Garidan leaves any report-filing to those who are actually members of the watch...
Auriel slips out of her caterer's uniform, prestidigitations it clean, and tries to find Mara in the crowd milling around outside. If she was smart enough to take off at some point during the proceedings, she'll look for Teeka the halfling or anyone else in a caterer's uniform to make sure the uniform is returned so the girl doesn't get in trouble. She also looks around for the bald Wallis.
Laya informs Captain Percival of everything that happened up to and including the battle with Veristan. At the end she adds, "Oh, and I hereby place myself under arrest and in your custody, sir. The charge is threatening Lord Stafford's life. The charge is a complete lie, of course. All I actually did was insult him. But we'll allow for the appropriate procedures to see their course through. Likewise, I expect the Church of Pharasma will be laying a formal complaint against Lord Stafford--well, once I inform them of the situation that is. He ignored warnings and wilfully endangered the lives of numerous innocent people, people who were either his guest or in his employ, and thus under his protection. To top things off, he was completely disrespectful of the dead, particularly Markiv, who lost his life protecting him."
She makes no mention of Calatin being under arrest.
Auriel is able to find Mara, who apparently isn't very smart, a conclusion further supported by her questions after Auriel's health, and how brave she was helping with all that fighting, and would she like to get another shift together sometime.
Wallis, however, has long since split.
Captain Percival looks quite displeased as Laya informs him that she had insulted Lord Stafford. "I thought I was quite clear that, personal feelings aside, Lord Stafford is a quite vocal and influential opponent of this entire unit, and that angering him would be a good way to find it disbanded. While it isn't quite a crime anymore for a non-noble to insult a noble - this isn't Korvosa, after all - it's pretty darned close. I can probably keep you out of a cell for the next thirty days. I don't suppose you'll be willing to apologize for your comments. Confess grief over the loss of your friend and your sorrow overcame your senses. That's all the man's probably looking for."
Garidan wonders off to one side, somewhere private, and does his damndest to smash the proverbial $#!t out of the parts of the enjoiner he has...
Heward waits until Laya finishes before chiming in, "The prisoner Veristan Mikobar is extremely dangerous. Garidan advises that he is able to summon dangerous creatures without ritual objects, motions, or chants. He should be kept unconscious until suitable restraints can be arranged."
It may not take Mount Dhoom, but it seems like it'll take more than Garidan's boot. The enjoiner is unharmed.
Percival frowns at Veristan, but nods at Heward's advice. "We'll see to it."
Captain Percival looks quite displeased as Laya informs him that she had insulted Lord Stafford. "I thought I was quite clear that, personal feelings aside, Lord Stafford is a quite vocal and influential opponent of this entire unit, and that angering him would be a good way to find it disbanded. While it isn't quite a crime anymore for a non-noble to insult a noble - this isn't Korvosa, after all - it's pretty darned close. I can probably keep you out of a cell for the next thirty days. I don't suppose you'll be willing to apologize for your comments. Confess grief over the loss of your friend and your sorrow overcame your senses. That's all the man's probably looking for."
Laya chokes back a laugh. "Certainly not," she says. "All he wants is an apology? I sincerely doubt that. The man's an ass. Punish me as you must, dismiss me from service if you must. But I will not apologize to the man. He endangered lives. What he did may not be a crime in Magnimar's books, but it certainly is in mine."
"Laya, you need to think about more than yourself. I would guess that if this unit goes down, so does Capt. Percival's career. Even if he is willing to throw you under the horse and carriage, Lord Stafford might still come after him out of spite. You must reconsider!"
"Where is the enjoiner, the part that Veristan no-doubt had?" Percival asks.
"Laya, you need to think about more than yourself. I would guess that if this unit goes down, so does Capt. Percival's career. Even if he is willing to throw you under the horse and carriage, Lord Stafford might still come after him out of spite. You must reconsider!"
Laya opens her mouth to reply, but then closes and pauses for a moment to consider. "Well," she says eventually, "Stafford is already an outspoken critic of the Watch. If he had the power to shut down this unit and end Captain Percival's career on his own, I'm sure he would have done so by now. However, the point you make is a fair one. I don't want to get anyone else in trouble over my actions. I will not apologize to Lord Stafford, but I can help Captain Percival save face."
She takes a deep breath and turns to face Percival. "Captain Percival, sir, I hereby resign from the Magnimar Special Investigations Unit, effective immediately."
