"I enjoyed the festival yesterday a great deal. I liked the butterflies. Then goblins tried to set the town on fire, on a day holy to this world, the gods, and to me. Today we went hunting. It was relaxing. I had a few drinks after. Then goblins tried to eat a defenseless child, and I was summoned from my haze to go fight it. Now I am in a bad mood. When I have returned enough of the goblins' slaughter in kind, I expect to relax again."
After Shalelu’s speech, Sheriff Hemlock announces that he’s taking a few of his men south to Magnimar to see about securing additional soldiers to station at Sandpoint for a few weeks, at least until the extent of the goblin threat can be determined. While he’s out of town, he’s asked Shalelu to sniff around Shank’s Wood, Devil’s Platter, and other places where goblins live to see if she can discover anything else about what’s going on.
With both of you gone, what is the chain of command? Who is responsible for the defense, should an attack come? The mayor?"
"But I must agree with my companions; going alone, even on a mission that requires stealth is hardly wise, you can always accomplish much more when working as a group"
"Often, but not always. Especially in a task of this nature. More bodies mean more chance the enemy will see you. Two at most for a task of this nature, I would think. At any rate, it is her decision. Besides, public morale seems to be our lot." From her tone of voice, the woman didn't seem to be sure what to make of that. Turning to the elven woman, "I wish you success on your mission. Be safe."
Although much of the conversation had been deadly serious thus far, at Kalig's remark to Horatio however, Breaca nearly spews her ale over the table. She grins widely from Kalig to the poor musician. Oh, I like this woman. It is refreshing to meet one who speaks her mind.
"I enjoyed the festival yesterday a great deal. I liked the butterflies. Then goblins tried to set the town on fire, on a day holy to this world, the gods, and to me. Today we went hunting. It was relaxing. I had a few drinks after. Then goblins tried to eat a defenseless child, and I was summoned from my haze to go fight it. Now I am in a bad mood. When I have returned enough of the goblins' slaughter in kind, I expect to relax again."
"If even half of what we've learned tonight is true, I suspect we'll have the chance to return the favor one way or another soon. Shalelu, you mentioned lore? Is there anything we should know about these five tribes or how they each like to operate? Or do you have any suspicions yet regarding who or what these 'bosses' orchestrating the attacks might be?"
Horatio blinks at Kalig's outburst. His face shows bewilderment for all of a second before splitting into a grin, then a laugh. He slaps the half-orc on the shoulder good-naturedly, collecting himself. "Well, you've got me. I suppose my ways do seem a little unusual to some, but the simple fact is, I'm not looking for a mate. It's... not a good idea, all things considered." He seems for a moment as though he's about to elaborate, but stops himself.
"Also, there's the simple fact that I'm a musician, not a warrior. It wouldn't make any difference if I'd been there or not, would it? I can accept being a hero, but being asked to take part in every skirmish, particularly when others can handle it on their own? I'm just likely to get in the way." His voice takes on a slightly bitter tone for an instant as he takes another swig of his drink, but when he lowers the mug, the carefree mask is back up.
"And Merwyn, you'll have to tell me more about this 'zipper' sometime. It sounds incredibly useful." He winks as he nudges the gnome gently.
To Veryl, he simply nods, the sentiment clear but unspoken - Thanks for backing me up. He notes Breaca's expression with an amused smile. "I'd be careful if I were you. Ale tastes a lot better in your mouth than your nose."
Shalelu allowed the banter to play out before responding to Breaca. If she had an opinion about the conversation, it wasn’t showing on her face.
”Goblins. Well it’s best to start with the ten key facts that any goblin hunter needs to know. Number one, they hate horses. They may excel at riding animals, but they don’t quite get horses. In fact, their hatred of all things horse is matched only by their fear of horses, who tend to step on goblins who get too close.”
”They also hate dogs. Although goblins raise horrible rat-faced creatures called (creatively enough) goblin dogs to use as mounts (and ride wolves or worgs if they can get them)—goblins are quick to explain that wolves are NOT dogs), their hatred of plain old dogs nearly matches their hatred of horses. The feeling is mutual. If a dog’s barking at the woodpile for no reason, chances are he smells a frightened goblin hiding in there somewhere.”
