"Madam Lester, please try to remain calm. Lamm has run off into the night. And I will do everything I can to help you get back your son...What is your son's name and when did he go missing?"
Em's soothing tone and kind touch calms the woman. "I was supposed to meet him. He told me if I would pay him 100 gold that he would return Carlisle. Know I am afraid that I have missed my chance. I will give you adventures 100 gold if you will return him to me."
"What of you, Lily? Will you be safe, here, once we leave, or will you come with us?"
"I'm not sure, but I ain't got nowhere to go. I need help." She starts crying and scratching her arms.
"Hello friend...Got anything you want to tell me before the big guy runs out of food?"
The bartender looks as if he wants to slap Lily, but he keeps his mouth shut. He responds to the Half Orc though. "Look...I own a business. Lamm does business here. It is none of my concern what he does legal or illegal. He tells me to give messages and I do it. Am I different from any bartender?" He looks around and shrugs. He points at Garvid. "That guy jumps up and kills this man for what? Giving him a bad look? He was unarmed. If you don't think I'm going to tell the guard that, you are crazy. This guy..." Points to Sam. "...pulled a blade. He got what he deserved. So you ask me what type of info I got...I just gave it to you."
The bartender turns toward Em. "That is my lady and our relationship is none of YOUR business."
He walks around the bar. "As a matter of fact, take the rich b~%#% and get out of here."
As Garvid is eating Em's bangers and mash, he notices a CARD sitting under the bowl. He looks at the back of the card and reads THIS.
Picking up the flagon in question, Garvid overhears the conversation and walks quietly to the bar, sitting and staring the bartender straight in the eye. "Tell the guard, huh? Hm... It's Toilday night. That means Finnywhinkle and O'Reilly are on duty in here tonight. Will probably stop at the Pig for a pint. Finnywhinkle was promoted two months ago, I was at the ceremony. Got a brass badge, and I think it was actually my old one, even. Commander Avar doesn't like wasting anything." Smirking slightly. "So, buddy, little story, think it's relevant to what's happened here tonight. End of last Gozran, there was a bit of trouble somewhere around these parts. Don't ask me how I know this particular story, because I'll tell you some lies. It was quite the troublesome month, so the Guards were actually patrolling in groups of four. There was Corporal Finnywhinkle, a Sergeant Marks, big man, heard that he left and became an adventurer somewhere in deep Varisia, and this young girl, just joined about quarter of an year ago. The Guard actually pay decent money, believe it or not." Garvid takes a deep sip and sets down his flagon at the bar, no intention of leaving any time. "Now, these three folks were led by a captain, can't really remember his name, I don't really know why. I remember he was quite handy with a halberd, though. So these folk end up following some shouting around the back streets, seeing a guy beaten down by three thugs, and a young girl screaming for help. People said they were out on a small date, as the guy just finished apprenticeship somewhere. So, obviously, the guards went to see and break the fight, you know, as they should. Being semi-competent at their job, they break the fight, and the young one, I think Marissa, her name was, decides to go back and start telling people to clear off from the street, as some guy pops out, shouts something about flatfoots and swings a chain at the girl. Wrapped around her neck, snapped it, send her flying across the street, throwing the chain and surrendering after." Garvid's hand begins shaking as he lifts the flagon again, some ale spilling on his jacket. "Now, I heard that the captain may have been a bit too drastic taking in a volunteering captive. Stories about bending his gauntlets in the man's forehead. Which, surprisingly, didn't give in."
A funnily bent gauntlet-clad glove places itself on Garvid's chin. "Turns out, there was a group of three kids, that, the guards said, were nowhere near the place, that swore to all the gods they can muster that the chain-wielding man was at home with their mother at that particular night. The mother confirmed too. I never seen someone cry about giving life-saving evidence before... I mean, I heard that she cried. Funnily enough, the young couple's house had suspiciously burned down the day before. Accidents happen, is what I'm saying.", nodding at Mack's corpse, lying in it's own liquids and many liquors of roughly the same quality and taste.
The flagon in Garvid's right hand bursts, splinters falling on the bar. "Sorry about that. I'll pay you for that.", his eyes glaring with immense hatred at McGinnis. "Funny little story, I think." Standing up, one meaty paw grabs the bartender by the scruff of the neck and begins speaking in a guttural voice. "I had to bloody go and explain to Marissa's missus why the hell she died on a patrol with me. I gave her the bloody half a dozen golden pieces given by the guard, and may have accidentally forgot my pouch in there as well, but do you f**%ing think that's f$$+ing worth it? Just because some little-pricked grime-faced shit-stinking dockworker couldn't f+*+ing manage not to f&&&ing surrender without having the shitty ass upper hand, despite the fact he's going to walk anyway, because he's friends with a rotting old pervert?"
Realising he's raised his hand in the air towards the bartender's face, Garvid lets it down, sitting down on the chair. Man, I've not been myself last two weeks... I killed two people... well, I killed those two, don't know if they count as people...
Pulling a splinter from his already injured hand, and tossing it behind the bar in the puddle, and begins to re-wrap the hand. "So, you're saying all you just run messages, huh?", Garvid smiles, calm for a moment. "Well, tell Lamm this. I am not going to kill him. Oh, no, I'm not. I'll go to whatever rotten rat-hole he's hiding in. I'll butcher that little lizard he has as a pet, I'll tear it's skull in two if I have to.", pulling out another splinter, carefully, then chucking it on the corpse, landing exactly on the point of impact, sticking out of the reddish-gray matter. "Then I'll break every single one of his bones, I'll drag his open wounds on the dirt, leave him outside the garrison for the night, then pay the best healer in Korvosa to patch him up for the trial. And I'm going to have a word with the executioner. Parshy, his name is. And there isn't going to be a drop. I think the town record is just over 12 minutes. I'm hoping for double that. There's potions. Then... I'll have a medium rare rib-eye steak."
