"Well done, Nadya!" exhults Lucien as he moves back to where he was before. Phew, never moved so much while wearing full plate armor... His forehead bathed in sweat, Lucien looks at the flying derro, now pathetically prone before him. "So it is judged" he says solemnly before bringing down his greatsword on his foe.
________________________
"Quick! Get him Lucien and Sebastian! We have but a moment." Nadya grabs her wand and tries to activate it. "One of these days I'm going to get this figured out."
Ayako picks her sling up, not really being able to get in for a good blow, she stays put and lets the menfolk battle.
Vreeg groans and stands up.
He speaks a word in Aklo and the tip of his bone wand begins to glow. He groggily reaches out to touch Sebastian with it but Sebastian is prepared and steps out of the way. Its effect is still a mystery.
Ayako retrieves her sling and waits.
Lucien brings his sword down on the hazy necromancer but the attack is turns aside by a magical barrier. It must have some kind of shield protecting it as well.
Nadya continues to shake her wand. =)
Sebastian retrieves his rapier and stabs at Vreeg and connects.
When Vreeg stands up, he stabs again but fumbles.
Vreeg still has a little fight left in him and this time successfully touches Sebastian with his wand. He then takes off into the air again, flying around the outside of the round until he ends up 15 ft. high against the eastern wall.
Ayako blows chunks on Sebastion.
Ayako then slings another stone at Vreeg
After witnessing Lucien's attack glance off some sort of protective magics, Sebastian shifts his stance to give his thrust more precision.
As he strikes, Sebastian feels the tip of the blade meeting some resistance before pushing clean through. The unexpected resistance forces him off-balance, leaving him open to an attack from Vreeg's bony wand. As the wand's tip makes contact with Sebastian, a fell chill spreads throughout his body and his joints threaten to seize up. But the feeling fades as quickly as it came on. "Hah! Your death magic is powerless, Vreeg!" Sebastian quickly withdraws his rapier just a few inches and jabs in again at a more lethal angle.
As the derro stands up and tries to fly away from them, Lucien takes advantage of the situation to strike another mighty blow at the creature. "No one escapes his judgement" he whispers as he waves his greatsword.
As the derro takes the flight again, Lucien drops his greatsword and fires his crossbow at the creature. May Abadar guide my bolts!
__________________________
Vreeg rises to fly away but then men have had enough. Sebastian stabs Vreeg in the eye and Lucien slices his chest. Vreeg crumbles to the ground in a lifeless pool of black blood.
Vreeg's equipment:
Masterwork Dagger
Blue Whinnis Poison (5 doses)
Bone Wand*
Robe*
Ring*
Wand of Ghoul Touch (43 charges)
Robe of Bones (all figures have been used up)
Ring of Protection +1
Once the necromancer has been dispatched, you can peer into the final room.
This dry, well-kept chamber contains a narrow bed, a relatively empty shelf containing only a few books and some bones and skulls, and a long bench. A man’s torso, the chest bearing numerous tribal tattoos and with the right arm still attached, lies on this bench. The arm periodically thrashes and clutches at the air as if it were alive.
Among the nondescript books on the bookshelf is Vreeg's spellbook. And there is a small bag filled with 5 onyx gems.
Every cantrip (excluding conjuration and illusion ones)
1st: Cause Fear, Chill Touch, Feather Fall, Magic Missile, Ray of Enfeeblement, Sleep
2nd: Blindness/Deafness, Command Undead, Darkness, Shield, Scorching Ray, Scare, Spectral Hand
3rd: False Life, Fly, Gentle Repose, Vampiric Touch, Water Breathing
The onyx gems are worth 100 gp each (500 total).
Ayako is still heaving some and is not able to properly concentrate. b]Well, I guess this takes care of the derro threat, and we have found the remains of the youth.[/b]
Perhaps Nadya can help identify the items. For now, let us get the body as presentable as possible before we hand it over to the Shoanti elders. Ayako will help take the rest of the body out of the warrens.
"Let me see. I think with Zellara's help I may be able to do it." Nadya withdraws the harrow deck from her pouch and holds it out over the items, working to detect each of the items.
After finishing with Vreeg, Nadya helps the others to look through the last room. She nods as she looks through the spellbook. "It will take some work, but there are some spells here that I may be able to add to my deck. We'll have to find a professional to help with these gems. I would only be guessing." She is too busy with the items to see Sebastian's dagger.
After hearing Nadya's report on the items. The robe seems to be expended and thus not valuable. The wand and ring would be useful for those who expect to be in combat, perhaps Lucian or Sebastion?