"Don't be ridiculous. Resignation not accepted. If I can't sort this out with His Lordship, even an unsympathetic judge isn't giving you more than thirty days, and of course, what with the over-crowding of the Pediment Building cells, we'll be able to relocate you to less crowded quarters, say, the cells in the basement of the MSI building. I'm certain your companions will all willingly swear an oath to ensure you stay confined to those cells, won't they?"
Laya shrugs. "Very well. Resignation withdrawn."
"Besides, he's not a critic of the whole Watch, just the new unit. Now where is this gods-damnable magic amulet!?"
When Percival approaches, Garidan will hand the rest of the enjoiner over to him with a shrug,
'It's too hard to simply smash,' he admits in a matter-of-fact manner, 'although I suggest you find some way to destroy the thing. It's a blight on my people's honour, and a threat to this city. It certainly should not be returned to those who allowed it to be stolen and re-assembled in the first place - those who care nothing for honour or communities. I'm trusting you to do the right thing, Captain - a good man died to prevent this foul thing getting into the wrong hands... it would be a terrible misdeed to allow that death to count for nought by handing it back to those unworthy of the responsibility of dealing with such an item.'
"I understand your concerns, Hawk Dancer, but we have this thing called the law, which sys, for better or worse, those people get their fragments back, though I will see if the Council will authorize me to buy the fragments for the city. Of course, one of these fragments belongs to you and your friends, as your prisoner purchased it himself from an auction house, and according to the MSI Unit charter, such loot belongs to the group. Now I could offer it to Lord Stafford to encourage him to forget about this nonsense with Laya..."
He pauses to look at Laya.
Laya raises an eyebrow. "Captain Percival, I don't want him to forget this...nonsense with me as you put it. There will come a time when Stafford's little world collapses beneath him. Though it take twenty years, that day will come. You mark my words. And when it does, I want to be there to tell him, 'I told you so,' and I want him to know who is telling him it."
She very suddenly smiles broadly. "Now then, I could do with a muffin. Who's for muffins? Oh, but wait. I'm still under arrest. No muffins for me then." She sighs. "As for our portion of the enjoiner, I think it should be given to Calatin to study so that he might find a way to destroy it. If our portion is destroyed, it doesn't really matter who has the other portions. What kind of food do prisoners get to eat anyway?"
Percival sighs. "You folks really are going to be the death of what brown hairs I have left, aren't you?"
The Captain gathers the group together, and, holding Laya by the arm, leads you all out. His constables carry Veristan between them, pausing to club him with the pommel of their swords as he starts to moan and stir. Percival had brought a stretcher, and Awgin and Heward are able to load your fallen comrade onto it. Several other constables are there, taking statements from witnesses.
As you emerge and pass through the crowd, many of the noble guests pointedly look away from you, others sneer at you, Laya and Calatin in particular. One man in rich clothes actually approaches the group.
He looks about, as if for listeners, before saying loudly, "I hope you p-p-plan to lock that trollop in the d-d-d-d-darkest, d-d-d-d-dampest cell you have, C-C-C-Captain. Speaking to his L-L-L-Lordship that way!! You should be ashamed of yourself!" He finishes his stammered rant right in Laya's face, putting a hand roughly on her shoulder.
Auriel Perception:
Laya Perception:
Awgin Perception:
Heward Perception:
Garidan Perception:
Laya smiles and waves to the nobles in the crowd.
Auriel rejoins the others as they come out the front door. She listens with interest to some of the eyewitness accounts to see if any of them recount the tale of the member of the waitstaff who evacuated the building.
Awgin steps up. "Don't touch the prisoner, sir!" he says in his most stern, officious voice.
Garidan grunts and nods his acceptance of Captain Percival's judgement on the fate of the enjoiner, and when Laya mentioned her plan for Calatin to study and destroy the fragment the watch are keeping, he appears to relax considerably,
'You speak words of great wisdom, priestess,' Garidan says to Laya, bowing slightly (as he recalls that she's already saved his life several times...).
When the richly dressed man places his hand on Laya's shoulder, Garidan steps forwards and place's his hand on the man's shoulder,
'How about trying that with someone your own size,' the big Shoanti growls at the man, looking him up and down as if he were nothing, 'unlike my companions in the Watch, no "civilized" sense of decorum is preventing me for applying a "savage" beating to your worthless hide.'