” Goblins love junk. Garbage pits, gutters, sewers… anywhere there’s garbage, you can bet goblins are nearby. Goblins are weirdly adept at crafting weapons and armour from refuse, and are fond of killing people with what they throw away.”
”Goblins love to sing. As catchy as their lyrics can be, goblin songs tend to be a bit too creepy and disturbing to catch on in polite society.”
”They’re sneaky. An excited or angry goblin is a noisy, chattering, toothy menace, but even then, he can drop into an unsettling silence in a heartbeat. This, matched with their diminutive size, makes them unnervingly adept at hiding in places you’d never expect: stacks of firewood, rain barrels, under logs, under chicken coops, in ovens…”
”They’re a little crazy. The fact that goblins think of things like ovens as good hiding places reveals much about their inability to think plans through to the most likely outcome. That, and they tend to be easily distracted, particularly by shiny things and animals smaller than them that might make good eating.”
”They’re voracious. Given enough supplies, a goblin generally takes nearly a dozen meals a day. Most goblin tribes don’t have enough supplies to accommodate such ravenous appetites, which is why the little menaces are so prone to going on raids.”
”They like fire. Burning things is one of the great goblin pastimes, although they’re generally pretty careful about lighting fires in their own lairs, especially since goblins tend to live in large tangled thistle patches and sleep in beds of dried leaves and grass. But give a goblin a torch and someone else’s home and you’ve got trouble.”
”They get stuck easily. Goblins have wiry frames but wide heads. They live in cramped warrens. Sometimes too cramped. “
”And finally, goblins believe writing steals your soul. The walls of goblin lairs and the ruins of towns goblins have raided are littered with pictures of their exploits. They never use writing though. That’s not lucky. Writing steals words out of your head. You can’t get them back.”
She continues. ”As I mentioned earlier, there are five major goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins that live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five.”
” To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests that are excellent swimmers. East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armour and weapons.”
”Further east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks. And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds more than a passing resemblance to a decapitated head.”
”In summary, goblins generally live short, violent lives. It’s unusual for a single goblin to achieve any real measure of notoriety, but when one does, it’s well-earned. Currently, five goblins enjoy the status of “hero.” Big Gugmut is an unusually muscular and tall goblin from Mosswood who, it is said, had a hobgoblin for a mother and a wild boar for a father. Koruvus was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, who was as well known for his short temper as he was for his prized possession—a magic long sword sized for a human that the goblin stubbornly kept as his own (despite the fact that it was too large for him to properly wield). Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a “secret hideout” in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced that he’s out there still, a ghost or worse, waiting to murder any goblin who tries to discover his hideout. Vorka is a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump marsh, a hero mostly to goblins other than the Licktoad tribe. Ripnugget is the current leader of the Thistletop goblins and controls what the five tribes agree is the best lair. And then there’s Bruthazmus, an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows.”
”Bruthazmus has a particular hatred of elves, and we have fought on several occasions. To date, neither of us has managed to get the upper hand on the other, but I won’t be the first to fall in our private war.”
Shalelu pauses for a long swig of ale before looking at you, expecting more questions.
As Shalelu speaks, Horatio digs around his pack for his ink, pen, and journal, taking notes of the goblin factoids and status of the tribes and heroes. When the elven woman finishes speaking, he sets down his inkpen for a moment, glances briefly at the rest of the party, and finally says, "Well, I have a few more questions, but I'm afraid my companions wouldn't appreciate my asking them at such a time."
Kalig returns Breaca's smile--she was glad someone could accept her way of observing things, however coarse, and Horatio's too. She did not wish to start a fight--and indeed, felt Horatio's behavior would be to his own detriment, for a number of reasons. She understood he was looking for temporary mates, not a life-mate, but did not care to debate the semantics in light of the more serious topic at hand. If he could take what she had to say in stride, then she would leave the matter be.
She listens intently, and, trying to recall what she knows of the area, tries to picture on a mental map where each tribe would be located and how they might travel or communicate with each other.
Addressing Shalelu, she asks, "You said the tribes seem to be working together. In what combinations? Are they in joint raiding parties together? If so, who is exactly working with whom, and how? Or do their attacks just seem coordinated to come one after the other--that is to say, Licktoads attack, then Mosswood, and so on?"
