Yes! We will triumphantly march the borrowed horses to their stables!
Said with a grin, Delgata gathers around the map to see what Neb is plotting.
"You have a plan, o mighty one?" He asks the summoner
The fact of the matter is every successful revolution must have one thing: a bankroll. Weapons, informants, magic and political support cost gold one way or another. As such we must first determine how we shall achieve the goal of having a solid bankroll behind us. I see several options but I would like to know what you think first.
"It seems to me that the best way to fund a war is with your enemies money," Krokod muses.
I would normally agree with that but not considering the circumstances we are in. As the majority of Chelexian governmental wealth would be held in Egorian the capitol and the hellknight's aren't exactly known for being rich in anything other then iron. While stealing from Westcrown itself would be more trouble then it is worth, turning the city against our cause would undo all of our efforts...
"Ah, a fair point. Perhaps then we should rob an individual wealthy supporter of the throne? There must be such a one? Someone the other nobles and commoners alike see as a sycophant?"
That would work but we would need to keep such an "event" as anonymous as possible... Before we can go "public" as it were we need to ensure that if the hellknights and their supporters focus their efforts on our destruction that we will be able to withstand them... This "phase" of the war we embark on requires that we keep a low profile, we simply have neither the numbers nor the experience to stand against the full power of the Rack devoted to our extermination...
"Yes, well, I'm not the one to do the recruiting. I fear few of us are. It would have to be a local to truly inspire locals."
Janiven wanders past as you discuss your schemes. She asks politely, "Are you able to return the horses or should I ask someone else?"
I will follow.
When the horses leave Delgata will tail them incase trouble arrives and will be on the look out.
Brand stands to follow Yix and Delgata out, glad to leave the stuffy interior of the church.
I believe it may be best for myself and perhaps a few others to stay here, the less of you their be the less attention you will attract... Especially considering the looks my bodyguard draws.
Yix, Brand and Korokod take the horses. Delgata follows a discrete distance behind, wary of the group being followed - but sees no evidence of anyone paying them any attention.
As you approach the stable, you see a handsome but arrogant looking man berating Jacovo for not having a certain kind of horse available.
This man is Thesing Umbero Ulvauno, a local actor and opera singer of some repute.
As you draw closer, you hear that the horses are required for his impromptu performance this evening of ‘The Elopement of the Dowager Princess’, which features a scene wherein, “The princess and her handsome lover — played by me, of course — flee the city pursued by the king’s horsemen.”
"An honor to meet you, Maester Ulvauno. With you as the lead, no doubt the show will be astonishing. A man of your caliber no doubt is focused on the performance to come and realizes this matter of the horse, while frustrating, is dim and dwarfed compared to the light you'll soon be shining before the fortunate audience." Krokod can't help but butt in here, feeling sorry for the horse trader, "Why, I've no doubt folks will barely notice the equines on stage with such riveting performances drawing their full focus." He's rather full of himself but such people often respond well to agreeing with their presumed greatness.
Instantly the smooth talking stops the man in his tracks. He then looks at Jacovo and says, "Don't go anywhere...I haven't finished with you."
Thesing then addresses your group. "Ah, you recognise me?" His voice does not sound as though he is surprised to be recognised or even pleased. Rather that he expected it. "Well, my performance will of course be perfect but perfection demands perfection. I'll not have any old horses on my stage. My requirements were specific enough when I engaged the services of this man here." He waves a hand dismissively at Jacovo.
He then notices your horses for the first time and his complexion changes to a ruddy hue. "What's your game? Are you trying to ruin me?"
"How so?" Krokod asks
"Nobody is trying to ruin anyone." A firm voice comes from the pary's left, as a young woman steps forward. A greatsword, easily her equal in height, is strapped across her back, but she makes no move to sieze it. She wears a cloak - a simple, nondescript earth-brown garment, but a hint of blood-red lining is visible as she steps forward. She nods slightly to the party. "You seem to be returning the horses he nees for his performance - hence his 'specific requirements'. And since you do happen to be returning the horses - at a leisurely walking pace, I might add, so I doubt they'll be tired -" Here she directs her attention to the performer - "you'll be able to hire them for your play, which sounds simply marvellous, by the way. Assuming, of course, that Jacovo will allow you to, after this disappointing display."
Nebuchcanezzar starts going about the church turned HQ and gathers up all who might be useful in the great endeavor.
No rest for the merchants as they say...
Del moves into flanking position on the girl with the oversized sword. This is the kind of ambush he has been waiting for, drawing his dagger and keeping it hidden under his cloak he bluffs that he is come to hear the interesting conversation.
Still trying to keep an eye out, he quickly scans the area for any of tiny girls with big swords, or possible threats.
You see no obvious threats and the situation before you seems to be what it appears at face value. This actor is angry with the stable owner because the horses he wanted weren't ready - because you had them. This woman with the big sword appears to be trying to smooth the waters.
Ulvauno sp[ins from one to another as you speak to him. He eyes the young woman last and for longest. Something of a lecherous grin spreads across his face as he addresses her.