"I say we just get the parts and get out of here as quickly as we can. That monster has probably crawled out of the pit by now." Sebastian wipes Vreeg's blood from his rapier on the robe, then pulls out a cloth from his pack and polishes it up a bit. "Let the Pharasmins worry about the body. It's their job, isn't it?"
Very well. Ayako helps with the body parts.
"If we give the Bishop a good warning of what they face down here, I'm sure they can lead a group of priests down here to finish clearing and sealing the tunnels up. We should definitely get the body back to Thousand Bones."
You gather up the body parts of Thousand Bone's nephew, Gaekhen, and head to the surface. Although the arm and torso you found in Vreeg's room gives you a small amount of trouble. Vreeg animated it with negative energy and the arm begins to flail blindly when you pick it up, punching whoever it can reach under you subdue it.
Once you arrive at the Grand Cathedral of Pharasma, the clergy there hails you as heroes. The acolytes and children are thankful beyond words and embrace you with tears of joy and relief. Many thought that they weren't going to survive. You learn later on that there was one more acolyte that you weren't able to save. The half-ogre monstrosity took him from the pit to be used as parts for Rolth's creations a few days before the party arrived.
Word of Trinia's fate has been released from the castle while you were gone as well and everyone is abuzz with gossip even in this somber cathedral. Trinia Sabor's trial has concluded. Queen Ileosa has announced that the assassin is to be executed at sunset and has invited many of Korvosa's nobles, military officers, and anyone of any real import to Castle Korvosa's public courtyard to witness the event.
Archbishop Kepirra D'bear offers to prepare Gaekhen's body before you return it to Field Marshall Cressida Kroft. Shoanti tradition requires the body to be whole before the soul can travel to the afterlife. She listens to your story and description of the Dead Warrens and agrees to send a squadron of skilled priests to clear the remaining tunnels and then seal them. Although, she states that it is only a temporary solution; the derro will burrow new tunnels eventually.
As the least they can do for your assistance, all your wounds are heals and ability damage is restored. It also turns out that Sebastian contracted a case of filth fever somewhere down there as well, but a cleric was able to detect and cure it. Before you leave, the orphan Tiora approaches you with a wrapped package. She tells you the bishop gave her blessing to allow her to give this to you. Inside is a wand of cure moderate wounds (50 charges).
Col is here as well. He says for now that he is going to remain and look after the orphans so that nothing else happens to them. Maybe he'll retire from adventuring and set up and alchemist's shop in town somewhere; and maybe he'll even look into adoption.
Ayako pats the girl on the head and thanks her for the gift and to send her thanks tot he bishop. Nadya, perhaps you should carry the wand so all of our eggs are not in one basket.
Ayako thanks Col for his help and hopes he finds fulfillment in his new life.
Ayako sighs at the news. Well...I guess there isn't anything we can do about the execution, unless Sebastion has a cunning plan thought up.
Nadya just shakes her head at the news of Trinia's fate, "I was afraid that was going to happen. I'm afraid I had very little hope she would get a fair trial. I'm sure she's innocent, but I don't know what we could possibly do about it."
To the Bishop, she curtsies and adds, "Thank you Bishop. I'm glad you know the Shoanti traditions. As bad as things for that poor boy and his family must have been, it would be even worse if we returned the body in disrepectful manner. Your gifts of healing and magical assistance are also most welcome. We will put them to good use serving the city in the future. I think you're right about sharing the wands Ayako. I'll go ahead and stow this one until we need it."
She joins Ayako in saying farewell to Col. "We'll miss you Col, but maybe you've found a better calling. Thank you for all of your help. I don't think we'd have ever managed to defeat Lamm without you." She gives him a hug before leaving for the Citadel.
Sebastian bids farewell to Col and leaves an offering of 50 gold sails behind to help care for the children. When they hear the news about the execution, Sebastian is skeptical about Trinia's innocence. "What would we need a cunning plan for? It's a shame for such a pretty head to roll, but she deserves it! The queen would never execute an innocent, especially when the crime was killing the King." As he says it, he can't help but imagine scenarios under which the queen might do such a thing. Something Sabina said when they turned Trinia in to the guards nags at the back of his mind. She said the queen has been acting strangely of late...
Suddenly unsure himself, he turns to Lucien. "Lucien, you were great in there! You said you were a paladin of Abadar, correct? Surely you know more about the courts than we do. Perhaps you might weigh in on the issue?"
Ayako sighs. I have no idea is she is the killer. If she was so skilled to kill the king, no doubt she would have vanished back to whatever assassin guild she belonged to.
Once you say your goodbyes, you head back to Citadel Volshyenek where you are greeted by Field Marshall Cressida Croft who has been eagerly awaiting your return.
