Aldebert nods absently at his brother, uncomfortable at the whole affair and thinking of Haleen and how to convince her to take their money. He develops a scheme and takes Haleen aside (with Amiamble of course!) while the others shop.
"Let's do this. We'll form a trade company. Haleen - your stake is your experience as the senior partner. Amiamble and I, being relatively new at the trade game, will be your junior partners and will have to buy our way into the company's management."
"The first order of business for the company will be to erase Haleen's debt so we can begin trade here unfettered. Now we just need to determine what we're going to trade and get the caravans moving!"
"So, Haleen, how much are you in debt?"
Aldebert smiles at his plan, sure it'll bring wealth a plenty for his retirement.
"I've got plain nagri, o'course," she says, as she puts up a small jar filled with the salt, "some raw pesh," as a box with milky pesh lumps follows the jar, "oh, and here's some very nice refined pesh, too!" as her rummaging forays into the chest produces a small tin can containing several black blocks.
Smiling at Pent's anticipation, she then leans over to whisper conspiratorially into his ear. "But I bet you want the really good stuff, amirite? I am, aren't I?" She pats one of her trouser pockets. "If you've got the gold, I might even have a few pinches of pho pesh for ya!"
Pent twiddles his fingers lightly under his chin, moving them more quickly as the various levels of pesh are put forth, until his fingers catch in a knot in his beard. Which is a good thing, as something is required to still his restless hands as Kalyx offers the chance to purchase gnome-made mind-numb.
"I've never had a chance... Gringlib keep the coin pretty sparse in those days... You really... have some? Can I at least look upon it? I've seen the milky and the black, but not Yavipho's finest. I... I might... have to start with just the nagri. You know, remember its roots, since there are so many roots out there in those pesh fields, before I consider partaking of the refined... but you have pho... and oh the stories I've heard... but, no. I need to start simple. A pretty glass pipe, and some nagri for now. And a promise from you if you don't mind making promises to someone who has a mind to indulge in the very thing you understand would make this gnome wholly other once the town is secure and all is at peace. Wouldn't do to float on feathers and fog while a battle rages all 'round, and I understand there's one more lying in wait for us beneath the temple here in town. I have to be at my best." Pent untangles his fingers from his beard, and sticks them under his armpits, restraining himself further from trying to reach for the pesh, just sitting there.
"Kalyx, I think this is the start of a very good friendship."
Haleen throws up her arms in mock exasperation as her two brothers refuse to give up, yet her smile shows how proud she is of their tenacity and creativity. Very clever, brother!
"A trade partnership with both of my brothers? How could I possibly refuse such an offer? Alright, I give up!" She then grows very serious, leads them both out of earshot from others, then adds to her secrecy by whispering in halfling.
"I don't think your companions need to hear this.. My debt stands at 2,000 gold. Yes, yes, I know it's a fortune! With the 320 I've earned here, I'll need 1,680 more.. If you want to rescind your offer, I understand."
Whatever the answer may be, she then jumps back onto the stage and proclaims her willingness to guard the prisoner. "Kardswann won't go anywhere under my watchful eye!"
***
The twitchy woman quizzically listens to Pent's whispered rambling, clearly not entirely sure what to make of it. "Yes.." she begins, then smiles winningly. "Tell ya what.. Why don't I just give you the nagri and the pipe for free, this time. For friendship and promises, right? Unless.."
She pulls a tiny box up from one trouser pocket, opens it oh-so-briefly for Pent to catch a glimpse of its valuable contents, then snatches it away from his about-to-stretch-out hand. "Ah-ah! Not yet, hmm?" She lets the box slip from the fingers of one hand, playfully catching it with the other, before tucking it safely away within the pocket again. "I'll make sure to keep this for ya, until next time!"
"OH BO BO BO BO!!!" Pent looks absolutely pale as the tiny box falls through the air, slow motion in his eyes. He pats the air softly, trying his utmost to not interfere with Kalyx's catch. The color rushes back into his face as she pockets it away.
"Yes, yes! Until next time! May Sarah raise and set her light not too many days hence before we can see that little box again!" Pent bites his lower lip, sticks out his tongue, then bites it again.
Pent hugs the woman after she hands over the nagri and pipe. He tucks it away, reverentially. He looks all about the stall, identifying not only the structure of the space, but also the inventory, should Kalyx be relocated to a different location. He removes his hat, and bows grandly, before placing his hat back on, and returns to the others.
...
Pent bounds up to the others, quite pleased with himself. "Are we set then? We have the sister to look over the Big Bird? We have more work to do, musn't delay. Bringing Almah here, is that safe? We have something nasty waiting for us under the church, but what if we can't contain it once we get through that door? Do we want Kelmarane unoccupied until we have put down what lies beneath? I'd prefer not to endanger Almah, if you ask me. Whatever you think to do, let's do it quickly. I don't like how Kardswann couldn't contain himself much longer. Can we rest? Can we not? I'd be at my best, before we take our shot." Pent pats his pouch, and smiles the smile of a cat newly fed a mouse.