Addressing Shalelu, she asks, "You said the tribes seem to be working together. In what combinations? Are they in joint raiding parties together? If so, who is exactly working with whom, and how? Or do their attacks just seem coordinated to come one after the other--that is to say, Licktoads attack, then Mosswood, and so on?"
Salelu considers Kalig for a few moments. "That is what I hope to find out. So far I have seen evidence of more than one tribe attacking a single site or two attacks from different tribes coordinated to be at the same time. There is no clear pattern I can see as yet, but hopefully my time will be well spent over the next few days."
Subtly returning the nod to Horatio with one of his own, Veryl then turns towards Shalelu who began the second session of this pseudo-strategic meeting. Electing to remain silent through out her explanation to better commit her words to memory I'll say one thing about these goblins, they have quite a varied pool of foolishness...even among their 'champions' As he continued on listening to the woman, he noticed that he had kept his eyes for far too long on Shalelu and casually looked away, and his eyes fell on the single glove with elven embroidery that he still wore on his right hand.
Without warning Veryl looked up from his glove She's been here a while, and this town certainly doesn't seem to have many elves running around, she just might have met her Hazel eyes turned towards Shalelu once more as she continued her explanation, waiting patiently for her to end this 'lecture'.
Once she was done Veryl closed the distance between them slightly, in part to get her attention and in part to not have to raise his voice on the matter he would inquire about "This doesn't really relate to what we are discussing here but I find my self inclined to ask; have you seen an elven woman with platinum blond hair and a scar over her right eye in Sandpoint?" The question came in the form of respectful words and tone, which were low in volume but not low enough to deter anyone close to Veryl and Shalelu to hear them.
Once she was done Veryl closed the distance between them slightly, in part to get her attention and in part to not have to raise his voice on the matter he would inquire about "This doesn't really relate to what we are discussing here but I find my self inclined to ask; have you seen an elven woman with platinum blond hair and a scar over her right eye in Sandpoint?" The question came in the form of respectful words and tone, which were low in volume but not low enough to deter anyone close to Veryl and Shalelu to hear them.
[spoiler=Veryl]
Shalelu lowers her voice in response."The description doesn't sound familiar - but I come and go frequently and spend my time in Sandpoint mostly in my room here at the Rusty Dragon. I'll keep my eyes open from now on." She smiles warmly.
Kalig thinks a bit and muses. "These tribes all together, they more or less surround Sandpoint. At the same time, they are several miles apart from each other. Not great distances, but it would take some effort for them to meet or collaborate, and based on your descriptions, Shalelu, they are not well organized. Where are you focusing your scouting? I still agree with you we should stay put, but if we do not hear from you in awhile, perhaps we should know."
Kalig thinks a bit and muses. "These tribes all together, they more or less surround Sandpoint. At the same time, they are several miles apart from each other. Not great distances, but it would take some effort for them to meet or collaborate, and based on your descriptions, Shalelu, they are not well organized. Where are you focusing your scouting? I still agree with you we should stay put, but if we do not hear from you in awhile, perhaps we should know."
"That's not a bad idea. I will focus my efforts on Shank’s Wood and Devil’s Platter initially. Then I'll go wherever seems most sensible."
So we're to sit here and wait? Not my style. Miro finally agrees to let her go by herself; she seems stubbornly convinced to do it anyways. He glances at the notes on the goblins, memorizing as many as he can. I wonder if I can sneak out after her.
"That's not a bad idea. I will focus my efforts on Shank’s Wood and Devil’s Platter initially. Then I'll go wherever seems most sensible."
Kalig nods. "Alright. In the meantime..." Kalig turns to the sheriff, "For those of us who want to be useful... since you also are leaving town, maybe you could show us the town and its defenses."
"That's not a bad idea. I will focus my efforts on Shank’s Wood and Devil’s Platter initially. Then I'll go wherever seems most sensible."Kalig nods. "Alright. In the meantime..." Kalig turns to the sheriff, "For those of us who want to be useful... since you also are leaving town, maybe you could show us the town and its defenses."
Shalelu considers your suggestion for a second before nodding. "Yes, another excellent idea. I can see why the sheriff places so much faith in you."
The remainder of the evening passes pleasantly enough and you all retire to bed with the promise from Shalelu to show you around the town tomorrow.
