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'Oh gosh. I didn't want to do this.' Jaces eyes widen in astonishment. "My dear lady! I am the Conte of Montaire, I have been sent here as an act of charity. Something you know all about." He looks down at her dress in implication and puts on a haughty appearance, drawing together all his experience from his father and the countless pointless hunting events.
A disparaging tone to his voice; "Now we are coming in." he says brooking no question and ensuring his foot is in the door.
Cocking one eyebrow, he actually slightly concedes. "Of course the lady from the temple sent us Madam. You don't look well cold is not good for old bones. Let us get you indoors and on with your duties." he moves to push his way haughtily past her inside.
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Mai smiles at Corbyn. "You should try a glass before committing to a bottle, don't you think? I have gold enough for a glass. It's on me." She slides two gold to Miltivus and selects a regular style of traveling outfit for herself, giving her pack to Corbyn to guard while she tries on the couple of most likely outfits for size.
"Your kindness is beyond measure."
Corbyn grabs the pack and guards it dutifully.
"I shall also reimburse you at my earliest convenience. Plod is carrying a Gallon of fine Ale to which you may help yourself to on our venture at anytime you choose."
Corbyn lifts the glass to his mouth and sips.
"As the book of Ragathiel tells: Equality in friendship, Superiority over enemies!"
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Mai emerges from the back room a few moments later clad in a very plain outfit of boots, breeches, shirt, and a belt. She holds the cloak and another, similar outfit with a skirt instead of breeches. All-in-all, she appears as comfortable as a dolphin in court clothing.
"I am uncertain, Corbyn. Which of these outfits looks more ordinary without being... well, unflattering?" She turns around, tugging uncertainly at the shirt and breeches. "This garb is strange. Does it make me look rather, um, wide from behind?"
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Passio watches impassively as the gate opens almost immediately after his rather exaggerated announcement. He leans in close to Samara and whispers, "I admit...I didn't think that would work."
Then with a bright smile and a confidant step, he enters the dilapidated grounds. He and Samara disappear from easy view as the gate creaks shut behind them.
"My dear lady! I am the Conte of Montaire, I have been sent here as an act of charity. Something you know all about."
"Now we are coming in."
"Of course the lady from the temple sent us Madam. You don't look well cold is not good for old bones. Let us get you indoors and on with your duties."
The little crone is obviously unimpressed by Jace's display. "You must be some kind of arrogant little lordling, true, to be thinking you can just barge in on an old woman's home like this!"
She does, however, finally give way, allowing Jace and Faeron grudgingly into the waiting room; it is a dusty room with ancient furniture, and several cats lounge about.
Perception DC10:
There is a sideboard by a chaise with several empty alcohol bottles.
Heal DC12:
Auntie Baltwin's hands begin to shake as she looks at the empty bottles; her bloodshot eyes and the broken vessels in her nose are clear indicators of alcoholism, and she appears to be going through withdrawals as you continue to delay her.
"So, the people up at the temple are sending nasty little nobles and elves to do their bidding, now, eh? Tell me, why are you really here? People like you, you don't just run errands."
Auntie Baltwin:
However, she seems to relax slightly even as she asks the question, and shakes her head.
"Na, they probably just called in favors. Maybe I'm just being a suspicious old biddy. Look, I don't need any help around here of your sort. I just need that medicine. I'll answer your questions, but please, make it quick."
Samara watches the footman, and then looks towards Passio with a 'I hope we do not get eaten by undead' look, but follows after the footman once he beckons, eyes downcast as she wanders along with her arms crossed tightly.
Passio watches impassively as the gate opens almost immediately after his rather exaggerated announcement. He leans in close to Samara and whispers, "I admit...I didn't think that would work."
Then with a bright smile and a confidant step, he enters the dilapidated grounds. He and Samara disappear from easy view as the gate creaks shut behind them.
Perception DC10:
While the grounds themselves are obviously ill-tended, the manse is constructed of well-cut and well-seated stone; it is quite obviously a very professionally-built home.
