Cameron sits down on one of the chairs and sighs deeply. After a moment to compose himself he tells Caithlinn, "We've had an eventful day. Some you know of course, some you possibly don't. Anyway we decided to have a look-see under the goblin. Ran into that imp, and later Bojask who had a number of rather alarming claims. He told us that Saul was planning to kill somebody we cared about tonight. He also claimed his pig ate Larur and he was responsible for at least one working girl's death."
In our haste ta check tha wee lass, we skipped on our search a' Saul's bilges."
Caithlinn listens to Cameron
Saul was behind this? You're sure? It's unbelievable..
She looks thoughtful, and smiles silently at Natalya, taking some tea
Maybe I was becoming too confident, with what little peace I bought. My house was safe for hundred of years.
Feeling she has said too little and too much, she puts the cup of tea on the table, and speaks.
Maybe you haven't seen the sign engraved over the main door of my house, or if you have seen it, you don't know what it means. It means this house is safe, untouchable, by any thief or burglar from Riddleport. I've paid the Crimelords quite a sum of money to be safe. Not the current Crimelords, but others, years ago, decades before Nessa. We had a bargain, a deal. I know the local gang of thieves uses beggars to keep an eye on my house. I know that because I give some money, and food, to the beggars, to thank them, and so they are happy to look after my home, even if it's their task. So I guess Saul would have used non-local thoughs, who don't know or don't care for the rules of the Crimelords. As Saul was highly involved in the crime life, he can't be ignorant of that. He must be desperate...
We heard the screams, and the shouts, in the street. We didn't dared to watch outside. I told Samaritha to watch over Sylee. Sam is a good girl, but like many good girls, she has a soft heart. Yesterday she was in the kitchen with Runter, and he cut himself while cookin".. she nearly fainted.
Caithlinn smiles, quickly
So I guessed it was better not to let her seeing or hearing too much of the action outside. I don't know who was our vigilante, but I'm glad he was there.
Cameron replies, "Well we only have Bojask's word on that, not exactly Mr trustworthy. Still I think he meant it. Oh and we had noticed the mark but didn't know it's significance. Of course the question is what next?"
I'd be glad if you stay the rest of the night, all of you.Did you say that Bojask killed a prostitute? Did he told in which circumstances?
That's kind of you Caithlinn, thank you smiles Natalya
No Bojask just suggested it, didn't give any details. He was in thick with Saul though it seems, enough to know he was going to try something here...
The tea in her cup shakes though it sits on the table in front of her. She glances at it and it is still.
I am loathe to ask but whilst we can stay tonight, sooner or later we'll have to leave to deal with Saul, can you and your household hold on in the meantime? Keep everyone safe?[/b]
Cameron shakes his head, as if he can't understand what happened, "The circumstances where the darnedest thing. Bojask and his trained war pig," he sighs, "Yes really, a trained war pig. Anyway they attacked us but we got the better of him and he surrendered. That's when he told us about the prostitute, I believe he meant it, he had the eyes of a cold blooded killer. Made Alayna real mad. He tried to bargain for his release, offering to tell us Saul's plans for tonight if we let him go." Something in Cameron's face makes it obvious Bojask didn't get away, and that he can't really comprehend Bojask's actions. Why on earth did he tell us anything? Why stay silent when it was obvious his deal wasn't accepted?
Therric nods. "It didn't help him any."
"Nay, he came to the bloody an' pain ridden end he earned." Alayna says the words but her face seems to mask something deeper. [i]The pig deserved wha' he got, but I'll nae forget the squeals he made as 'e went/[i]
As I told you, my house is probably one of the safest in Riddleport. At least I hope it still is. Of course if a dragon would attack the town, I wouldn't fare better than anyone else, but I guess that against the regular scum that haunt the streets, I'm protected. I know it.
"Would the Crimelords still support you, even if Saul's behind all this?"
We still have to discover what it is that Saul doesn't want people to see. First the prostitute... And then Larur... What could they have both discovered? Probably more than just Saul misappropriating money.
"If only we could discover who the girl was and in what circumstances she was killed, that might give us some hints about Saul's motivations... But unless she was killed recently, tracking her down could be too difficult. However, we know someone Saul is afraid of. He seemed genuinely distressed when he realised that he couldn't pay Zilcher back. Maybe there was more at stake with this deal than we first thought."
Cameron comments, "I think they would Zahel, Saul made himself rather unpopular with Zilcher."
"I cannae think a' one friend o' Saul's. But I be thinkin' we need ta get back to what Bojask was guardin'"
Therric nods in agreement. "Do we have time to go?"
We've made sure all is well, we should go and see what was so important to Saul...
her tail flicks towards the stairs
...if we can pry Nessa from Sylee's hug that is...
Cameron can't help agreeing with Natalya, but somewhat sheepishly he says "I feel kinda bad sending Therric to prize her away from Sylee. Maybe I should do it?"
"Oh, it's no problem at all, Cameron." Therric says as he goes to Sylee's room.
He stops in front of the door and knocks on it.
Alayna waits with Caithlinn. A bit timid at first, she brings up what's on her mind. "Do ya 'ave in yer memory wot I said about us being the wrong fosterin' for the lass?" When Caithlinn nods and says that she does, Alayna continues. "This is tha kind o' thing I was meanin'. Midnight capers and bringing danger directly to Sylee's port." An' now tell her how you appre'shate her loyalty! She steps in close and gives the older woman a hug, "An' thank be the gods tha' you be watchin' over such a gem."
Therric heard nothing from Nessa and Sylee's room but from down the hall where Caithlinn's was he could hear a familiar sounding snore.
Not wanting to unintentionally wake anyone up, Therric slowly makes his way towards Caithlinn's room.