"Oh thank goodness! That's one less problem I need to deal with now. Leave the body of the boy with me and I'll handle the delicate prospect of seeing the body is properly handled and returned to Thousand Bones. The Shoanti have very specific traditions and I'd like to avoid angering them any further. Your reward is on the desk; the thousand gold that you were promised. Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to say go and rest up, you've probably already heard that Trinia's trial has concluded, for the news is being trumpeted on every corner of the city."
"I want you to be there. Something about the whole affair doesn't sit right with me, and the way things have been going lately in Korvosa, I'm worried that the execution might trigger yet another riot. The execution is to take place at sunset in Castle Korvosa's public courtyard. It's almost time and you'll want to get there early. Most of the city will be there and I'm sure the crowds are already forming."
"That poor girl... She certainly didn't seem like an assassin to me. Who can know what was said during her trial? I just hope the Queen isn't making a mistake."
No private execution? One would think that it would avoid a riot. Ayako sighs and will leave with the others.
Lucien asked his companions about Kressida Croft and their collaboration with the Korvosan Guard. He was pleased to learn that his new allies were somehow involved in protecting Korvosa. Something he shared with them.
Lucien enters the room with a proud and confindent outlook. He's slightly embarassed by the presence of the Field Marshal in person right in front of him, but his self-confidence enables him to get the better of his initial shyness. "I'm proud to make your acquiescence, Field Marshall Kroft" he says with a respectful bow, "I'm Lucien Endrin. I've served as a Korvosan guard in the past, but..." he stopped to not be forced to explain why he decided to leave. Corruption. That would have been embarassing and inappropriate in the current situation. His gaze fixed on the Field Marshal, he felt a shiver running down his spine. Kressida was a charismatic woman, no doubt, and he had heard about her in the past. But he never actually saw her. She was beautiful, at least to his eyes. Something inside of him made her appear attractive to him. The images of his deceased wife suddenly appears to his mind though, pushing away any thought on Kressida's beauty and leading him to focus on her words rather than on her appearance.
"Field Marshal, am I allowed to go with them?" he asks hesitantly.
Cressida smiles. "Ah Lucien, I almost forgot. We may not have met personally before but I'm familiar with your record. There are some blemishes with your departure from the Guard, but for the most part, your superiors looked favorably upon you and reported that you were an honorable man. I won't reinstate you into the Guard, and I don't think you'd want that anyway, but you are welcome to work as free agents alongside your compatriots here. As a gesture of goodwill, I award you with the pseudodragon's mark, a medal that symbolizes you are a champion of Korvosa. Your allies have earned theirs and your recent assistance has earned yours as well. Wear it proudly. Now go. You don't want to be late."
The execution it is not an affair to be missed. The toast of Korvosa is in attendance in garish gowns, fine capes, and enough jewels to blind a common man. The overall feel of the event is that of a grand ball or party, not an assassin's public execution.
Ayako has noone she knows in particular to speak to. Hmph, not surprised the nobles would treat this like a party. No doubt if someone was coming for their head, they would be whimpering like puppies.
Sebastian makes use of Citadel Volshyenek's facilities to wash up. The clerics had cleaned up most of the mess from the catacombs, but it was hardly enough to attend a state execution. It would have been nice to return home to change into better clothes, but there was hardly time for that. The pseudodragon's mark shall have to do.
As they arrive at Domina Square, Sebastian breathes deep, drinking in the atmosphere. There was certainly excitement in the air; if they were lucky, they might just get that riot. The thought was almost enough to drive away the queasy feeling in his gut.
Hmph, not surprised the nobles would treat this like a party. No doubt if someone was coming for their head, they would be whimpering like puppies.
Sebastian grins. "You sound like a Galtan," he playfully chides. "Once this is over, things will settle down again, and Kressida won't have much need of us. We'll be able to put it all behind us, once and for all." Sebastian looks over the crowd, searching for his sister.
Ayaho just 'Hmmmss' and retreats into her cloak, alone and mysterious like a black rose. Alone, alone amongst the red. Falling, falling...
Sebastian begins his search for his sister but quickly realizes his error. As the Queen's personal bodyguard, she would be with the Queen in the Castle at this time and will likely appear at the same time the Queen does later on.
The next person he seeks out is Vimanda Arkona. She is not difficult to find. All of the important members of the Arkona family are in attendance. The family sticks close together and seems to have little interest in mingling with others. As Sebastian approaches, most of them look at him with disdain. A servant stops Sebastian before he can reach the nobles but when asked about Vimanda, a stunningly beautiful noble woman in her mid-twenties with long dark hair and wearing a blue dress steps forward. "I am Vimanda. You must be lost. I don't know you."
