Inside, Marcus rises to his feet, fists planted on the table top, and leans from side to side as he tries to espy what's happening out in the street.
"Have it your way. You were given your choice, thief. The ankles it is."
Edmund grips the kid like a vice while Hiram manacles her up, then flips her upside and starts to drag her by the ankles back to the bar full of guards.
"Really, Hiram, it's like they want to be punished. I mean, really, who looks at me and says, 'you know, I think it would be a good idea to piss that guy off,' to themselves? It's honestly better that rif-raff like this spends some time in a cell to ponder her stupidity."
As he's walking down the street, he looks around at the concerned citizens. [b]"Yes, yes, oh, I'm a horrible person, stare at me. That's why I'm walking right into a bar full of Sable Marines and Korvosan Guards. Because I'm also the world's stupidest monster, apparently. This kid stole from me. Speaking of which..."
A thorough, but not invasive, pat down for stolen goods follows.
Hiram merely grunts in response to the tiefling as they start making their way back.
He still talks too much.
The mercenary stops to stare down passers-by while Edmund searches the child, positioning himself between them and his pupil.
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Sclivian totters up to Edmund and his quarry. He speaks to calm.
"Yes, now, don't you worry, he merely wants back his property. I'm sure if you had entered into a viable agreement of business with him, he would be considerably less brusque. It will be all over in a moment and you'll be able to head on your way. If you have any complaints about your treatment, please forward them to me and I shall ensure they are addressed appropriately."
Leandric followed the whole scene and turned towards any crowd when the urchin shouted in Varisian.
He shook his head at Sclivian's words. There was no way the urchin even had a clue as to what he said. That probably was the point but it wasn't something Leandric liked. That language was used to confound colleagues and competitors, not to spout at clients and other laypeople.
The girl tries to struggle out once again, but fails to escape once again. After that, she stops trying, simply sulking as Edmund drags her along. She glares at Sclivian as he speaks.
Before Edmund gets much of a chance to search the girl, a trio of Korvosan Guard come out. Upon seeing them, the crowd goes back to its own business, and the guards approach. The clean-shaven man leading them is the first to speak.
"Not a bad job, if I must say so myself," he says, his voice lightly tinted with a Varisian accent. "If you do not mind, we will take things from here, gentlemen. It may be my off shift, but I still have a job to do, don't I?"
Edmund (presumably sinceI was not told otherwise) finding his cash, nods and holds the little wretch out by the ankle he grasps, dangling her upside down. "Yes, of course. Sclivian, what by chance is the punishment for thievery in Korvosa of visiting dignitaries in an amount of 20 gold? I am just curious."
"Edmund, don't be a fool and just hand her over. She's just a dumb kid who made a big mistake. You scared her, she learns not to steal again and the guards will handle the rest."
He then moved a bit closer to Edmund before he spoke again, in hushed voice.
Hiram glances at Leandric and then to Edmund, nodding emphatically at the dispersing crowd.
"ჩვენ უკვე დავიწყეთ საკმარისი ჭორები..."
At the guards approach, Hiram turns to look them up and down appraisingly.
"Our meals should be ready by now, anyway, since Marcus has been waiting so patiently. There's simply the matter of reacquiring my stolen goods."
If it does come to the Cerulean Society, however.... Well, they're not known for being lenient with the ones who get caught. At best, she's looking at a severe increase in her fees if she's a part of the guild, and at worse, odds are she'll disappear for a while.
If she's not a part of the Cerulean Society... Well, one of two things are going to happen. What she has will be taken from her, brought to their base of operations, where the lost property can be reclaimed by its owners by verification and tons of paperwork. After that, she will either be sent back to her family, or on the off chance that she shows some potential skill and has no family, be forced into the training for the Korvosan Guard. For the record, all of this is merely because of her age. Had she been older and tried this, she simply would have been handed over to the Cerulean Society either way. In that case, she'd eventually come back minus a hand or two.
This would be an entirely different matter had she been captured by the Hellknights.
You have no idea who this "Yargin" is.
"No worries sir," the clean-shaven man says in response to Leandric's admonishment of Edmund. "Best that people understand the law. We're going to have to go through everything she has back at the Citadel. I assume your coins are of Chelish mint, correct? If so, we should be able to separate them from whatever else she has with ease. Then you can come to the Citadel, fill out some paperwork, and your property will be returned to you. So, enjoy your meal, give us some time to go through our due process, and you should be good to reclaim what's yours. Oh, and the manacles will be returned as well."
With that, the other two guards will each grab an arm of the girl, the head guard will give your group a polite bow, and begin to walk away with her.
Reassured that a fight isn't about to break out, Marcus stiffly sits down again.
"Ah, yes. ...and your names? So I can report this incident to your supervisors, and know who to say referred me when I come to collect my money? 20 gold is not a trifle."
Edmund seems to be looking irritated that he cannot get his money.
Seeing that the situation has been settled for now, Hiram stomps back into the inn. As he goes, he tosses one of the guards the keys to the manacles.
"We should have stayed at the house," he grumbles as he slumps into his chair.