...I don't blame her, for wanting to sleep. What am I going to tell Cameron?
Caithlinn hugs back Alayna
I will do my best to protect her, you know. I've always done my best, all theses years, with every child I had. Sometimes it wasn't enough.. Saul must have been desperate to attack this place, and I fail to see his point. Maybe he was hoping to take Sylee hostage? But his assault was doomed, and he couldn't ignore it. I'm sure Saul must be running away now, or hidin". He won't come back at the Gold Goblin, I think. Let's hope you can find some clues there, if you must go back...
Therric peeks into Caithlinn's room, swallows, and whispers...
"Nessa? Nessa?"
Therric can see Nessa in the bed, under the covers, her wings tucked around Sylee, and asleep. She didn't seem to notice him whispering as she continued to sleep.
Therric tiptoes closer to Nessa and gently taps her on her shoulder.
"Nessa?" He whispers with a guilty look on his face.
Natalya taps her foot, glancing up at the stairs frequently before sighing
It ain't like her to be sleeping, an' we're losing the light
She walks to the bottom of the stairs and calls up
Therric? Therric! Be confident man, girls like that! No time for politeness if we're to head on back out!
Cameron glances at Natalya and mutters, "Oh dear I suppose I'd better go up there, could get awkward..."
Shacking his head he walks first to the kitchen and then up the stairs and spots Therric hovering on the threshold. With a lump in his throat Cameron ahems and whispers to the paladin, "I uh have a plan of sorts. I'm afraid it's not exactly fair..."
He pulls out the plate of piping hot honey cake he's been hiding behind his back. The delicious aroma would have given the game away if Therric hadn't been so distracted. Handing the plate to him he suggests, "Waft this under their noses. If that doesn't wake Nessa up, I'm certain it'll wake Sylee!"
Therric does as Cameron instructs, taking a couple of honey cakes and waving them under Nessa & Sylee's noses.
While Nessa didn't seem to notice the honey cakes herself Sylee did. The little girl quickly woke up and said, "Mommy, wake up, the pretty man has honey cakes!" Nessa didn't seem quite with it though and so Sylee began to wriggle her way free. Just as the little girl slipped free Nessa felt the empty spot and started awake. Her wings mantled in reflex and batted Sylee, the force catching her off guard and nearly knocking her from the bed.
Nessa realized what had happened and lunged, grabbing Sylee's arm and pulling her back from the edge. She looked panicked at what had just happened and seemed about to start sobbing when Sylee cried out, "Wheee!" She was using Nessa's grip as a pivot and swing side to side enjoying herself as she reached for the honey cakes.
Realizing the child was unhurt Nessa smiled and pulled her down to sit and reached out for the plate, "Here, we'll be down in a few minutes." Sylee plopped down and sat, wriggling eagerly like a puppy as she stared at the honey cakes covetously.
Therric momentarily winces and reaches out to catch Sylee when Nessa's wings smack into her and threaten to knock her off the bed, but Nessa beats him to it.
He sighs with relief and gives Sylee a plate of honey cakes. "Alrighty then, I'll leave you to it--don't take too long, now." He smiles at the two and starts walking out the door.
When Nessa is finally awake, and ready to go, you go back to the Gold Goblin.
After a few minutes walk in Riddleport-by-night, you hear a female voice
Hello, cuties...anyone of you want some good company? The night is chillin", and my bed is welcoming..
The woman is in her early twenties, and has probably seen happyer years. Still, there is some sparkles in her eyes.
With a sad smile (because he wishes life didn't force girls into selling themselves), Cameron replies, "Sorry lass, if I was looking for that kind of company I'd never have left the house." Caithlinn had made that much clear on several occasions.
Instead he flicks her a gold coin and says, "Get yourself something proper to eat lass. No strings attached."
After finishing the honey cakes with her daughter Nessa tucked Sylee into her own bed and went back downstairs. They left the house once again and it was on the way that they were accosted by the street walker. Nessa looked at the woman and said, "He's right, Caithlinn wouldn't be happy if she didn't get to have him first. As for the rest of them, well, they already have me, I doubt you'll get any business from them sister." She looked the harlot over and considered her appearance, she wasn't unattractive, and Nessa said, "You're rather pretty actually, a sparkle in your eye, maybe we can work something out." She looked a bit guilty, "But not right now."
The prostitute thanks Cameron profusely, and takes the gold
Thank you! Hope for you this isn't your last one... if you ever want some good time, asks for Dathy!
She blows a kiss to Cameron and run away.
You finally reach the Gold Goblin. The place seems quiet, and everything is dark.
As they get near the goblin, Cameron tries to keep his eyes and ears open. It's been a very long day he finds it hard to stay alert.
Using the back door key, Cameron let's them in after a short prayer. He motion for silence and if he doesn't hear anything he'll lead the party back to Bojask's room
Zahel kept his crossbow ready, watching out for any suspicious movement.
The Gold Goblin is still dark and silent.
You reach the undergrounds...
Of course, as you come closer to the room where you left Bojask, its less silent: the various beasts make themselves heard, in an animal cacophony.
The dead beastmaster (and hired killer) body is still here.
Five mangy dogs are barking at you, and two monkeys lets angry screeches.
Cameron sighs, "Oh by the Dreamer, what do we do with these? Sell the Monkeys to sailors? What about the dogs?"
Cameron whispers a prayer.
There is some poor quality food, in small quantity. It wont take long to go back to the kitchen of the GG and find something for the beasts to eat.
And the door can be closed and barred from the outside, if needed.
Cameron distributes the food best as he can and closes the door, saying, "We must come back for these later. Would be awful for the poor things to starve."
Cameron whispers a prayer to Desna before listening at the door (?) to the south. If nothing seems untoward he'll try to open it.