Gamon nods politely to Trinia, before turning his attention back to Vencarlo. Do you have a plan for how we would leave the city and reach Harse without attracting attention? As Aloysia hinted at, that doesn't sound easy given how well-known Trinia is at the moment.
"Or how well known WE are at the moment," Jolon adds.
Nicolai nods his head to Vencarlo "A pleasure to meet you, Signor Orsini, and you Mistress Sabor." he says with a small bow to Trinia "Having only recently joined with this merry band I can't speak to your "troubles" in The Shingles But I do know that this city is dancing perilously on a knife's edge and that the "Queen" is to blame. Her disdain for her subjects and this "provincial backwater" is well known and any chance to stick it in her eye is just to great a temptation to pass up."
He claps and rubs his hands together "Now, let's see what we can do."
Vencarlo grins, "I will be providing Trinia with a horse and supplies. As well as some mundane supplies that you believe you may need to get her out of the city. As for the escape itself, simpler is better. A slow walk through the city to High Bridge, then turning up Dwarfwalk Road should let you mingle with the merchants leaving the city in the afternoon."
He gestures over to her, "Her plain clothes, the simple changes to her skin and hair, thank you for that by the way, should allow you to pass without too much issue. And you'll only need to go as far as Trots, an inn along the side of the North road, where you will meet an accomplice of mine, willing to take Trinia the rest of the way to Harse. Oh, there's this too." He hands you a small pouch filled with 20 gold, "In case you wish to stay the night in Trots."
Trinia smiles with your gentle offers to assist her. "I really appreciate all of your help."
"How will we know this "friend" of yours? How will he identify himself? I would hate to go through this trouble just to fumble the handoff at the last second."
Nicolai pauses for a moment "How easy you drop into the role of conspirator in all this." a voice says from the back of his mind "Better we hang together, for we shall surely hang separately." he responds to the voice.
"Let's see... we'll need some horses, or mules. Mules would be better." he says to no one in particular as his mind whirls "A simple two wheeled cart, perhaps with some hay or straw as well." Looking over Gamon and Jolon he muses " I think you two would have to remove your armor and weapons and keep them in the cart, hidden but close to hand just in case. We are supposed to by merchants, not mercenaries." he looks pointedly at Aloysia as he speaks. "Trinia and Aloysia can ride the cart while I lead the mule team with Gamon and Jolon walking behind. With a change of hair color and skin tone for Miss Sabor , my spell won't last long but it should be long enough, and as long as we keep our heads down nothing untoward should happen."
He looks at the faces of his companions after he finishes "What?"
Aloysia smiles at Nicolai, "I like you, well thought out plan, trying to cover all angles. When this is over, we should go into business together. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go make myself into a merchant." Then, she leaves the room with her pack to get ready.
Gamon nods thoughtfully, Do you think it would be unexpected for merchants to have guards, with the city in it's current state? That may be more believable than five merchants all accompanying one cart, although some disguise would still be in order for us in case we are recognized.
"I was thinking more along the lines of farmers returning to their home after selling their load of turnips or what have you, but whatever you think works. Totally nondescript farmers and armor and weapons, especially your great big axe, tend to stand out."
Ah, if you intended for us to act as farmers then I would certainly stand out. So long as my axe is within easy reach, I am fine with that plan.
"You're sharp as a skane, Nicolai," Jolon comments.
"Won't people recognize my tattoos, though? Most farmers aren't going to have Shoanti markings, or the spiral of Pharasma on their forehead."
"A wide brimmed hat ought to cover your devotion to The Lady and as for the other I don't think a Shoanti farmer should draw too much attention. If your still concerned you can travel solo, just stay within reach of the rest of us should things go south."
"A Shoanti laborer more like. Few Korvosans would do business with a farm run by someone with our tattoos, though they'd not object to the strong backs they're usually inked on."
Jolon begins to unbuckle his armor and asks if Vencarlo's got something suitably plain so he looks the part of a simple farmhand.
Vencarlo gives a brief description of the man, mostly involving the number of teeth in his smile and the amount of arm spans across his chest is, and quickly leaves to gather the materials you need to get out of the city.
Trinia throws her arms around all of you, "Thank you so much again!"
Vencarlo returns a bit later with the information that your gear is ready to move out. Your group convenes around the cart, weapons, armor and Trinia being placed within. She panics a little when another woman jumps in the cart with her but calms when Aloysia tells her who she is.