"Um... One whiskey please," Manius asks the bartender, absent-mindedly playing with his gloves while staring off into space, "And another ale for the big guy." He pulls another gold coin from his belt pouch and places it on the bar.
"I was supposed to meet him. He told me if I would pay him 100 gold that he would return Carlisle. Know I am afraid that I have missed my chance. I will give you adventurers 100 gold if you will return him to me."
It was good that the singer had calmed as the barkeeper was getting on her last nerve.
She focused on Dinah Lester first. "Madam Lester, we will do what we can to rescue Carlisle. If you can provide us with a little more detail: his age, colouring, build, how long ago he was taken, it will aid us in locating your son. We will then escort you home, to ensure you are not set upon by one of the 'Little Lambs'."
As Garvid and Orcsson shared words with the offensive barkeep, Emilia took the time to quietly continue speaking with Lily,
"You have no family, no friends who can take you in, give you shelter and protection, Lily? McGinnis said you are his lady. Are you married to this...man?"
Emilia had some tasteful words to give to the barkeeper and if he continued to attempt to stop Lily from leaving, if that was her desire, then she would. It seemed McGinnis had his hands full with Garvid and Orcsson at present and she was fine with that.
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"Um... One whiskey please...And another ale for the big guy."
The bartender pours the drinks and keeps his head down. He sets the whiskey bottle on the bar in front of Orcsson and heads back into the kitchen after Garvid's tirade.
"Madam Lester, we will do what we can to rescue Carlisle. If you can provide us with a little more detail: his age, colouring, build, how long ago he was taken, it will aid us in locating your son. We will then escort you home, to ensure you are not set upon by one of the 'Little Lambs'."
Lester sits up. She smiles as she describes her son. "He is nine years old. He is a little skinny. He has beautiful golden blond hair and sparkling blue eyes." Her face darkens a bit. "He disappeared two nights ago. I received a letter from a man named Lamm." She holds back tears. "He said I would never see Carlisle again unless I met him here with 100 gold. He said he would send me a body part every day until he got the gold. I am afraid that it will happen unless you find him tomorrow." Your support is the only thing keeping her from being hysterical.
"You have no family, no friends who can take you in, give you shelter and protection, Lily? McGinnis said you are his lady. Are you married to this...man?"
Lily continues to help Em aid Lester. "No I'm not married to him. He won't let me go though. I'm..." She lowers her head. "Addicted to drugs. He provides them. I want to get help."
"Madam, I swear on my life no harm shall come of your boy," Sure hope saying that doesn't come back to bite me, "Now let's get you home safely." He offers a hand to help Madam Lester up.
"You're coming too!" he says to Lily, "Staying here isn't good for you. We'll find you somewhere else to sleep and some help in the morning. Now, come on. Drink up!"
Manius takes another swig of the whiskey.
So they had until tomorrow to find the boy and she had to somehow figure how to get Lily out of her predicament and safely away some place else. Her dark eyes flicked to the two males sitting at the counter, drinking, and wondered, if any of this concerned them.
Pushing back a strand of dark hair that had come loose, she responded to the singer, "Madam Lester, you have my apologies for the ruined exchange with Lamm this night. I thank you for the other details you have provided regarding your son and his abduction. I will speak with my companions in a moment." The smile on Emilia's face was steady, albeit not overly confident that she could rein in the two fighters at the counter and have them search for the missing boy. But, she would try. Emilia reached out and grasped the singer's hand as she understood well enough the anguish that came with family and Lamm.
At Lily's disclosure that she had no where to turn and was desperate for help to turn her life around, Emilia pondered the situation and believed she had a possible solution. The priestess would not feel right leaving the serving girl behind and to who knows what treatment at the hands of McGinnis.
Once more in lowered voice, she continued,
"Do you owe him coin for the drugs, Lily? He does not own you, and, you may leave upon your choosing. I am on good terms with Bishop Keppira d'Bear at The Grand Cathedral. I believe she can find you a safe place there and help you overcome the Shiver and stay clean. Will you leave with me this night? I can take you to the Bishop."
Lily continues to Em, "I ran away from my caravan hoping to make it big in the city. I have no family. I've just been trying to live."
To Lily: "Staying here isn't good for you. We'll find you somewhere else to sleep and some help in the morning. Now, come on. Drink up!"
Lily takes a shot of whiskey. "I have nowhere to go and I doubt anyone would want a 'shiver whore' around. When I ain't got it, I get real ugly."
"Madam Lester, you have my apologies for the ruined exchange with Lamm this night. I thank you for the other details you have provided regarding your son and his abduction. I will speak with my companions in a moment."
"Thank you."
Hearing Em say the word companions, Orcsson attempts to aid the cleric:
"Madam, I swear on my life no harm shall come of your boy...Now let's get you home safely." He offers a hand to help Madam Lester up.
She uses his hand to stand.
Lester looks to Em, "If you can help me, here is a backpack with the one hundred gold. "
"Do you owe him coin for the drugs, Lily? He does not own you, and, you may leave upon your choosing. I am on good terms with Bishop Keppira d'Bear at The Grand Cathedral. I believe she can find you a safe place there and help you overcome the Shiver and stay clean. Will you leave with me this night? I can take you to the Bishop.""
Lily looks at Em in shock. "No. He owes me, but if I can get away from him that is payment enough. This Bishop would take me? I could be...like you? Someone who helps others?" She sits stunned. "Yes! I will go!"
