Red Feather actually pales a bit at the contents of the letter, though it's hard to tell if it's from fright, or anger. He take a moment to compose himself, and probably more self-assuredly then he really feels replies. "If you only knew".Saulden heads back under the cover of the front stoop, reading the note.
"Someone's finally pinned down Lamm it seems. You think you're ready to face him down, Red?"
Saul nods with sympathy.
"I'm going for sure. He's not keeping Iris another minute more if I can help it."
He looks up at the driving rain.
"And it looks like the paving stones will have to wait anyways."
Paddy takes his eyes off the fascinating skeleton tapestry long enough to notice the note. Before worrying about what it says, however, he looks for back rooms, other entrances, etc.
A quick check behind a few of the hanging tapestries reveals a short corridor with two doors branching off. One leads to a small lavatory while the other is an exit to an alley behind the shop.
Paddy casually checks the lavatory for occupants. He then makes sure the back door is unlocked and opens easily, before returning to the front.
Restroom is clear and the back door swings freely.
Spending most of his time out on the streets, moving from location to location, Elegad thanked the old woman for her....hospitality and made way for Lancet Street - An area he'd come to know over the past few years.
The house was easy enough to find, being the only building still lit this late at night.
Standing there, in the middle of the road and staring up at the sign, he let out a slight sarcastic laugh as the rain washed over him. "Zellara! Seer of the spirits! Cipher of the city!".....Ha, what crap is this?
Walking a few steps forward, he sighed before knocking on the front door.
Here goes...
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Orion contents himself to fade into the shadows along a wall and keep an eye out as Paddy pads the place down.
"Yeah, with a oliphant ear still in my belly I'm not hungry enough to give her snacks a try. And eating at a mysterious meet with nothing but information and ill deeds in common? Yeah, just a bad idea in general.
But I will tell you, that I can't shake this feeling that--" his sentence is interrupted with a knock at the door.
"pssst. Paddy, why...why don't you get that?"
As Saul and Red Feather approach the little house, they see a scruffy looking character approach the door and knock at it.
RF whispers to his companion..."I would have expected that one to be sneaking in from his appearance. Maybe he is one of the 'Others' mentioned in the note".
Red Feather continues to walk towards the building, aware of his surroundings, and ready to react to the results of the man's knock.
Perception
Red Feather, Saul and Bas see each other approaching the shop. In front of the place is a half elven man in tattered clothes knocking on the door.
Saulden is a brawny Chelaxian man around six feet in height with broad shoulders and thick arms. His skin is tanned, he has dark brown hair and eyes with handsome features that still retain a bit of boyish charm. He wears well-maintained chain mail and a helmet with its face-plate open, a blue sash around his waist and a scimitar belted to his hip. His holy symbol is displayed openly around his neck. Saul is almost always smiling.
Saul shrugs to Red Feather's suggestion.
"I guess appearances can be deceiving?"
He waves to the approaching Bas, assuming that the other man is also here to visit the shop before approaching the door where Elegad waits. He nods to the half-elven fellow.
"Evening, stranger. Are you here for the "Friends of Lamm" meeting?"
Paddy is portly and red-faced. He wears a beat patrolman's uniform, but carries his holy symbol on a lanyard with his badge -- both now openly displayed. Regardless of circumstances, his countenance is usually kindly and smiling -- except when he sees someone thwarting the will of Pharasma.
Returning to the front room and seeing Orion open the door, he sneaks a peek at the note on the table before the others come in.
With no instant reply, Elegad knocked on the door once more. As he waited, he noticed a couple of men approaching from the right, prompting him to slowly back himself against the door frame, so as not to be surprised by who or whatever was behind the door and to at least keep an eye on those who approached.
Hanging his head down in a shy manner, Elegad glared up through his sodden fringe as the armoured man spoke.
Though very quiet in his response, the boy responded to Saulden evasively, untrusting of the note and those around him.
I received a note. It told me to come here. I'm now here and there's nobody in...
Saulden nods.