You start the long journey through Korvosa following Nicolai's plan. It is not long before Trinia strikes up a conversation, trying to talk with all of you. "I get that you're helping me now, and you tried to help me by leaving me with Ms. Kroft, but what is in this for all of you? I've been wracking my brain trying to figure it out."
Before Trinia boards the cart Nicolai casts his spell , causing Trinia's hair, as well as her eyes, to darken to a nondescript brown. He blushes as Trinia hugs the group. He shakes Vencarlo's hand "Till we meet again." he says to the sword master as he grabs the reins of the mules and, clicking his tongue, gets them into motion.
Moving through the city he keeps a wary eye out for any unwanted attention, sending a silent prayer to Desna the few times the group passes the city guards, these new red armor clad warriors, and even a squad of Hellknights, all searching for the woman seated behind him "We are just simple merchants, nothing to see here, and she is not the women you are looking for." he intones silently, hoping the Goddess of Fortune will hear it.
"This city has claimed something from all of us." Nicolai says in answer to Trinia's question as the smile fades from his face, revealing the loss behind the facade "Anything I can do to keep it from claiming another soul I will gladly do." His smile returns "Besides, if it thwarts the spoiled brat that sits upon the throne then that's just the icing upon the cake."
Gamon removes his armor and hides his weapons inside the cart, before beginning to walk next to Trinia as she bumps along the city roads. As she asks her question, he shrugs, You are innocent. Too many good people have died here recently for me not to assist someone else in escaping.
After Nicolai and Gamon's responses, Aloysia adds in her piece, "These brave men and their strong moral codes are all for you. For my part, well, we can just call me 'hired help'."
Trinia smiles and nods, "You have no idea how grateful I am that you're willing to do all this. You all look rather seasoned, and I've been cooped up in my loft, a jail cell, or a private room for what feels like ages. What were you doing during the craziness of the past few weeks? Surely you've got some heroic tales to tell!" She is veritably bouncing in her seat with her excitement.
Jolon jerks his head towards Gamon and Nicolai.
"What they said," he says as they continue, trying to maintain the image of a slow-witted, silent type.
"I did what just about everyone else did, I stayed inside until it was over. Fortunately the hottest fires burn the quickest and the city has begun to resume some semblance of normalcy, but things are far from settled and all it takes is for one ill wind to fan the flames to life once more."
He looks to Jolon, then Aloysia, and Gamon in turn "I've only recently met the company of these, these Heroes of Korvosa, if you will. We all had a common goal, it just turns out that they accomplished that task before we met. Now, with the city the way it is, it's better to travel with people who will watch your back than to go it alone."
"Ain't we supposed to be playing our parts, boss?" Jolon asks, trying to stay in character.
Trinia sits up further, peeking out from under her hat to look around. "Wouldn't it be weirder if we weren't talking like we're just getting done with a hard day of merchanting?"
"Don't know much what merchantin' has to do with heroes, miss," Jolon replies.
Trinia pouts but settles down for the ride. You occasionally get glances from guards and Hellknights as you leave the city, but nothing more than cursory at worst. The really scary moment is when you realize there are a pair of Gray Maidens near the exit that you're using pulling random carts out of line for inspections. By the time you've recognized the danger you're already in a line of carts. It would cause too much of a commotion to pull out of the line now, so you grit your teeth and keep moving.
Pulling through the gate is surreal, the blank visages of the Gray Maidens' seeming to bore into your eyes as you pass. Trinia has her hat pulled low, feigning sleep in the back of the cart.
You only breathe easier only when you're through the gate, the cart behind you being called out for inspection. A mile down the road the patrols and guards and worry is behind you. Trinia nearly tumbles from the cart throwing herself on the side, eyes bright. "Stories please!"
Jolon straightens up and smiles.
"Thank the Lady and my ancestors that's over!"
He turns to Trinia.
"What did you want to know?"
"Anything. Everything! Being a bard and an artist I enjoy collecting tales and trying to put my brush to them. What were you doing during the opening days of the King's death? Did you hear about what happened at Eel's End? Or when a tribe-herd?-tribe of Otyugh broke free from the sewers and started attacking townsfolk in the streets! And what do you think was going on when all the Hellknights and Sable Company started leaving?" She seems like she could go on for a while.