"Children sway in war's voracious wind like reeds
Their very childhood bleeds
Singing songs of annihilation
malignant desolation
Blowing in wavering wind like a rhyme
Born in the wrong place, at the wrong time
Doomed wherever winds may blow to follow
Their pestilent lives hollow
Inconsquential
Illogical!"
He stepped back away from the young bandit leader, motioning toward the children vainly attempting to keep their blood in with their hands.
Lester looks to Em, "If you can help me, here is a backpack with the one hundred gold."
Emilia looked at the pack containing the gold coin which the singer was offering them in reward for finding her son. Deep down, the priestess did not feel right about taking the woman's money. Aye, the gold would come in useful, especially now she was helping to support her family, and, Emilia was certain the two males would gladly and readily accept the coin. However, retrieving the boy was not about the money but righting a wrong and thwarting Lamm - thus putting an end to his reign and terror.
"Madam Lester, you are generous in your offer, yet you do not have to pay us to find your son and return him to you. If you would like to make recompense, then might I suggest a small donation to the The Grand Cathedral of Pharasma? The gold would be spent on the temple's charitable works in the poorer wards." Emilia dared not look at either male lest she see an angry scowl or two.
"No. He owes me, but if I can get away from him that is payment enough. This Bishop would take me? I could be...like you? Someone who helps others?" She sits stunned. "Yes! I will go!"
Emilia heard the excitement in the serving girl's voice and acceptance. She responded as honestly as she could in order to ready the girl for any event,
"Lily, I cannot make any promises on the Bishop's behalf. However, you will have a place to live and your addiction healed, if that is your wish. You may speak with Bishop d'Bear as to your future with the Pharasmins. If it is your desire to help people, then let it be known to her. Go collect what you will take with you, or come as you are, and I shall find some clothes and such if you fear McGinnis detaining you, here, once he returns."
Finally hazarding a look at Garvid and Orcsson, the Pharasmin priestess lifted her chin (a mixture of defiance, bravado and pride in her posture) and in her throaty voice announced, "If you are done with your drinks, we are ready to leave. There is still much to discuss and undertake before we find our respective beds for the night."
Calcedon steps away from Teron and begins reciting a haunting ode.
"Children sway in war's voracious wind like reeds
Their very childhood bleeds
Singing songs of annihilation
malignant desolation
Blowing in wavering wind like a rhyme
Born in the wrong place, at the wrong time
Doomed wherever winds may blow to follow
Their pestilent lives hollow
Inconsquential
Illogical!"
The words seem to invigorate the two "allies" who have engaged with the enemy.
With his wound and the fact that the "rich man" is handy with a sword, Teron takes the opportunity presented and sprints away from trouble. "I'll catch you again when you least expect it Mouse!"
The lone orphan sprints after him.
One orphan lays unconscious on the ground. One is slowly dying next to him. The last two enemies have fled.
Running over to him, she wads up the edge of his shirt and starts pressing it against the wound under his arm, trying to slow the flow of blood. I hope that's how this works...it's how I seen other folks do it...
Even though you are unsure of how to stop the bleeding, your efforts must have done something because the orphan looks stable now. The two remain unconscious though.
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"Yup, I'm ready to clear off." Manius adjusts his backpack so it's comfortable, and heads towards the door, holding it open for the others.
"Oh, and Emilia? Good work with the ladies," Manius says, giving her a smile. Because I didn't even notice them... Oops.
Seeing those that came to his aid concerned over the fallen children, Calcedon is encouraged to see possibly some kindred souls. He walks over toward the prone forms as blood continues to drip out of his own back, making a trail on the ground. "I can heal them, but it looks as if they will make it until we take them off the streets. My name is Calcedon, and I am grateful for your aid."He gave a short bow, not showing any signs of pain.
He walked over and picked up his glove that had been discarded in the thick of the fight, putting it back on his three fingered hand. He consciously checked his violin to see if it was okay, and finally noticed the blood on the case. He pulled out a white handkerchief and began wiping the case. "It seems you knew them, is there anywhere they belong?" As he finished wiping the blood, he took a cautious look inside, noting the condition of the instrument and then breathing a sigh of relief. He reached in the case and pulled out a card. "Hello, what's this?"
After moving the children out of harm's way, she returns. I'm Mouse, and this is Silvio. As for knowin' 'em...it's not an easy answer. The big one we both knew, once upon a time. Don't know if that's still the case. She looks sorrowfully down the street where Teron had retreated.
You from 'round here? If so, ya may know of Gaedren Lamm and his little Lambs, the orphaned kids he takes in and trains up for his gang. That's what these are, and the ones that ran. She hesitates for a moment, as if nervous at what her next admission will bring. Was us, too. It's how we knew the big one. But we left that behind, ain't a part of it anymore.
I just...they're kids, and most don't know nothin' different. I sure didn't. I couldn't leave him to lay there dyin' in the street.
As Calcedon begins to work with his case, Marial continues. The only place they got is Gaedren's, but I ain't sendin' 'em back there if I can help it. Wouldn't surprise me if all that got 'em was a whip across the back for failin', or worse.
I got a room in Old Town, but that's gonna be tight already with just us two, ain't got space for two kids. Maybe we could see if one of the churches could take 'em, at least patch 'em up and feed 'em for the night? Pharasma's Grand Cathedral is just that way a bit.
As Calcedon opens his case and finds the card, Marial notices his perplexed expression. What's what? she asks, and then lets out a small gasp, turning to Silvio. Sil... she whispers, he's got one of them cards too.
