sense Motive check to get a feel for why he's going out of his way to be belligerent? Also are there any weapons hidden under the bar (bartender classic!)? I meant to ask these before but haven't been around my computer much the last few days, sorry.
Caggan's outburst wasn't unexpected, so while the barkeep was busy cracking his knuckles the Hellrazor was already moving, drawing her new sap and quickly closing the distance as her eyes morphed into inky pools of darkness and the a whiff of sulfur can be detected.
Rurisa cracks Caggan across the face with her sap, resulting in him spitting blood onto his polishing rag and holding his fists up in a classic boxing stance. "Is that the best you've got?" he growls.
The maids use their serving trays to try and back up Caggan, one swinging at the rat, the other stepping towards Kayal and attempting to brain him.
The rat doesn't even need to dodge as the woman's aim is off, and the other maid can't seem to get through Kayal's thickening and shifting shadows.
Hissing at the bar maid, the dire rat snapped back at her, but one of them was too disgusted by the other that neither really wanted to get close to the other.
Penance tried hard to keep from giggling but really just couldn't help himself. Watching the woman and the rat was almost comical. Still, as much as he was enjoying himself, he wanted the real prize he came for and everyone else were just obstacles to his real goal. Looking at the other woman, he simply gave her a very simple order, and one that he was sure she wanted to follow. "Flee" was all he said, and then he started to giggle again.
The woman screams in terror from the unadulterated joy and malice together in Penance's voice before attempting to head out the same window the customer had earlier.
Kels meanwhile has started strumming softly on his lute, singing along, "No fear, no fear, the angel knight will soon be here. Let's take the charge, great and large, and have no fear..."
Vokrin looks at Kels... pondering exactly what the man is. He doesn't want to commit violence on the man, for fear it would outright kill him, but he's unsure of how else to proceed.
Vokrin chants in an arcane tongue, making subtle gestures with his free hand while the other pulls a pinch of sand from a pouch. Tossing it into the air toward Kels on stage he finishes his spell.
Kels drops to the floor, lute skittering just out of the way of his hands and begins snoring.
Caggan takes Rurisa's stance and reach into account before throwing one of his huge fists at her.
He manages to take her across the cheek before resetting to defend himself once more.
Kayal does little more than broaden his smile as the barmaid lunges for him, though it noticeably flickers when his loyal shades successfully deflect the attack. "No, no, no. Higher. Apply your weight into the swing—" He adjusts the grip on his quarterstaff and proceeds to demonstrate.
Even as the blow connects, it's obvious that it lacks any real intensity. With the already unconscious bard and his heresies silenced almost before they could start, Kayal has little interest in the surrounding rabble. "Surrender, Master Bogart—else tusked maws may be the least of your nightmares."
Cimri strolls up behind the barmaid Kayal is "instructing", sap in hand.
Cimri winces as she hits the poor maid harder than intended, causing her to bleed from her ears. "Ooh...Sorry 'bout that, but we need to take Caggan in for the pillory! Kayal, you know you don't have to instruct your opponent, right?"
"Kayal, could you patch up the young woman? We're not here for them, and I should have Caggan wrapped up in a moment." Never taking her eyes off the barkeep, she slaps one of his arms aside and snaps her weapon at the big man's throat.
Caggan gurgles some as Rurisa connects, and though his eyelids flutter from the pain he keeps his stance and hisses out painfully, "Get...out...*cough*...and...I'll...go...easy..."
The barmaid continues her valiant fight against the rat on the table.
Her serving tray makes a loud sound against the wooden table as she misses. The woman on the floor eases in her breathing, though she remains unconscious.