The footman leads Passio and Samara through the blighted grounds towards the manse; a large porch overlooks the 'garden', and a truly ancient man sits in a wheeled chair, covered by a blanket despite the afternoon warmth. He peers nearsightedly at the pair while the footman ascends the steps to whisper in his ear.
"Eh? Eh? Visitors, you say? What? An appointment with a magician? Did I ask for a magician? Well, I must have, since he's here!" the old man says in an overly loud voice, pointing a crooked finger at Samara.
"Heh! Well, magician? Why did I make an appointment with you?"
The footman looks at the finger pointing at the elf, looks at Passio, and rolls his eyes behind his master's back, maintaining his previous silence.
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Mai nods briskly at Corbyn's words. "Well-spoken wisdom is always welcome. I will wear this so as not to attract undue attention, no matter how ill it may look. My thanks." She folds her old outfit and the cloak of the new one and rearms, slinging her sword and pack across her back once again and wrapping the prayer beads around her wrist.
"May I put these clothes in Plod's packs for now? And perhaps we should join our companions at the orphanage. I am sure how the lady paladin would feel about orphans being farmed out to work for profit while the headmistress drinks away the food money and relies on charity for medicine! My assessment for this mission is complete. I will give her nothing of this charity if it will be misdirected."
Mai nods briskly at Corbyn's words. "Well-spoken wisdom is always welcome. I will wear this so as not to attract undue attention, no matter how ill it may look. My thanks."
Miltivus smiles. "They actually suit you fairly well, miss. Thank you for the patronage!"
"I am sure how the lady paladin would feel about orphans being farmed out to work for profit while the headmistress drinks away the food money and relies on charity for medicine! My assessment for this mission is complete. I will give her nothing of this charity if it will be misdirected."
"Wait, what?!" Miltivus exclaims. "I knew the old lady was hiring out the kids, but I didn't know she was soliciting medicine donations! I thought the fees she charged for the labor of the older and healthier ones was paying for the medicines for the sick ones!"
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Passio raises an eyebrow, but quickly wills his face back to the beaming happy exuberance that comes so easily. With a somewhat overly flourishing bow, Passio attempts to draw the man's attention from Samara.
"The children, sir! The children! You have summoned I, the Marvelous Mancini, to help you out with the orphanage that resides in this square with you. So tell me what seems to be your need? Are the little youngsters too noisy? We can erect sonic dampening magic walls! Are they finding ways into your grounds? We can summon angels from the Plane of Law to help keep order! Whatever may be wrong with that orphanage and its operator, you let the Masterful Mancini know. My, uh, lovely apprentice and I," here Passio gestures to Samara, "er, we will strive to remedy the situation."
Passio tries to grin as friendly as possible.
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Jace looks upon Aunty Baldwin; "I am afraid you forget it is not just thy home; but also that of thee charges - the orphans that you care so much for?" Jace says with a sad shake of his head and a questioning glance.
"Of course, nasty lordling - for I have been called worse. I...we have just been sent here for a simple task!" Jace says with a smile to the elderly curator. "We need to ensure that the medicines are put to good use." He watches the old ladies reaction.
"I have seen too many people who use children, especially orphans, for there own gain. Selling them to the highest bidder whether for pleasure, work or something more sinister. Are you one of them?" he asks directly his piercing blue eyes try to bury into her soul.
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"I am a cleric of Caydean, I know you think me a meddler in your affairs. But believe me I see into your heart. You are a good woman aren't you?" Holding his eyes wide purposefully they tear up; "You wish to help these children, but it is so hard. I understand, they disrespect you. The nobles they disparage you and don't fulfill you're children's needs." He gasps from his position near the sideboard; "We...I can help you." eyes tearing up.
"I can see how much you wish to help these children, despite the problems that have driven you to Caydeans bounty and I can help you." he places his hand upon the soft darkwood of the side table.