Answering her question before her confession, he spoke boldly and unafraid. "I actually come from the east side of the river. But I do know Lamm." He sighed in resignation. It was indeed fate, for his uncle couldn't have set this up from beyond the grave.
"It takes great strength to choose a new path, but it is something of which we are all capable. I also have turned from a dark path in my past, so you will receive no judgement from me." That was likely sufficient for the time being. Careless words would not accomplish anything beneficial for those under his charge.
" With Pharasma is a fine enough place to leave them for now. There's plenty of room at my house, but I'm afraid it is a bit too far. It seems I have an appointment to keep." He held the card in between the gloved fingers of his good hand before tucking it away in his doublet.
"I'll help you with the boy as well. Otherwise the guard or a stray hellknight will insist on taking them into their custody. I'm not particularly sure that's necessary." Without really waiting for either response or for them to elaborate on their secret, he grabbed the more injured boy and started off towards the Cathedral. If he started to take a turn for the worse, Cal could use his healing on him, so he figured a closer eye on the boy was warranted. "We would do better to talk along the way instead of gabbing about like a group of old widows in the street, don't you think?"
Silvio looks at the face of the Lamb he had stabbed and who was bleeding on the stones. Suddenly, outside of the heart-pounding intensity of the fight, he recognized the face. "Del? Oh gods, Del!" He looks up to Marial. "I know him. He carries messages for Kilain sometimes. We have to help." He moves away as Calcedon and Marial pick up the boys and begin carrying them to the Cathedral.
Silvio walks with them towards the Cathedral. As they walk, Silvio pulls out his Harrow card to show Cal. "Does it look like this?" he lowers his voice. "Does it ask you to meet at an address at dawn? We both got one too. Something to do with Lamm."
"Oh, and Emilia? Good work with the ladies," Manius says, giving her a smile.
Emilia's dark brow rose high. The gambler's reaction was unexpected; although to be fair she did not know the half-orc male.
She pulled the hood over her hair, as was her customary way of moving about town, and collected her pack. The card was in her pocket and she had yet to speak of it to Garvid or Orcsson. As you walk to the temple, you can show them the card and hear their thoughts on the dawn meeting, she mused privately.
Emilia remembered her manners as she had forgotten to respond to Orcsson in her silent musings.
"You came to the aid of me and my companion, there, as well as the two ladies. You have a unique negotiating manner ... like Garvid, yet different. It reaps rewards. Thank you, Orcsson."
She waited for Dinah and Lily to exit from The Tasty Troll Tavern before crossing the threshold into the street. Emilia turned her head slightly and over her shoulder added in lowered voice, "I would be interested in hearing what you do for a living, apart from gambling, Orcsson. We have some time as we walk toward the temple. Oh, and let's keep an eye out for those Little Lambs, shall we..." a small smile playing across her lips. I wonder how many Little Lambs skulk the streets this night. Has Lamm ordered more on patrol since the fight broke out in the tavern? She watched and listened as she stood in the night; the single lamp post providing light.
"Madam Lester, you are generous in your offer, yet you do not have to pay us to find your son and return him to you. If you would like to make recompense, then might I suggest a small donation to the The Grand Cathedral of Pharasma? The gold would be spent on the temple's charitable works in the poorer wards."
Dinah smiles at Em's offer. "That would be splendid. As a matter of fact, I would not mind the church using it to help rehabilitate this young lady, but that is not my decision. I just want my boy home." She gathers her belongings and continues her conversation with Em before walking the door with the group. "I am not completely sure where you will be staying tonight, but I would like to join you. My place is a long way from here and I do not want to return home without Carlisle."
"Lily, I cannot make any promises on the Bishop's behalf. However, you will have a place to live and your addiction healed, if that is your wish. You may speak with Bishop d'Bear as to your future with the Pharasmins. If it is your desire to help people, then let it be known to her. Go collect what you will take with you, or come as you are, and I shall find some clothes and such if you fear McGinnis detaining you, here, once he returns."
"I don't have nothing of no worth. Just what I'm wearing. If they'll help me, I'll work hard to be like you." She frowns at the kitchen where McGinnis is skulking. "I don't never want to see him again." She follows Dinah out of the tavern.
As the young man ran up aside him, it seemed he had not much more meat on him than the girl, but no elven heritage, and that would explain his willingness to let Calcedon bear the weight. Not a problem, as each should bear what they could. It did seem he did bear an item of equal importance to the card the violinist just found. "It seems someone has gone to great trouble to find enemies of Lamm. If I were a more paranoid individual, I'd expect it to be a trap," he said with a hint of a smile. "A skilled pickpocket can place an item just as easily as he could take, and one of the boys I let run away did something behind my back. The meeting of you is all too convenient, except for one detail. If Lamm were looking to kill me and one or both of you were in on it, then the card and the meeting place would be more trouble than it's worth. It would be far better just to kill me in the street, although there are some that would be quite put out if that happened."
He readjusted the boy in his arms, feeling a bit tired from the day's activities. "I'm sure that a man like Lamm has made plenty of enemies over the years. It's more likely that the card is true, it's just a question of where it came from. And that question, we will find the answer tomorrow, no?"
"I gather from your attire and my eavesdropping you are priest of Pharasma? Can't imagine it's happy circumstance you were here tonight..." Oh, blast, keep the conversation light-hearted you fool! "Uh, so why are we living in fear of murderous, drug-running sheep? This Lamm some kind of demon nature-folk?"
Manius also keeps an eye out for danger.
"I am not completely sure where you will be staying tonight, but I would like to join you. My place is a long way from here and I do not want to return home without Carlisle."