"A trade partnership with both of my brothers? How could I possibly refuse such an offer? Alright, I give up!" She then grows very serious, leads them both out of earshot from others, then adds to her secrecy by whispering in halfling.
** spoiler omitted **
Aldebert looks at his brother, but already knows (he thinks!) the answer.
"We'll focus on trade between here and the city, but I'm not sure what to trade? Haleen, do you have any suggestions?"
Aldebert gathers up what treasure the party can carry and leaves the rest for Haleen to guard along with her primary charge. He's ready to leave for camp.
"Pent, I think we bring the others back here - or at least let them know we're ready for them. Then we see what's beneath the church at first light. Maybe we try to cure Haidar tonight."
Ami looks at Aldebert nodding vigorously. He trusts his brother implicitly and knows that money going to their sister (repaid or not) was a good use of such.
"Yes, brother, whatever you think is best. Do we have enough? Should we sell something to get the money?" Ami looks at his new pretty headband, something he liked more than just a little bit, but slowly hands it over to Aldebert to sell if it is needed.
"We can sell this too if we need. Our sister is more important than this nice pretty headband," Ami says.
Ami and Yeen look ready to return and get Almah. They have a celebration to plan too.
Pent seizes, as he realizes his hands are empty, and sprints back to Kalyx's stall. Picking up his crossbow, he mutters quietly to it, as a cuckold would do with his wife. Returning to Aldebert's side, he claps him on the back, and nods enthusiastically.
"Much work still to do, yes, yes. Let's make haste, no time to waste..." And I have some paste to taste after the pesh is laced with a grace of nagri... Pent hoots in anticipation of a great many things.
Pent steps up to Haleen, the keeper of things great and small, and hands her the set of keys for the doors. "When we return, I'll knock five times on the western door, like this..." Pent raps his knuckles on his crossbow three times quickly, then two slow. "Then, when I've done that, I'm going to pause for seven deep breaths, and I'll knock four more times, like this..." Pent raps his knuckles on his crossbow four times quickly. "Now, here's the part you really have to remember- once I've done that, I'm going to say my name, but it's not going to be my real name, it's going to be a false name, in case anyone nearby has learned how to knock, breath, and knock again. So, after I knock five times, then breathe seven times, then knock four times, I'm going to announce myself as 'Knotgnome Ugeddit', alright? You got it? Repeat it back to me, so as I know." Pent crosses his arms, and waits for inevitable mistakes to be made.
Reverently unlocking the small chest, he barely lifts the lid enough to peer inside. "You're in luck! I've got a full two vials of wolfsbane!" The merchant swiftly closes the lid again. "I'll want to see the gold first, I'm sure you understand. One can never be too careful with this kind of thing."
500 gold? Mahdi hides his wince. More than he'd anticipated, but... this is his pet project, now, so he had better fulfill it. Perhaps he'll convince the others to chip in. He smiles at Juluce. "But of course. One moment."
Mahdi looks wordlessly over Pent's 'explanation' to Haleen and rolls his eyes.
"I've a better idea, Messire Pent," he calls. "She will know it is you because you have been thrown through the doorway. Pray don't mind the gnome overmuch, Mistress Haleen."
Pent turns back to Mahdi, slightly irritated that Haleen's instruction is being interrupted. "Don't be daft, Maddie. The whole point of knocking is that the door is closed and locked against...OH! HO HO HO! You're cracking a joke!! Looka you! 'She'll know 'cause you've been thrown through'..." Pent makes a grand chucking pantomime, and slaps his knees robustly.
The gnome turns back to the femi-halfling. "You gotta encourage him. He doesn't chuckle much. Alright, so where were we?"
Once Pent is convinced of Haleen's memetic retention, or is discouraged from further precautions, he appears ready to depart for the monastery, post-haste.
As they walk back to camp, Aldebert doles out 200gp from his pouch, and 200gp from his brothers to repay Mahdi for his find.
Ami happily agrees to the purchase, knowing it will go towards the redemption of another.
He walks back to Almah's with a quicker step for he is excited by the prospect of saving another.
As he is paying Juluce for the wolfsbane, Mahdi clears his throat delicately. "Also..." low murmur, throat clearing, "I, ah, before we set out from Katapesh, I visited the legendary House of Eleven Veils. A most memorable evening, but since then I fear that the desert's heat has made itself at home in my nether regions. Might you have any vials of the substance known as anti-plague?"
It seems as if a stone has been lifted from Haleen's shoulders as Aldebert and Amiamble voice their decision, and she smiles with genuine happiness as she spreads her arms to hug both her brothers at once.
"What to trade, hmmm..." She looks around at the various carcasses, weapons, and armor piled up nearby. "Gnoll fur..? No, probably not. Give me some time, and I'll think of something!"
She glances towards her three merchant/smuggler friends. "I could see if my friends have some ideas?"