Another Arkona, a man with a wild brunette mane of hair and a bushy mustache scowls, "Vimanda, quit wasting time with the peasants."
Vimanda Arkona is the purported lover of Glorio Arkona and is known as a patron of art and literature.
This is Lord Glorio Arkona, the current head of the family. Unlike his more reclusive forebears, Lord Glorio frequently leaves the family compound to tour Old Korvosa, passing out sweets to poor children and silver coins to their parents. He has swiftly cultivated a reputation as one of Korvosa's leading philanthropists—which helps offset the rumors that he also maintains strong ties to the city’s criminal elements.
Ayako is just being all mysterious, alone with her thoughts as she ponders the cruelty of man.
Sebastian is floored by the vision of beauty standing before him. "Lady Vimanda, Verik did not lie when he spoke of your charms." Suddenly remembering himself, he bows. "Forgive my intrusion," he says, hastily. "My name is Sebastian Merrin, and I am not lost. I seek to return something that was lost to you."
Lucien's eyes widens as he receives the pseudodragon's mark. "I'm honored to receive such a awe-inspiring reward, Marshall Kroft" he says bowing again, "I'll do my best to deserve it. Thank you." His heart full of gratitude, Lucien his not the type who likes to sleep on his laurels though. "Let's go then. Let's see what we can do with this execution. I don't know this Trinia, but I know that justice, of late, has not been a regular in this town, so we'd better keep our eyes open".
---
Lucien follows his companions to Domina Square. He walks the city streets nervously; he can feel that something important in about to happen. As they reach the square, Lucien sees that the toast of Korvosa is in attendance in garish gowns, fine capes, and enough jewels to blind a common man. Well, nothing less than I expected, after all. He didn't blame nobles for such things. He himself bathed before attending to the event. Looking good is no crime, and inspires respect in others. That they tought to him.
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Vimanda smiles when she sees the dagger. She doesn't seem all that surprised. "Oh this old thing? It is indeed mine. However, I have no further use for it, just like I have no further use for the one I gifted it to. But it need not go to waste. Why don't you keep it? Someone as strong and capable as you, Sebastian, would surely put it to good use." She caresses Sebastian's arm and grins seductively.
"Vimanda!" shouts Glorio Arkona.
Vimanda looks over her shoulder. "Yes of course, dearest." Then she turns back to Sebastian. "I need to go now." She bends close and whispers in Sebastian's ear; her soft hands close around his so that he is still holding the dagger. "I'll be watching you. If you still want to return this gift, come see me at Palace Arkona some time. I'll tell the guards to expect you."
Vimanda then returns to Glorio's side and gives him a deep and passionate kiss but winks at Sebastian at the same time.
Sebastian then goes off to search for Vencarlo. You would expect that he would be present but after a thorough search of the square, you determine that he is nowhere to be seen.
Ayako whispers to Nadya. Do you wish to see if we could spirit Triana away?
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Before Ayako or Nadya can enact any plan, Queen Ileosa emerges amid a great flourish and pomp as heralds announce her arrival with a fanfare of music and drums. This queen is not the subdued mourner you met earlier—Queen Ileosa has fully accepted the mantle of sole monarch now, and carries herself with poise, style, and grace. She wears a green and white silk dress worth thousands of gold coins, and is attended by a small army of servants. Chief among these is Sabina, her expression neutral but ever watchful for possible problems in the crowd. Ileosa takes her seat in a high throne-like chair at one end of the public courtyard, while the headman's block stands ominously at the other. The executioner is a towering, muscular man wearing an executioner's helm and idly holding an immense axe—he remains motionless until his services are called upon. Sabina spots Sebastian in the crowd and gives his a brief glance before resuming her vigilance.
As sunset draws near, the expectant excitement in the crowd builds. When the ominous beating of a single large drum begins, the assembled gawkers fall silent. The drum sets the pace for Trinia's procession to the headsman's block. As they reach the headsman's block, one of the guards removes Trinia's shackles and the hood, revealing a very frightened woman who nonetheless bravely holds back her tears, if only barely. Trinia is led up onto the platform, her arms bound behind her back by a leather cord, and she is forced to kneel over the wooden block before the headsman as Queen Ileosa stands and addresses the crowd.
"Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each riot, each burning home, each act of anarchy, my heart bleeds a little more. This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the face of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer's timid nature—she is a black-hearted assassin, a seductress and sinner, a viper amidst us all. I offer you all her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered. Her death will not rebuild Korvosa, nor will it bring back the king, yet tomorrow will be a new dawn—a dawn over a city ready to rise from the edge of anarchy to become stronger than ever before!"