"Same with us. Ours was on a cat- Huh. I guess that's a pretty weird coincidence that the cat just happened to be under that dumpster where Ella was hiding out..."
He holds up his own note for Elegad to see.
"Well, I'm sure they're on their way to get us out of the rain. Name's Saulden, nice to meet you.", he continues, offering his hand.
Pulling out his own note from his only functional pocket in the back of his tattered trousers, he unfolded it in front of Saulden for no longer than necessary and scrunched it back into his rear pocket.
Brushing his right hand across his hole-ridden shirt, the boy hesitantly grasped the mans hand, raising an eyebrow at the mention of the cat. As homeless, outspoken and angst-ridden as he could be, he still had manners and tried to express them to those kind enough to acknowledge his existence.
Elegad. Guessing he f%%&ed you over, too?
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As Paddy gives him the nod to open the door, Orion strides forward. With one hand he opens the door. The other holds his crossbow behind the door.
"Greetings," he says to the three men at the door. "I was told that others would be joining us. Our hostess has been unavoidably delayed, but do come in. She left snacks under the table."
Orion moves aside so the others can enter.
"I'm sure they aren't poisoned at all."
Assuming you all shuffle in:
Inside: The interior of this small, humble shop consists of a single cozy chamber filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling human hearts, and another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall, hooded figure shrouded in mist, holding a flaming sword in a skeletal hand. Several brightly colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throw cloth and several elegant, tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.
A note sits on top of the table under a stone paper weight.
... a note which I sneaked a peek at while the others were shaking hands outside...
Here it is Note
Handing over the note, Paddy says to the others, drily, "It appears our scavenger hunt is to continue. Does anyone wish to volunteer to be an advance guard outside, so we'll know if anything untoward is on the way? One person in front and one in the back would seem ideal."
Pulling out his own note from his only functional pocket in the back of his tattered trousers, he unfolded it in front of Saulden for no longer than necessary and scrunched it back into his rear pocket.
Brushing his right hand across his hole-ridden shirt, the boy hesitantly grasped the mans hand, raising an eyebrow at the mention of the cat. As homeless, outspoken and angst-ridden as he could be, he still had manners and tried to express them to those kind enough to acknowledge his existence.
Elegad. Guessing he f~+$ed you over, too?
"He's got one of our kids from the orphanage and I'm not about to let him keep her any longer than I have to- or any other kid he's got.", he replies.
As Paddy gives him the nod to open the door, Orion strides forward. With one hand he opens the door. The other holds his crossbow behind the door.
"Greetings," he says to the three men at the door. "I was told that others would be joining us. Our hostess has been unavoidably delayed, but do come in. She left snacks under the table."
Orion moves aside so the others can enter.
"I'm sure they aren't poisoned at all."
Saulden steps in, smiling wide.
"Yar, matey! Coming aboard! How are ya, Orion. Liking those tools?", he says as he walks into the building, giving Orion's arm a manly squeeze. "This is Elegad, we just met outside. Think there's a towel around here?"He looks around the smoky room.
"Spooky. You guys been here long?"
Paddy is now visibly concerned.
"I worry about unsigned notes, and the surprises they might represent. If no one can volunteer to keep watch for our own safety, I fear our mutual acquaintance must end after this night.."
Then, realizing his own failure, he adds, "Paddy O'Donnegal, patrolman of the Seventh Ward and ordained priest of Phrasma. If you have weight on your souls, lads, I recommend you beseech the goddess for forgiveness at once."
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"Heh. I ain't been able to pick any locks...for the Greater Good...as yet, Saulden, but I got 'em oiled an' shiny, just looking for an excuse."
Orion looks Elegad up and down, his face creasing as if Saulden has taken in a stray cat in the rain. "Elegad, huh? And you just met him, Saul?" Orion shrugs. "Alright, so that means you vouch for him." He turns back to Paddy. "We all just got here, Paddy. I've never been one for hanging a scout out to dry, so let's all stay in here for the moment and give this place a good once-over, eh? We can lock the doors, which, in this weather, will give us more warning about foul-play than a man outside might. Hells, -I- could be taken unawares in this.