***
Kalyx nods agreeably, smiling with the glitter of gold in her eyes at Pent's obvious interest in the stronger forms of pesh. An "Ooof!" escapes her lips as Pent unexpectedly hugs her, and she seems somewhat uncomfortable both during and immediately after it, but she produces a smile once more as her potentially valuable customer bows and leaves.
As you walk away, out of the corner of your eye you notice Kalyx checking to make sure the box is still within her pocket after your sudden hug.
***
The halfling narrows her eyes, a strange look within them, while attempting to follow Pent's string of instructions. A half-smile begins to play on her lips when Mahdi interrupts, and she edges closer to Pent during the gnome's rebuttal. Once Pent turns his attention back to her again, she immediately places a resounding slap on his cheek before he can react.
"That's for naming me harlot!" She watches with keen interest and considerable satisfaction as her handprint begins to show on Pent's cheek. "Where were we, you said? Hmm.. When someone knocks, breathes, then knocks more, and calls himself 'not a gnome', I should let them in?"
***
The wirey man's eyes widen once more, quickly making a detour to glance outside the stall for unwarranted listeners before resting upon Mahdi again. He lowers his voice conspiratorially. "Ah, say no more, say no more! I've experienced such, eh, unfortunate reminders of memorable evenings myself. I have just what you need."
He ducks back down into his travelling trunk, coming up moments later with a pair of vials, doing his best to hide them from outside view as he hands them to Mahdi. "I've got a couple more, if these don't do the trick."
"I appreciate your discretion, Master Juluce," Mahdi says with another bow. "To our further mutually profitable business ventures."
He reunites with the others for the trip back to the monastery, the valuable vials tucked away in his pockets.
Pent pulls to a stop, and takes his hat off. He grins and shakes his head, then dons his hat again, with a flourish in Kalyx's direction. "Ahhh ahhh, I'll remember to ask first before I get all grabby!!" He bounds away, chuckling at the misunderstanding.
...
Stars. Oooo, the stars.
Pent slowly comes to understand the pain radiating from his cheek, a familiar pain, but he's far more interested in the stars at present. The reds and purples start to fade, and his vision begins to restore, clearing up his view of the halfling woman. He squints out the tears, and grins wildly, nodding at Haleen.
"Oh, yeah!! I forgot to apologize to you, for thinking you were one of them. Shoulda taken a lesson from your brother, and brought that right to straight with ya. So, yeah, it's not 'Notagnome', you're sneaking an 'a' in there, like you snuck that slap in there. It's 'Knotgnome Ugeddit', full name, first and last. Anyone could trip over the first name, but not everyone gets to the last name, you get it?"
Pent rubs his cheek, and waxes nostalgic for the stars. I have GOT to remember to remind Maddie to recast that magic full frontal.
"Ok, let's hit the road!! We've got more to do!!!"
Now *that's* the whatfor!!
Ami busts out laughing as Haleen gives Pent the halfling business. When he finally regains his composure, he will finish up his long goodbyes with Haleen (complete with another tackle and more tickles) and be ready to return to report to Almah.
"Now Haleenie, you keep this place buttoned tight and watch out for Kardswann too! We'll be right back."
Kul comes down the stairs, dragging Kardswann behind him, legs and feet bouncing over each step. Kul's scarred face is red and sweaty from the effort. Hearing Amiamble, Kul smiles, drags Kardwann over to Haleen, and lets him drop.
"Here's your ward. I wouldn't let him wake up until we get back. Perhaps your merchant friends can help with that."
Wiping his face with his forearm, Kul frowns as he is reminded again of the grey pox marks riddling his skin.
He looks to his companions and says, "Are we done here? If so, let's finish this. It's been a long week."
Seeing the look on Kul's face, Ami rushes over to give Kul a big hug on the leg. He beckons the man to lean over so that Ami might whisper to him.
"Sorry for the loss of your companions, the Lions. I hope today has given your a measure of revenge and retribution. You were strong to see this through and I hope you will find new family with us."
Ami's eyes bend in smile.
"Maybe we will hunt and kill more gnolls again soon."
He looks to his companions and says, "Are we done here? If so, let's finish this. It's been a long week."
"We're done here for now I think."
Aldebert, quite happy with the way things are turning out, prepares to head back to camp, heavily laden with gear and sundries.
Seeing the look on Kul's face, Ami rushes over to give Kul a big hug on the leg. He beckons the man to lean over so that Ami might whisper to him.
Kul blushes and looks uncomfortable. He awkwardly pats Amiamble on the shoulder and says, "The dawn brings new things to be thankful for. I am happy Haleen has been found."
Pent spends the trek back to the monastery in pre-euphoria. His fingers parry pesh thorns, often overeagerly running themselves sacrificially onto them, drawing blood that is enthusiastically suckled dry. He finds a couple of choice specimens, and harvests them for hopefully not too much later in the day, when he'll be able to begin the manufacturing of his very own batch of pesh. After calculating how long he'll be waiting to see the finished curds of white, he instantly regrets not purchasing from Kalyx.