"And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice! OFF WITH HER HEAD!"
As the headsman hefts his axe, the already silent crowd freezes in anticipation. Yet just before he swings, the headsman gives a strange little grunt and staggers. His raised axe falters as he reaches with one hand to the small of his back and then brings it to his face, the fingers dripping with blood. An instant later, he cries out in pain and drops the axe as a dagger embeds itself in the back of his other hand. The axe sinks itself in the block inches from Trinia's head, and the headsman doubles over in pain, revealing a second dagger that's already embedded in the small of his back. Trinia rises to her knees, glancing up at the executioner in shock as a scream echoes through the crowded courtyard: "By the gods! It's Blackjack!"
An instant later, a man dressed in a hooded cloak and leather armor springs onto the executioner's block. He wields a rapier in one hand and a dagger in the other. Blackjack cuts the bonds on Trinia's wrists and then throws the dagger down to pin the executioner's left foot to the wood below. He quickly helps Trinia to her feet and then briefly turns to address the shocked crowd.
"Yes indeed, my queen! Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you petulantly call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! Down with the Queen!"
Blackjack's words spread like fire, causing the crowd to erupt into a frenzy of activity. Some demand that he release the assassin while others call for the queen to step down from the Crimson Throne. Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, whispers something to Sabina, and then quickly turns to flee into Castle Korvosa, Sabina and a dozen guards behind her to cover her retreat. The remaining guards in the courtyard move to apprehend Blackjack, but the gathered nobles, thirsty for blood, make it difficult to move. At the same time, the executioner recovers from his wounds and lifts his axe once again over Blackjack, who seems to have momentarily forgotten the man in his apparent delight at having forced the queen to flee.
Nadya whispers back to Ayako, "I'd feel terrible if we didn't at least try to find a way, but I'm not feeling suicidal. Let's have a look around and see how they have things set up. I'm afraid I used most of my spells back in the Dead Warrens, but I could create a pit and I can still get people to fall asleep. Just not for very long. Let's see how close we can to the platform."
Together with Ayako, she works to worm her way through the crowd, but with the emergence of Queen Ileosa, it quickly becomes apparent that it is too late. Even if the headsman could be stopped, there would be no way to get Trinia away from such a huge crowd. In spite of it all, something keeps her moving forward, inching her way toward the platform and Trinia until the tightly packed crowd forces her to stop as the Queen gives her address.
Wanting to look away, she forces herself to look at the poor girl as he headsman lifts his axe and as a result, she misses what happens to the headsman himself. It isn't until the shout about Blackjack that her paralysis flees and a smile creases her lips as she realizes that someone is going to try to do something about the execution.
The resulting chaos buffets her back and forth in the crowd, her slight frame caught like a child in a raging stream, but continuing to watch the stage, she sees that the executioner has recovered and looks like he is about to dispense with Blackjack in grisly fashion. Realizing she might just be close enough to make a difference, Nadya raises her hand and fixes an eye on the executioner himself, willing the man to fall asleep before he can strike.
Ayako follows Nadya closer and arches an eye as Blakjack swoops in to save the poor girl. Noticing that the headsman is attempting to harm Blackjack, Ayako whispers and it seems that the headsman's hood transforms into inky shadow and reaches towards the axe.
As the Arkona entourage takes their leave, Sebastian stands dumbstruck, drooling slightly. It takes a moment for him to get a hold of himself, placing the dagger on his belt next to his rapier. Shaking his head clear of the sudden distractions, he continues to wander the crowd with a little extra spring in his step.
After his encounter with Vimanda and a failed attempt to locate his mentor, Sebastian positions himself near the edge of the crowd - close enough for a decent view and plenty of mobility if things get out of hand. Swayed by the queen's speech, he finds himself anticipating the swing of the axe that would bring an end to these unruly times. When the axe fails to fall, Sebastian is confused, until Blackjack heroically appears on the stand! His own personal idol, in the flesh!
For the second time in an hour he stares dumbstruck as Blackjack spouts treason with flair. As the guards try and fail to close in, Sebastian snaps out of it, calling out a warning that gets drowned out by the crowd. Never one to let a good riot go to waste, he makes a break for the stage, but whether to help or hinder the daring rescue even he's not sure.
Just as the executioner is about to bring down his axe, a dark shadow plucks the weapon from his hands. Before he can register what happened, his eyes close and he begins to fall forward unconscious. Sebastian shouts out a warning to Blackjack.
