"I think I can get behind that idea. Two methods to get a dealer or lieutenant would increase our odds. They are unlikely to know that I am a new recruit, so when I stake out that place, then they won't be as concerned. If I have a chance to take one of them, then I could put on my uniform and find a reason to arrest one of them.
"Also, I could ask my sergeant if he has any information. I already told him that a few of us are meeting to make plans to take Lamm out. He might have a lead on one of Lamm's associates. Indeed, he might even give me authorization to take one of them in for questioning. If provides any help, then we would be able to move along the plan much faster."
Gaius shakes his head, and responds with cold rationality: I think it is unwise to involve the law in an official capacity. If one of his employees is missing due to late night drinking, or disappears in an back alley fight, that's business as usual. But if you are seen arresting one of his employees, you will raise Lamm's suspicions and perhaps cause him to switch locations, jeopardizing our chances. You already have permission to pursue Lamm, which is enough cause from the law of men as I see it. Divine law is more important, and our cause is recognized from both Tolenn's goddess and mine. Sarenrae to redeem the children who have been unjustly forced into a life of wickedness, and Calistria to put down those who have chosen this path willingly.
"So you serve the same goddess as my mother had before me. It is good to work with someone who shares the same belief as me.
"Well, I don't think it would be too much trouble to ask my sergeant a couple of questions. But I can do a stake out first and if we don't get anywhere then I can always go back to him to ask him questions. When do you guys want to start?"
"As soon as possible. Lamm has had his time in this world, it's time he moved to the next."
Tolenn considers Gaius' plan for a moment, "Your plan is excellent Gaius, with the exception of using myself to pass as buyer of Lamm's merchandise. As you correctly noticed, I am conspicuous in my worship of the Dawnflower, something I am loathe to "cover up". In addition, I am not practiced in the art of deception, another might prove more successful. I will endeavour to assist in another capacity."
Tolenn considers Gaius' plan for a moment, "Your plan is excellent Gaius, with the exception of using myself to pass as buyer of Lamm's merchandise. As you correctly noticed, I am conspicuous in my worship of the Dawnflower, something I am loathe to "cover up". In addition, I am not practiced in the art of deception, another might prove more successful. I will endeavour to assist in another capacity."
I understand--I can do the talking when the time comes to speak with Lamm's thugs, and if you'd prefer you can keep your distance from us. You could wait outside for us to drive our quarry to you if that suits you better, or come inside separately from us. I admire your faith, but these men are like vermin--they scurry away from the light. We need to coax them out with a glimpse of darkness.
I understand--I can do the talking when the time comes to speak with Lamm's thugs, and if you'd prefer you can keep your distance from us. You could wait outside for us to drive our quarry to you if that suits you better, or come inside separately from us. I admire your faith, but these men are like vermin--they scurry away from the light. We need to coax them out with a glimpse of darkness.
Tolenn smiles "An acceptable compromize, Gaius! Laying in wait would be advisable, my very presense too near those we hunt could lay waste to your plan. "
"Well, it seems that we plan to start doing some reconnaissance tonight. I have some errands in the morning. Then we can meet here again with what we found. Do we plan to capture anyone tonight?"
Zeralla coughs politely to gather your attention.
"You seem to have a plan, a very good plan at that. When shall you strike at Lamm? There is still enough daylight left before the sun completely sets to go, or you can strike during the night; another option would be to go next morning, but it is ultimately your choice as to when you wish to attack."
Agreed--after we leave here, let's enact our plan. Tonight we gather what information we can, hopefully capture one or two of Lamm's thugs. Either way, meet up back at the temple of Calistria. Tomorrow night we strike. Yes we have to wait a little longer than a daytime assault, but in the nighttime there should be fewer workers there, if Lamm even has any legitimate workers, and less chance to be seen on our approach.
Will we have any problems at the temple whem we bring a thug, or are they already privy to what we are doing?
No one there will question my motives, but it's true that it would be better for us to meet back here. I just didn't want to invite further danger for Zellara.
Gritz has been huddled up behind a chair, grumbling quietly out of impatience. Finally, however, the mentioning of striking at something makes his big ears perk up. Clambering up the back of the side, Gritz looks around, listening to the conversation before holding his hand up.
"Gritz can see good in dark! Gritz votes darky time!" he said, his beady little yellow eyes widening in excitement at the prospect. "Gritz also like fire. Gritz can light up dark if needed... but Gritz really likes dark- nobody sees Gritz, but Gritz sees them!~"
Right before they split up, Gaius will advise the other group:
Make sure you are out of sight of the fishery before you make a move. We don't want to alert Lamm to our plans.
This shouldn't be too difficult. It is good we have two plans.
Pyron gets up to leave. Assuming he knows the location, he starts towards the door. Is my team ready?
Daud, are you ready?
"Vuk and I are ready."