To keep his mind off his delayed instant gratifications, he strolls alongside Mahdi, occasionally sucking on his right thumb, the most zealous of thorndancers.
"You find everything you need from Juice? Or was it YouLose? Or Jealous? Well, I must admit... Kalyx is a bundle of boon, a trove of treasures..." Pent pulls out his pesh pipe, and the small container that rattles a sweet, salty sound.
"Alright, so... where were we?" Pent takes a deep breath, and proceeds where he left off, raspberries at the ready.
If we can clot him, that's another thing,
If we can cloth him, that's another thing.
If we can feed him, that's another thing,
If we can feeble him, that's another thing.
If we can confuse him, that's another thing,
If we can congratulate him, that's another thing.
If we can shortchange him, that's another thing,
If we can shortorder him, that's another thing.
If we can fumigate him, that's another thing,
If we can fumble him, that's another thing.
If we can bruise him, that's another thing,
If we can brutalize him, that's another thing.
If we can entice him, that's another thing,
If we can entwine him, that's another thing.
If we can bump him, that's another thing,
If we can bumble him, that's another thing.
If we can represent him, that's another thing,
If we can repress him, that's another thing.
If we can cast him, that's another thing,
If we can cask him, that's another thing.
If we can bother him, that's another thing,
If we can bottle him, that's another thing.
If we can throw him, that's another thing,
If we can throttle him, that's another thing.
If we can quit him, that's another thing,
If we can quip him, that's another thing.
If we can enslave him, that's another thing,
If we can ensnare him, that's another thing.
If we can enroll him, that's another thing,
If we can enrage him, that's another thing.
If we can pickle him, that's another thing,
If we can picket him, that's another thing.
If we can inspire him, that's another thing,
If we can instruct him, that's another thing.
If we can flush him, that's another thing,
If we can flummox him, that's another thing.
If we can embarrass him, that's another thing,
If we can embargo him, that's another thing.
If we can titrate him, that's another thing,
If we can titillate him, that's another thing.
If we can harry him, that's another thing,
If we can harm him, that's another thing.
If we can pain him, that's another thing,
If we can paint him, that's another thing.
If we can interest him, that's another thing,
If we can interchange him, that's another thing.
If we can excise him, that's another thing,
If we can excuse him, that's another thing.
If we can deceive him, that's another thing,
If we can decrease him, that's another thing.
If we can trouble him, that's another thing,
If we can trouser him, that's another thing.
If we can smack him, that's another thing,
If we can smash him,that's another thing.
If we can gouge him, that's another thing,
If we can goulash him, that's another thing.
If we can roam him, that's another thing,
If we can roast him, that's another thing.
If we can soak him, that's another thing,
If we can soap him, that's another thing.
If we can flip him, that's another thing,
If we can flick him, that's another thing.
If we can impress him, that's another thing,
If we can imprint him, that's another thing.
If we can smother him, that's another thing,
If we can smoke him, that's another thing.
If we can thrash him, that's another thing,
If we can threaten him, that's another thing.
If we can entertain him, that's another thing,
If we can entrail him, that's another thing.
If we can enlist him, that's another thing,
If we can enlarge him, that's another thing.
If we can stone him, that's another thing,
If we can store him, that's another thing.
If we can burp him, that's another thing,
If we can bury him, that's another thing.
If we can skewer him, that's another thing,
If we can skedaddle him, that's another thing.
If we can berate him, that's another thing,
If we can berouge him, that's another thing.
If we can stud him, that's another thing,
If we can stutter him, that's another thing.
If we can reap him, that's another thing,
If we can read him, that's another thing.
If we can appease him, that's another thing,
If we can appraise him, that's another thing.
If we can defeat him, that's another thing,
If we can defend him, that's another thing.
If we can promote him, that's another thing,
If we can provoke him, that's another thing.
If we can snog him, that's another thing,
If we can snooker him, that's another thing.
If we can trust him, that's another thing,
If we can truss him, that's another thing.
If we can slap him, that's another thing,
If we can slather him, that's another thing.
If we can surprise him, that's another thing,
If we can surpass him, that's another thing.
If we can befit him, that's another thing,
If we can befriend him, that's another thing.
"Wrong on all three counts," Mahdi answers Pent as they resume the long journey back to the monastery. He absently plucks his earplugs from a corner of his robe again and slips them in, while Sa'amm crawls out onto his shoulder and triumphantly rides there to be welcomed back as one of the conquering heroes of Kelmarene.
As you leave the battle market, the sound of bells immediately betray the hiding place of the goblin jester. The creature stands behind the front door, facing the wall with his hands covering his ears, as if those two measures would help it stay hidden.
***
Once you've made your way back down the hill, you can just see a gnoll-formed shape lying sprawled on the ground outside Undrella's place, although it seems to be missing an arm.
***
Nothing unusual happens on the trek back to the Monastery.
