I look to Coran who is smiling at me, "Okay's, well I's will jus' follow ya. Could we not's make them fight's each other?"
"My big worry with that is what if they decide they would rather work together then fight." shivering a bit "It scares me a bit to wonder what horrors two groups that are that organized would unleash on Westcrown if they worked together."
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The rains have picked up again as you make you way into the abandoned park. You trudge through narrow trails with streams of water cutting paths to the river and are quickly covered in muck. A familiar voice calls to you from the underbrush ahead, You've returned! Quick, come in out of the weather."
You follow the voice back to the tunnels where you slept the night before and follow the stocky body of Mother Mudlumm back to a warmer room with a fire going. You can see the worry etched on her face looking over your wounds. "Oh no, this doesn't look good. What has happened this time?"
"We had a rough run in with Whitechin and his group, they hit us hard and well we had to make a deal so he wouldn't kill us all." Coran looks down and embarrassed "He required one of us to stay, he chose Moondark." Coran doesn't make eye contact with Mother Mudlumm.
"Yes Mother, he's had the upper hand, and now we are in his debt. Not a good place to be, for sure. Now he wants us to clean up for him. A band called the Bastards of Erebus. He says he'll take care of Moondark if we don't take care of them..." Emmett's voice rose as he spoke and his cheeks flushed. He realizes at the end and shrugs, unhappy at everything in general...
"Jo 'n' I's are very lucky's to be's alive. We's just has to get rid's of the Bastards 'n' we can get's Moondark back's. Sha...Coran also wants to look's into the Bastards 'n' Whitechin. Do ya know anything's about them?"
I remain standing behind Coran, almost protectively. The fact that Moondark is not with us presently does not upset me too much, but I do look ashamed that it was partly my fault that she was taken.
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Mother Mudlumm blanches hearing of Whitechin taking Moondark as a hostage. The years suddenly seem to weigh on her heavily, "Oh no, that's terrible, but I'm glad most of you are back. I wish Moondark had never gone. She's a tough one, but much too young to be taking these risks. I'm sure Whitechin knew exactly what he was doing. Taking her gives him power not only over you, but me as well."
She turns and moves over to one of her simmering pots and stirs releasing a delightful smell of tomatoes and lamb. "Sending you against the Bastards? I had wondered if they might be in league together. But, I suppose it should be no surprise that these gangs are feuding. If Whitechin fears them, their power must be growing. We have to get her back. And someone needed to deal with the Bastards as well. But, I'm afraid of what that might mean for you. What can I do?"
Coran looks up at Xianae and over the rest of the group "First we need a place to stay and recover before we taken on Whitechin's request his people did a number on us." he pauses thinking "We are hoping to find out more about the Bastards, a little more on Whitechin and well more about Moondark. sigh "If I am remembering right she has been taken prisoner or used against us more than once, what more is she?"
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"You definitely can stay here until you are healed and ready, but Moondark's secrets are hers to tell, not mine." She dishes up several heaping bowls of a vegetable stew with thick tomatoes and lamb and brings it over to you. "As for the Bastards? They are a relatively recent gang and the type that usually falls quickly to the dottari, Hellknights, or even other criminals. I don't think some of those less violent groups who seem to permeate Westcrown like having a group like them calling attention to criminal behavior in the city."
She finishes handing out bowls and continues. "You know, they aren't the only ones lately either. I've been hearing rumors of bandits and highwaymen causing trouble in areas outside the city as well, though the Bastards seem to be the only ones doing it within. They are quite brazen. There have been several attacks by them in the last few weeks, and each time they have left a wooden coin behind. Worst, people have been killed in several of these attacks. Survivors have mentioned tieflings involved in some of the attacks, but that might just be the usual Westcrown bias. I'm afraid I don't know much more."
Coran fishes in his pouch looking for the coin he recovered when Gunar was attacked "A coin like this" he holds it out to Mother Muddlumm "I found this on Gunar's barge after he was attacked."
Coran looks worried "They were muscling him to leave Westcrown because of his religion, what do I need to know about them, with that look on your face and the shiver they seem like bad news."
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"Your friend was lucky although that sounds like a very different motivation than I've heard evidenced by their other attacks. They robbed a jeweler in Rego Pena the night before last. He was lucky too. There have been eight attacks I've heard about in the last 3 weeks. Usually places with small,valuable items. The jeweler, a moneylender, a crafter of fine weapons. He was killed. Maybe he heard them or something, but they killed his wife too. They always leave a wooden token or coin in the shop they've robbed and twice they've scrawled their name on the building's door with a sharp object."