Blackjack hears the warning and notices the falling headsman in time and ducks out of the way of his body. Blackjack bows to Nadya and Ayako then drags Trinia behind him and clambers up a hanging banner to a nearby wall, Trinia scampering behind him. As the two reach the wall, his raises his rapier in salute; he seems to be looking directly at Sebastian. Then he swiftly drinks a potion of feather fall, bows to the crowd while backlit by the setting sun, and then both he and Trinia leap from the wall to make their escape into the city.
The square is in chaos so you can easily make your exit.
Ayako chooses to spend her time doing what she has mostly done before, working at the temple of Pharesma as healer, midwife and then caretaker of the prostitutes that have lost their madam due to the presance of Ayako and her comrades. Ayako is rarely seen there though, a shadowy form that slips in and out to deliver treatments for wounds and other social diseases and rowdys often find themselves mysteriously turning on each other or subdued when their weapons vanish from their hands and vitality sapped.
When not working, Ayako often rests on her simple cot at the temple. Just a chest for her pesonal goods at the foot and a few hooks and shelves for her new gear that she has purchased. Wrapped in the shadows of the back of the room, she stares upwards ta the ceiling with only the rise and fall of her chest as signs that she lives.
In the days following Blackjack's daring rescue of the king's accused assassin, the Korvosan Guard has been scouring the city for the fugitives—thus far to no avail—and the enraged queen has set a royal bounty of 5,000 gp for the capture of Trinia Sabor. Wildly embellished news of the event spreads quickly to every corner of the city, leaving all to wonder why Korvosa's long-absent hero chose now to reappear and why he rescued a sentenced killer.
With the quieting of much of the city’s disorder and the slow acceptance of Queen Ileosa as Korvosa’s new sovereign, the city returns to a state of near normalcy—although the scars of the past week’s upheaval still show on many buildings and in whispered gossip.
Sebastian is as excited and confused by Blackjack's appearance as the rest of the city. The legendary hero of the Korvosa's downtrodden hadn't been seen in decades, and all of a sudden he shows up out of nowhere. All the tales tell that Blackjack is no friend of the monarchy's, but there was so much about the events that didn't add up. Unless... did Blackjack have a hand in all of this? He sends a letter to Sabina a few days after the event, inquiring into the details of Trinia's trial and the queen's disposition.
Despite the excitement of the foiled execution, the ensuing months were relatively normal as things settled back down, and Sebastian was beginning to find himself frightfully bored with things. He kept an ear to the ground for news about Trinia Sabor, but truth be told, the manhunt didn't hold much interest for him. Instead, he went on patrols around the city with some friendly members of the Guard. When they would try to recruit him, he always declined, joking that it would be a drastic pay-cut. In truth, while he liked to do his part in helping to keep the city safe, he wasn't willing to give up the freedom of being a private citizen. And if he ever did join, he'd have his sister's shining service record to compete with, and it simply wasn't worth the aggravation. But joining the patrols was a good way to keep in the public eye. Often times he finds himself down in Eel's End, making sure that another crime lord doesn't get the idea of setting up shop. And any time he finds himself near the temple of Pharasma, he stops by to see the children.
He finds other ways to pass the time as well. Back in Vencarlo's good graces, Sebastian trains with the fencing master, learning how to wield his sword to defeat his opponents without inflicting mortal wounds. There was a great deal of technique to it, forcing the opponent into exhausting blocks instead of opening them up for a fatal thrust. He is even forced to study an anatomy textbook while he learns where to strike to avoid piercing major organs.
He even finds time to enjoy some of his hard-earned coin. Rankling at Glorio Arkona's insult, he purchases some fine clothes befitting a hero of Korvosa, along with a wide cavalier hat complete with dashing red plume, an exquisitely tooled jacket of leather armor, and a black silk half-circle cape with a silver pseudodragon emblazon. Attempting to break into high society, he dines out once at the Crested Falcon but quickly realizes his mistake; high society is frightfully boring. Still unsatisfied, he decides to take Vimanda up on her invitation, deciding it to be the perfect way of taking revenge on the pompous noble. After all, why should Sabina be the only Merrin with powerful friends?
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Yes, Majenko gladly goes on patrol with Sebastian and he starts spending more of his free time with you as well. Similar to an outdoor cat, he'll wander off for awhile and show back up at random times. The patrols are relatively routine for the two months. You manage to stop one or two petty crimes, but nothing of the caliber that you recently handled with your allies. No new crime boss has taken up Dervargo's position in Eel's End but for the rest of the dock there, it's business as usual. One of the other female workers at the House of Clouds took over for Mistress Halvara and the brothel is up and running. The only shop that seems to be slightly suffering is the Dragon's Breath Corridor that lost its main supplier of shiver. However, it is still available inside at a higher price, so the owner must have found a new source.