Ami and Yeen hasten ahead of the party, running for the Monastery. Out of sight of the others, Ami pulls down his scarf to allow the sun and wind to dry his oozing sores. As Yeen runs as fast he can, Ami's smile and joy are as bright as they can be. There is no truer joy to this halfling (save maybe killing of gnolls) than running unhindered through the desert/savannah with his face uncovered and Sarenrae's light upon his face.
Joy.
Ami stands in the saddle as Yeen kicks it to a higher gear for the last 400 yards to the Monastery. When Yeen gets close, Ami returns the scarf to his face before Yeen does a final jumping skid into the courtyard, they are home. It is a temporary home, but one that they have slept in for days, which makes it a longer home than most of his nights on a caravan or moving around.
He waits for the rest of the party while Yeen hunts for second lunch.
Today has been a good day.
Gaining entrance into the monastery, Pent stalls. His first impulse competes with a second impulse, and the gnome finds himself listening to two gnomish imps vying for his attention.
You really need to report to miss Almah immediately and bring her news of all that was accomplished this day!! She will hold you in the highest esteem, and you will likely be cast in bronze, a statue in your spitting image for Kelmarane to respect!! And it will be anatomically correct, if you play your cards right!!!
Really, you shouldn't steer him that way, Pest. He's got to have real priorities. The pesh can wait.
Pent shakes his head, disappointed in the narrowmindedness of the dual natures of his psyche. Why can't I do both?! Silly imps, trick is to task more than one thing at a time!!
Pent runs to the kitchen, snatching a bowl and a fork. He then proceeds to Almah's office, and begins to milk a pesh plant and sprinkle Kalyx's nagri into the bowl, before whisking it briskly with the fork. He looks up to see if Almah is, in fact, in her office at the time. If she isn't, he takes that as a sign to continue preparing his pesh and wait for her return. If she's present, he smiles grandly and begins to catch her up to speed.
"Miss Almah!!! Great, great news!! The Beast of Kelmarane, Kardswann himself, has been cut low, and remains under lock and supervision by a slap-happy halfling by the name of Harleen, who, by the way, is the long-lost sister of your two halfling recruits. And did I tell you they had nagri??" He shows Almah the contents of the bowl, before shaking his tiring hand, and continuing to mix. "Turns out, the harpy was good on her word, and we managed to avoid killing the merchants, although Ami did his best, so we were able to slay ogre singular, and bugbears, plural, and gnolls plurals, and you're going to need a new door. We should totally mobilize, though, because Kardswann admitted that something evil lies beneath the church, and needs killing, so you may want to help us help you access the underbelly of the church so we can rest at night, completely content in the cleaning out of Kelmarane."
Unsure if Pent is the best spokesman for the party, Aldebert remains in a stunned silence for a moment as Pent outlines their activities.
Well he's not wrong at least.
"He's right ma'am. We took their leader into custody and left him with our sister who will keep an eye on him until our return. We also have reason to believe there is evil yet there beneath the church. That said, the town is ours and we should return to it in force."
Mahdi checks in first with his brother and their captive/patient-- after all, he gave his own personal word that the man would cause no trouble-- and only if there is no problem there, does he make his way to Almah's quarters, approaching in time to hear the tail end of Pent's words, and Aldebert's after.
He bows to their employer.
"My lady. While stated in his usual... inimitable fashion... Pent is correct, as is Aldebert's clarification. The town should be safe enough for now, but beyond the Pactmaster's seal lies something that will need to be dealt with. If I have your leave, I will go to minister to our prisoner-- I have retrieved herbs that may be useful for his condition."
Or kill him, Mahdi remembers. Perhaps he should ask Father Zantoran for further assistance...
Pent almost knocks over his bowl standing up in readying to follow Mahdi out of the office. "I would very much like to see how those herbs go down, Maddie." Pent only occasionally looks up from his bowl to keep his bearings.
Pent looks back to Almah, making sure he's properly dismissed before following the fire mage to his destination.
Mahdi checks in first with his brother and their captive/patient-- after all, he gave his own personal word that the man would cause no trouble-- and only if there is no problem there, does he make his way to Almah's quarters, approaching in time to hear the tail end of Pent's words, and Aldebert's after.
Mahdi finds the falcon emir tightly bound and seemingly asleep, with Hazim sitting on a stool close by. He stands as Mahdi visits, greeting him "Welcome back, brother," before apologetically reporting "I had to knock him out again; he was beginning to struggle mightily against his bonds, and even started to .. change. I'm glad he was bound, truth be told. If he wasn't, I can't say what might have happened. It pains me to say it, but many of my best efforts didn't seem to affect him at all."
Mahdi looks tense at Hazim's confession. "Then we must not risk another day without further safeguards. I have retrieved herbs that may be useful.... thank you for watching him, brother-- I am glad you were here. I will go report to Alma, then return to try and administer these herbs."
Mahdi siiighs at Pent. "Very well. Don't interfere-- the last thing the fellow needs is your litany of what to 'do' with him. He's suffered enough."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Almah is indeed in her chambers when Pent enters, as is Garavel. The merchant princess has a bemused look on her face when the gnome looks up from his pent-whisking, and shares a telling glance with Garavel upon being shown the bowl's contents.
