Vanna looks confused and says, eyes narrowing, 'Slavery is legal in both the Cheliax Empire and the Sodden Lands. We are breaking no laws here, so don't try that with me. But attacking my men without a single warning, hacking off limbs...it is barbaric and against every convention of war. It is the act of a bandit, a criminal."
The woman, barely, manages to avoid jumping out of her skin when Shalina mutters in her head. The bard has to give the officer credit. Vanna stands her ground, trembling slightly at the mouth of the small stone grotto.
When Shalina mentions her name, she notes a few react but not all. This is very far on the edges of the 'civilized' world and news sometimes traveled slow. But Officer Lentho seemed to know the name and said, her voice shaking, "The taverns say you are a hero. Odd, they never seem to mention sneaking up and stabbing men in the back. Then again, the foes of Cheliax rarely include those parts." A pause as her brown eyes sweep the clearing, spotting Tekk. She just a chin at the armored man, still holding his bloody sword.
"What about him? He doesn't rate invisibility?" She stares harder, "A mercenary brought it against us?"[
When Shalina says her terms the woman doesn't laugh, doesn't react at all.
"And if we don't, will you charge in here and slaughter us all?"
Shalina keeps moving around the courtyard so that they can't pinpoint her position. "Just because slavery is legal doesn't make it right. And you were given warning of my presence. There were two guards whose lives I spared who found their way back to you to warn you. Did they not?"
"To those who seek to oppress others, I am definitely not considered to be a hero. Of that you have the right of it."
Seeing that Tekk had been spotted, Shalina moves to put herself between the Chelish and the paladin just in case someone decides to take a shot at him. She actually chuckles albeit mirthlessly, "That is no mercenary."
The bard projects her voice so that all guards may hear her next revelation, "I know many of you consider Inck a heretic but continue to work for him because he pays you handsomely. Let me assure you that that will quickly end. The home of his benefactors in Sothis is rubble, burned to the ground. The Iuncus' have no more money which means Inck has no more money. How long before he starts enslaving you all to accomplish his work? And as your commander has already stated, you consider slavery legal. I am offering you a chance to save yourselves. I have no desire to fight any of you. But I will if you force my hand."
The Chelish captain looks unimpressed and says, "Force your...Are you saying you'll charge in here and kill us all. By yourself?" She scoffs openly.
Shalina has sharp ears though and hears one of the other guards sidle up and whisper urgently, "That's Shalina Stalwart. She's killed hundreds of men and fought one of Rovagug's monsters to a draw! She's a living legend! We can't beat her."
Vanna waves the man but her face is clouded with thought. She glances back at her assembled men, eyeing the slaves. Finally the woman turns back, biting her words.
"I do this because I don't want more blood spilled, not because I think you are just or right. We will release the slaves, if you agree to let us leave in peace. Fair?" A few of the Chelish gather up the slaves near the front, ready to push them out.
Shalina's voice projects outwards, "It sounds like we are both in agreement. Your men are fortunate to have a wise and level-headed commander. I have no desire for your blood to be spilled either. However, if any of you seek to re-enslave tomorrow those you free today, things will change. So I would consider carefully what you choose to do tomorrow. But for today, you let the slaves go and you can leave as well."
Impatience creeps into Shalina's voice as she waits, "Well, get on with it. I'm not about to wait around with you for reinforcements so you can break your word."
Shalina moves up close to the group of guards still holding onto the prisoners so that they would know she was close due to the nearness of her voice. "Release them."