But, yeah, our hostess should-a been in by now. Let's see if anymore clues are to be found. In fact," Orion reaches under the table, bringing grandma's basket of goodies out. "Let's start here."
Orion empties the basket of items, thinking that Paddy might be on to something about the 'scavenger hunt' thing. Something that bat-crazy would be just perfect.
"He's here for the same reason as me and Red Feather. That's enough for me."
Saulden takes a seat.
"Why would Lamm go to the trouble of inviting us to this person's house just to kill us? Seems like if someone really wanted us gone, they'd just send someone to stick a knife in our ribs one by one.", he says cheerfully. "Much easier than getting six armed men in one room and then trying to kill them all at once. Especially if two of them are guardsmen."
"There's a lost kid out there, Patrolman O'Donnegal, and Lamm's got her. And I'm not going anywhere until I know where to find them. So I believe I'll wait for our anonymous friend here."
Walking in, Elegad listened to the men talking to one another, nodding as Saulden told Orion his name. As Orion approached, out of politeness El went to shake the Rangers hand, but drew it back instantly, quickly catching on that Orion had little interest in speaking with him in favour of talking over him, as though his existence meant nothing. This was like any other day to the boy and as much as it irritated him, he ignored it, choosing to pick up a round loaf of bread that dropped out from the basket.
The boy was hungry. Though poison was a possibility, he figured it was unlikely, but really was just far too hungry to care.
Perching himself on the ground and up against the wall, he sat with his knees up as he continually bit chunks out of the bread.
This isn't Lamm he said, his words somewhat muffled by the food in his mouth.
Elegad then listened, commenting only at the part where Saulden spoke of the missing girl.
That piece of shit would have more use of her as a slave than a corpse. He's probably got her drugged up in some hole while he's off feeding some other poor kid to his pet Crocodile.
The scummy old f%++...
The kids words were said with a great deal of apathy, though he seemed to speak as if he knew Lamm personally and with a great deal of spite within his voice.
Saul nods to Red Feather.
"Sounds like you guys have something in common."
Bas eases into the scene, giving a wary glance to his new fellows. His steps thunk against the floorboards and you can hear the faint clinking of glass from the bag he has slung around his shoulder. A hand rests on the top, gently tapping the smooth fabric, playing with the slight opening like a musician fingering the strings of their instrument.
He chuckles, a small smile spreading on his lips, though his back remains close to the wall.
"This Lamm sure gets around, eh?"
Bas cocks his head as he listens to the man named Paddy.
"Not sure if anyone would volunteer to be the last to find answers after coming this way with barely a rumor. But I'll keep an eye on the door, if it eases you. The names Bas, by the by."
Bas moves over to the door they entered from and opens it slightly, looking out to the street.
Paddy watches the interactions with some interest.
As Bas moves to the door, Paddy says, "Thank you, Sir Bas. It does indeed ease my mind to have someone on watch. I investigated a case once in which six people locked themselves in against possible attackers -- their antagonists quietly set heavy weights against the doors and set fire to the house. All six perished, victims of their own defense. So the goddess has her little jokes."
Turning and carefully and inoffensively approaching Elegad, Paddy sits on the floor next to him. Looking kindly, he says quietly, "Elegad, is it? Down in the wards, Father Padraig is what I am, a priest of the Goddess of Mercy, though "Paddy" is good enough for the likes of me -- I am bound by gods and men to help those who need it. It seems to me that you might know a lot more than whoever wrote those notes, and that you might need some help as well... am I far off?"
Paddy watches Saulden as he sits, noticing his friendship with Orion and wondering if they intend any harm to the boy.
Red Feather was obviously a bit nervous at this meeting of strangers thrown together by fate. He takes a closer look at the poor dirty beggar to see if he looks familiar.
He then took his turn with the note holding it as though he could read it.
He watches the young man dig into the food, before taking a portion for himself. Never know when the next meals coming, so be prepared.