"Sounds like they mean business. Might be best to scout their lair, but to wait them out as they go on a robbery. They'll be more vulnerable in the open, no?"
"Could they be connected in some way, and maybe the robbery's where just a cover so they could get something from the people."
"Sounds like a rising threat that needs to be stopped as much as Whitechin. But how often do they go on these robberies though? Is it every night? We have to be careful lest they notice someone is watching them and alter their habits."
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Mother Mudlumm replies, "Not every night. From what I've heard most of them have been two or three days apart and some as many as a week. And there was a robbery the night before last so tonight would be the earliest I would think." You see here worrying her hands. "I do worry about Moondark being with the goblins longer than necessary. Those little terrors are known to eat people."
Jo sits in his regular corner of the room where his bedroll still lays spreadout on the floor close to the fire. He grimaces as his wounds argue his every move. "Jo's gonna get that Whitechin for this" he thinks to himself.
He listens to the others discuss their next move. Whitechin, Bastards, Erebus - - all too confusing to him. "Who the heck is Gunar? Jo knows Whitechin is a bastard, though! Jo can't wait to put Rosebud on his crown and watch the brains drip out of his big flappy ears!" he smiles to himself at the thought.
His stomach growls distracting him from his thoughts and pains.
"Jo's Hungry. Mudder gots any food?"
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Mother Muddlumm smiles, "Oh yes. I knew there was a chance you'd be back so I definitely made sure to stock up when I visited the city markets today." While the others finish debating plans, Mother slips back into her pantries and brings out a cutting board with a couple huge sticks of salami. "Eating speeds the healing, so get your fill Jo."
Not particularly looking forward to putting his life on the line once again, Emmett closes in on the salami: "I'll have some... When do we wish to head out? And are we to get there?"
Jo makes sure he cuts off Emmett to the Salami ensuring he gets the choicest [largest] one.... er..... two.
Emmett looks at Jo cutting the salami, torn between anger and compassion.
He's just a kid in a giant's body... So powerful, yet so vulnerable! And so dangerous to the group! And yet... Kids learn...
"Thanks for the meat Jo. Soon we'll be knocking at the Bastards' door. We have to bring them down because Moondark is in danger." He tries to smile, but it breaks before forming on his lips. No, I'm still angry...
Jo takes two large hunks of salami. He looks at Emmett.
"What a puny man... no weapons... and that dumb laugh of his creeps Jo out. Wonder whats the group sees in him?" Jo thinks to himself.
"Yeah, Jo feels bad for little girl. But she be awright. She's pretty slippery. Jo finks she sneak away from stoopid Whitechin soon. Won't be surprised iffin she walk right frew dat front door in a few minutes!"
Jo looks toward the entryway of Mother's home hopefully but then gets a little down thinking about it.
"Jo get dat Whitechin. His ears will hang from Jo's necklace soon." he mumbles hanging his head as he heads back to his corner.
I look from Coran to the table and back again. I then head to the table, feeling that Coran is not in any danger here. I sit down beside Emmett and listen to both Emmett and Jo speak. I slowly start to collect some food from the table and begin to eat it, rather hastily. I look up from my food at the mention of the Bastards, but not being able to think of anything add to the conversation; apart from a tap of my axe and a grin, I get back to my eating. Once I have had my fill, I wipe my mouth and collect another plate of food, which I take over to Coran.
Coran has no appetite he keeps thinking of all this group has been through and it is not over it is just the beginning, one of their own in the hands of a crime boss, while we sit here eating and resting doing his bidding Coran not usually a violent man wants to kill White chin for this. He is so lost in his thoughts he doesn't even see Xianae leave his side.
He thinks more as he looks at the young idealists that are here in this room hoping for change, he smiles as Xianae comes back with a plate for him. Thank you his smile broadens maybe they have a chance this motley group against the city of Westcrown and all it can throw at them.
I smile and nod at Coran, but say nothing. Taking my place behind him again.
I understood the same. I'm still lurking in the shadows.
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You all eventually get to sleep with mixed feelings about Whitechin, Moondark, and whether you have lost your way. During the night, Mother Mudlumm quietly tends to your various injuries.