"Slow down," she laughs as he finishes the report, "I can barely make out what you're saying. This is excellent news, if my ears didn't deceive me. Ogres and bugbears, you say, and the Piddlespots' sister was in the market? Was she a prisoner, like Kul?" She twines her fingers together. "It's good that the harpy held to her word." Glancing towards Amiamble, she remarks "I assume the merchants posed a threat. Do they yet remain within the market?"
She smiles gratefully as Aldebert makes his swifter, to-the-point rendition of events. "I wouldn't have thought one day sufficient to overcome the gnoll stronghold. You've all performed admirably." Almah nods to Garavel, who quickly brings forth five velvet bags, each clinging with coins. He hands one to each of you.
Almah then continues. "I gathered you've left the former leader of the gnolls in this Haleen's captivity? With no knowledge of the woman, I must trust your judgment in this, as in so many other things. But, formidable though she may be, I would feel better if she wasn't alone in the task." She pauses, tapping the tips of her fingers together. "While the process of packing everything up and moving the caravan into Kelmarane begins, I suggest you return to the village to stand guard with her. Perhaps you should bring the other prisoner along as well. Two guardposts seems like one too many," she smiles.
"I'll leave that up to you. As for what lies beneath the church.. It concerns me that this Kardswann knew of it. The Pactmasters locked some kind of foul evil within the crypt twenty years ago, after it had assumed control over the high priest and turned the city to madness. I would have thought that evil would have waned by now, but I shudder to think of what his awareness might mean."
Unclasping a small chain around her neck, Almah pulls up another velvet bag fastened to it from beneath her dress. She opens it, and takes out a metal plate with a handle on one side, and a number of grooves and prongs on the other. Handing it to Mahdi, she says "This key opens the seal. You've proven yourselves capable, so I'll leave the details of how to proceed up to you. I'm afraid I don't know any more of the evil within than I've already described."
***
Garavel follows you outside, one hand clasping your shoulder to halt your progress. Once the others have gone ahead, he speaks. "You've earned your freedom today, Pent Arotha. No man or woman will own you again. As such, I could not demand that you refrain from the use of such substances," he nods to the bowl, "though I will advise you not to do so while working."
His message sent, the man returns to Almah's side.
Aldebert accepts his pouch with a gleam in his eye.
"Thank you for your generosity Almah. I agree, we should go back today with our prisoner. We'll spend the night there tonight, and check out the church in the morning."
He turns to the others once they're out of Almah's hearing.
"Let's give the Emir his healing draught tonight shall we? If he survives the night, we might be able to use him as a guard tomorrow before the rest begin to arrive. If he feels up to it of course!"
"My lady is very generous," Mahdi says, collecting his chunk of reward with another bow. He takes the key, as well, with another solemn bow.
"We will do as you wish, and what we must, to ensure the further safety of our expedition. The merchants were... a slight misunderstanding: they are no threat, but wish to trade with us. It will be profitable for us all, I think."
Once they are outside Almah's tent, Mahdi says to the others:
"If we are to take the emir back to Kelmarene with us, then I suggest we administer the 'cure' first.... either he will be able to walk of his own power, which is vastly preferable to us dragging him for miles, or he will be dead, and the issue resolved," Mahdi says with thin humor. "Pent has already expressed a desire to witness this. Anyone else who wishes may do so as well, of course."
Robes flaring dramatically behind him, Mahdi starts back towards his brother, with a detour to the good priest of Nethys to inform him they are about to make the attempt, and inviting him to witness it as well if he wishes it.
He heads towards the emir after that, drawing out both the poison and his antiplague as he goes...
Amiamble runs over to hug Almah's leg, pleased to have done a good job. He ignores the money completely, knowing his brother to want to add it to the Brother Vault of Safekeeping.
Ami tries to whisper in Almah's ear.
"We killed many gnolls for you. They were evil and did not repent!"
When the hug and whisper is finished, Ami will go seek Yeen to feed the cat second-dinner, if the cat has not already caught it.
* * *
Ami packs up his belongings, ready to return to Kelmarene (with the Emir in tow).
He will approach his brother, Aldebert.
"Brother, we have been lucky and successful, have we not? We have been blessed by the Sun with victory and coin. Surely, you see that our gods smile upon us?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Pent bobs his head up every once and awhile as Almah expresses her satisfaction with strike force's activities. When Garavel offers the bag of coin to everyone, the gnome leans forward to bite down on the purse, keeping his jaw locked tight on the bag while he continues mixing. It keeps him largely quiet as she continues to explain what is to come, as she sees it.
"I gathered you've left the former leader of the gnolls in this Haleen's captivity? With no knowledge of the woman, I must trust your judgment in this, as in so many other things. But, formidable though she may be, I would feel better if she wasn't alone in the task."