Garidan finds a hand on his shoulder as well, from Percival. "Now, now, Hawk Dancer, we don't need more people getting arrested for uttering threats tonight. I'm sure the Councillor here meant nothing by his actions."
The Councillor, who looks like he's ready to wet himself, backs away, stammering even more. "S-S-S-So s-s-s-s-sorry." He heads off.
Barely supressing a grin, Garidan manages a formal nod towards Percival, making sure the guests see that it is the Captain who's managed to 'control' the 'savage' Shoanti. Determining to find out what the whole exchange was about when in a more private setting, Garidan turns to the others,
'There was talk of drink and... muffins?' he asks, keen to put the mansion and the posh folk behind him.
And so, amid stern looks and noble scowls, you head out. First order of business is to deposit Veristan at the Pediment Building. Percival tels you that they have anti-magic cells for just such an occasion. Second, you take Markiv to HQ and your morgue. Finally, you arrive at the Cenotaph Arms.
Leaving the mansion:
Sense Motive
When the man lays his hand on Laya, Heward steps forward to defend her also, but Awgin and Garidan are quicker. He nods to himself. Good.
"Now, now, Hawk Dancer, we don't need more people getting arrested for uttering threats tonight. I'm sure the Councillor here meant nothing by his actions."
The Councillor, who looks like he's ready to wet himself, backs away, stammering even more. "S-S-S-So s-s-s-s-sorry." He heads off."
Sense Motive
Heward slides next to Percival, "Councillor? Sir, who was that? Friend or foe?"
***
'There was talk of drink and... muffins?' he asks, keen to put the mansion and the posh folk behind him.
"Yes, there was. Mead at the Cenotaph Arms. Laya, what was the name of your favorite muffin shop?"
"Mead with muffins?" Auriel asks, looking vaguely horrified by the pairing.
"Mead with muffins." Heward intones. "Mead because we're drinking to Markiv. Muffins because Laya wants them." He pauses and cocks his head to the side. "And my stomach says it could use a bite too."
Once in the Cenotaph Arms, Garidan stands the first round, seven mugs of mead... the seventh being in memory of Markiv.
"Yes, there was. Mead at the Cenotaph Arms. Laya, what was the name of your favorite muffin shop?"
"That would be the Fluffy Muffin," Laya responds. "Alas, I will not be joining you at the Cenotaph Arms as I am in custody, but I'll be there in spirit. Not literally, of course, but as the saying goes. Captain Percival, I do hope that, despite my incarceration, some kind of provision can be made to allow me to attend Markiv's funeral."
Captain Percival sighs wearily. "Laya, here's what's what. I don't take my directives from Lord Stafford. He has laid these bogus charges against you, and from my experience, they will definitely stick, so there's no way around them. Since you seem to want the world to know what you said anyway, you'll plead guilty to the charges in the morning and be sentenced to the usual penalty of thirty days in jail. I will assign you to serve your sentence in the MSI HQ cells under my custody, at which point, you will continue your normal daily operations, save that you avoid Lord Stafford at all costs. However, you did disobey my order in engaging Lord Stafford and causing trouble for the unit, so I'm docking you two weeks pay. Now, let us be done with all this foolishness, seat ourselves at a table at the Arms, and toast a fallen comrade. If that arrangement isn't good enough for you, and you insist on continuing this ridiculous martyr pose, then I would think the MSI Unit will be done with you. Now, please hand over the note Concillor Pellerin so clumsily passed to you."
Laya tilts her head slightly. "Well, I will certainly plead guilty to insulting the man, but I will not plead guilty to threatening him, as I did no such thing. Whether there's a way round the charges or not is of no consequence to me. I will stick to my principles even if that means spending twenty years in jail. If that arrangement isn't good enough for you, then perhaps I am done with MSI. I've already offered you my resignation once today. You chose not to accept it. Don't think I'm not willing to offer it again."
The Arms are quite busy this evening, as it is the prime drinking time of day. Bartimus waves a cheerful hand at you from behind the bar, and you find your way to a table. A smiling serving girl comes to take your order, but once hearing that you are drinking to a fallen comrade, she quickly sobers up and rushes to the bar. A moment later, Bartimus is at your side.
"Is this true? One of your number has fallen in the line?"
