Suddenly the man in front of you darts forward, his ass cheeks slapping, his jug raised high, a war-cry on his lips. You leap after him, your katana raised, but before you can stop him, he bursts open a door and smashes the jug down hard on someone's head. With a cry and a groan, a topless Shoanti woman collapses amongst the shards, and onto the tiles.
Hezekiah stands there open-mouthed for a moment, pushes his jaw shut and marches back out to his brother.
"Guriel! I hope you have a fantastic explanation for the woman in my washroom or I'll hand you over to the Sheriff myself."
"Aldern, you almost had my heart jump out of my chest! If only you knew what I've been through with women and their parents lately!"
The streets bustle with activity, as kids run everywhere this evening. Preparations for the festival are in full swing, and even some preemptive celebrations have begun.
"After my purge of that tribe of 'hobgoblins', I figured I needed to come back to my house here. Relax a little." Aldern snorts. "Dead God's luck, I can't believe I slept with all of them! Ha! Seven women in one glory-filled weekend, my friend. You should come with us to Riddleport next go."
You should have seen the look on the Lord Mayor's chubby face when I was exonerated. It was worth every minute spent in that jail cell. I thought for sure I'd be hanging from a rope by the end of the week though!"
The what? Guriel, how is it that, left to your own devices, you also seem to have taken leave of your senses. I went to Magnimar and have only today come home. Nethys, grant me patience!
He looks back towards his washroom for a moment, takes a deep breath and then speaks with surprising calm, all things considered. I need to you to go to the church and see if Father Zantus can spare someone for an injured person. I will cover her up and straighten up a bit. If she comes through alright, I shall consider covering your sins and helping to get out of town without spending a night or two in jail. Go!
"That's absolutely brilliant. I should meet this "Mayor's daughter" of yours sometime." Aldern winks at you. He hails an employee, a woman of thirty. "Where are they, my dear?"
"Oh my, Lord Foxglove. I'm so sorry. Vin is up at the Garrison right now with Sheriff Hemlock. I'm so sorry my Lord, but the shipment - "
"Out with it, woman." Aldern snaps.
"Bandits, my Lord. On the Lost Coast Road. They took the delivery."
Aldern seethes, then spins on his heal and stomps out of the store.
"Bandits!? We just dealt with some bandits this morning! Man what is the world coming to? So what should we do [b]Aldern?"[/b]
"Yes my friend I do...but I can assist you in anyway I can when I am done. You know where to find me!"
"Guriel, profit will be the least of your worries if Sheriff Hemlock throws you in the lock-up for assault. And who the blazes is Aldern...nevermind, just please go see about that cleric."
With that, he stops listening to his brother and grabs a blanket from his bed, taking it to cover the Shoanti woman.
Your house is in a right state. It's apparent that Guriel has been here for a few days.
Never having been as intelligent as you, with the wisdom of a horny adolescent in a brothel, Guriel had the unfortunate fortune of following in the Aumvar tradition of importing and shipping. Blessed with the backing of a rich family who wanted more boys to continue the business, they could hardly deny him.
Food appears to have lain out half eaten for days. There are several spills, not all of them from identifiable sources. You find a blond colored hairball the size of a cliff rat on the wall in your study.
You clean for several hours in brooding silence. Suddenly, you hear the door slam.
After rehearsal, depending on what time of day it is, I will either try to go find Aldern or go to the rusty dragon for some food if it is dinner time or later since I haven't ate yet. If I run into Shayliss I will invite her to the Rusty Dragon.
Xander will approach and sit at the bar.
"Hello Ameiko! I am here to eat and watch others fail to earn your affections. It has been too long, good to be here! I will take the special and the wine to match the meat please my dear."
"Are you looking foward to the festival Ameiko? You know I will be performing a show and it's looking to be a great one! I would just be floored if you were to attend, should I get you a good seat Ameiko? Maybe a plus one? Though I can't provide the date, I doubt you'd have trouble finding one."
"One seat it is M'lady!" Xander will then finish his meal, pay (plus a gold coin for a tip) , and then go back to the theatre to acquire a ticket for Ameiko if not too late, or he isn't otherwise interrupted.
You have been alone in the cell for several hours now, and the monotony is killing you. Did Sheriff Hemlock just forget about you? Surely he intended to return quickly. Perhaps something happened to him?
Several times you've opened the door, hinges squeaking loudly in the silence, only to close it again. Already in enough trouble.
You hear the front door open, and close again.
Seconds pass. No one enters. You stand, gripping the cold bars, staring into the entryway. Something feels off...
"Hello, Toban."
A tall drink of a man stands just feet from you, to the left of the cell, away from the front entryway where you were looking. He wears a dark black cloak, pulled close, and has a wide brim hat pulled low over his eyes.
Cyrdak smiles queerly when you request the reserve ticket be held for Ameiko. "Have you seen Isabelle? I thought she was with you. After she finished the first act rehearsal, she had Jeora, her understudy, stand in for her."