"I shall speak to Bishop D'Bear once we reach the temple. I feel it would be best if we all spent the night, there, and I cannot see the Pharasmins turning us away. I hope that is acceptable, Madam Lester." The singer was amiable to donating to the church (and helping Lily out of her predicament) and that was a fine thing.
"If they'll help me, I'll work hard to be like you."
Emilia was a little embarrassed by the girl's assertions to be just like her. Yet, pleased that she was eager to turn her life around and not remain downtrodden or a victim to brutes and drug peddlers.
"I believe you will work hard and reap the benefits of such labour, Lily. Find your path and be content." It was good that McGinnis was hiding in the kitchen. But it was even better that he probably heard Lily stand up for herself -- she was proud of the girl.
Emilia listened intently to Orcsson's tale of woe at the hands of Lamm. She shuddered at the similarity between he and her late brother. Marcus, you were not the only one to be accused unjustly. It seemed Lamm operated in a particular manner and method and the dormant anger rose within her. Again, Emilia stalled its advance - taking a deep breath before speaking, hoping the scholar would not believe she was angered by him or his revelation.
Her response was discreet (mindful of being on the street) in relation to the brief story of his life,
"You have my deepest sympathies for all that has befallen you. I am intimately familiar with the tactic of which you speak of, for my own brother was also framed by Lamm. I will do what I can to help you restore your reputation." As I work to restore my family's name and honour, she added silently.
When he asked on her own vocation, she gave a brisk nod before continuing in her low, throaty voice, "I am a Priestess of the Lady of Graves. I tend to the tombs around the Grand Cathedral and I am midwife to the poor and misfortunate. And no one would be in The Tasty Troll under happy circumstances..."
Upon his remark regarding sheep and demons, Emilia paused at his meaning and then shook her head before answering the scholar, "Lamm abducts children -- orphans -- and turns them in petty criminals -- making them work for him. You saw two such Lambs in the tavern tonight after the lowly crimelord ran off into the night. That is what these young thieves are called - his "Little Lambs"."
The trip to the Grand Cathedral ends up being uneventful. This fact does not change the knots developing in each of your stomachs as the structure actually comes into view. Though your knowledge of the Church includes the fact that it does not involve itself in evil dealings, the line it walks between the living and the dead seems quite queer to the average layperson. This line is not more adequately displayed than by the land the cathedral sits upon deep in a part of the city known as The Grey.
The gates that surround The Gray are functionally made to keep things in as much as they are out. That awareness awakes in your minds as you remember children's stories about a time when evil Necromancers brought the dead to unlife and plagued Korvosa. The Pharasmins were the city's best defense.
The rod iron gate casts long shadows over the tombstones that litter the landscape tonight. To arrive at the Cathedral, you must follow a cobblestone path which snakes over death's bed chamber.
The further you advance into the miles of cemetery the closer look you get at the cathedral. It is one of the tallest buildings in Korvosa and its ebony walls seemed camouflaged in the evening sky tonight. After several tense minutes, you arrive in front of a fifteen foot black marble set of double doors. You see a THIS on the front of the door.
Garvid stands for a bit, deep in thought as he listens to the conversation. These two've got it. I've got my ale. As soon as Em begins talking to Lily about taking her out, he immediately nails a look on McGinnis, daring him to say anything. I swear, I will punch this guy.
"Yeah. Negotiating. Let's call it that.", smirking at Em's response as he stands from the chair. "Well, I guess that's us settled, then. Always wondered when my time would be to visit the Gray Quarter, though...", grinning at everyone else.
Standing up, he looks at the Mack and Sam bleeding on the ground, then mutters, "See you at the temple, guys." He grabs the bartender's table cloth from the bar, and cleans his halberd's shaft from Mack's cranial content, then dumps it back on the bar.
Walking out of the door, Garvid leans on his halberd. "Well. I'm not going to this place again. Bit of a dodgy crowd." I'll murder for a nice, soft, flat surface. Actually, just for any surface.
-------
As he listens to the conversation about Orcsson, Garvid raises his brow, "Arcane college? I thought most students there were wet-nosed scrawny kids with broken glasses, who can't say two words without stuttering... You don't really look the part... or I'm terribly misinformed...", staring at the rapier. "Well fought too, by the way."
As he notices the similarities between the stories, he grunts. "Well said, sister. I thought Lamm was a problem just for us Old Towners. He's spreading his filth everywhere. Now, to reply to your question earlier, sorry about... the rude answer earlier. I grew up in this shit pit here, but not like most kids. My pa, Sergeant Krein, was the jailor at the dungeon. Grew up in the garrison, mostly running around with the other guards, listening, learning. When I was 15, I joined, nobody asks for documents in here. Been there for nearly two decades, come to think of it. Was a captain, even was pushing for the Commander's spot, the old git said he was retiring soon the moment I said my oath, but he'll be there when we're all dead. Anyway, I'm babbling."
"There was this guy, a son of one of the nobles, used to come here for some 'entertainment'. Now, entertainment is fine and all, but this guy was a serious nut-case. Two girls died from his beatings, I took him in one time, just threw him in the dungeon, knew he was a noble." I'll skip mentioning the fact that I literally threw him in the dungeon. "His family's pulling strings, giving bribes, even had a hellknight showing up about something with 'noble priviledges'. Told her to take a relaxing swim and not bother taking off her armor. Anyway, the guy walked." Limped, more like it. "But, two months ago he ends up dead in a gutter, alongside his guard. Someone whispers to the family that I've been a bad, bad guard, beating up people, and they blamed me. There was even a 'witness', imagine that. Some drunken lout. The boys found him, politely asked him to tell the truth. He was killed the next day after he went out. A coincidential arson, believe it or not. So, it's all rainbows and butterflies, and the Field Marshall herself strolls her booty to the dungeon to tell me that I'll have to be relieved of duty due to suspicious activities."