"Pops," Auriel shrugs uncomfortably, not sure how she's supposed to feel about his death. I only met him a few days ago. He was old, right? she thinks a little defensively.
"My condolences. Markiv, his name was, wasn't it? Get me a picture of him, and we'll add him to the Honour Wall." He gestures to the wall by the bar, where fifteen pictures and plaques hang in neat rows. "The first round is on me, folks." He smiles faintly at Garidan and his fist of coins. "But you can get the second round, pal!"
He brings out the mugs of mead in time for Calatin to arrive back with a box of muffins. Meanwhile, Laya is able to fish out the note from her tunic. The paper is actually a fancy business card for Councillor Byron Pellerin, Naos, listing the address of his constituency office and hours he can be reached. On the back, scrawled in hasty hand-writing, it reads: "Ogre's Breath, 15th, 7pm"
Percival looks at the card if it's handed over. "Councillor Pellerin is definitely an ally, though perhaps not the best. He is young and idealistic, a rich merchant who got himself a seat on the Council of Ushers believing he could do some good against the corruption, but he doesn't have the political savvy or ability at subterfuge needed to be very effective. In recent months, he's been showing signs of burnout, like all the idealists eventually do. He was one of the voices pushing for more power by rhe Watch and less reliance on the security of the wealthy tonorotect the people of Magnimar, and a big reason why you're sitting here in the first place.",
"That's in Rag's End, isn't it?" she asks, glancing at Awgin. "Not the kind of place I'd expect a councillor to hang out in -- or, Hells, even know about, unless flattening the place and starting over were on the council's agenda. Saw him come into Stafford's party," she goes on more quietly. "Money and looks. Shame about the stutter."
Percival scratches his chin. "Don't get me wrong...Byron is a good guy, and the Council could use more like him, but he's read one too many intrigue-filled book of adventure tales, where all such clandestine meetings take place in seedy bars. If the real players actually took him seriously enough, he could actually be in danger."
Percival chuckles. "Don't let that fool you, though. Many have dismissed him for that impediment, but if you see him on the Council floor, fighting for something he really believes in, like this Unit, you'd never know of it."
"From his fellow councillors or from the patrons of the Ogre's Breath?" Auriel asks. "Or from the latter paid off by the former to make it look like an accident? Preferably with a dead half-breed whore in his embrace?" she goes on as if she's put some previous thought into how to ruin a nobleman's reputation.
"Possibly all three, though most likely the locals would just be looking to roll him for his coin purse."
He gives her a sideways look that speaks volumes.
"So ... you're saying it would be a good idea for us to keep Councillor Stutter alive and his reputation unsullied? The 15th.... What's today, anyway? I've lost track."
Knowledge: Local
Awgin is pretty quiet the entire way there. He does call Heward to the side though. "Hey there, Law Man, we might be here celebrating if we worked together better. So I want to make peace between us."
Know(local):
Awgin is pretty quiet the entire way there. He does call Heward to the side though. "Hey there, Law Man, we might be here celebrating if we worked together better. So I want to make peace between us."
"That would be good. I mean -- nothing would make me happier. Six of us against one man and Markiv is dead and Veristan still would have gotten away without Taverson's help. If we had stuck together Markiv might still be here. "
Heward shoves his hand forward to shake. "We'll start tomorrow working out our strengths and how we can best work together. Tonight I am drinking to a good man who died trying to do the right thing."
****
Heward buys the third round. When it arrives, he stands and raises his mug.
the assembled crowd of Cenotaph Arms patrons replies.
Throughout the remainder of the evening, several of those patrons come up to your table, asking after your group and what events befell you that day.
Garidan joins in the toast, and the drinking, but finally, as the evening starts to draw into dawn, gets to his feet (a little unsteadily), claps Heward on the shoulder, and grins at the assembled group in general,
'I'd love to stay,' he says, his words only slightly slurred, 'but doing favours for the Captain here doesn't pay the bills! I bid you watchmen fairwell... and keep up the good work!'
... With that he heads on out and towards home (where ever that may be)...
"Hawk Dancer, wait a moment," Captain Percival calls out, getting to his feet (also a little unsteadily).
"The MSI Unit was envisioned as a group of six, but one has fallen. You seem to get on well with the remaining five, and working with them does pay the bills, at least, more than doing favours for me. Please consider joining."