"Oh, shut up and drink your tea, old man."
Ed grins, well, fiendishly, as if he had any other means of grinning, and upon getting the guards information, he will head back to his table to eat, drink, and try and put this annoyance behind him.
Hiram grimaces back at Edmund, his sneer only slightly less hideous than the tiefling's despite his lack of fangs.
He scoffs, "As you command, my lord."
The mercenary shakes his head wearily and starts sipping his tea.
No respect, as usual. That attitude will not serve you when dealing with the Hellknights...
Not realizing any conflict had occurred, Tellis eventually returns good naturedly and shares what he has learned in the mean time.
"Well, it appears native Chelexians are... Not exactly popular in Korvosa right now. Apparently Ileosa lacks her sister's gift of knowing what is and is not a good idea to say, as she has been quite vocal about her dislike for this 'horrid backwater that is unfit for even pigs to wallow in.' We should avoid adding to this opinion and try to be more genial with the locals..."
"Based on this dislike, most of the populace is simply thankful that she won't get to rule in any real capacity. Despite the rumors of the King's horrific (and apparently incurable) disease, even if he dies, control of day to day affairs reverts to his seneschal, Nikolas Kalepopolis."
"On the ambassador front, it seems that the man sent prior to Lady Dressarosa was one Gregori Amprei, a man renowned in Cheliax for writing a 'travel' book speaking of the inferiority and dangers of more than a few countries, including Varisia. Much like Ileosa, he has been adamant in his dislike for this 'collection of petty hovels,' though this has not stopped him from buying a few select properties in the area for himself."
Finishing his drink he adds, "So it seems we shouldn't expect an overly warm welcome, but should try and repair the reputation of our great Nation in the eyes of these who should be our close allies."
Marcus leans back in his chair as Tellis returns to recount his findings. He answers the man's long explanation of the current state of affairs with a grunt.
"Is that why we're here? To repair the reputation of Cheliax? Or simply to keep our eyes on Lady Dressarosa?"
From his tone, it's clear where he thinks his obligations like.
Nodding at Marcus approvingly, Tellis says, "Of course, of course, the safety of the Ambassador is paramount. And, of course, anti-Chelaxian sentiment could foster a more threatening atmosphere for the one who represents Chelliax. A popular official is certainly safer than a highly unpopular one dispatched to a hostile foreign land..."
"So keep our heads low if we can. We don't want an angry mob chasing us out of the city." The last part was added with a smile and a sideways glance at Edward.
After a meal that seems more military rations than properly cooked fare, the lot of you head out with what is most likely a good bit of time until Lady Dressrosa arrives. In fact, it seems quite likely that you'll be able to head over to the Citadel to retrieve Edmunds gold, and quite possibly make it back in time to meet the Ambassador at your new home. Even better, the Citadel is not too far from where you are yourselves. It should be a relatively simple matter to get there, get your gold, and get out.
Though perhaps the group of Varisians from the Drinkhall attempting to follow you as covertly could use a bit of caution. They seem to be a particularly unwashed sort, probably Scarnzi from what Sclivian can tell from the one he sees. Granted, they'd have to be complete idiots to attack you here. Or maybe just drunk.
"Hey! Hey yoush!" a voice from the crowd says, obviously drunk in nature. A large, portly Varisian man hustles towards you, anger evident on his face. "Jush what do yoush thinksh you were doing to that girl earlier, huh?"
Hiram instinctually wheels around and scans the surrounding crowd for threats. He waves everyone into a tighter formation, grasping the hilt of his falchion.
"There are three of them," he growls. "Hiding in the crowd."
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Edmund nods to his friend and tutor. "I see them, Hiram. Oh, yes, a proper welcoming committee. You know, after what I paid for that drivel of a meal, I was hoping it came with free entertainment."
He turns back to the portly man and sneers. "Oh, yes, let's see. I was going to eat her? Unless something of a more sacrificial nature would be more inflammatory to your sensitivities, we could then say I was going to offer her up as a sacrifice to Asmodeus. Would that help you justify your current situation?"
He hefts his shield off his back, pulls out his gandasa. "Yes, I was going to do whatever justifies your assault to a child for stealing from me. Now just imagine what I'm likely to do to a grown man or that pissed me off, or three idiots hiding in a crowd trying to sneak up on me."
"He jests. Now please, gentlemen. There must be some home you need to be getting to? Some wife waiting for you, all cold and alone in her bed? Wouldn't it be better to go an keep her warm than start a shouting match on the streets?" Despite his words Leandric drew his rapier, though he kept it more or less in the same place it had been before.
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Mr. Ruttle clears his throat. "Let it be known that the girl left my client's custody unharmed and was remanded to duly appointed members of the Korvosan Watch. Therefore, it is a matter of record that my client acted in a lawful manner, and any harm coming to her happened after the period of custody, when her welfare was no longer the responsibility nor ethical duty of my client."
Looking at the crowd, he adjusts his pince-nez and adds, "In short, the girl's fine and you know it."
Glaring at Edmund Tellis says quietly, "Did you not hear what I just said?"