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"It's nice. If it were taken care of. Quite nice," mumbles Samara to Passio, making idle conversation about the place. "Sturdy. Secure." The white haired elf's eyes shift about the place until she finds herself being pointed at and apparently thought to be a magician.
"Er... I am a female elf. I know that some humans have a hard time telling. The same is how we look to them..." says Samara, awkwardly. She glances towards Passio and then says, "Er. Yes. I work with Mister Passio. See?"
Samara takes a coin from her coinpurse, shows it in front of herself, and performs a quick 'magic' trick where she makes the coin disappear. "Tada." Pause. "He's better than I am at magic."
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"Wait, what?!" Miltivus exclaims. "I knew the old lady was hiring out the kids, but I didn't know she was soliciting medicine donations! I thought the fees she charged for the labor of the older and healthier ones was paying for the medicines for the sick ones!"
"That would be the ethical thing to do, but she has been begging charity of the Silver Crusade and receiving the medicine for free. This must not continue." Mai bows to Miltivus and turns to Corbyn. "Do you agree? Shall we meet our friends at the orphanage?"
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"I believe we have found the answer, good inquisitor!" Mai strides briskly (as usual) from the Market to the orphanage, fully expecting Corbyn to follow and walking right past Turin and Plod where they are tied to the hitching post in front of the Market. The front step of the orphanage is empty by the time they arrive. "I guess they have gone inside." Mai looks at Corbyn and shrugs.
She pounds briskly on the front door.
"I am a cleric of Caydean, I know you think me a meddler in your affairs. But believe me I see into your heart. You are a good woman aren't you? You wish to help these children, but it is so hard. I understand, they disrespect you. The nobles they disparage you and don't fulfill you're children's needs. We...I can help you. I can see how much you wish to help these children, despite the problems that have driven you to Caydeans bounty and I can help you."
Auntie Baltwin sighs, her bloodshot eyes tearing up.
"It's hard, with all these young 'uns. No one wants 'em, and they take so much care... no one but me seems to give a d*mn about their welfare. The drink...it's a comfort, yes. If that makes me unfit for charity, then so be it, but please, don't let my problems hurt these poor children."
Before she has a chance to continue, another loud pounding at the front door interrupts the conversation.
"What now?!" Auntie Baltwin snaps, throwing the door open to reveal Mai Lin and Corbyn Osric.
"Oh. Great. Now the parents of half-breeds want me to take their spawn in too. Let me guess. The other children call it Pig, right?" she sneers.
"The children, sir! The children!"
The old man harrumphs. "I wasn't talking to you, fancy-pants. You're not nearly as entertaining as the magician here!" he says, watching Samara's coin trick avidly. "I don't have a problem with Baltwin's kids! She usually leaves them behind when she comes over to gamble with me!"
"Tada."
The old man lets forth a high-pitched laugh at the conclusion of Samara's act, and even the footman almost cracks a smile.
"Fantastic, young man, just fantastic! My name's Master Trebb, you may have heard of me, been throwing up buildings around Absalom for 50 years! This is more fun than gambling!"
He then leans forward in his chair, peering near-sightedly at Samara and Passio.
"Say, you two remind me of them folks that sometimes come around to give Baltwin money. Of course, they're usually sneakier about it. And they don't cheat at dice! But she's nice anyway. Even if she does cheat, I guess, and even if I don't know why those young fellas from the docks sometimes come around at night to give her money."
He blinks, then turns to the footman.
"Who are these people?" he whispers loudly.
The footman rolls his eyes again, then finally speaks for the first time in a deep voice.
"I am sorry, Master Passio, Mistress Elf. It is time for Master Trebb's...nap."
He surreptitiously motions towards the gate, even as Master Trebb begins to snore loudly.
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Placing a soft hand upon the ladies shoulder comfortingly, Jace looks at the orphanage proprietress with sadness. 'If she doesn't care for the children who will...she might be...but who will take them in?' Jace vaguely remembers what happened when Hubert's work-house closed with a shudder.
