Its now noon and the Oyster becomes more busy as people are seeking a meal of fried stuff.
The barkeep loudly greets some of the regulars.
A practically dressed woman talks with the barman for a moment, before being directed to the table Rawlins is sitting.
"Excuse me? I thought this table was reserved."
Rawlins looks the lady up and down in a very obvious manner. His eyes linger slightly too long on her chest.
"Yes, your appointment is with me. I hear you know my associate, but he's currently suffering from food poisoning, chunks are flying everywhere. Not a pretty sight. So I'm his stand-in. If you want, I can bring you to him, but you might want to carry an umbrella, because you might stand in the... splash zone. But, back to business. I fear I have I have bad news for you, sweetheart. Business is booming, and others are paying much more than you can offer. But I'm a nice guy, and I hate to see a pretty face like yours leave empty-handed. How 'bout we rent a room and go upstairs, see if you can't 'convince' me to renew our contract. I mean, the barkeep already knows about it, so it's fine." Rawlins waves at the barkeep and points at Rukania, then makes a thumbs-up motion.
"See? He's okay with it. So, how badly do you want your nose candy?"
Rawlins takes a long drink of his beer, then leans in close for a kiss.
The woman doesnt seem to be intimidated and stares Rawlins back up and down. "Sareth wouldnt be the first one to catch something nasty in here. But I doubt you're the guy they sent to negotiate a deal. While I surely admire your way in trying to get a piece of the goods, your lack of understanding of the deal is getting the better of you. Now get lost before I give you some 'candy'."
Rawlins grins.
"Playing hard to get, I like that. Sareth has just given me the bare necessities. We have what you want, you have money. What's not to understand?"
"Look sweet checks, you dont have what I want at all. Sareth would never send a lout like you to take his place in a job interview. Now fess up to what you did with him."
"I haven't done anything with or to him, and I'll swear that on whichever deity you want me to. But hey, that offer's still standing..."
Rawlins takes a long drink and stares her up and down fearlessly. When he gets no response, he continues.
"Fine. If you're not interested, I'll go bother other people instead. But I want you to know you missed the opportunity of a lifetime here."
Rawlins drains his drink, gets up, and wobbles back to the bar. When he's out of earshot, he Messages to the rest:
"Don't know if you've heard this, but I'm not having any luck here. Maybe someone else can take over ejecting her from the bar?"
The woman rolls her eyes and watches Rawlins leave. With him out of side, she makes her way over to the bar.
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While Rawlings is arguing/flirting Gorrec is busy scribbling on a piece of paper. When the argument seems to get to an end he stands up and approaches Rukania. Just as Rawling leaves Gorrec approaches her and speaks:
"Poor woman, to be harassed in such a rude and vulgar manner. Can I offer you any assistence?" He secretly hands her a piece of paper with the following message:
Your meeting with mister Markell has become public knowledge. He sent me in his place to see who would try to interrupt us. Do not worry, that fool will tell us everything he knows.
Markell suggests we meet again in two days, code word Prevaricatio.
If you have questions go outside and wait by the Northern exit. I will follow you within one minute.
He walks back to his original place, while keeping an eye on Rukania and Rawlings.
The woman looks like she is about to give Gorrec a piece of her mind, but then reads the words on the piece of paper.
"Oh, thank you sir. Its good to know that there are still good men in this tavern. I think I'll go take a breath of fresh air to help me steady myself. Thank you for your assistance."
She quietly makes her way outside.
Rawlins looks over his shoulder and checks out the woman's ass on her way out. She might not notice, but it doesn't hurt to try.
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While she walks outside Gorrec starts whispering to his comrades.
First he tells them what he did and then he starts giving instructions.
"I will leave the building and walk with her along the docks towards the east . In case I need assistance, I suggest Rawlings leaves the bar, with either May of Araklifest stalking him, if noticed I will claim that the stalker is one of my agents, and after you are out of sight you can slowly circle back."
"The other one should wait for Rico and sign him in that we walked eastward, so he can reduce the chance that Rukania and Martell meet eachother"
"We will meet again in the Lonely Fisherman within an hour."