"Wait, MULTIPLE Otyugh attacked people? We were probably responsible for one, but not multiple."
Trinia's eyes go wide when she hears you've defeated an Otyugh in combat. "It could be rumors inflating through passing. You know, he said, she said, they said, we saw this, that and the other. But you guys were there?! That's so amazing!"
"Well, I suppose beginning from the beginning is best. That's the way it is with half-orcs like me: our origins are never boring. In my case it was a tale of two exiles finding love in the last place the expected to, a former Bone Slayer of the Skoan-Quah and a wandering orc who had set aside the brutal ways of his forefathers. I'm not sure where my father ended up, but I assume he's probably dead. My mother, Eyotah Iron-Spine, raised me herself...until Gaedren Lamm knifed her in the streets one night. Bastard knew he couldn't take her in a fight if he tried to mug her, so he didn't even give her the chance. I had nowhere to go after that, but the church of Pharasma generously paid for a funeral for her, so I lingered there for a while, and the longer I lingered, the more comfortable I felt there, like my ancestors were there, whispering comfort to me. So I asked to join as an acolyte and then became a full brother, discovering my ancestors WERE in fact with me, granting me strength and powers I had thought only our own shamans or the high priests of the church capable of. And then Zellara summoned me, as she did the rest of us, with a harrow card, to avenge her own death at Lamm's hands, and the rest, as they say, is history."
He smiles a bit.
"And we did more than hear about what happened at Eel's End. WE'RE what happened at Eel's End. Field Marshal Croft sent us there to get some important information and...one of my ancestors' spirits became offended by The Spider King's vileness, starting a fight. That's how we met Majenko, actually. The man had him cruelly imprisoned."
Turning back and looking over the walls of the city you see small puffs of silver, Majenko's indication that no one is following you.
Trinia, in the meantime, is slack-jawed and overjoyed. She begins asking questions and only stops when you are within sight of Trots. Before you reach the inn proper she is sure to emphasize, "You guys are AMAZING!"
You are met there by Jasan, a wide-grinning, barrel-chested man whose features Vencarlo did not emphasize nearly enough. He seems much larger and with a wider grin than described, an enormous bear of a man, clearly suited for, and used to, roughing it. He greets Trinia like an old friend, wrapping her in a hug that lifts her a good foot off the floor.
It doesn't take much to get Trinia's things transferred over to Jasan's horses. Trinia says her goodbyes, telling you to look her up if you're ever in Harse, or send a message via animal if you want to talk more, then hugs each of you and leaves with Jasan. Before she leaves fully she hands you two things, her masterwork mithral dagger, and a wand of daze monster .
Aloysia's eyes narrow in annoyance as Trinia embraces her, but she quickly turns all smiles and doting when the gifts come out, "Oh why thank you, Lovely, we're always happy to help! We will definitely stay in contact!" She quickly pockets the dagger and ignores the wand she has no use for.
Gamon returns Trinia's hug with a smile, I'm glad we could help, please take care of yourself from here on out. He doesn't touch the wand, but shakes his head as he notices Aloysia's hand dart out for the other gift. Aloysia, don't you already have a better dagger than that? If you're just going to sell that one, we sell it together.
Jolon happily answers any questions Trinia hands, feeling surprisingly glad that for once someone regards him with awe and respect, rather than fear or revulsion. Many of his brethren in the Church and even some of his own whispering ancestors seemed to pity him more than care about him. But Trinia was confirming to Jolon what he really was, what he wanted to be more than anything: a hero!
He hugs her warmly as they say their goodbyes.
"Thank you, Trinia. Please stay safe out here."
He turns to the others.
"Do the rest of you want to spend the night here, or make our way back to Korvosa? I don't have any particular plans that require me to return at speed, but I know some of you are more comfortable in the urban," he says, that last bit mostly directed at Aloysia.
"Oh no, my friend, it will be put to good use," she says as she triggers her two spring-loaded wrist sheaths making two daggers appear in her hands, the left containing the Mithril one.
Turning to Jolon, she says, "I do prefer to be among my marks as opposed to the woods, but I would also quite welcome a peaceful night's sleep out here before we return."
Nicolai blushes slightly as Trinia embraces him "Be well, Mistress Sabor" he tells her trying to hide his embarrassment. Turning to Jasan he syas "Keep her safe."