Red Feather is a tall thin man who looks like he could carry more weight easily than he currently is. He is obviously a Shoanti, but his tribal sect marks have been burned away, and only a few more recent tatoos decorate his visible flesh. He is dressed in plain woolen clothes, with leather plates providing protection for the casual blade or arrow. It is painfully obvious that he feels out of place here, but something is driving him to remain.
"Does anybody have any idea who's house this is? Anybody seen in the streets who we might could question"?
At the point where Paddy asked if Elegad is the boys name, he simply nodded, somewhat ignoring the comment of help on offer here.
I know enough about him to make most others want to take a shit on his pathetic existence. The shit he did to me.....and the others. Even if I don't get the chance to kill him, others will. He's good at making enemies.
Looking up at Red Feather, he simply remarked; No clue. If we were all told to meet here, we may as well wait. I've not exactly got much to do with myself....
The bread is good. There is also a bottle of wine in the basket.
As the group talks and eats/ drinks if they choose, a middle aged Varisian woman walks out through two of the hanging tapestries on the back wall, where Paddy found the exit to the back alley.
“Good evening everyone, I am Zellara and this is my shop. Take a seat if you wish and enjoy the bread and wine." She pauses a moment for anyone that wants to sit.
"Thank you for coming and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see—a vicious man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help.
Each of you has reason to see him pay. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole my harrow deck, from me. It was important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When Lamm’s pickpockets stole it, my son Eran rushed out to track them down to get it back.
Gaedren found Eran and murdered him. He sent my sons head and hands back to me in a box as a warning." The woman takes a moment to compose herself, the subject of her son obviously bringing her pain.
"I have certain... abilities. A spiritual connection to the city, usually in the form of visions, that pointed me to all of you. These same connections have allowed me to pin down the location of Gaedren. I can't do anything against the man myself, but I offer you all the opportunity for justice... or revenge. Will you take it?"
Paddy gets to his feet as quickly as he can -- not very much so, given his paunch and general clumsiness. With a bow to their hostess and the others, he displays the contents of his lanyard: on the one hand, the holy symbol of Pharasma, symbolizing death; on the other, his police badge, representing the rule of law.
"I for one welcome the opportunity to bring such a scoundrel to justice! I must wonder, however, if a full-scale police raid on his headquarters might be more likely to attain that end than sending in a gaggle of well-meaning, but largely unacquainted and non-professional victims?"
The fortune teller nods to Paddy. "That has been tried before. Gaedren is notorious for escaping just in time or getting off by some loophole or another. Some suspect that he has an informer within the guard, but I don't know. Anyway, I fear that Gaedren would be long gone by the time the guard managed to organize such a raid."
Saulden shakes his head.
"Maybe when he finally messes up and targets a judge or a banker the Guard will step in. But so long as he keeps it to commoners, street kids, Varisians or Shoanti the law will have bigger fish to fry."
"Tell us where he is, where he's got those kids and I'll be out there right quick."
Finishing his bread, Elegad climbs to his feet and smacks the wall with a clenched fist behind him at the mention of yet more crimes Gaedren has committed and the high chance he'll be let off again.
Lamm's going down. I don't care how, but a murderer such as him has no place in this world. He's not just wronged me.....HE'S WRONGED EVERYONE!
Paddy sighs and seats himself in a chair, and for once is silent.
For a moment, his features appear grim: My attempt to reach Elegad was masterful -- my best work yet -- but the youth was barely able to register it. Such is the boot of evil on good folk in the world. Behind that are his misgivings with his new "partner" -- which have metastasized to nearly full-blown paranoia; and Paddy now faces a potential vigilante killing he is ill-equipped to prevent.
It takes a moment to pull himself together. Then, smiling kindly again, he thinks, If it is the will of the goddess that this Gaedren be assassinated by a mob, then so it will be. If not, perhaps she will give me the power to change it. In either case, I'll find out quickly if Orion -- and hence those who hired him -- are also involved. And, above all, I'll help as many of the children as I can.