Gorrec finishes his beer, and takes the western exit. He calmly walks around the building until he sees Rukania.
"Finally I get to see you again my love. You look even more beautiful than last time."
He offers her his arm and together they saunter towards the east.
The lady graciously bows her head to Gorrec. "Thank you my dear. Chivalry is all but dead here. I am glad for your rescue from that uncouth man. Do you know what that was all about?"
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In his normal voice : "It is always a pleasure to help. Unfortunately ugliness is attracted to beauty like bees to a flower."
Gorrec leads Rukania away from the tavern. In a more quiet spot he whispers in her ear: "Unknown rivals are trying to figure out where we get our supply of rare alchemical ointments from. We figured out at the very last moment that they knew about your meeting with Markell, and we were unable to warn you. The only option we had was to see who would be stupid enough to meddle in our affairs. The 'drunken lout' is probably an agent sent by them to figure out who our contacts are."
Gorrec grins evilly:"I expect he will have some trouble reporting to his masters."
His grin immediately fades as he continues: "To make sure your next meeting will go off without interference, you are to name the next location and time for your meeting with Sareth. He expects to need at least two days for precautions, thus the earliest oppurtunity is the day after tomorrow.
The password is an additional security measure, for we don't know yet what the capabilities of our enemies are. Shapechanging magic has not been ruled out. Only you, Sareth and I know about the password. Trust no one, not even one looking like me or Markell if that person does not give you the password."
The lady plays the game along splendidly, acting like the rescued lady. She even blushes on cue.
"Aw, you are too nice. I wouldnt know what I would have done if you hadnt come a long."
She listens intently to Gorrec's explanation. "All right. Al tough it is still strange Sareth did not send word himself, for something he was so invested in. Are you sure there is nothing else you want to tell me?"
She expectantly raises an eyebrow.
She looks thoughtfull for a moment. You think she believes you for the most part.
"Not an unrrasonable prrcaution, in case people are snooping. Ill set the meeting for two days hence then, at the Leaping Swordfish."
She waves Gorrec goodbye, blowing a kiss in the air to make the 'lovers' ruse complete, before disappearing in the crowd.
Back in the inn, the young man is still in the room with Rico.
"So, ah, with Rukania not being able to make it, do you have the same authority to make a deal?
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Rico gives a big smile.
"Good man, that is what I do best! From the mundane foodstuff to magical elixirs, information new and old, everything can be bought, sold, or bartered for! It all depends on the counter-proposal, you see."
Rico leans back on his chair.
"So, mister Markell, what kind of deal were you thinking about? Our organizations are already helping each other out, where we provide some luxuries in exchange for your logistic network. Did you want to expand on that deal, or create another mutually beneficial agreement?"
He seems to perk up at Rico's words.
"Well, you see, some important information recently came to me, so to speak, information vital to your operation. Now as discussed with miss Rukania, I'm not a man for monetary reward. But I tire of my position with the Cortos, so I was hoping that having ferreted out this important info, would give me a position with the Aspis. Even an entry level position would provide me with more opportunity then I have now."
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Rico face shows some seriousness.
"I see, that kind of deal. Luckily, your approach to our organization is the correct one. As you probably already know, we do not have a standard way of recruiting. One needs to be formally introduced into the Consortium, with approval of several other members, and you always start at the bottom as a Bronze Agent. You already seem to be on good terms with Rukania, which is a good start."
Rico places his hand on his chest.
"I too, am willing to lend support for a new member. You seem to be an ambitious person that knows what he wants. I like that! But nothing comes without a price. Lending support is also risky for us. If the newly accepted person screws up a lot, the ones that supported him or her also get into trouble. So before I do a good word for you, I need to know what you are capable of."
Rico postures himself and smiles.
"I do not want to hear your entire repertoire, that would be meaningless. You said that you have information vital to our organization. Based on this information, and how you acquired it, I can get a sense of your capabilities. And although I find your mentality a preferable one, ambition without skills will not get you very far."
Rico claps his hands together and states:
"So mister Markell, astound me!"
Markell straightens his back, looking very serious.