"It will be alright, we can get you some help." 'Someone who'll take over, eventually.' Jace shakes his head; "I'll do what I can to help the orphanage and you."
The knocking at the door brings Jace out slightly and his face darkens at the insult to his friends.
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Mai blinks in the face of Auntie Baltwin's assertion, then smiles sweetly. "It? Oh no, honorable lady, them! We have triplets! We may be able to come pick them up in a few years, just when they are old enough to be useful. They are a little sickly now, but I'm sure your tender care will bring them to health."
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As he and Samara are shuffled out, Passio head spins with all of the rather unfortunate information that had just been heaped on them.
He leans close to Samara. "I'll say, good job in there, Samara. You really do have a away with people. I knew I was right to bring you along for this." He smiles happily at the elf.
He knocks her arm comradely with his fist and steps out into the street just in time to see Mai Lin saying something dripping with enough sarcasm that Passio checks his boots to make sure he hasn't stepped in it as it reached all the way to here.
He cocks an eyebrow and glances at Samara.
"Oh no," he says with concern. "Looks like another fire is about to ignite. Good thing your here, eh? Silver hair, silver tongue, Silver Samara!" Passio beams at the roguish elf with the shy manner.
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"Er, but I'm a female... elf..." mumbles Samara in embarrassment at Trebb, and she nods slowly towards the footman when he says that the elderly man is going to sleep. She seems quite happy to leave.
At being told she has a way with people, she looks wide-eyed at Passio and seems unable to make words come out for a short while before she exclaims, "Why do you keep saying that?!" Her eyes shift a bit. She fixes her hair and tried to regain her composure, and she says quietly to Passio, "Do you think she gets the money from selling the medicines to those men? Or maybe she sells the children?"
And then she hears their companions talking to the old lady. "Er, I am sure that is a thing they have handled?" she says to Passio, hoping that she doesn't have to be social again.
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Intimidate:
Sense Motive:
Armour creaked, the green haired elf shifting to follow forward into the dingy gloom of the building. His storm grey eyes taking in the surroundings as Jace continued to attempt his diplomatic handling of what apparently was a drunken waste of humanity. Coddling her as he attempted to get her to believe that he was on her side. If he hadn't known Jace already he probably would have lost his patience much, much sooner. But in some respects it was like watching a cart crash. Almost too engaging too look away no matter how much it might be an inconvenience. So despite his annoyance with the woman proper it was almost enough amusement just watching the cleric try and dance around her obviously sour disposition. Almost.
His gaze narrowed as she all but lept upon the excuse of drink, so conveniently placed. He had rarely meet an alcoholic of her type that would admit to anything. No, they far preferred to claim ignorance and fight any suggestion otherwise. Could she be so anxious to get them their answers and banish them that she'd be willing to even fleetingly admit to something? That begged the question. Why? Since they'd come she'd behaved as if their very existence was a threat.
His hand tightened around the pommel of his sword as the wizened woman stomped to the door to reveal two more of his companions, and promptly smear upon the half-orc's nature. Had anyone been closer they would have heard the creak of metal as his hand tightened and the slow grinding of teeth. Hearing Mistress Mai's snarking response to the harsh words through a rush of blood. He had had enough.
"That is enough."The tall elf snarled in a tightly controlled tone, loosing his ill-held temper and stomping forward to do something he rarely did, a gauntlet closed around Auntie Baldwin's frail arm. Temper snapping in his eyes darkening them to a slate grey. "Mistress Mai, the children are still our first priority. Would you take Jace to tend to them, please?"His words were polite but the tone was clipped with the annoyance for the hag. Gaze shifting towards the inquisitor. "Corbyn, if you would assist me in questioning our proprietress as to her EXACT behaviours?"
That being said he turned his attention downwards to the old hag that he was touching. His expression disgust and anger blended into a lethal mix. Voice dropping to a husky growl to match the steel dark eyes.