"Forgive me. I suspected a rival actor had perhaps put these commoners up to vexing me by taking the horses on purpose. I can see you're a feisty one and it's something I'm used to. My looks and charisma often have this effect on ladies of a certain disposition."
Turning to the wider group. "I might be convinced to let matters lie with a suitably sincere apology." He appears earnest in this request.
"I'm sure other actors wouldn't dream of vexing you," the woman responds, meeting Ulvauno's grin with a stoic expression. A smile crosses her lips, but doesn't reach her eyes. "And an apology does seem in order, doesn't it?" She glances at the group, her expression clear - I'm not expecting sincerity, but it's the quickest way out of this.
Brand fights down his first reaction to do something nasty to the over stuffed popinjay but makes a very formal bow instead. You're a fugitive now after all, have to keep your temper under control. "Of course an apology is in order, we had not an inkling that these horses were to be used for such a glamorous purpose. Please accept our most humble apology, my good man, and we can all be about our business. It was such an honor to finally meet you." He gives his best smile."I hope to catch you on stage very very soon."
The popinjay smiles at Brand's words. "I appreciate your honesty in admitting your culpability. Very sensible. And I might say you have the look of an actor about you. With a little make-up you could pass as a supporting romantic lead."
He smiles again at Novennia and then gives her a little wink before looking to the others.
The stable owner immediately apologises. "My kind sir, I fall upon your good nature to forgive me. Please accept hy humblest of apologies and please consider the usual fee for the horses waived under the circumstances."
"So very kind," Krokod says managing to sound like he means it, but giving the slightest of nods to the newcomer.
Nebuchcanezzar starts going about the church turned HQ and gathers up all who might be useful in the great endeavor.
Neb calls the members of the order in to help him construct his map of the city. Using an existing city map, he is able to better understand the nature of each district, the movers and shakers and some of the more interesting rumours.
Delgata will slip his dagger back into its sheath and move a few feet back into whatever crowd is around. Still keeping an eye out for possible mischief.
It is clear that Ulvano is holding out for an apology from all of you.
"Truly, I do hope you accept my apology for myself and on behalf of my friends. If we fail to find the appropriate words to describe how we feel about having wrong you, it is only because we are overwhelmed" Krokod assures the man with a look of sincere regret. Me, I'm overwhelmed with amusement at the poppinjay, others maybe experiencing disdain. But it's KIND of true.
Ulvano's chest visibly puffs out at Krokod's words. He looks to Jacovo and instructs him to make arrangements for the horses to be immediately groomed and then delivered to one of the outdoor theatres in town.
He turns to face you all again. "I appreciate your honesty in admitting your culpability in this endeavour."
With that he departs swiftly, leaving an open-mouthed Jacovo in his wake. The stable-owner shakes his head and then grins broadly. "Thanks for your help there. Thought you might try to stand up to him and that wouldn't have ended well. No, you kept your heroism under wraps and that was a smart thing to do. I'll take these horses and bid you good day."
Will trail my group back to the hideout same as before.
Bowing shortly to Jacovo, the woman turns to the rest of the group. "Well, that went better than I expected. My apolgies for intervening, but he seeed ready to start throwing his influence around, and that gets messy qiuckly. My name is Novennia, and if you don't mind my asking, what did you need Jacovo's best horses for?" She raises one eyebrow to punctuate her question. As she shifts her stance, her cloak flaps slightly, revealing the symbol of Milani stitched into the lining.
"But there are no Hellknights here, are there?" Novennia asks him, raising one eyebrow in a mirror of his gesture. "And I agree that her worship is dangerous, but I seem to have a habit of evading danger. It's usually more subtle, but this damned breeze makes things difficult." She wrenches the cloak around, hooking the edge in one hand and concealing the symbol. "It's a shame. A few more people working in her name, and there might be some change around here."
With that he departs swiftly, leaving an open-mouthed Jacovo in his wake. The stable-owner shakes his head and then grins broadly. "Thanks for your help there. Thought you might try to stand up to him and that wouldn't have ended well. No, you kept your heroism under wraps and that was a smart thing to do. I'll take these horses and bid you good day."
"Open Heroism is good for songs and plays but highly impractical in real life. Good day to you..." And the Fire Oracle departs along with the others.
..........
When Novennia introduces herself...
Krokod bows stage style back to Novennia when she introduces herself, "Krokod. A pleasure to meet you, and I'd welcome change. No disrespect to the natives, but I'm not sure this country and I mesh well."
Dagger back out, hidden in cloak, and casually behind the new girl. A quick look to his party members to let them know the person is flanked if something goes wrong.
Bluff to hide in plain sight.
"As a native, I take no offense." Novennia's mouth hardens as she nods to Krokod. "Westcrown isn't the friendlist place, I'll give you that. Dinner?" She blinks in surprise at the other man, before frowning slightly and nodding. "Alright. Is there any particular reason, though? There are plenty of other free-thinking women in town."
The man laughs. "You'd be surprised, especially around here."
Dagger back in sheath. Walks back to hideout; let the cat man have his booty call, maybe he is in heat or something.