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"Namaskar, Mireille. Velia," the wizard-priest makes a slight bow, hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest. "My name is Lazarus Logos. We come in peace."
"Hello, children. Ever seen a samsaran pull a rabbit out of his sleeve?" Lazarus introduces Sid.
Sid's red eyes glare about the room, ears twitching and nose itching. *What the BLEEP did you wake me up for? The BLEEPING rabbit needs to say hello to a bunch of Lil Frankie's friends?! Have you lost your BLEEPING mind?!*
Lazarus clears his throat, grateful no one else can understand his familiar's rants.
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As Frankie settles in next to the little brown-haired girl, she smiles shyly. "Um...you have cocoa? May I have some too?" This immediately starts the rest of the children clamoring as well.
"Miss Velia, he's got cocoa mix! If he says it's okay, can you make it for us?"
"Please??? I never get cocoa at home!"
"We'll even help you wash the cups when we're done, Miss Velia!"
Velia stares at Frankie incredulously for a moment and then throws up her hands, much to the delight of the other children. "Fine, fine, cocoa it is. Lad, I hope you brought enough to share with everyone! Iffin' you did, I'll go get some milk warmed up."
Still shaking her head, Velia disappears off into the kitchen while Lazarus settles in and literally produces a rabbit from thin air - or so it appears to the children who gasp and squeal with delight.
"Oh he's so cute!" one small girl with big blue eyes exclaims, immediately reaching out towards Sid with chubby little fingers. "Cara! You need to ask, first!" scolds another, older girl with the same blue eyes - probably Cara's sister. "And remember when that cat scratched you? Not everything likes being petted like Winston does." At mention of his name, the bullmastiff briefly opens one eye before rolling over and going back to sleep.
For her part, Mireille's tense smile shifts to one of genuine happiness and approval as Frankie and Lazarus (and Sid) interact with the children. But then something strange flickers across her face for a moment when Frankie casually mentions that the group had been asked to stop by. "Oh? Hmm. In that case..." Mireille claps her hands together to get the children's attention. "Class? Why don't you go and help Velia in the kitchen for a few minutes? Mireille and her new friends have some things to talk about - dreadful, boring things," she explains with an exaggerated yawn. Still laughing and chattering, the children get to their feet and obediently scramble off into the kitchen.
"I'm sure Velia will be most appreciative but little pitchers have big ears," Mireille sighs. "Your little friend is clearly more than he seems. So Zefiro sent you to check up on me, did he?" She shakes her head, chuckling wryly. "I do believe that paranoia is that man's middle name! He does worry so."
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"Yeah, he did. He's very concerned for you." Meredith sits down."He thinks the Order of the Rack is coming for you, for talking about the past. He and his museum has been monitored as of late."
"Is there somewhere safe we can take you to? The last thing we need are a bunch of Hellknights making a mess of here."
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Frankie smiles and cheers "Cocoa for everyone! Woo! I've got plenty, just try to save me some for later, I dunno where to get more around here..." He digs in his pack and pulls out a large tin canister and a mug for himself.
After they head to the back to make chocolaty treats he smiles at Mireille "Ya he's super worried and I dunno who the hellknights are, but their name sounds scary enough! After cocoa we should sneak you out somewhere's safe and sound."
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"Zefiro said that as one who knows things about the history of this city, you're in danger of being 'disappeared' by the Order of the Rack for spreading 'unrevised' information about Corentyn and Cheliax's past. Zefiro said there's no proof, but he suspects that's why they've been watching the museum and watching him."
"It would be prudent to let us take you someplace safe, where you can lie low until the Order of the Rack finds more interesting prey to pursue."
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Saeran is initially confused by the sudden change of plan, but eventually follows his companions inside. He does not manage to find a good way to step in the conversation though, and he remains silent, apparently lost in his thoughts, for most of the negotiation, until Lazarus gets straight to the point.
“Exactly. We have been sent here to protect you. Please, would you be so kind as to follow us somewhere safer? We know that Mr. Balinger’s museum is being closely monitored, so that is not an option, unfortunately.”