"Given my current feelings towards you, neighbor, I would recommend thinking about telling me the truth, and ALL of it. I would rather enjoy seeing every sordid little detail of your life dragged into the light of the Silver Crusade. So please. Oblige me."A quick flash of teeth that didn't even slightly resemble a smile. It was a sharp baring of teeth that backed up the threat in his voice.
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Jace is further taken aback as the elf moves past him and grabs the alcoholic crones arm. Quickly composing himself; he almost says something then thinks better of it. The elven chevalier is obviously upset and although he shouldn't do anything to impinge upon his honour or that of the pathfinders. 'What the?! Alright, I am sure everything will turn out fine....I am sure it will.'
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"The only children here in the orphanage right now - if there are any - are the sick ones, Faeron. They are not well enough to send out to work. The healthy ones are out working to earn money for the medicine. Of course, the medicine is free from the Silver Crusade, which leads to the obvious question - where is the money going? The children are expensive to hire. Can one little old lady drink that much whiskey?"
"It? Oh no, honorable lady, them! We have triplets! We may be able to come pick them up in a few years, just when they are old enough to be useful. They are a little sickly now, but I'm sure your tender care will bring them to health."
Auntie Baltwin begins to puff up, and a retort is readily apparent upon her lips, until...
"Given my current feelings towards you, neighbor, I would recommend thinking about telling me the truth, and ALL of it. I would rather enjoy seeing every sordid little detail of your life dragged into the light of the Silver Crusade. So please. Oblige me."
Corbyn walks up beside Faeron and stares Auntie Baltwin directly in the eye.
Confronted by Faeron and Corbyn, Auntie Baltwin seems to completely deflate, all of her bluster gone. All of the cats flee the room save one, a mackerel tabby that twines anxiously around the old woman's legs.
"How... oh, curses! I've been taking care of sick children for 30 years! 30 YEARS! You think those piddly donations these so-called 'charities' make puts any kind of dent in that whatsoever? Yes, I hired out the older and healthier children, and yes, I sell some of the donations on the black market down at the docks. Some of the medicines, they're worth more in gold than they are worth here. I needed the money they made! And yes, I drink. Wouldn't YOU?"
She looks up pleadingly at Faeron and Corbyn.
"I'm sorry that I was rude to you, but you are snooping in my home! If the blighted Silver Crusade wanted to help, they'd send more than these silly baskets of medicine!"
She then regains a slight amount of her former arrogance, though it is tinged with fear.
"You can't take me away, anyway! Who would take care of the children if you did? That senile fool across the street? Miltivus, who can barely manage his own market? One of you oh-so-busy snoopy folk? So take the damn medicine back to the temple. Tell them whatever you wish, but leave me be!"
Mai watches the crone bluster, assessing her words and appearance.[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+8
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Passio hears a low rumbling voice of anger that while not understandable is very distinguishable as Faeron. Corbyn becomes very serious, and Mai acquires a stance that emanates satisfaction.
Passio glances at Samara and purses his lips. "Sooooo...looks like things are under...control?" Passio raises his eyebrow and tries to ignore the partially angry and partially pleading tone now coming from over little Mai Lin's head. The he grins and shrugs.
"Well, what about that refreshing beverage? Join me?"
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Samara looks towards Passio with a torn looking expression. "Maybe we should let our companions know that she is collecting money from men secretly and then gambling it away? I think that selling children or drugs are things that she is doing."
She intentionally speaks at full volume, rather than in the soft tones she usually speaks, so that the others might have a good chance of hearing her as near as she is to the door.
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"You can't take me away, anyway! Who would take care of the children if you did? That senile fool across the street? Miltivus, who can barely manage his own market? One of you oh-so-busy snoopy folk? So take the damn medicine back to the temple. Tell them whatever you wish, but leave me be!"
"That does not excuse your actions. Do not forget, the Society has many resources at its disposal. Finding a suitable replacement for you would not be a difficult task. You change your ways starting now. Save your mortal soul now, yours and those of these children and maybe, just maybe Ragathiel will save a place for you in Heaven."