"I currently work with several parties in the Kortos to smooth out the drug trade. Its is here that we closely work with the aspis. I noticed an aspis agent, a woman named Magali Delroya, exhibiting some strange behaviour. She was making objections to certain experiments. She acted quite upset after meeting with some of your superiors.
Finding how she acted suspicious, I kept a closer eye on her. I recently discovered she had send secret missives to Absalom. I suspect she has contacted the Pathfinder Society. While I cant prove this, I have several papers where she hired carts and drivers for moving a shipment. The day is tomorrow, the same day a drug shipment would be moved to a ship in the harbor by our usual contacts.
I suspect she is going to disrupt the shipment, something which would have a large negative impact on your oganisation."
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Rico listens to the story, and then his face sours.
"If there is one thing I hate more than a deal gone sour, it is when people actively try to sabotage me! With use of the Society no less!"
Rico gets up from his chair and kicks it. He then turns back towards Markell. "Magali Delroya, was it? And you have the evidence?"
Rico composes himself a bit before continuing, and faces away from Markell.
"Sorry for that tantrum, but the matter is quite serious. Turning traitor and reach out to the Pathfinders... I can not let this slide!
However, pointing fingers at a colleague without probable cause could get me in trouble."
Rico then suddenly turns around and points a finger at Markell.
"But you! You have evidence! It might be circumstantial, but it is enough to nail her down for a thorough interrogation. And then she will sing! Give me a copy of what you have, and I'll make sure that she gets what she deserves! You've done good, mister Markell. And when this information purges our organization of this tumorous growth, there will be void to fill. I'll make sure to recommend you, and I'll talk to Rukania to do the same. You'll be a welcome addition!"
The chair moves two inches, then stands still.
Markell on the other hand looks exited.
"Yes, of course. Here I have papers of hiring new drivers, indicating what should be moved before your own men arrive."
He puts a stack of papers on the bed. "I have also copies of the mailing list, which show record of messages being send to absalom. And this is a letter of her objecting to the testing of the drugs."
He energetically shakes RIco's hand. "Thank you very much. I hope you can pass on this evidence to your superiors. It was a pleasure doing buisness, and I hope to hear from you soon."
With a spring in his step, he leaves the room, and the inn.
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Rico eagerly accepts the documents and stashes them away. He tips his hat towards mister Markell and bids him farewell. After sir Markell has left the room, Rico silently whispers to himself:"Thank you Picoperi, for guiding me through this prank." He rubs his hands, sets up a big smile and then states: Whelp, let's see what other business I can attend today." and walks out of the room.
Back in the main room, Rico looks around and sees only May is still present in the bar. He buys a drink and then sits at her table.
"I see you're still here. Where is the rest? Did they manage to intercept the lady?"
Slightly slurring, Rawlins greets Rico. "Hey Rico, things went fine. I -somehow- couldn't charm her away from this place, but Gorrec managed to lead her outside. I haven't seen them since, so I can only assume they're making out in an alleyway or something."
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"It would be handy to know where to look in the sewers, though... Just starting somewhere in the labyrinth is usually not a good tactic..."
Rico removes his hat and scratches his head for a bit.
"It is below Rat Street, according to our information. But I have no idea where that might be. Also, I assume we want to take out the maker himself as well? I know I want to. So we have to pick a time when he is around too."
Rico puts his hat back on.
"Maybe we should ask around a bit about this alchemist. He picked up a nasty nickname, so that shouldn't be such a problem. If we can pinpoint a moment on the day that nobody sees him, than that would be a moment that he is in his lab. Then we can get evidence, and bust him at the same time."
You ask around for about an hour or so. No one seems to have heard about a guy named Lazlo, nicknamed 'the leper'.
While you ask around, you realise that a man working on illegal drugs would probably not frequent a lot of taverns. Or if he did, not use his own name.
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"You know what we need? Some of his victims. People who already have come in contact with the drug. Those people can always find their supplier, no matter what. Find the user, find the supplier. And at the moment, the drug is not popular enough to have an entire emporium build around it, so the supplier might as well be the maker."
Rico turns towards the party.
"So we might have to ask around in dark alleyways, or at the rehab centrum. Maybe at Rat Street itself, if mister leper is stupid enough to sell above his own lab."