Bas moves back from the door, tapping it shut with a sweep of his foot. He lands roughly, letting the chair bear the weight of him. The bread he takes only a small chunk, dipping it into the mug that he has generously filled to the brim with wine. Drops roll off the cusp and onto the table, which he hastily tries to mop up with the scarf tied round his wrist.
"I...."
Bas finds his throat catching, his mind racing back to his deep shame, his humiliation, and his deeper anger.
"I want evidence. Lamm deserves death, but dammit...I need evidence. I can't stand the stares, the way people whisper behind my back...."
He looks up from his mug, as if finished talking to himself and now addressing everyone.
"I'm in. Where's the bastard?"
Paddy puts a hand on Bas' shoulder, as if to comfort the man. Bending closer to his ear, he whispers,
Bas shrugs off the man's hand, and eyes him with suspicion. He takes a large gulp from his mug, his eyes not leaving Paddy's as he searches for whatever angle he's after.
"Apologies, Paddy was it?." he speaks in volume, one that reaches every ear easily but does not raise above the normal timbre.
"I don't know anyone at this table now, and frankly, the only thing that's keeping me from bolting is the look in some of your eyes, that hatred, the uncontrollable twitching of vein in your necks when ever someone utters...."
Bas takes a deep breath and glances from person to person.
"Gaedren Lamm."
He pauses, letting the name of such a cruel and twisted man show on those who cannot mask their emotions well. He even finds his own fist clenching the mug unconsciously.
"At this point, I'd best leave city or settle my affairs with the man. All I ask, is to find some kind of proof of my innocence before you take him to slaughter."
"I cannot speak to your evidence Bas. I can only give you his location. An old Tenement building in Ridgefield, part of the North Point district. It's a mostly abandoned place, but is home to some innocent squatters, in addition to Lamm's operation. The address is 326 Moorewood avenue. The man is know for moving quickly. I would not tarry long."
Saulden nods, rising from his chair.
"Thank you. Lamm will pay for what he's done- I swear it."
He bows his head, facing East, hands folded in prayer.
"Avenger, guide my hand, swift and even.
Redeemer, guide my heart, pure and calm.
Forgiveness for the worthy,
Vengeance for the wronged
And may the Dawn break all the brighter."
Saulden claps his hands, holding his right hand out for the group.
"Okay, team! Let's join hands! Who's ready to take this monster down?"
"If by 'take down,' you mean 'arrest,' I'm with you completely and indeed am most grateful for your assistance. On the other hand, if you mean 'assassinate,' I can have no part in such a deed and indeed will do all I can to prevent it."
"Sure. Look, I gotta get Iris and all the other kids he's enslaved out of his clutches and back at the orphanage or their homes if they have them. If Lamm drops his weapons and you manacle him, I won't touch a hair on his head- but are you sure you can make his arrest stick this time?"
Paddy's smile widens. "If Lamm resists vigorously, we will of course be forced to subdue him! Then as long as he is not killed outright, I can beseech Pharasma not to claim is soul just yet. Assuming he is guilty of this litany of crimes, it would seem a near-certainty that at least one could be proved -- if not through mundane means, then by magic."
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Orion nods. "Well, I'm all for killing him quick, on account of everything we're pretty sure he has done, and all the times he's avoided prison by manipulating the system, but, Paddy, you seem pretty sure about this, so I'll gives ya your shot.
Alright, when we see Lamm, nobody do anything to him, and Paddy gets to approach him alone and try it his way. We all wait and let Paddy do it the right way. Got it?
You got a good heart Paddy. I just hope this doesn't cost you.
Y'all Ready?"
Staring at the ground, Elegad sighed. He knew the old man all too well.
Lamm deserves to suffer. He wouldn't hesitate in killing his own men if it meant having an advantage over anyone that would stand against him.
Kicking the ground, he finished; Just reasoning with him endangers the lives of everyone around him. I should know. I was....
Elegad then stopped himself from saying any more and sat back down in the same spot as before.
"Whether in irons or in a casket, he's not getting out of this one. Let's go!"
"He's been trying to kill me since I got away from him. I'll not leave him to hunt me down again. He's slippery as an eel that one is".