"What Deandre said it would be easy pickings, some Pathfinder pansy's with impressive loot. And I'd get to test my skills." he says ruefully.
"Whilst Halli's just a psycho, kill you soon as look at you." he adds nodding as Samara picks a potion from the unconscious leader.
In the distance there's a whistle as there's the sounds of a guardsman rushing to the scene.
"Whaaaat?" he says literally scratching his head. "I don't get your meaning. And I don't have the means to bribe your judges, let me go - don't be mean." he looks around puzzled, the other hand clasped to his side.
"Well, they are a bunch of busy-bodies. You should let me go.... I do have 10 gold and a healing potion you can use?" the moustachioed halfling offers, hoping to bargain for his freedom. "Plus it's such work talking to the watch."
"Well, I won't offer you 12 gold each then." he slyly winks. "I know you guardsmen are incorruptible." the halfling tries to keep a straight face underneath his fancy moustache.
"Even if it would save all the trouble of a trial." from the end of the alleyway there's the sound of padding feet approaching.
The halfling holds out a potion vial for anyone to take, a wry smile on his face.
Suddenly into the end of the alley rushes a sandy haired man, with a brush of stubble. Thick leather jerkin, polished to a shine despite having seen better years, creaks slightly and upon the chest there's the bronze crest of the guard. "'Ello, 'ello, 'ello. What's going on 'ere then?" he asks of the group.
The gruff constable trotts up to the group, a disapproving look on his face. "Shakedown for drugs?" he adds in a certain tone. His hand going to the truncheon hanging from his belt.
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Rook gives a sharp, cawing laugh at the guardsman's certainty. "He says it's a healing potion, and he wants to make good on some of the harm he and his friends have caused." The tengu tilts his head towards the obviously bloodied Itra. "Someone who knows more about potions should check it out first." He looks at Eddie expectantly.
"Guardsman??" he says scratching his head, but standing proprietorially over the alleyway. He looks around at the group, suspiciously.
There's a low groan that brings him back to his senses and he moves around all the dying, ensuring their conditions will not worsen. However he does keep an eye upon the group....
Jutting his chin out he replies directly to Mai; "Yes, guardsmen are formidible." he announces.
His eyebrows are brought together in concentration as he tries to remeber something. The suddenly he stands a bit straighter and looks Itra in the eyes; "Constable Javek, sorry sir I didn't recognise you." he throws back his shoulders, looking slightly guiltily.
The halfling man scuffs his heels; "I do like a good reunion, how's about I'll be on my way?" he adds cheekily.
The lance-corporal looks at the Pathfinder badge that Galfon shows him; "Yeah, well...." he looks around shiftily. "Sorry about that, cannot be too careful."
He reaches out, and grabs the halfling by the collar; "Oi ya blighter, where do you think you're off to." the moustachio'd barbarian shrugs.
A look of recognition slips across the officials face; "Mr Ledford, I do believe we have a warrant for your arrest. And most probably for your compatriots." He drags the short man with him as he looks at the others, whilst from the end of the alley a small patrol of watchmen turn up. "Mr Waever... Deandre Dulay....and" he takes a breath at the sorceress; "Miss Foster. Good reward for these."
The lance constable gets out his worn service booklet and starts writing in it. He licks his pencil and scribbles furiously, a look of determination etched across his face.
He finally sighs, whilst his colleagues put the halfling in cuffs and bustle around the unconscious attackers. Finally the lance-constable rips a sheet out of his booklet and hands it to the group. "You said you wanted to be on your way? We've got these men sorted."
Upon this day, xxxx
Signed
Lance Constable Tranelon"
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Mai bows. "Thank you, Lance-Corporal. We must return to the Lodge with these items before it grows any later. It is good that our errands resulted in removing these felons from the streets. They cannot harm innocents now that they are in your care."
She prepares to take their spoils back to the lodge.
With a snap of his heels the guardsman returns the salute to Mai; "Aye, duty beckons."
Under Mai's supervision they take all the items from the ambushers, with Itra being required to sign a chitty of authenticity and authority. After signing the papers, in triplicate, the Lance-Corporal waves them good-bye before turning back to the other guards. Barking some orders at the junior officers, is the last thing the group hears as they rush off forward to deliver the items to Captain Valsin.
Streets have become more crowded as the suns path drops towards the horizon. Sky is filled with orange and pink hue reflected from the thin fluffy clouds that drift.
Moving back towards the Grand Lodge, Plod bulls his way to create a gap - though even he glances up at the beautiful sunset. Soon the grand wrought iron gates of the Lodge stand before you, intricate designs interweaving with the vertical bars. A tall figure in silvered ceremonial armour of The Gatekeeper ushers them inside; "Hurry Captain Valsin is awaiting you, I'll take care of your donkey." he reaches out to grasp the reigns of Plod.
Entering the citadel; upon the far-side of the court-yard is the stairs leading upto the leader of the Great-Lodges chambers. The single tree stands illuminated by the peach hue of the setting sun, whilst the first blossoms struggle to present themselves.
"Over there, up the stairs!" the guard says simply pointing across the courtyard with a free hand.
"I'm sure you'll be fine." they glance over the party, keeping their tone guarded, as they move towards the stable block. Plod decides to co-operate knowing their is some food forthcoming.
The group walk purposefully across the courtyard, past the ancient tree planted there. It's dark bows casting a shadow from the lights upon the wall. With a soft plod the group move up the stone staircase inside the far building, the stairwell has the faint smell of fresh wood, polish and power.
Soon they are stood before the doors to the Venture-Captains office; they ominously swing open at the approach and a deep voice booms out. "Enter."
Ambrus Valsin stands behind his over-large desk, a scowl upon his face and his bushy side-burns abristle. He picks up a large pile of paper-work on the leather desk-top, riffling through it. He looks to the group with serious eyes; "I gave you a task, a simple task to familiarise yourself with the various factions - whilst achieving some straight-forward tasks. What did you do...." he looks at the group with dark serious eyes.
He drops the stack of papers on the desk, the spill forth the uppermost managing to slide all the way to the floor.
"You...you..." he looks to each person in turn.
~~~the pause seems to stretch~~~
"...did admirably. Certainly it wasn't the most straight-forward and concise mission, but that's where you excelled. Taking adversity and turning it on it's head." he transitions smoothly his rich baritone holding a note of respect. "Capturing criminals, dealing with the more nefarious elements of our organisation, the deceptive and cunning one and the seductive ones."
He reaches into his desk and produces 7 disks, brass and silver in an intricate design. "Pathfinder Badges, symbols of your authority. All who see them know who you are. Your skill, cunning, strength, ingenuity." he slides them across the expanse of leather to the group.
He holds out his hand, for a firm handshake. "You deserve them."
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Mai enters and stands stiffly, gazing off into nothingness, braced for the expected dressing-down, until the Venture-Captain utters the word 'admirably'. Then she dares to look at his face and the seven badges on the desk while she holds her breath.
As the group moves forward, Mai joins them, bowing to the Venture-Captain before shaking his hand, then bowing again. She reaches out with both hands to take up one of the badges and hold it tightly while the company receives their congratulations and accouterments.