As you assemble downstairs for breakfast, a timid elderly halfling woman you recognise as Bethana approaches you. She’s a maid who works for Ameiko Kaijitsu at the Rusty Dragon. She’s obviously upset and asks to speak to you somewhere in private.
You go back to the private room from the previous day and she explains that Ameiko has gone missing. ”I woke earlier this morning to find that my mistress hadn’t started breakfast for the first time I can remember. Well, I was worried, so I knocked on her door but I didn’t get a reply. I know I shouldn’t have done it but against my better judgment, I went in the room to find it empty and the bed hadn’t been slept in. Worse, I found this crumpled piece of parchment near the bed.”
She hands you a note.
Hello, sis!
I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we’ve got something of a problem. It’s to do with father.
Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves.
Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and I’ll let you in. In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you?
They’ve got no honour at all around these parts. I still don’t understand how you can stand to stay here. Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this.
There are other complications as well, ones I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight. Don’t be late.
Tsuto
"Thank you, that is more than I hoped for" Veryl returned the smile to the elven ranger "She's a dear friend who while having a good head on her shoulders, does tend to get herself in trouble" He continued calmly, before moving to a nearby chair and taking a seat, just in time to hear Kalig's suggestion.
"Kalig, you do realize that the town has guards don't you? Of course, if your plan is to take over their jobs that is something else entirely" Veryl smile remained, but the tone he spoke with was a far cry from the one he had utilized but a moment ago "Either way, since I have little to do at the moment I might as well join you" Moving to a nearby wall, Veryl took his propped sheathed bastard sword and buckled it to his belt, then slung the longbow over his shoulder and strapped on the holster of arrows And while I hate the idea of having to give up on this place, it wouldn't hurt to know which area offers the safest escape routes, especially if the goblins and whoever is leading them turn out to be much more than this town can handle Following that Veryl made his way to his room, in hopes that this tour won't be as boring as he thought it was.
........................................................................
After reading the note Veryl openly sighed in frustration, when he woke up he was actually more or less okay with the supposedly tedious tour that they he had agreed to go on, but now they were going to get dragged into whatever it is the family that owned this tavern has gotten themselves into, then again why was it any of their business? Its clearly something that the girl wants to keep within the family, so what does Bethana expect us to do? And honestly even Ameiko had asked for help I would have given the whole thing some thought before meddling in a family matter Veryl was ready to dismiss the whole thing and go back to the original plan, but something about the note just didn't feel right, something was all too strange, and then there was the fact that Ameiko was nice enough to actually let them stay for free...something the other inns didn't do, despite how happy they were to be saved from the green skinned, short raiders.
"Bethana you will have to give us some more details, Is this Tsuto really Ameiko's brother? If he is how is his relationship with Ameiko and his father? Does anyone else know about this note?" The barrage of questions were carried on words that were serious but low in volume and intensity "The more we know the better, the last time I UNINTENTIONALLY meddled in the affairs of a family didn't end well for me" The frustration he felt, was well hidden from the words that he spoke, leaving nothing but the serious tone he had adopted when he began asking his questions.
Bethana takes a deep breath and looks close to tears.
"Well under the circumstances, it won't hurt to tell you what I'm about to say. You see Tsuto was something of a scandal when he was born, since he’s a half-elf." She sees the lack of awareness on your faces and continues. "Don't you see? Neither of Ameiko’s parents are elves!"
"It was obvious that old Lonjiku wasn’t the boy’s father, and his rage at the discovery of his wife’s indiscretion was the talk of the town for months. Lonjiku’s wife Atsuii never revealed who the father was, and it’s a testament to Lonjiku’s stubbornness that they remained married if you ask me."
"Tsuto was handed over to the local orphanage to be raised outside of the Kaijitsu family. His sister used visited him in secret - the family was banned from communicating with him. But that all changed six years ago, when they had a terrible argument in which Tsuto struck Ameiko."
"Now I don't know what the argument was about, but whatever it was is what sent Ameiko away from Sandpoint for a year. She returned to Sandpoint five years ago to attend her mother’s funeral. Tsuto was quite public in his opinions that his father had pushed Atsuii off the cliff to her death, and during the funeral there was a confrontation."
You can tell Bethana, despite her stated reluctance to share the story, was revelling in revealing the facts.
"Lonjiku nearly broke Tsuto’s jaw with his cane, after which Tsuto cursed him and left Sandpoint. Ameiko’s tried to re-establish contact with him ever since, but was never able to track him down."