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Brayden remains outside, a watchful eye kept on the nearby streets for any potential threats. He was a paladin in his past life, after all; he just didn't know it yet. One could not be too careful in Cheliax, and worse yet, he and most of the others had no meaningful weapons to defend themselves with.
"Pardon me, friends, just enjoying the fine scenery around these parts," Brayden calls.
"Well...it is true that I've had an encounter or two with the law here before," Mireille admits, her smile slowly slipping as she realizes that apparently Zefiro - and now you - are quite serious about the potential threat to her safety. "And I wouldn't be able to live with myself if my presence caused grief for Velia or the children," she adds, bowing her head.
After a moment's pause, Mireille looks up, her expression determined. "Very well! My home isn't too far from here but I rarely visit it - the Hellknights would likely not think to stop there, at least for a time. If you'd be willing to see me home, I should be able to gather my things and take further steps to conceal myself from there."
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As Mireille speaks you notice that Winston has perked up from his nap, ears up and head cocked to one side as if he can hear something.
As you mill about in your respective watch locations (Brayden casually leaning against a nearby building and Denair watching from the roof of the Fox Den) you spot what look to be a group of three city watch approaching the building....and led by a raven?
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Denair enjoys the air, the sights and sounds of birds, squirrels, some dogs and... huh a cute raven. On top of three soldiers who look like... oh!
Denair knocks on one of the boarded up windows. I hope she remembers the signal for danger. She proceeds to climb down the building, quietly.
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"Oh, my, let's not have the entire neighbourhood heated by the Fox's Den," Brayden says as he notices the guards, closing the door to the place and moving to stand in front of it. He turns to face the door as if he had just been knocking on it.
What will I say I'm visiting for? I hope you have a good idea, Denair.
Mireille immediately tenses up, throwing a nervous glance towards the front door as Brayden quickly pushes it closed again from the outside. She looks towards the window with confusion as a quick knocking is heard from outside.
"Wha...what's going on?" she asks, rising to her feet. "Someone outside?"
From inside the kitchen, Velia looks up at Frankie, her face a bit flushed from the effort of making cocoa and herding several children at once. "Eh? It's comin' along, don't you worry. An' no, I don't need anymore help," she adds quickly. "It'll be done directly; you just head on back out to your friends, okay?"
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Dalen's still simmering anger colors her actions a little as she draw her sword, seeing so many of her companions growing nervous and tense.
"Is there another way out? We'll need to get the children and Velia out of here as well. It doesn't seem like the authorities would care much what happens to anyone caught between them and their prey," she whispers to Mireille, though her voice definitely gets harsher on the last sentence.
The color drains slightly from Velia's face as she finally seems to realize that something's not quite right. "Melody, be a dear an' keep watch on the milk, okay? Seems we might be havin' some more guests in a few minutes," she quietly instructs one of the older girls before turning and hurrying back out into the common room.
"What's goin' on?" she asks tersely upon seeing Mireille standing and several of ready to draw weapons.
"Someone's coming," Mireille whispers back, eyes wide. Turning to Dalen, she nods quickly. "Actually, yes! There's a secret passage out the back that we can use. And my home isn't far from here. If we can just keep from being seen, we should be able to reach it quickly!"
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Meanwhile, outside, Brayden does his best impression of having just walked up to the door of the Fox Den as three city watch come tromping up behind him. "Stand away, citizen!" one of them barks. "We have business here and it'd be in your own best interest to stay clear until it's finished."
"That's right. Plenty of other watering holes around here you can wet your whistle at," a second adds as he reaches out to knock on the door of the Fox Den.
"City watch! Open up!" he calls.
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Lazarus draws his wand of bless from his spring-loaded wrist sheath and activates it.
"Mireille, can you use one of my wands? Monkey fish would enable you to swim and climb for about a minute. It might help you elude your pursuers, if necessary."
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Meredith's eyes widen as everyone draws weapons. "What are you doing? There are children everywhere! We can't start a fight here!"
Meredith walks up to the door. "City Watch? What's going on? Did you catch those burglars yet? They almost stole Aunt Betty's favorite jug of ale!"
Meredith's plan is simple: Get them to think this is the wrong location.
Denair meanwhile crawls on the roof, crawls to the other side and keeps her eyes on that raven. Where is going?