Vencarlo is happy to see you and trains with you when he can. Although he seems more detached than usual and sometimes closes the academy early which is unusual for him. If asked about why he wasn't at the execution, he explains that he does not support Queen Ileosa's rule and refuses to show at public events held by her.
Sebastian receives a letter back from Sabina.
"Dearest Sebastian,
I'm glad you are well. Things here at the Castle are tense. The Queen did not take to Blackjack's defiance well. Her rage over the incident scares even me and I've tried to distance myself from her as much as a bodyguard can. Regarding the trial, the Queen called in a powerful bloatmage wizard named Togomar from the Acadamae to extract a confession from Trinia. He used some sort of invasive mental magic to force out the truth. I would think such methods would not be approved for use at the Longhouse Courts but the Queen says in matters regarding the security of the kingdom, no methods should be shied away from. With the Seneshal Neolandus Kalepopolis's unexplained disappearance, I believe the Queen is moving to have Togomar instated as the new Seneshal. I do not like this man. His cruel methods will not go over well. We'll talk again soon.
Love,
Sabina"
When Sebastian goes to Palace Arkona, the doormen are expecting him and go to fetch Vimanda. She greets him pleasantly and leads him straight ahead into the palace into a large open garden.
This chamber hardly seems to be part of a palace—it seems more like a clearing at the heart of a vast jungle, teeming with life. The sky above is a deep, cloudless blue, while in the distance, hazy towers of distant structures rise above the verdant canopy. Exotic bird calls fill the air, the scent of dozens of unfamiliar flowers and plants assault the nose, and everywhere a riot of color demands the eye, be it the wing of a tropical bird, the petals of a brightly hued flower, or the glittering multicolored tiles that make up a round fountain to the north, its central plume a stone pillar around which entwine two cobra statues that clutch green gems in their fanged maws. Opposite the fountain to the south stands an immense, life-sized jade statue of an elephant, a howdah perched on its back, its tusks and trunk raised high in greeting to the southeast doors—doors that, from inside the room, look more like gates set into a wrought iron fence that encircles the garden. Other gates set in this fence doubtless lead to other parts of the palace, and after a bit more observation the somewhat static nature of the jungle and landscape becomes apparent—the walls of this garden are in fact an incredibly realistic and clever painting of a Vudran junglescape.
"Welcome darling! I'm so glad you decided to come. I love the new outfit. It suits you well. What do you think of my home? I don't know how much you know about House Arkona but we primarily gained our wealth by establishing a merchant route to distant Vudra. We import all kinds of exotic plants and animals, many that you can see right here in this garden." Vimanda sits down beside the fountain and motions for Sebastian to sit to. "When I saw you in the square the other day, I saw a strong and wise man. I can't explain it, but I just felt a connection and knew that I could trust you. I can trust you, can't I? I'm going to be blunt, but you can't share this conversation with anyone else. House Arkona does not support the new Queen. We feel that she does not represent Korvosa's best interests and if allowed to maintain her rule, she'll run this city to ruin. If you ask the other noble houses, they say similar, however, unlike them, House Arkona is willing to act. I don't need you to do anything right now. Glorio and I will handle the details, but when the time comes, all I'd ask is that you will be on my side and if you can convince your friends to support us, that'd be all the better." Then she presses her body against Sebastian's and whispers in his ear seductively. "Glorio will be out for a few hours. If I can count on you, we can find somewhere private and seal the deal."
Things have pretty much returned to normal in Korvosa. It is a cold winter's day. A light dusting of snow covers the streets. Today is Foundation Day and the city is filled with joy as its citizens celebrate with much revelry and drinking. Men and women alike look back on the events of the past year and look forward to what's to come. As the clock strikes midnight, cheers resound throughout the city.
However, just moments after, the evening's peace is shattered by a wooden screech, followed by the thunder of a trebuchet being fired. Again and again the sounds echo from the Wall of Eodred near North Bridge, waking nearly all of North Point.
Ayako is enjoying a mug of mulled cider at the taven. Now that the weather has turned colder, Ayako dresses warmly, her cloak is a good sturdy wool with fur trim and fine gloves and boots her her fingers and toes snug.
When the sounds of firing trebuchets fill the air, Ayako feels shadowy fingers trail up her spine and knows that this can only mean ill.
I think, we will be getting a message to go to the citidel soon.
Happy to be back at the Three Rings with her friends, Nadya raises her own mug in a toast to the peace of the last few months. The warmth of the inn and alcohol are quickly driven back by the screech and sounds of the trebuchet. She shakes her head at Ayako's ominous words, "I fear you're right Ayako. It sounds like a battle underway out there. Different from the riots though. What do you think is happening? Is someone attacking the city?"