"I beg of you to find out what happened to Ameiko. I don't think anyone else has seen the note and if anyone can help her as it's you - what with the mention of goblins and all."
"Kalig, you do realize that the town has guards don't you? Of course, if your plan is to take over their jobs that is something else entirely."
Kalig rolls her eyes, quickly tiring of the pompous warrior's sniping. "The sheriff said he was taking several of his men to go south." She adds, very slowly, as if speaking to a small child who is slow on the uptake--or indeed, as many humans speak to half-orcs, reversing the attitude she so often received back on another human. "That means there will be fewer guards." She pauses again, as if to let that sink in. "He asked for our help. I am offering mine. That is all."
She straightens, looking at the group. "This city and the wilds around this are in danger and growing out of balance because of the goblins' raids. I do see it as my duty to help restore that. If any of you disagree, or wish me away, then challenge me as you will. Otherwise, if you also wish to help, let us argue after the danger is over." She pauses and adds, looking at Horatio. "I was wrong myself to start an argument a few minutes ago. This is not the time. We do not need distractions."
=====
"Bethana, this letter says this Lonjiku is involved with the goblins. I recall from the festival, he was supposed to be ill. How likely is this? And how likely do you think this is really from Ameiko's brother?"
"I for one don't want to risk my own neck doing something I'm not suited to," Horatio puts in. "As I've said before, I'm not a warrior. I'm not a soldier, I'm not a guard. I'm a musician, and all things considered, it's a bloody wonder I have that much. Music may be inspiring, but it doesn't do much when you have an angry oblin trying to eat your face."
To Kalig's apology, he waves his hand dismissively. "It was hardly an argument. You should hear some of the things my mother says." The familiar carefree grin is back in place, replacing the sour expression that had been there only moments ago.
-----------------------
Horatio snatches the note from Veryl, reading it quickly, green eyes skimming across the parchment. He sighs in frustration, thrusting the note back into the other man's hand. "Well," he says decisively, "I, for one, plan on meddling in these affairs. If there's the slightest chance Ameiko's in trouble, I'm going after her." He grins, adding, "I suppose I'm a sucker for a damsel in distress. So, who's coming with me?"
"Bethana, this letter says this Lonjiku is involved with the goblins. I recall from the festival, he was supposed to be ill. How likely is this? And how likely do you think this is really from Ameiko's brother?"
Bethana points to the note. "Oh, that's from Tsuto, I'd recognise his writing anywhere but as to Lonjiku's ilness, I'd be guessing on that one."
"Horatio, a minute of your time"Placing his hand on Horatio's shoulder, Veryl pulls at him lightly, his tone of speech still bordering on the grim and grave.
Horatio snatches the note from Veryl, reading it quickly, green eyes skimming across the parchment. He sighs in frustration, thrusting the note back into the other man's hand. "Well," he says decisively, "I, for one, plan on meddling in these affairs. If there's the slightest chance Ameiko's in trouble, I'm going after her." He grins, adding, "I suppose I'm a sucker for a damsel in distress. So, who's coming with me?"
Kalig chuckles. "Ah, you have found your fighting spirit after all."
She looks around at the group. "If there is no one else to, we should look into it. Bethana, you are trusting us with this information for a reason, yes? Ameiko is clearly loved around town. Her absence will cause a panic. And if her father is connected to the goblins, all the more reason to see what has happened." She turns back to Bethana. "Where is this glassworks. And what should we know about it?"
She looks around at the group. "If there is no one else to, we should look into it. Bethana, you are trusting us with this information for a reason, yes? Ameiko is clearly loved around town. Her absence will cause a panic. And if her father is connected to the goblins, all the more reason to see what has happened." She turns back to Bethana. "Where is this glassworks. And what should we know about it?"
"It's the family business and it's west of here but I don't know much about it. They make glass there and there's a shop there too."
From the facts shared, you're sure Bethana knows little else.
"Ah, so she doesn't know that we know about the note. Interesting..." She strokes her chin in ponderance. "Well, then we mussn't let her know that we know about the note, nor should we let anyone else know that she doesn't know that we know about the note."
"I think we need an illusionist! Does anyone have a plunger? Preferably new and unused."