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Outside, Brayden attempts to stall for time, putting his blue hand on the guard's shoulder. "Understood, sir. You know, I really enjoy Corentyn this time of year. I don't know if it's the way the sun's rays shine upon the city's nine great forts, or the flow of the low tide quietly grazing upon the lofty sands." He sighs elaborately. "Come now, there's no need to rush." He urges the guard away. "Business can surely wait. How about a card game? Perhaps you can tell me what sights I may see while in this er, lovely town."
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"Ooo I hear someone at the door, I'll get it Velia! Don't let that cocoa burn!" Frankie rushes into the other room and sees Meredith talking through the door. He moves over behind her and hollers through "What's the magic password! How do we know you aren't that big scary escaped slave and his slave friends! Lets see some ID! We're about to have some cocoa, you like cocoa too?" He says this as he jumps up and down to see them through the foggy glass. Blonde head just barely appearing through it every few seconds as he struggles to see who's out there.
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Dalen decides that she has nothing to add to the attempts at distraction and turns to Mireille and Velia.
"'Ow long t' get th' two o' you an' all o' th' children out o'ere?" The question comes in a harsh whisper full of worry. "I'm sure we'll do our best t' avoid gettin' 'em 'urt, but we need t' get 'em out now."
Dalen prays that they can get them safely out in time as she turns to Lazarus.
"Can you 'elp them get everyone out," she asks, hoping that they'll have the time and coming up with an idea in case they need more.
I really, really hope that I don't have to resort to that plan.
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Brayden engages the lead guard at the door with friendly chatter and to the samsaran's relief, the man actually seems to warm to him a bit. "Aye, it's a beautiful city isn't it? Even down here in the Drenches, there's some mighty fine sights if you know where to look," he agrees, his voice full of pride for his city. "And we're a major trading partner with nearly every single nation and major city in Avistan and Garund both! How many cities can boast of that, eh?"
Then, the man sighs. "You know, a card game would be great right now - it was almost time for my patrol shift to end when we ah...received word of matters here that needed investigating," he continues, clearly trying to be delicate regarding his official business at the Fox Den. "Tell you what, though: my men and I are duty-bound to finish our business here and speak with the people inside but once that's finished how about we meet up over at the Wicked Fork for that card game?"
While Brayden pours on the charm with the lead guard, Denair, still unseen, scurries onto the roof and watches the raven like a hawk. It's behavior is clearly different from a normal raven - it settles on the roof of the building opposite the Fox Den's front door and seems to be watching the activity around the Den quite closely.
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From just on the other side of the Fox Den's front door, Meredith and Frankie can hear Brayden attempt to entice the guard outside with a game of cards - and succeed in getting him distracted enough from his task to wax eloquent about his home city for a few moments.
Just as the man finishes his thought, "...once that's finished how about we meet up over at the Wicked Fork for that card game?", Meredith and Frankie both step in with wild speculation and other inane chatter to distract him further.
"Son, by all accounts that slave's an Ulfen too tall to fit through the door," Blue calls out to Frankie through the door. "I see you jumping up and down, can you see me? Do I look like an Ulfen to you?" he laughs, clearly amused. "Look, I promise I'm not one of the bad guys - city watch, you can see for yourself," the man continues, hefting up a small, polished insignia to the foggy window. "Me and my friends, we help catch bad guys. Now, I heard your mother in there with too - ma'am, I don't know anything about hooch thieves but if there's a crime that's taken place here then we'll do everything we can to help. But it'd be easier to help face-to-face than with a door standing between us," he adds, rather pointedly.
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"Shouldn't take long if you folks can keep them from coming inside," Mireille whispers back to Dalen. Then, to Velia, "Go fetch the children, hurry!"
Velia nods and hurries back into the kitchen. You can hear her snap her fingers to get the children's attention. "Alright! Now that we've heated the milk up good an' hot, the next thing we do is let it cool back down," you hear her say, trying to keep her voice upbeat and cheery. "An' while we do that, Mireille's got a game for us all to play - even the nice boy who brought the cocoa an' his friends! Now come on, follow me!"