He takes a deep breath. "Well, that was it. I want Lamm at least as much as you want him. And I was serious about what I want to do to him.", he looks at the ladies, then looks straight down. "Right. I do apologise for my Varisian, gets the best of me sometimes..."
Marial subconsciously hugs the boy in her arms a tiny bit closer to her and keeps close to Silvio as they walk through the eerie landscape. Boy, night time really makes this place lovely, doesn't it? she remarks to Silvio in a hushed tone, simultaneously sarcastic and nervous.
As their footsteps echo on the flagstones, Marial's head pivots back and forth anxiously, but as they reach the steps of the Cathedral, the tension in her expression releases slightly. My hands are full, Sil; you mind knockin'?
"Uh, yeah." Despite his words, Silvio just stares at the door knocker for a couple of seconds. "Oh, right!" he says suddenly, and he reaches out a hand slowly towards the door. Then he's a blur as he raps on the door with the knocker and jumps back.
He looks up at the door and around quickly as if he expects something to jump out and bite him.
After a few minutes, the doors slowly creak open. You peer into the darkness and make out a small hooded frame. A raspy female voice calls out to you from inside the darkness.
"Good evening. How may the Lady of Graves assist you?"
Do you have someone who can see to 'em, maybe a place they can stay, even just for the night? Please, miss - we ain't got much else we can do for 'em.
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Although it stands within Citadel Crest, the Acadamae does not belong to the ward. Faculty and students of the college live within its imposing walls and outsiders may enter only when they come with a purpose, such as delivering food or performing maintenance, or during the Breaching Festival. The only people allowed to live within the Acadamae either teach at or attend the college. Instructors live in apartment suites within the walls for free, while the rent for students’tenement flats and studios are included in their already expensive tuition.Prestigious and highly esteemed, the famed Acadamae attracts students from as far away as distant Geb, and even—to the annoyance of the far-more ancient colleges
there—Cheliax. The Acadamae teaches all eight schools
of magic, but its primary focus lies in conjuration.
Regardless of an apprentice’s specialization (the
Acadamae only teaches specialists) every student at the
college must pass a grueling exam in conjuration in order
to graduate. Thus, the college does not allow its students
to forsake learning of conjuration. Rumors speak of those
attempting to quit the school becoming test subjects for
students of necromancy, but to date no one has verified
these stories.
Shrouded in secrecy, the campus’s 30-foot-high walls
only barely conceal the grand Hall of Summoning. Visitors
and residents cannot hope to ignore the presence of the
Acadamae, but since very few people unconnected with
the college know what happens within it, the place births
abundant (and sometimes ludicrous) rumors.
Silvio steps back as the woman answers, but manages to find his voice. "Um, pardon the interruption. My friends and I were waylaid in the streets. These boys are hurt. Would you be able to help us and them? We would be thankful to the church for any help you can give us."
"We found some wayward souls that need tending. As there is no better place for that, we brought them here. May we come in?
"Well. I'm not going to this place again. Bit of a dodgy crowd."
Emilia was not one prone to easy laughter, but this was the second time this night she had erred in her assessment and she gave a throaty laugh. The sound wasn't exactly one of mirth, but it was genuine and it lasted for only a moment.
"Well said, Garvid." A small smile could be seen from under the priestess' hood.
"You've proven your guardian talents in there, tonight. Except, let us try not to kill a person so prematurely next time we seek answers." The last was not said in a glib fashion -- just sensibly and straightforward.
As Garvid pressed on, telling his story to their small party, Emilia wondered how the gods would ever allow Gaedren Lamm to get away with all his terrible misdeeds. Fate. I wonder what she has in store for you, Lamm...
"My family were silk merchants in Midland. I was born and raised in Pillar Hill until we lost everything that mattered because of Lamm. I would not see another family or individual suffer as I, and others, have suffered." An edge crept into her voice, making the sound all the more raspy. Emilia remembered herself and composed her features and tone.
The hooded figure beacons you in. "The Cathedral is always open to those in need. Please bring the children with me." Like the outside, the inside of the cathedral hall is made of similar black marble. Ollera leads you down several hallways and into a medical room. Several sick humans sleep in beds lining both walls. "Place the children here." She points to two empty beds. "We will see to it that they are healed and taken care of."
After the children are settled, she leads you down another hallway to a study. There are several leather couches and a fireplace that is providing light and heat to the room. There is very little light in the Cathedral except for sparse lanterns.
"Make yourselves at home. I will have Gimble fetch you some refreshments." With that, the priestess leaves you alone in comfort.
The trip to the Grand Cathedral ends up being uneventful. This fact does not change the knots developing in each of your stomachs as the structure actually comes into view. Though your knowledge of the Church includes the fact that it does not involve itself in evil dealings, the line it walks between the living and the dead seems quite queer to the average layperson. This line is not more adequately displayed than by the land the cathedral sits upon deep in a part of the city known as The Grey.
The gates that surround The Gray are functionally made to keep things in as much as they are out. That awareness awakes in your minds as you remember children's stories about a time when evil Necromancers brought the dead to unlife and plagued Korvosa. The Pharasmins were the city's best defense.
The rod iron gate casts long shadows over the tombstones that litter the landscape tonight. To arrive at the Cathedral, you must follow a cobblestone path which snakes over death's bed chamber.
The further you advance into the miles of cemetery the closer look you get at the cathedral. It is one of the tallest buildings in Korvosa and its ebony walls seemed camouflaged in the evening sky tonight. After several tense minutes, you arrive in front of a fifteen foot black marble set of double doors. You see a THIS on the front of the door.