"Ehahglee aaht aiee aazz sinnkeen!" She's got the right of it, the left of it, the top and the bottom. "Eww sooodent tlusst a slaaherr." Just wait until you meet her yourself.
As the group gets up to go, Pent stops his mixing for a brief moment, to pull his pants forward, open his mouth, and catch his coin bag in his underwear. As the reward hits the spot, it makes an appropriate ka-ching noise. He continues to follow Mahdi out, occasionally thrusting from the hips to assure himself that his coins are still there.
...
When Garavel grabs his shoulder, Pent's first reaction is angry alarm at any action capable of causing him to lose his newly whisked work. "HEY, HEY... oh." Pent squints in shame as he realizes that it's Garavel grabbing him, not his comrades. "Iiieee am so sorry, master Garavel, I didn't know... you know... well, you wouldn't, would you, no, not uh..." Pent quiets down to receive further instructions. Just don't make me have to deal with the halfling honey... She doesn't respect my authority...
He almost doesn't hear the news, as he pictures Haleen writing on a chalkboard, over and over again, 'Pent poses no threat, in fact he's quite the treat'.
"...freedom... no man... will own you again..."
For a moment, Pent is speechless.
As Garavel finishes, Pent looks down into the bowl, and sees his reflection briefly, eyes wide, the left side of his mouth slightly upturned. He looks back up, and watches Garavel walking away.
For another moment, Pent remains speechless.
The gnomes looks wildly about for the most trustworthy, most level surface onto which he may set the bowl. He finds one, but blows hard on the bowl to check it for wobble, before he pursues Garavel.
"Maa... Garavel, a moment of a moment, if you would... you're serious?" Pent reaches his hand out to grab on man's sleeve, but thinks better of it. "I've been told that before, been bold enough to believe it before, and been clocked cold for being dense enough to dream it to be true. No disrespect, but if you're tricking me for your entertainment, I'd rather try and find a joke or three you haven't heard before, and..." Pent stops talking as he sees the look on Garavel's face, and the realization dawns.
Pent grabs for Garavel's hand, and shakes it furiously, tears trickling from his eyes. He opens his mouth, and closes it, continuing to shake the hand of the man that had a hand in handing this man, this free man, his freedom.
The gnome lets go, and runs to tell his crossbow the good news, forgetting the bowl of fermenting pesh altogether.
"If we are to take the emir back to Kelmarene with us, then I suggest we administer the 'cure' first.... either he will be able to walk of his own power, which is vastly preferable to us dragging him for miles, or he will be dead, and the issue resolved," Mahdi says with thin humor. "Pent has already expressed a desire to witness this. Anyone else who wishes may do so as well, of course."
"Well thought out Mahdi. I should like to be there to lend any assistance I may to the proceedings."
Aldebert joins Mahdi with the Emir when the time comes.
"Brother, we have been lucky and successful, have we not? We have been blessed by the Sun with victory and coin. Surely, you see that our gods smile upon us?"
"My dearest brother we have indeed been lucky thank the gods. We shall always be successful so long as we abide our gods and focus on our task. We cannot fail!"
Amiamble runs over to hug Almah's leg, pleased to have done a good job. He ignores the money completely, knowing his brother to want to add it to the Brother Vault of Safekeeping.
Ami tries to whisper in Almah's ear.
"We killed many gnolls for you. They were evil and did not repent!"
Almah smiles awkwardly at Amiamble's leg-hugging, unused to that particular form of affection being shown her, but she nods at the halfling's whispers. "I'm glad you did. Repentance is not their way, and Kelmarane will be all the safer as a result of your deeds."
Robes flaring dramatically behind him, Mahdi starts back towards his brother, with a detour to the good priest of Nethys to inform him they are about to make the attempt, and inviting him to witness it as well if he wishes it.
He heads towards the emir after that, drawing out both the poison and his antiplague as he goes...
Father Zastoran seems slightly annoyed at the interruption when Mahdi enters, but he quickly lights up in a smile as the purpose of the mage's visit becomes clear. "Ah, you were able to procure some wolfsbane? Very good, very good indeed!" Marking his place in the tome of his current study before placing it aside, Zastoran rises to accompany Mahdi to the emir.
He continues speaking during the walk. "I don't assume you were able to find fresh leaves..? Ah, no, I see you have the concentrated form. Mmm, well," he ponders, before nodding, "yes, that's probably for the best. It will be quicker, if things don't go well."
Once the pair arrives, the Father quickly peers inside. He nods, satisfied, at seeing the emir already unconscious or asleep. Before entering, he has a few final words. "It's good that the patient is out. You'll have an easier task administering the substance." He wiggles a cautionary finger. "Remember what I told you before.. as he's already transformed in the past, this will likely not cure him. Certainly not right away. But if my theory is right - and the more I've thought about it, the more I think it must be - then with continued applications of minor amounts of the substance, he should be prevented from transforming anew. I'd say a few drops each day would do the trick."
Pausing, he lowers his voice to a whisper. "And if it doesn't seem to work, that should leave enough for a more permanent solution."