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Jace nods; moving around the older 'Aunty' to go to Mai's side and slightly move past her. He brushes a stray lock of hair out of his face as a subtle cover to rub a tear from the corner of his eye. "Yes, we need to check." 'Upon the children and see what damage has done.'
He moves his hand before him; "Would you like to lead?" his voice hold a slight catch, that he represses.
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Looking at Samara with amusement, Passio says, "It seems obvious they have already discovered her duplicitous nature by the tone Mai levels at her and the righteous fire coming from Corbyn's eyes."
Passio shrugs and begins walking towards the house at Mai's beckoning.
"I admit I was merely trying to honor your request not to force you to speak. After all perhaps your amazing people skills need time to recharge" Passio gives Samara a comforting smile. "I envy you your skill."
"I do not consent to this search!" Baltwin screeches wildly. "You have no right to do this! I have tried to assuage your fears enough! If you do not leave me and my home be, I shall have Miltivus call the guards! I'll stop drinking so much, and you can take that worthless medicine back to the temple, but just get out of here already!"
The old woman looks around at the party with wild eyes, while the mackerel tabby hisses in protest.
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Walking up, Passio hears the near-hag's screeching. Passio whistles from high to low. "Uh-oh Samara, looks like you're people skills might be needed after all."
Passio taps Corbyn's shoulder. "Um, I hate to be a nuisance, but the old girl's got some magical talents...that kitty there is a familiar of some sorts. Perhaps you guys want to calm down a little? We won't be doing any orphans any favors if we start slinging magic all over the place."
Passio stage whispers to Mai, "Remember what happened at the cloth sellers." He raises his eyebrows and bunches his lips as if reminding a wayward child of a past transgression. Obviously Passio's mind has already forgotten any part he may have played in that debacle.
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"I am calm. We are calm. If any magic is going to be slung, it will not be by me. I wish everything to be calm and orderly. I do not want the orphanage to burn down."
Mai folds her arms and stands quietly, waiting for the more diplomatic members of the party to weigh in. "I quite like cats. Useful, tidy creatures."
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Passio taps Corbyn's shoulder. "Um, I hate to be a nuisance, but the old girl's got some magical talents...that kitty there is a familiar of some sorts. Perhaps you guys want to calm down a little? We won't be doing any orphans any favors if we start slinging magic all over the place."
"As you wish my friend. How would you suggest proceeding in the matter?"
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Jace closes his eyes and with a slight wince moves towards Aunty Baltwin; "You see I only want what is best. Here's what we are going to do." his voice is level and reasonable. "Miss Mai and I are going to make sure the children are alright and give them the medicine that they need. We will not deny those in need, speaking of that..." he pours a small glass of her drink and gives it to Aunty Baltwin. "You're need for this is too strong, my Caydean's graces I will help you reduce that need."
"If you wish we can have Miltivus go for the guards and we can take a tour!" Jace shakes his head slightly at the prospect.
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Intimidate:
Grapple:
Carry:
Had his mood been better he might have smiled at the way the half-orc was quick to step up and glare down at the woman. It was an impressive sight, one that he made a mental note not to back the inquisitor into a corner because of. But for now his focus was on the situation at hand and he had little humour for that. Mistress Mai's words drained even more of that as fire snapped in the steel grey eyes as he flicked a glance towards the monk and then back at the woman who apparently sold off her charges. Disgust twisting the lines of his mouth.
The pleading eyes the old crone turned on them was offset by her attempted defense of her actions. How she needed the money and they should clearly understand and accept her position. Had she been more capable of defending herself he would have issued a challenge right then and there. Saying there was no one else to take her place. Which Faeron refused to accept. Mistress Samara's raised voice added more clues to the puzzle while the dark haired female's attempt to gain the truth was added by the near-silent Corbyn's rebuke. The tall elf may not have believed in an afterlife, but he did believe in redemption. He just equally believed this hag was past that point. Her actions on children, innocent children in her protection, was beyond anything that could be forgiven. Mistress Mai brought up searching the orphanage which was instantly, and shriekingly, denied by the woman he was holding. The threat to call the guards on them was the last straw. Too many times he'd seen the wealthy use the guards to protect themselves, to hide their greed and cruelty behind the veneer of civility. All expression simply drained off his face like water leaving it blank.