Except for you...instead it feels like home.
Thank you, miss. Marial gently deposits the boy in the empty bed, and stops for a moment before retreating. I'm truly sorry, kid, she murmurs softly, smoothing a stray lock of hair from his face. But you'll be all right soon - and hopefully it's a ticket out for ya.
Marial follows the priestess down the hallway to the study, appearing vaguely uncomfortable as she sits on the sofa, as if unaccustomed to such finery or such consideration. She looks at her dirty, blood-stained hands, then self-consciously tries to wipe them on her shirt, which only succeeds in staining her shirt as well. Soon, she gives up the effort and sits back on the sofa, looking at the cut on her arm from the Lamb's dagger.
I wonder why it is she's sittin' us here? she remarks to Silvio as he also sits. Must need somethin', or she'd have just showed us out.
"It is not as daunting as it first appears. Do not be anxious", she instructed her companions as they entered the hallowed grounds.
A blanket of peace settled over her -- When she first arrived at these very gates, barely a woman, she felt intimidated and uncertain. Now, two years had passed, and the Cathedral felt like home (or what remained of the feeling of home).
Emilia lifted the familiar brass knocker and rapped on the door once, waiting for permission to enter.
Silvio pats Del on the shoulder as Marial lays him down. "Now you just rest here, Del. Maybe take some time away from Teron and Lamm. Maybe you can find a different path too." He nods at Marial and follows her and Cal into the sitting room.
The young man squats in front of the fireplace, warming his hands. "I dunno, Marial. Maybe she just wants us to be able to rest too. Not so bad in here. Much better than the outside, though a tad dark." He moves to sit on a couch. He seems to sink down in the couch and you realize how tense he's been. It's probably the first chance to relax for him the whole day. "I could use something to eat," he confesses.
After several minutes, the double doors creak open. A black-hooded figure steps out from the darkness. She offers something to Em. It is a thornless black rose. "Welcome home Sister. Bishop D'Bear is expecting you."
She leads the group through dark marble-walled hallways and stops before a large door. The room behind the door appears to be a study. There are several leather couches and a fireplace that provides light and warmth to the dark room. Seated and standing in the room are three individuals.
"Emilia...I will be right with you. Pardon me for a moment."
___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Mouse/Silvio/Cal:
Two of the ladies who enter the room could not be more different. One is dressed in a fine gown and looks as if she has been crying. Her manners are extremely proper and she walks with grace. The other is dressed in a dirty serving wench's dress and fidgets a lot. She has dark rings under both eyes. She can been seen scratching her arms and she looks around nervously.
Emilia accepted the thornless black rose and the good luck bestowed upon its offering. She wished she had thought to bring one with her, but then again she had not expected to return to the Cathedral this day.
"Thank you, Sister. I shall await the Bishop, patiently."
She heard the Bishop's voice advising she would be with them presently. She gently ushered the two women of her company forward. To her two male companions, she gave a soft, prudent warning, "This is a place of worship and reverence. Please refrain from using colourful language in the presence of the Bishop and the Sisters", the last she directed more toward the outspoken Garvid. She was not intending to offend either of the men -- simply advising them on proper etiquette.
As Emilia quickly adjusted her eyes to the semi-dark room - her gaze moved to the lit fireplace and the three people surrounding it.
She took a few steps forward, the sound of her boots quite muted upon the stone floor. Emilia was garbed like any other disciple of the Lady of Graves -- a long (floor-length) black cape over dark simple clothes (from what an observer could tell), hood drawn over her hair and part of her face and holding a black rose. She was a neat and clean young woman (though her race was not immediately discernible due to the lowered hood). In the dim light coming from the fireplace, one could observe the shiny, silver holy symbol about her neck -- declaring she was one of Pharasma's own. She pushed back the head covering and the people around the fire could make out a fair skinned, dark eyed and haired Human woman of Chelaxian descent.
Wait, who are they? Marial sits further upright in her seat on the plush couch, tensing up and subconsciously leaning slightly between Silvio and the new arrivals, eyeing them warily. The ragged cut on the slight girl's dark-tanned, almost copper-skinned arm is fairly obvious, and the dirt and blood on her hands, face, and clothing make her look very out of place in the luxurious study.
Her shirt and trousers are loose and functional, though the studded leather armor she wears sits close to her torso. Sitting at her feet is a large, well-used backpack, the skull of a large animal lashed to its front. One of the girl's small feet is hooked through the strap, as if even in such a secluded room, she can't fight a subconscious instinct to protect it from being grabbed.
She fidgets nervously with one of many small, tight braids in her dark brown hair. Eyes too wide and too intensely violet to be fully human stare at the newcomers, taking in the details of their appearance, though she remains quiet for the moment. Wonder which one's Emilia? And what in the world that group's doin' together? Ain't a pairin' you'd expect, that's certain...
The silence in the chamber, as they waited for an audience with her superior, was grating to the senses.
Emilia took another step closer to the warm fire and fixed a small smile upon her face and gave formal greeting, "Good evening. I am Priestess Emilia Zorzi, disciple of the Lady of Graves. These are my companions, whose names will be given momentarily. I have brought them here, for sanctuary, as I presume you have sought, too, this night." Emilia's voice had a low, earthy quality -- a natural rasp to its tone. Her deep, dark eyes took in the strangers as she waited for one of them to speak for their small group.