An invasion? If it was, no doubt we would have heard something about it before hand. Refugees perhaps.
Obeying her beckoning, Sebastian sits leisurely alongside her near the fountain. As she talks, he nods along, spellbound, even as she sows the seeds of treason. But sitting close to her, with the flowers' perfume and the calls of exotic birds filling the air, and the gently babbling fountain behind them, treason doesn't sound so bad. It seems that Queen Ileosa was becoming very unpopular with the important people in Sebastian's life - his companions, Orisini, even Sabina. And now it appeared that she even gave Blackjack and the aristocracy common cause against her. If Sebastian had any misgivings left, the last of them were banished as Vimanda presses herself against him. Wrapping an arm around his sultry hostess, he chuckles lightly. "We can't have Korvosa falling to ruin," he says. "If House Arkona will act to protect her, Korvosa's heroes are at your beck and call." Some pacts are sealed with blood, but I say the best are sealed with a kiss!
Sebastian sits at the Three Rings celebrating Foundation Day with his companions, watching the snow fall outside the window. 4708 had been an important year for Sebastian. He'd lost his friend Vincent to shiver and fed Gaedren Lamm to his gator for the trouble. He'd made some new friends and saved the city from itself, earning a pretty pinch for himself in the process. As he reflects on all that had happened, he sips his beverage, a hot Vudrani tea mixed with milk called chai, and feeds Majenko bits of spiced jerky.
One of the many benefits of not joining the Korvosan Guard is that he was under no obligation to be out patrolling. Feeling sorry for the poor saps in the red-and-black, he buys a round for the few guardsmen who show their faces in the tavern as they make their patrols. The new year found Sebastian feeling generous, and thanks to the late autumn chaos he had enough money to indulge his whims. It was a special treat to see the glee on the childrens' faces when he and his fellows had brought presents to the Pharasmin temple earlier that morning. The colored wrapping paper brought some much needed color to the gloomy cathedral, and it had been almost as much fun shopping for the gifts as it was watching the children play with them. Kester's was easy - a fine wooden sword so the boy could practice his fencing, with the promise of a real blade from his family's smithy when Kester was old enough to wield it.
Tiora's had been harder; Sebastian was unaccustomed to shopping for young girls. At first he thought a doll might be appropriate, but was she maybe too old for dolls? After much uncharacteristic hemming-and-hawing, the problem solved itself as he walked past a jewler's shop and the shiny things caught Majenko's eye. Inside the shop, Sebastian had found the perfect gift for the priestess-to-be - a bejeweled Pharasmin rosary. It was a bit more ornate than strictly necessary, but that's what made it perfect. With semiprecious stones for beads and a silver pendant in the shape of the Lady of Graves' holy spiral, he hoped its beauty would sustain the girl in moments that her faith might falter. Secretly, Sebastian hoped it might lead her to worshipping Shelyn instead. From his experience with Ayako's spells, Sebastian didn't much like the thought of Tiora channeling that sort of agony, even if it was for healing. Besides, Shelynite potions tasted better than Pharasmin ones.
The roar of siege engines breaks Sebastian from his reverie with a violent start, earning him a painful nip from the annoyed pseudodragon on his shoulder. "Ow! No, that's coming from the Wall of Eodred. They're firing at something on the water. Pirates?"
The rest of the night passes in breathless anticipation of the wall-weapons' further use, which fortuitously never comes.
Next morning, gossip buzzes through the city and fanciful tales run wild. Every tavern and street corner is abuzz with rumors of pirate raiders and ghost ships. The Crimson Throne remains quiet on the matter, though, with even the loosest-tongued politicos seemingly knowing nothing of the previous night's incident. With so many far wilder and more interesting tales circulating, the facts of the matter become lost among the frenzied gossip.
The Korvosan Guard fired upon and destroyed a ship full of foolish pirates from Riddleport who had obviously hoped to sneak into the heart of the city under cover of night.
A sinister-looking ship refused inspection as it sailed into the river. When it neared North Bridge and still failed to make its intentions known, the watch fired upon and destroyed it.
None of the guardsmen who signaled or shouted out to the ship received a response. Some say that no one was on board at all.
The only thing that remains consistent among all the stories is that a single yellow light was shone on the ship before it was sunk.
Shining a single yellow light is a nautical warning identifying a ship under quarantine.
Ayako chats with some people who have drifted into the tavern. It seems that it might have been a irate ship that tried to slip in at night, but that seems very odd. It refused inspection and neared the North Bridge before it was destroyed.