The others continued discussing their choices, Jace even offering the woman a drink but she'd never get it. Faeron shifted, grabbing her around the waist and plucking her off the ground. Fully expecting a fight and braced for whatever backlash she'd be able to use against him. If he had to wrestle her the entire way he would. This would end NOW.
"Jace, the children need your healing aide, please give them a kindness they have been getting no where else. Mistress Mai, Corbyn. This house hides secrets if you would be so kind to discover them, and Passio, Mistress Samara you two would be the best to collect the lost children. I do not believe they will need to be working any longer."His voice was bland, clipped, and matched the neutral expression he was wearing as he whistled sharply, once. "Auntie will be getting her wish to speak with the guard about this issue."So saying he began making his attempt to haul the old woman out of the house. Whether the others obliged his requests or went their own way his most important duty was to see that Auntie Baldwin never again harmed a child with her neglect and cruelty.
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The massive grey sighed gustily, lipping at the last dregs in his now empty keg. Soft brown eyes just a little softer as he lazily shifts his weight to one side and props a foot up with a belch. The large head dipping to hang low and rest against the railing they were tied to to take a half nap while his master did....whatever it was that masters did when they weren't being entertaining, leaning posts, or sources of drink. Chuffing sleepily and flicking off the occasional fly with a long tail.
Then a sharp whistle sounded through the area. A little distorted by distance and echoes but unmistakable. The grey's head lifted, barrel chest huffing once, as Turin looked through the tumble of silken mane towards where he'd last seen his master. Seeing the still open door and people he recognized he tossed his head once with a grunt of acceptance and bent to tug at his binding.
The reigns fell off the railing once more and were picked up in blunt teeth before the massive warhorse trotted across the market. Head held high, silver mane and tail streaming, looking quite pleased with himself and not caring too much about people that might get in the way. Anyone who missed him was clearly not looking or wanted their foot stomped on.
When he got to the open door he dropped his reigns and released a loud whinny so that everyone inside would know he was there. He was feeling very lazy and proud of himself and hoped the summons involved one of the pretty girls petting him some more. Maybe even brushing him. The horse whickered a low rumbling sound of pleasure and stretched his neck out with a shake that sent his mane tumbling in disarray all around his neck and face.
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"Oh dear. Jace, here is the medicine; I have no healing skill. Corbyn and I did not find out where the healthy children work, so it will be difficult to collect them unless Auntie tells us where they are. I wager she is not inclined to do so," Mai says above the shrieks of the crone. She pulls off her pack and hands it to Jace, then trots off to check the other rooms on the first floor.
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Jace watches with a startled gasp stuck in his throat as the handsome cavalier manhandles Aunty away as she reaches out for the drink. Stumbling back away from the wailing old lady, Jaces eyes bulging, he turns to Mai.
Shocked by the events he listens intently to the Tian woman's words; "Yes." In his shocked state and with the cut-crystal glass in his hand he downs the liquid in a single draught. The strong pungent alcohol burns down his gullet, forcing him to take a step back and place the empty glass upon the side-board. Blinking his eyes, he steps towards Mai "Certainly, we must help the children. Upstairs, after you." he gasps, his usual dulcet tones having a gravelly rasp. As he takes the medicine and motions for Mai to lead the way.
Auntie Baltwin shrieks as Faeron hoists her up on his shoulder.
"Put me down, you filthy creature! Guards! Guards! Someone help me!
She wriggles fearfully, trying to break loose from Faeron's grip.
The crone manages to pull herself free, and drops to the floor! Cursing and spitting, she begins to chant, making arcane gestures with her withered hands as the mackerel tabby buzzes up and hisses!