A small burst of chatter ensues as the children obediently troop back out into the common room ("That's not how you make cocoa!" "Oh boy, a game! This is the best day ever!") and Mireille smiles widely at them. "I've a new game for us all to play. Do you know hide-and-seek? And tag?" she asks softly and several of the little heads nod in unison. "Well! Today we're going to squash the two together and make a new game - one where we don't hide and we don't run but where we need to be quick and quiet and sneaky like a snake," the elven woman explains quickly. "There's some men outside, some guards who came to play. And they said they'd be 'it' first! So now what we have to do is creep through the streets and try not to let them find us - because they'll be listening. Can you do that?"
Now enthralled by the idea of this new game, the children quickly fall silent as they nod eagerly. "Very good! We'll split into groups and Velia is the leader of your group. You should listen to what she tells you...because I've heard she's really good at this game," Mireille continues with a wink.
"You heard her," Velia laughs, a bit weakly, as she beckons the children towards a room at the back. "Follow me - we'll uh, slip out usin' this secret door an' lose 'em 'fore they know what's happenin'!"
While Velia leads the children into the back room and begins shooing them outside through the secret door one-by-one, Mireille turns back to Lazarus as he blesses the remaining occupants and shakes her head in response to his question. "I'm afraid I have no talents for such things," she whispers. "But I do enjoy a good early-morning swim from time to time when the tide is low - so if we need to take to the canals then I should be able to keep myself afloat."
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Frankie stops jumping for a minute and puts his hands on his little hips "That glass is way too foggy to tell what you're holding up. If its a real badge then slide it under the door so we can tell for sure, but we aren't letting a bunch of Ulfen friends inside so they can help him in after!" He stomps his foot to make his point.
"And another thing, she isn't my Mom, she's just a real nice lady that watches over me. My Mom... my Mom... she's gone... I miss her so much... " And he lays into the tears. The really sobby sad tears that make you think to yourself: Ah crap, what did I just step in, ugghhh I'm such an ass!
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Brayden smiles back at the guard. "The Wicked Fork? I look forward to it. I was invited here for a cocoa party of sorts, and I am unsure what that is, but there was promise of a chocolate fondue set. I don't usually concern myself with such fine things in life, but to travel to Corentyn and not partake in such an exclusive event? Blasphemy. One cannot get chocolate just anywhere, and it's especially rare where I'm from. Let me see if I can help you with this door now. I've knocked a dozen times to no avail. Perhaps they switched the event site? Let's see here..."
Brayden breaks off his purposefully long ramble to turn and play with the door handle a bit. He presses his body up against the door as if to be trying to push it open, but really he's just trying to give everyone inside the heads up that they're nearly out of time. "It appears it's jammed. Allow me, sir, no door will stop your guardship!" He continues to pretend to exert force.
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Still outside, Brayden continues to ramble away about the Wicked Fork and cocoa and chocolate and fondue and oh dear, the door's apparently jammed, what a shame...except this time, the man narrows his eyes suspiciously at Brayden.
"That's funny," he rumbles, "looks to me like you're not even trying to open that door." He steps forward and attempts to push Brayden aside. "I don't know what you're playing at but you'd best stand aside! Otherwise I'll have to place you under arrest for interfering with a watchman in the performance of his duty!"
He continues trying to reach around Brayden and bangs on the door again, this time more firmly. "Now I say again, open up in the name of the law!"
While Brayden struggles to keep the watchman at the front of the Fox Den occupied from her position on the roof Denair watches as first Dalen and then Mireille, Lazarus, and Saeran come spilling out of the secret door at the back of the building.
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Almost immediately after making a second demand that they open the front door, the man begins to stammer and splutter as Frankie breaks down into very convincing tears and sobs.
"I...oh dammit, don't cry lad, I didn't know," he calls out through the door. "Look, I really shouldn't do this but here," he continues as he kneels down and carefully pushes his badge underneath the front door. Meredith and Frankie can both see that it's emblazoned with 'Viro Russa, Corentyn #57'.
"You see? I'm not any sort of Ulfen, son. Ma'am, I promise I'm just here on business, nothing more. It'll just take a quick sweep of the premises and me and my men will be out of your hair," Watchman Russa continues.