He raises an eyebrow as Aloysia grabs at the dagger but, being the new guy, decides not to say anything only to smile as Gamon calls her out. Picking up the wand he holds it out for the others "Is there anyone else, besides me, that can use this?" If no one answers, or answers negatively, Nicolai will put the wand in his pack.
"I don't relish returning to Korvosa in the middle of the night, it might raise some unwanted questions. I suggest that we stay here for the night and return to the city in the morning."
The stay is comfortable, if not exactly pleasant. Trots has some rather bland fare, and is mostly vermin free. Still, you're not sleeping out in the open and manage to get some good rest in.
The travel the next day is just as fast to get back to Korvosa. When you return to town you hear some rumors riding in.
You head towards the nearest square in the city, strangely named Jaeggare Circle. A large construction project appears to be taking place, the base for an enormous statue already in place. As you look at it, and the workers scrambling around it, a purple blur rockets toward you from out of the sky.
"Guys!" cries Majenko. "You're never going to believe what happened! A ship came into the river, lit with only a single yellow light on its bow, and was sank by the guard. Looked like it was trying to dock." Overexcited, Majenko lands on an abandoned cart nearby and begins preening his scales. "Also, Field Marshal Kroft says Grau Soldado is looking for you, he's at his relatives' house in Trail's End."
Nicolai gathers with the others for breakfast before they hit the road. Taking a bite of his food he makes a face, pausing for a moment before casting a quick spell over the food . Taking another bite he nods, satisfied. He smiles as Tavi, his mongoose familiar, climbs his leg and settles on his lap. "I'm sure you ate well." he says to the little guy.
Drawing a worn deck from his pouch he shuffles the cards before drawing one from the deck and turning it face up on the table to see a centaur, his pack loaded with junk, staring up at him.
Upon returning to the city Nicolai catches brief snippets of conversation of those passing by, enough to piece together whatever happened overnight "Some ship sailed upriver overnight and refused to be boarded and inspected. After ignoring several hails the watch was forced to fire upon and sink it near the North bridge. I wonder what it was, pirates perhaps, smugglers maybe, and what could be worth getting sunk over."
Gamon thanks their host, but is grateful to be quickly on the road and back in the city.
As they re-entered the city gates, immediately he begins to hear mumbles of a mysterious ship sank by the guards. When Nicolai begins to speculate, he shakes his head in confusion, Smugglers are usually smarter than that, I can't imagine what would have made a ship's think that ignoring the guard was their best course of action. Is it possible that the yellow light on their bow meant anything?
Once Majenko relays the latest news, he asks the little dragon, Hey Majenko, what are they building in this square? I don't recall anything here when we left. Also, did Field General Kroft say what we were needed for?
Majenko stops picking at small pebbles and mites under his scales to answer. "Hmm...Don't know. But they're breaking apart the Great Tower to build this and three others in other squares. As for what Cress said, it was just that Grau was looking for you for help with something."
Few are willing to share rumors with Jolon for obvious reasons, though he can only wonder what Riddleport pirates would want IN the city, away from their ship.
He's more concerned about Majenko's news.
"Tearing down the Great Tower?! What's happened to the Sable Company?! They wouldn't just let someone demolish their headquarters!"
"Scuttlebutt, my third cousin twice removed on my mother's side, says they're leaving the city. The Hellknights are also thinking of packing it in. The ones that are planning on sticking around are the Guard and those new Gray Maiden ladies."
Interesting. Maybe Grau can tell us more about what we've missed, and why even the Hellknights would abandon the city.
Jolon is shocked.
"That's...that's disturbing news. The Order of the Nail is NOT one to abandon its charges...I know from firsthand experience since Bishop Keppira had to get involved several times to stop their armigers and even full knights from harassing me when I was out and about in the city!"
Majenko leads the way, keeping the conversation going as he glides along, "Their numbers have started depleting between the riots and some of them being selected for the Gray Maidens. Least that's what the general thought would be. Could be that something else is going on behind the scenes."
The House Drake leads you deep into the heart of Trail's End, populated mostly by Varisians, several Shoanti, and even a few Chelaxians, down on their luck by the state of their clothes. Sczarni toughs are scattered throughout the neighborhood, and look ready to start harassing Aloysia and Gamon, but Jolon and Nicolai's presence drops them back. Majenko alights in front of a squat, two-story wooden building in desperate need of repair. Overall, the building feels like the home of a family too busy living to bother with tedious chores.