You wake to the smell of another wonderful breakfast from Mother Mudlumm and find that it is a refreshing cool day with no rain. After having a chance to eat your fill, you all head out together, deeper into the ruins of the old city quarter. Most buildings you pass show some signs of damage and some of burned out or crumbling husks. You meet no one on your trek, but sometimes glimpse movement from the corner of your eye. Whether it is human, animal or something else is difficult to say.
At last, you reach the area that you were told to find the old church of Erastil. The area nearby appears to have once housed the homes and businesses of lower middle class residents. Undoubtedly many of them worshiped at this very church. You're able to find a burnt-out shell of a building about 50 feet from the church where you can approach without crossing the open area ahead. From your vantage point, you can see the old church ahead of you. Behind it a number of old businesses still stand though others burned to the ground long ago. The old temple before you has a bell tower in the southeast corner. A large, weather-beaten bow-and-arrow symbol clearly indicates that this used to be the church of Erastil.
After eating breakfast I smile and nod at Mother Mudlumm. I then wash myself off again and do some early morning exercises. On the way to the temple, I stand beside Coran, with my hand on my Axe ... ready in case something attacks us.
When we get to the church I look down to Coran, "Should we's knock?"
Jo awakens feeling amazingly good. "Man, Jo gettin good at gettin better. Thought Jo would be down for days. Maybe it was that Salami!"
Jo rises and see Xianae is up. He watches her clean herself up and thinks that is strange. She looks fine.
Jo goes to the table hoping to find more of that magic salami. He asks for more of it from Mother if she has anymore.
Soon after he grabs Rosebud and heads out following the group. He suddenly becomes apprehensive. "What if what happened last time happens again? Jo better listen to his friends for what to do."
He whistles "Three Blind Mice" as he follows the group towards the church.
Emmett feels better than he would have expected. Somehow, better weather can have a positive impact on the outlook of things. It's only as he crosses the desolate space that the imminent chance of painful, horrendous and slow death dawns on him. What am I doing here? he ponders, but for a few seconds as his familiar starts whistling in tune with Joe. That makes him smile despite himself.
As they reach the church, he pauses and starts a soft chant, his hands moving away from one another, creating a field of energy that he shapes around himself. The field soon covers his whole body before loosing his blue hue and becoming invisible.
He then turns to Xianae: "No! Unless you're looking to repeat your past near-death experience. Surprise is our only advantage."
Coran thanks Mother Mudlumm for her hospitality and assures her that they will do their best to get this done quick so we can get Moondark back.
Coran looks at Emmett and then at Xianae "I have to agree with Emmett that knocking might not be the best idea in this situation." looking back towards Jo and smiles and begins to hum quietly along with the 3 blind mice.
I look from Coran to Emmett and back again, "So how should's we approach?"
Emmett looks at the others: "Anyone of us good at staying out of sight? The Bastards areb likely to have a lookout, and we first need to find where he is..."
Moondark would have been perfect for this...
Byron reluctantly raises a hand.
"I would not say that I am expert at it, per se, but I have some experience with trying to move unseen... I could go and have a look, if you like."
He then shrugs.
"Personally, I think it might be a good idea to take a look at some of the surrounding buildings, and use them as a 'hide' from which to study their lair..."
Coran shakes his head now being woken up by the others talking. He takes a quick listen to both Byron and Emmett, he is getting flustered with his new position not used to giving orders or making decisions.
Coran begins to talk quickly trying to get all of his ideas out as quick as he can before he forgets them. "I am ok at staying out of sight, I used to hide from the Masters of the House when they want work from me. But I think it might be better to go with Byron's idea of searching the surrounding building there might be something we can use to give us an advantage. As well as if we can hide out in one of them and observe the Bastards like Byron Said." He catches his breath and waits.
"Jo don't like no sneakin'!"
I remain standing beside Coran, having taken it upon myself to protect the little shaman from any dangers. As such I will do as he asks, something which appears to be quite obvious from my body language.
Byron nods to Coran.
"Well then, shall we explore one of the closer buildings, first? How about... that one?"
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You circle wide around the church. It isn't hard to find other buildings, ruined and intact to give you cover as you move around. Thus far, you see and hear no signs of activity from any of the nearby buildings.
After about five minutes, you reach a spot where you feel like you can safely observe the building without getting too close. This two-story building is unusual for the miniature chairs hanging above the doorway from large hooks. Odds are good this was once a carpenter's shop, probably one specializing in chairs. The ground floor window is boarded up, but the boards are of quality wood and cut very evenly.