Horatio blinks in surprise, but nods, allowing Veryl to lead him aside. Though he pauses to wink to Kalig and add, "I do have a special reserve of such spirit, only to be opened in the case of a beautiful woman in distress. I am a bard, after all."
Breaca was mostly silent during much of the exchanges this morning, reading the note without comment and passing it to the next person. She rubs her temples as if trying to rub away a headache.
She pauses to peer at Merwyn though - "A plunger? What do you plan to do with a plunger?"
"Thank you for bringing this to us. We'll get to the bottom of it and make sure she's unharmed." Miro looks at the others. "Well I'm sure some of you are thinking the same thing. We go there and pretend to be her, knocking on the door like so. Once in we'll jump him and ask some questions."
Kalig blinks at the gnome. "What's a plunger?"
"Thank you for bringing this to us. We'll get to the bottom of it and make sure she's unharmed." Miro looks at the others. "Well I'm sure some of you are thinking the same thing. We go there and pretend to be her, knocking on the door like so. Once in we'll jump him and ask some questions."
The half-orc woman frowns. "Between the note and the fact that she has not slept, I thought she went to the glassworks at midnight as planned. She just did not return. If someone captured her, they would know we were not her. But maybe you saw an angle I did not."
"It's a suction attached to a large pole, used to unclog outhouses and in wealthy cities, these things called toilets. I've never used one, but I imagine they must be an absolute delight."
She turns to Breaca. "Of course, I plan to put it on my head."
"It's a suction attached to a large pole, used to unclog outhouses and in wealthy cities, these things called toilets. I've never used one, but I imagine they must be an absolute delight."
She turns to Breaca. "Of course, I plan to put it on my head."
Kalig having traveled through mostly backwater towns had never heard of such a thing, and scratches her head as she pictures it used for its purpose... and then Merwyn putting one on her head. "... I hope you want one that's never been used."
She was aware Merwyn might be joking, but it was always hard to tell with gnomes.
Breaca raises an amused eyebrow and grins. "I'm going to have to stick close just to see where you're going with this one. Anyway, we should probably make our way to this glassworks."
"Yes, we should hurry." She looks at Breaca and Kalig. "Which one of you sounds more like Ameiko, would you say?"
A blank expression was present on Veryl's facade, his eyes gave Horatio a very uncharacteristically hard stare, and the fact that said stare didn't waver or focus on anything besides Horatio, made the whole situation seem all the more tense "We may find Ameiko at the mentioned location and we may not" Began Veryl in a very blunt manner "Whichever the case; we find her or not, alive or dead, victim or culprit. I don't want you acting rashly" The towering frame of Veryl appeared even larger as he stepped in closer, his hazel eyes still on the Chelaxian bard that stood before him.
"I am not telling you not to be angry, worried or emotionally involved, but make sure that your mind is still involved" Veryl expression softened slightly "To put it simply, if emotions were the ingot you use to create a sword, the hammer strikes are the rationality that help you give it proper form" With his last words Veryl took a step back and removed the grim mask that had dominated his face, returning to the more common calm and relaxed one he usually had on.
Miro subtly listens in on Veryl. Getting pretty chewed out. Discipline is good...but Horatio's a man who needs to be inspired.
Standing eye-to-eye with Veryl, the younger man doesn't move or blink. His own expression is a flurry of emotions - anger, fear, despair, excitement - all fighting for representation in his eyes. His mouth doesn't move, set in a hard line as Veryl speaks. When he's certain the older man has finished, Horatio responds, his own tone low and even.
"You are more than welcome to think, or even tell me, how I should or should not act. But I will tell you this now - I don't have to listen to you. If you tell me to take particular actions in combat, I'll trust you, because that's the field where you have more experience than I do. Likewise, I'll expect you to listen to me if we find ourselves in a delicate social situation, because I suspect I've talked my way out far more of them than yourself. I will not act like a fool, regardless of how we find Ameiko - or don't find her. I am well aware that any of those circumstances you mentioned might or might not apply, and I will react accordingly. But do your best to remember that as an artist, emotions are vital. The music I play to boost your spirits in combat? It doesn't come from here, but from here." He taps his temple, then his chest, in turn. "This is what I primarily think with, and it hasn't proven me wrong yet. Not when it comes right down to it. I may be flighty, and emotional, and carefree, and any other number of adjectives you wish to use - but one thing I am not is recklessly impulsive. I like my body, and don't want it to be harmed." He smiles, but it's more wry than his usual warm grin.