He then stands with hands held open, placatingly, "Come now, nothing untoward has happend. The girl was witnessed stealing and has been turned over to the guard in an appropriate fashion. No one wants unnecessary trouble. Let us calm down and look to the authorities to handle things fairly, shall we?"
Edmund takes a defensive stance but doesn't bring his blade to bear.
Marcus juts out his jaw as he tongues the inside of his cheek, hand not straying far from the worn handle of his earthbreaker. He searches the gathering crowd for any signs of weaponry, and old instincts cause him to turn around and cover the group's rear, his harsh, weather carved features obdurate and betraying grim resignation for what's to come.
The drunken man initially bristles at Edmunds reaction, balling up his fists in what seems to be readiness to lash out. Before he gets the chance to do so though, Leandric speaks up, prompting the drunkard to glare at the Chelexian scribe. Then Sclivian spoke his piece, and backed up by Tellis' easy nature, the lawyer is able to see some of the hostility in the man fade. Perhaps Sclivian found a vessel of rational thinking in the drunkard. Or perhaps he small unit of Guard that goes by at the end of his speech sets off a bout of self-preservation in the man and his colleagues.
Regardless of the cause, the end result is the same. The Varisians in the crowd slip away, leaving the drunkard on his own. He stands defiant for a moment, simply glaring at Edmund.
"Bah!" the man says, spitting at the tiefling's feet as he does so. "Damn Queen-loversh ain't even worth the time of day. Jusht you wait. One day, they'll all shee you as the monshters you are! I hope you get to burn in Hell!"
"I assure you, I already have relatives waiting for me there. I'm already on my way, and I'm just working on getting a good room." He smiles a toothy, fang filled grin and puts his weaponry and shield away now that the crowd has dispersed.
"Friends, I thank you for your defense. I can't remember ever having a drunken crowd back down from me when already riled up...and it seems our chunky assailant is all alone....and he spit at me. Excuse me just a moment, gentlemen."
Ed looks around carefully to make sure there are no other witnesses.
Provided nobody else hung around after the crowd dispensed, Edmund balls up a fist and cold clocks the drunkard square across the nose.
"Next time it won't be my fist."
Marcus' eyes go wide in surprise, and then narrow in disgust. He shoves his way forward and interposes himself between Edmund and the no doubt staggering drunk.
"What the -" for a moment it looks like he's going to let Edmund have it, but then he catches himself, old peasant instincts kicking in. "That is not the way to treat the locals, Sir. What the -" Again he swallows some choice words. "What do you think you're doing? Do you want a lynch mob outside Lady Dressarosa's house a few hours from now?"
Turning, he spreads his hands wide, trying to apologize to the drunk - but he knows it's far, far too late. Helpless, he looks to the others to step in with their smooth words and maybe some coin.
"Considering he isn't going to get off riling a mob up against me and then insulting me further upon their dispersal, it sounds like you're saying that, given there's no witnesses, I should have slit the fool's throat and thrown him in the river. A prudent decision, I suppose, but I figured knocking him out to sleep it off would be the kinder alternative for insulting my honor...but if you think he will do as you say and round up another mob, well, pragmaticism would dictate killing him."
Edmund shrugs, as if this is more of an annoyance than anything. "Foolish end to a fool," He mutters, intending to (and probably unable to) walk around Marcus.
"What are you doing, man? You said it yourself, he could bring a mob to the lady's house. What...did you want to do it yourself?"
Hiram walks up behind Edmund and puts a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Enough!" he barks, nostrils flaring. "Let the fool go. He is not a threat to us, or your honour."
If the drunk has not already taken the chance to extricate himself at the talk of throat-slitting, the mercenary shoots him a glare and motions for him to start moving.
"Well, not anymore." Edmund cracks his knuckles. "I would have said the punch evened it out. It was Marcus who talked about him bringing a mob. I was simply being prudent, as you always said, Hiram. He's just a nobody drunk. Why risk retribution over some idiot's life when the river is right there? Nobody forced him to do such foolishness or start anything with a superior." He flicks his tail in annoyance. "Do whatever you want. As I said, it was my intent originally to merely knock the fool out."
"Stop blathering excuses," Hiram growls. "I am not your mother."
He turns away from the drunk , and pushes Edmund along back towards their destination.
"If the local officials come calling because of your ridiculous behaviour I will insist the lady hands you over for proper punishment. By now you should know behaving like a petulant noble brat does not get you anywhere." What follow is a selection of choice curses in Kelish questioning the tiefling's sanity and decency.
"You're not a Hellknight yet nor would they tolerate such rash behaviour."
Tellis looks at Edmund in total shock. "Edmund, you disgrace your noble blood with this lawlessness! Assault of a citizen? You profess to wish to join the Order of the Nail, yet you flout the laws of the city in this public fashion?" He nods at Leandric, "Agreed Leandric, we cannot countenance such behavior that might effect the lady's reputation... Let us get home before we are caused further embarrassment!"
"I understand what you are saying, but it also seems you think he should just get away without any repercussions."