Let's go to the fishery. If we get anyone, we'll head to the temple first. Since I am still in my uniform, I will be off-duty hanging out with my friends. It may make a few people at the fishery uncomfortable, but I only care about relaxing at this point and taking a stroll with my friends. Though I can always pick up some peasant's clothes and put it over what I am wearing for now. Let's first drop by somewhere I can pick up a quick outfit.
Zellara gestures to a small chest by the wall.
"If it would help you in your quest, then I see no reason as to not lend you some clothes. My late husband would want them used in any plan to bring that monster to justice."
*****
"I'm ready to assist whenever you are Gaius" Tolenn says, somewhat uncertain with her exact role but willing to make the attempt.
Thank you Zellara. That would really help out. Pyron heads over to the chest and finds an outfit that fits and is unassuming. He goes to a room that she can point out to him for him to change. Coming out, he offers his folded clothes to her and asks if she could hold onto them until he comes back. He still has all of his normal non-travelling gear, weapons, and armor. I am ready to go. Let's head on out.
Vuk and Daud both nod and look alert.
Pyron exits the house and starts his way towards the fishery. He maintains constant vigilance. He leads the crew on the way there. Once he reaches the street/alleyway, he takes his time to look both around them and down the street/alleyway towards the building in question before going down the way.
"We'd be best to keep this secret. Lamm's reputation for making people 'disappear' terrifies us folk. If you're looking for one of his dealers, you'd have some luck down at the docks. Every morning, one of his handlers sells the fishermen some disgusting slop of fish remnants and chum that apparently 'nourishes' them while at sea. That'd be your best way to get a meeting with Lamm..."
She trails off before perking up suddenly in alarm.
"We can't let anyone suspect I talked to you about Lamm. I have to think of...is that a Calistrian amulet around your neck? You're an Inquisitor! Quick, kiss me!"
With that, the barmaid pulls you into a tight embrace and puts a fiery kiss on your lips.
Gaius admires the woman's courage to stand up for those oppressed by Lamm's cruelty, and appreciates her clever plan to keep their meeting discreet. He returns the kiss in earnest, then responds to her information honestly.
Thank you for your help--I give you my word that Lamm will be dealt with, swiftly and harshly.
To keep up the barmaid's ruse, Gaius grins as he walks out of the room a few steps ahead of her, making a show of "lacing up his breeches" as he emerges.
He whispers to Tolenn and Gritz: We have a lead, but it'll have to wait until morning--down by the docks, we can catch one of Lamm's dealers. For now, let's go see how the others are faring.
@Gaius: Before you left her house, Zellara mentioned something about "not staining the home of her husband with the blood of filth" and asked you to do your business with "gathering information" in a place where they don't mind blood on the floor.
@Rakdon: From what you can tell, he's just wearing cheap leather armor under his jerkin and tunic.
[ooc]
He whispers to Tolenn and Gritz: We have a lead, but it'll have to wait until morning--down by the docks, we can catch one of Lamm's dealers. For now, let's go see how the others are faring.
Having gathered up a tattered robe from Zellara's bundle of clothing, Tolenn was able to disguise her true nature somewhat from those passing by.
Nonetheless, she did notice an occasional person on the street move to the other side of the street as she approached, no doubt unconsiously responding to her aura.
Waiting for Gaius to return from his "interview" was interminable, having to endure the appraising looks of the mainly male, mainly smelly, clientel. For the most part, Tolenn merely returned the scrutiny. Many looked away after a few moments, others grinned and maintained the eye contact.
With relief, Tolenn stood as Gaius returned, raising an eyebrow at his apparent dishevled state. "The docks in the morning, then." she responds quietly.
When Pyron saw Rakdon pull out his bow, he touched him on the shoulder to wait until he moved closer to the guy. When he silently moved in the shadows towards the guy, and as he came closer, he signaled Rakdon to shoot, which he did. Then Pyron came up from right behind the drunk, released his dagger from his wrist-sheath, put the dagger up to the guys throat, and said: Shut up. You are coming with us. Move foward. Make a sound and you are dead.
If Pyron has been given any items such as handcuffs from the guard, then he would put it on the guys hands with the hands behind his back. Then he would have walked slightly behind and to the left of him maybe one foot away, so still very close. He would then put his dagger back into the sheath and reset it. He would break the arrow in half, so it would be harder to see from another but enough so it could be taken out of him.
Instructing the other two guys to walk to the left and right of him, they moved quietly through the shadows to get to the temple.
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Responding to Pyron. Thanks, boss, your plan worked well, let me know what my next move should be? Oh, and we might want to see if there are other thugs around, I highly doubt there would be just one, I'm expecting there to be like three dozen more. Rakdon says this quietly enough so that if there are three dozen more thugs they wouldn't be able to hear.
Quietly, If they are here, then there is no time to dawdle. He continued on his plan.