"Whatever happens at the Glassworks, I will not act like a fool. I may not react in the way you think is best, but I'm not going to put anyone's life at risk with my actions."
Just before turning back to the party, he adds, "And by the way, I speak four languages, and have read plenty of poetry in each. Your metaphors are nice, but not as effective as they could be. We'll have to work on that." His grin this time is genuine, and he approaches the party once more, rubbing his hands.
"So. Are we ready to leave yet?"
The way Horatio held himself during the time he was addressing him was praise worthy to Veryl, but once the Chelaxian began talking is when the taller man had to fight the urge to place his hand upon his forehead No, you very well do not have to listen to me, or to anyone for all I care, I was just telling you for the groups sake and for yours what was the best way to go about this whole situation...and how did this turn into a discussion on who has more experience in which field? Wondered Veryl as he received the lop-sided grin from Horatio, his own expression hiding the annoyance he felt.
While he did like certain things about the bard; like his ambition and his ability to cut loose and enjoy himself but not lose sight of his own goals, he disliked how Hortio was already giving into his emotions when he clearly didn't tell him to suppress these emotions, just to temper them and use them at an appropriate time, if their party was more experienced when it came to working with each other he would have been fine with one or even two irrational individuals, but they have only been through one REAL battle together and were lucky enough not to step on each others toes or get in each others way. It was clear to Veryl that if they did find themselves in another battle, he not only had to insure that their morale was unshaken, but he also had to work as a buffer should disruptions from within the group emerged, which is not something he was looking forward to.
Veryl felt shock at the last comment the bard left him with And here I thought I was the most arrogant man in the room, fine Mr. Aldebrandt, do what you will, and I will be doing the same Walking calmly after Horatio, Veryl's mind wandered to more important things Whoever is behind this; Lonjiku, Tsuto or Ameiko, I do not care, its time I sent a message to anyone who wants to mess with my turf, and what better message could be sent than a swift defeat and a show of power afterwards The gang like mentality within Veryl was already at work at the details of this simple but effective plan.
"I apologize for the delay, if no one else has any business here it is best that we leave" Said Veryl, a relaxed tone bonded to his tactful words. Then he turned from the group and headed to the door "The sooner we get this sorted out the better" He added as he opened the door, his tone of speech now hardened and drenched with a callousness that seemed alien when compared to the way Veryl had spoke to them just moments ago.
Kalig has no interest in listening in on the conversation between Veryl and Horatio, but she notices the tension between them all the same.
As they return to the group, Kalig raises an eyebrow at Veryl. "So when I lecture someone, I take things too seriously. But when you lecture someone, somehow, that is acceptable?"
She shakes her head. "Never mind. Let us go find the innkeeper." To Merwyn, she replies, "My voice is too coarse, it would have to be Breaca. Do you want to ask Bethana if she has a plunger?"
"It was hardly a lecture and it wasn't about how he should spend his free time" Answered Veryl, his face showing no sign of discontent "But if it will make you feel better, Horatio here doesn't appear to be the type who'll listen to anyone, so we are both better off saving our breaths"
Miro pats Veryl on the back. "He's not a soldier." He continues on without saying anything else.
"I think the plunger will not be necessary, assuming Breaca is a good actor. We should bring her some of Ameiko's clothing to use as a disguise. Does the maid have any?"
"Although...a plunger could come in handy someday."
"Wait... you want me to pretend to be a woman who is well known here but whom I've only just met yesterday? And fool someone who is presumably her brother? They may have had a falling out, but it wasn't that long ago, if I understood correctly." She shakes her head. "Acting is not exactly something I've cared to do much of... Perhaps.... if this turns out not to be her brother then I can get us through the door, assuming they're still there and don't already have her."
She sighs. "Maybe it'll be enough to get through the door, assuming they're even there, but I don't see this fooling them past a few moments... or ending pleasantly once the gig is up."
Maybe no one will be at the glassblowers and it won't be necessary. She thinks to herself hopefully before giving another toss of her head. "That said, I don't really have any better suggestion save to simply go and see what we will see. And on that note, we have dawdled too long I think. Let us go, unless one of you have something to add?"