On the sister's side stands a broad man, visibly at the age of thirty. He walks in small, effective steps, as if expecting to walk for hours, and looks around the cathedral's impressive inside with an appraisal look, studying everything in sight with impassive brown eyes. Holy shit, that's a big place. His short hair is black, with the occasional strand of gray, his face not displaying any emotion. He's dressed with a worn leather coat, with a telling red blot on its left side. Under it, a shimmer and the sounds of chain links is heard, a chainmail shirt over a roughly white one covering his rather large torso. A worn, but visibly high quality set of boots walk forward in the room, every other step accompanied by the muffled sound of a halberd's leather bound shaft hitting the floor.
-------
Garvid nods at the reminder regarding the colourful language. "I can be courteous if need be, sister, though I rarely have the opportunity.", smiling in a friendly manner. "Especially in places such as this." I'll just place that somewhere out of reach this time..., as he casually walks over to the fireplace, next to the irons, and places his halberd there carefully. As he returns, he gives a quick smile at the newcomers, then looks around, find a couch, and sits down, arms on the armrests. Thank... Pharasma, I guess. Thank you, Pharasma.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he then raises his head from the comfortable couch. Throwing a look at the present company, he takes off his coat and folds it, putting it on the back of the coat, then turns back to give the appraisal look to the trio. Hey, it's that bard character. Calvinio, or something, his name was... Can't remember. Calcedon! And who's he with. A boy, not sure how old is he, but that's a very, very bad attempt at a beard. He'll get there. And the girl. Arms like ropes... big knuckles... Looks like she's afraid of someone stealing her bag. Probably poor. Half-elf, by the looks of it. Well... ain't today a wonderful day to be in a weird company. We got a caretaker, who helps pregnant girls, a failed arcanist moonlighting as a duelist and a washed out guard, accompanied by a s shiver addict and a high class musician. Hah. Guess we got at least one thing in common with them.
Garvid stands quiet for about half a minute as he studies the others, then leans forwards, smiling with sad eyes, "Rough night, huh? Name's Garvid, pleased to meet you."
As Calcedon deposited the boy in the sickbed, he felt a weight off of his shoulders. They would receive the best of care here, he could sense. Freed from the burden of the boys, he immediately started to think about the acoustics of such a large building. It would be absolutely marvelous to play some Pharisman hymns in this place on his violin, but he had to test it. He made like he was yawning and let out a sigh that went from the top of his register to the bottom within a half second, which was a vocal warm up that his mother had taught him. The reverberation was incredibly exciting and he began compliling a list of tunes in his head that he would have to play in that great hall.
The thought so distracted him, he hardly noticed when they weren't ushered back outside, but invited to stay for refreshments. Of course he would have been fine with it. Horace always told him not to refuse hospitality, as they were not that rich. As they waited, the bard nearly had forgotten the title of the fourth of the eleven songs and was working on committing it to memory when a bundle of people came in the door as well.
He stood regally to greet them, up the the full height of his six and a quarter foot frame. As a male specimen, he was terribly attractive, his blonde hair was not of any practical length, being too long not to be in the way and too short to be tied. His dark brown eyes made his whole pupil seem to disappear in dim light. He was dressed in a black doublet with ceremonial leather overtop. He wore white gloves, to which the astute observer would see the fingers sewn together on the left one. He carried a case that was properly sized to fit a violin, which of course it did.
Of the intruders, Calcedon noted three ladies, a grizzled soldier of some kind and what seemed to be an amusing Half-Orc Fop. Perhaps he had seen some of them before, and his mind started wheeling through the possibilities.
"Dinah Lester, it is you!" He crossed the room and took her hands with enthusiasm. "I did not expect to see you this evening. I'm glad that..." his voice trailed off for a second. He realized her condition was not great, and he was concerned that her health might be in jeopardy. "I wish that it were under better circumstances. Perhaps when you are feeling better, you'll come to visit us at Fordyce manor and sing. It's been a few years since I've heard you and it would be such a treat."
He sheepishly put his left hand behind his head and laughed in a slightly self-deprecating way. "Of course she's not our only visitor. We've only been here for a few minutes and were told that refreshements are on their way. I'm certain there will be enough to share. My name is Calcedon from House Fordyce, and it is a pleasure to make all of your acquaintances."
As he backed off from his fellow bard, he turned and accidentally showed off his rather ugly wounds dug into his back with blood still somewhat oozing past his thoroughly ruined doublet and down the back of his pants. He seemed completely oblivious to it, as he crossed the room again and leaned on the fireplace. In response to Garvid, he said, "I suppose it has indeed been a rough night, more for some than others I imagine." He continued to be diplomatic toward the newcomers, smiling at them genuinely. He'd forgotten most of the list of songs by now, but it had been easy enough to compile them in the first place, it shouldn't be too difficult to do so with a quill in his hand later.
Emilia stood in place, not venturing any closer to the fire so as to allow those in greater need of its warmth, a better vantage/refuge. The Bishop was still occupied with other matters and so the conversation with her would wait until later.
When an acquaintance of Dinah Lester's stepped forward and initiated conversation with the subdued singer, Emilia silently assessed his demeanour and appearance. The tall man introduced himself as Caledon from House Fordyce and it took her but a moment to place the name and the reputation.
"It is good to meet you, Calcedon, even under these not so pleasant circumstances."
As he ventured back to his place by the fire, Emilia had noted the wounds and blood-stained clothing and decided to openly acknowledge the injury.
"Sir, I noted that you have been wounded. Are any of the other members of your party injured, also? I am a trained healer and offer my services before you retire."
Silently noting that all the people present in the chamber were within range and taking the initiative, Emilia reached for her silver holy symbol and concentrated, directing the divine energy outwardly; the healing wave softly washing over the group and those in need.