"Hello there!" comes a call from behind your group. Turning you see Grau Soldado. Shaved, bathed, and sobered up he looks much different than before, especially out of his Korvosan Guard uniform. "I'm glad you came. My niece is sick. I don’t know what she has and neither does anyone in Trail’s End. She’s broken out all over in red pocks and can barely keep down food, or even the swill that good-for-nothing herbalist gave her. Her mother’s talking about going to the Bank of Abadar, but can’t afford to pay the prices their clerics would demand. Then I remembered how you and your friends handled yourselves during the riots, and how you aided me, and I figured you could help. A bunch of resourceful folk like you, I’d bet if you don’t already have a way to fix this, you must know who can. Surely you can’t just sit by while a child suffers, can you?"
"I've seen that presentation before not that long ago, a professor in the city had it too. This is getting a little less like a coincidence and more like a plague. Jolon, any idea what it might be?"
Jolon thinks on the description Grau has provided, trying to recall if he's encountered something like this in the past.
"We absolutely won't sit by while a child suffers, Grau. I'll have a look at her and see what I can do. I only regret that my ancestors can't grant me the power to cure whatever afflicts her outright...at least not yet."
Grau opens the door and leads you all inside. Two boys are playing quietly in the living room while a man in the trappings of an Abadaran priest is in the kitchen brewing up something that smells of cinnamon and anise. Grau's face darkens briefly before excusing himself upstairs where ragged coughs are coming from every so often.
The priest speaks up, though he doesn't move away from his concoction. "Greetings! I am Ishani Dhatri, an acolyte from the bank of Abadar."
"Smells good in here, you making dinner? Might we partake? I know I'm hungry."
Ishani looks sadly down at his pot. "I am afraid this is for the little one upstairs. Unfortunately it is the best that I can do for her, and even this may be too much. My religion requires me to gain compensation for any use of healing magic I may perform. So says the God of the First Vault."
"So I am sorry miss, unless you happen to have a head-cold or a burning in your throat this will be no more than lightly flavored water, unlikely to fill your belly."
"Banker Dhatri, a word if you please." Nicolai will move a little away from the rest of the group and will switch to Vudrani, fearing the worst "Aap ladakee kee haalat ke baare mein kya bata sakate hain?"
Nodding as the priest fills him in Nicolai asks again "is bachche ko theek karane ke lie charch ko kitana daan dena hoga? Pulling out his pouch he hands it to Ishani "vahaan 200 sone ke tukade hain aur vahaan parivartan hai, mujhe ummeed hai ki paryaapt hona chaahie."
Stroking his chin he gives the priest a smile "main in logon ko jaanata hoon, ve mujhe apane parivaar kee yaad dilaate hain. ve daan ko halke dhang se sveekaar nahin karenge, isalie yadi aap ise apane beech rakhate hain to main isakee saraahana karata hoon"
"What can you tell me of the girl's condition?"
"How much of a donation would the church require to heal this girl"
"There is 200 gold pieces and change in there. I hope that should suffice?"
"I know people like these, they remind me of my family. They will not accept charity lightly so I would appreciate it if you keep this between ourselves"
Grau opens the door and leads you all inside. Two boys are playing quietly in the living room while a man in the trappings of an Abadaran priest is in the kitchen brewing up something that smells of cinnamon and anise. Grau's face darkens briefly before excusing himself upstairs where ragged coughs are coming from every so often.
** spoiler omitted **
The priest speaks up, though he doesn't move away from his concoction. "Greetings! I am Ishani Dhatri, an acolyte from the bank of Abadar."
Jolon bows politely.
"Greetings to you, Banker Dhatri. I am Jolon Vulture-Heart, an acolyte from the Grand Cathedral of Pharasma."
He fails to sense Dhatri's misgivings, or the conversation above, but he does frown.
"Perhaps I should try to help the girl in your stead, if that's the case. Neither Pharasma, nor the ancestors who speak through me, would make such a demand of the suffering, or force their faithful to make that demand on their behalf."
Then when Nicolai takes the priest aside and speaks to him in a language he doesn't understand, he blinks in surprise, but holds his tongue.