After a good stretch, Aldebert will guard the Emir until Mahdi returns with the draught.
He idly scratches himself and wonders if he'll have to kill the Emir this day.
Pent meets back up with the group, to see the leopard man made whole again.
"So who's going to wake him up?" Pent reaches down to pull the Emir's lips up, exposing the gums. "Looks safe so far. You know, when we had really sick slaves that couldn't drink through their mouths, we had to pull their pants down and hookah hose them with herbal infusions." Pent looks to Mahdi, interested to see which end of the tunnel he pursues.
Mahdi listens intently to Father Zastoran as they walk to the unconscious emir, nodding here and there. He nods solemnly at the final muttered words of the priest. If they cannot help, then better they kill quickly.
He heaves a long-suffering sigh at Pent's usual helpful suggestions, shaking his head slightly.
"Aldebert, Kul, Hazim... if you will hold his limbs-- he might seize up, upon administration," he points out. The ropes stay on too, but the more help the better.
"Right." The young wizard clears his throat. He has an audience; therefore, he must make a speech.
"What I am about to try is quite dangerous," he says dramatically. "This man might live, with his affliction contained-- or he might die. His fate is in the hands of the gods, and the strength of his soul."
(Or the strength of his digestive system, Mahdi thinks but does not say.)
"Hold his head up so he is less likely to choke, if you will-- thank you."
Pent takes in the speech with the appropriate number of oooh's and aaah's.
"What I am about to try is quite dangerous.""Oooh."
"This man might live...""Aaah!"
"...or he might die.""Oooh!"
"His fate is in the hands of the gods...""Aaah."
"...and the strength of his soul."
"Oooh."
Pent wends his way in and about the folks assigned to hold down the Appendages of Emir, arriving at the head. Pent grabs the ears, keeping his forearms clear of a thrashing maw. He watches Mahdi like a mouse watches the hawk. Pent leans in, pulling an ear closer. "No worries, Emir. This should fix you up right as the righteous rains that carry each drop of Sarah's Sunshine to those who need it the most, and of the most who need it, you, new friend, are the neediest."
Amiamble, after seeing to Yeenoghu's needs, will go watch Mahdi's ministrations. He (Ami, not Mahdi) is deeply curious about the Emir, the lycanthropy, and the cure. Also, there is *totally* no truth to the rumor that if given the option to become a werecat (like a wereYeenoghu) that Ami would be quite happy.
Ami sits on a nearby rock, his hands under his bum, watching intently as the cure is applied.
Kul lightly rests his left knee on the Emir's chest while taking a firm grip of his right arm. Kul prepares to shift all of his weight onto the chest of the emir, should he begin thrashing around.
Pent watches Kul take his position. He decides to mirror the fighter's actions, taking his hands off the Emir's ears, and placing his own knee against the Emir's forehead. Wobbling a bit too much, Pent decides it would be better to straddle the Emir's head between his gnomish thighs.
He has to adjust a couple of times to make sure marbles and mast lie comfortably.
The emir groggily wakes as Mahdi feeds him the anti-plague, only able to get out a muffled "wha.." before Pent's rump settles into position atop his head. Pinned down as he is, he's similarly unable to prevent the drops of wolfsbane from finding their way into his throat.
For a few minutes, it seems as if the wolfsbane has had no effect. Father Zastoran murmurs something about "Maybe a few more drops.." Then, suddenly, the emir begins struggling violently against his bonds and those holding him down, and the few spots of his face visible around Pent's curves pale considerably. Drops of sweat form on his forehead, soaking into the gnome's pants. The thrashing doesn't last long, however, and once it's over the emir still breathes, although that breathing is somewhat labored.
Aldebert looks down at the Emir and up at Mahdi.
"So that's it? He's cured and safe now to re-enter society?"
Aldebert looks uneasy and unsure.
"The wolfsbane is only meant to be a control of his symptoms, not a cure in and of itself. A true cure requires magic that is still beyond me," Mahdi says to Aldebert's question. He watches intently, seated on his heels in the dust, and feels at the man's wrist for his pulse.
"Emir," he asks, "I apologize for the indelicate treatment, but it seemed wise under the circumstances. How are you feeling? --Pent, move your ass so the poor bastard can talk."
Mahdi's lack of training within the field brings with it an equal lack of knowledge with which to base any diagnosis. He can, however, tell that the emir's pulse seems weaker than it was before the wolfsbane was administered.
***
Still restrained by rope, although no longer by gnome, the emir lets his eyes and tone of voice speak of his fury. "What in the nine hells was that? Indelicate, you say? Indelicate! Sitting on my face and pouring some kind of poison down my throat is indelicate!?"
Unfazed by the man's anger, Mahdi recaps the vial.
"Consider how angry you are at the moment-- do you feel any transformation threatening? If not, that is an encouraging sign, in that you can be treated in such an undignified fashion and yet not transform into a slavering beast.
"We did not know if you might resist the 'poison' as you call it. In your case, sir, it is part of what will help give you power over this curse."