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After nodding her thanks at Lazarus for his magical protection, Mireille heads towards the back room right behind Dalen, beckoning for Lazarus and Saeran to follow. All four of you quickly make your way through the secret door, revealed to be the false back of a wardrobe that opens out into the street behind the Fox Den.
Dalen immediately takes to the shadows offered by the building and cautiously makes her way towards the southeastern corner. She peers around and can see another watchman keeping a lookout at the northeastern corner. Luckily, he doesn't spot Dalen peeking at him.
Mireille then looks to Lazarus and Saeran and points at a small house that sits not even 100 ft. from the Fox Den and across the canal. "There, that's my home there! That's where we need to go!" She looks to the three of you that accompany her, her expression questioning, 'Now how do we get there?'
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Denair scurries across the roof, keeping an eye out on the raven. She realizes it's not here to hang out and she begins to make her presence known by brazenly climbing down.
This should get the raven's attention! Hopefully my boss will know I can't come back!
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Meredith checks the badge. "That's a real badge, alright. These guys are the real deal!" she declares out loud so Frankie and the guards can hear.
Swallowing her pride, Meredith changes tactics. "Well look, the slave isn't here, but I know you can't go empty handed. How's about I make you guys some hot cocoa? I was in the middle of making a batch, anyway- I'll finish cooking it and I'll bring some out for you to drink."
Ugh, how am I going to explain all of these chairs and kid's clothing?
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Frankie deftly snags the badge from Meredith once she's done looking at it "Woah, this looks real neat! Do they make you buy your own or do they just give them out? What's this made of?" Frankie lightly bites down on it. I've seen people do this before, it must mean something... ouch!
After taking a look at the badge and seeing the change in tactics, Frankie pockets the badge deep within his clothes and declares "Ok, seems like you guys are the good guys, lemme just get the lock here..." Frankie slides up close to the door and starts fiddling around.
"Ok I think I got it? Try it now! Its kinda tricky, hard to tell if you need to turn it left or right, or maybe right THEN left?" He stands there smiling innocently at Meredith.
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Lazarus whispers to the others, "I'll create another distraction. You guys take Mireille to her home. Don't cut across the open area, go around the buildings to the south. A longer route, but you're less likely to be spotted."
The samsaran summons a fire beetle and screams in a high falsetto, "Help! Save me! There's a giant bug trying to eat me! It crawled out of the stones there!"
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With his scheme foiled, Brayden decides it's time to change tactics. Or perhaps targets. "Very well, sir, give the door a try. What of the other guards? I wish to hear more of their stories, perhaps they may also be interested in a card game! I'll be right back."
The samsaran slips around the northern wall of the Den. "Sir, excuse me, sir? Yes, you," He bows to the green-tuniced guard as he approaches. "How has your day been? Long hours means sore muscles, no doubt. How about we get some of those hot stones and see about a little bit of rest and relaxation? Surely your captain has the situation well under control. Come now," he attempts to wave the guard off. "Let's take a break and talk travels! You see, I'm from Tian Xia, ..." he trails off in a long, drawn out story involving a donkey, an onion, and three juggling gnomes.
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Saeran nods at Lazarus, appreciating his resolve and courage. Inspired by his fellow Pathfinder, the half-elf tries to see Mireille to her home, accompanying her as he keeps both his eyes alert for danger.
"Lead the way, I will ensure no danger harms you," says Saeran to Mireille before start moving.
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In a desperate bid to distract the guards from Mireille and Saeran, Lazarus moves near the southwestern corner of the Fox Den and summons friendly fire beetle. He then screams bloody murder and he's pretty sure that everyone in the West Drenches can hear him!
From around the corner comes an alarmed cry and the sound of thudding footsteps; Purple Guard comes racing around the corner as fast as he can go, a sap held in his hand. At the sight of the fire beetle his eyes bug out of his head.
"Holy smokes, where'd this thing come from!?" he cries, taking a swing at the creature...
...and promptly kills it stone dead, it's legs twitching and curling in on themselves before it simply fades away. Purple is left staring at Lazarus with a look of incredulity on his face.
"Wha...what just happened?"
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