Aurelius took up a position near to the edge of the hall, standing staring at the crowd, eyes glazed over, mind adrift with utter boredom. This was too bland for him, too quiet and focused on pompous a!%+@*#s being pompous a~&!%*%s. He needed excitement, fun, maybe some blood.
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Kalima gives a glace over to the Taladan individuals and feigns ignorance while looking back to Ereban Surtova and says, "My you're rather well informed it appears. I can see you are quite versatile in the courtly intrigues. I thank you for an enjoyable evening although with business as it is, we must part ways. Good evening to you."
With that she departs and slips through the crowd of nobles. She then approaches Aurelius and says quietly to him, "We need to leave now. There are men sent by Marcian Bourtze the one I was promised to before leaving my homeland. He is a despicable man I wish not to wed but he is man who will not take no as an answer. This is one reason why I wished to join this expedition, to get as far as I could away. They will likely try and abduct me as soon as they see the opportunity."
The vicar smiles at Ahto and amicably says It's a gift that can be of use to us all brother. You can open it whenever you see fit. One of his adopts tugs at hus robe and whispers something in his ear, the priest frowns for a second but quickly regains his smile Duty calls brother, the high lords don't like to wait, not even for the Gods it seems
He embraces Ahto and leaves followed by his adopts.
The man in front of Paval hesitates for a second and answers Maybe for a kid such as you seventeen is old and haughty but it is quite young in my view he steps around Paval keeping his weapon pointed to him If you're Zsofia's son how come nobody has heard from her since she went North? It's clear whoever attacked his family got to her in the end too
"Or maybe she was afraid of that as well and kept silent? Or maybe things happened up north, like having a child, and she felt no need to return. On account of the chance people would threaten her and her son." As Paval answers he took a single step back.
"Besides, what is there to return to? A burnt down estate that's still haunted by the man that killed her family? There is nothing here for her except for bad memories." Paval looked around as he spoke. With a crowd forming around them he wouldn't just attack, not if he had any honor. Then again, if he was a murderer like his brother he probably didn't.
"What actually is your name, if I may ask? I'm afraid I haven't caught it and you know mine, so it's only fair."
The man take a step back and lowers his sword while keeping it ready. I don't believe you but you speak sense and I can't risk hurting Zsofia's son... but be warned, if I find out you've deceived me you won't have a quick death. he sheathes his dueling sword. If you're truthful tell her that Perival Detling sends his regards. And that Jarod died in peace knowing she was safe
Paval smiled at the man and made a short bow, "I will. You have my word." Now if the man believed him to be a liar that wouldn't mean much but it was all he could offer.
He wouldn't send her a letter, not from here. If the man was after his mother he might be able to trace it to her. He would have to find another way to reach her.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance master Detling." The words carried little meaning despite being accompanied by a smile but it was part of the course.
Paval looked to find Wonky and Sprocket among the gathered crowd so he could make his exit.
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Paval turns around to find Wonky right behind him.
"Tempers flare and cool with a quickness in these parts, eh?" She cocks her head sideways. "You said your Mom wasn't here when the fire started - but that guy thinks his brother Jarod died pulling her to safety....so who did he save if not your mother?"
She looks alarmed as Paval makes moves to leave.
"And why are we leaving? I just got here!" Wonky follows Paval concernedly, however, whistling at Sprocket to speed up.
"We're not leaving the ball, just this immediate area. Don't worry, there is still plenty of dancing left for you." His smiles quickly vanishes as he moves to answer her first question.
"I wish I knew who it was. My mother doesn't like talking about any of it. Sadly I won't have the time to make further inquiries before we depart for the south. It'll have to wait."
Aurelius glanced at Kalima before nodding, his hand resting lightly on the pommel of his blade. "I can get Ahto to join us or I can take you out of here by nyself. Two may be less likely to be noticed. We can not return to the same Inn now, if they know where you are! What do you wish to do?"
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She whispers to Aurelius, "There is strength in numbers. Besides, if we have Ahto with us, we can have legal means of arresting them for attempted kidnapping if they try to take me. And yes, the inn is out of bounds although I do not want to abandon my gear so hopefully someone can retrieve it from my room before we find a safer place to reside."
"Let us find Ahto and Miss Prongs then, she has a legitimate tie to the Inn, we can send her back there for your things, if she is willing. I can take you to the orphanage, the Clerics there will take you in, they do follow Cayden after all!" He nodded before taking her arm gently and beginning to walk through the crowd, towards where he saw Ahto last.
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Wonky and Paval relocate to a large salon off the main ballroom. Wonky selects a piece of iced fruit off of a tray and settles onto a dainty-looking divan to hear Paval out. Sprocket nestles underneath the couch, happy to be out of the traffic.
"Were you expecting that kind of reaction in announcing your family name?"
Poor fellow; forloned and disrespected in his own home. I wish that I could help.
"I expected a response, but not this response. I'm still not quite sure what to do with it and what to think of it." It was very strange. The books didn't mention a rescue, his mother didn't mention a rescue and his grandfather hadn't mentioned a rescue yet still this man insisted his brother gave his life to save someone. If that was true, who did he save? Was it a servant or might he still have an aunt living somewhere in hiding?
"I was. Me and a fellow Perival Detling. He thought I was mocking his dead brother by claiming to be an Aldaar and that it was all a lie." He sighed.
"It isn't like any sane person would claim that name if it wasn't his own."
"I know a place we can take her. But first we need to confront these men. I suggest we take a walk and see what we can catch with our lovely Noble bait!"
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Wonky acknowledges Ahto. "It's all very exciting. I'm having a wonderful time!"
She looks past Ahto at Lady Kalima after she addresses the priest. "Surely, Lady Kalima, this ball is as safe a place as any given the relative large numbers of eyes and ears here. Kidnapping attempts generally require isolation and camouflage, not the attention of every male in the room at your figure!" Wonky blushes as she hears what she just said. "No offense meant, of course. Your figure is lovely."
"That is true Miss Prongs, but the longer we stay here the greater the chances we leave here and end up walking in to an army of people waiting for us, instead of what is hopefully just two men. We have to leave here eventually and sooner is always better!"
"With such an attitude it is a small miracle you're not more popular with the ladies." A cheeky grin spread across Paval's face before he turned to Kalima and continued in a more serious tone.
"How do we know these aren't law enforcement people seeking to bring you in for a crime you committed?"
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"Lets just say I got a tip off from an established political connection. I also saw the men keeping a good eye on me while I was mingling through the crowd. Apparently the Chelaixan woman told them exactly where I would be. And as for a crime, I have committed no crime mister Fagyaszt and am outraged you would compare me to a petty criminal."
"It's just, you come here from far away, you attract trouble, you look down your nose at everyone and you refuse to talk about any of it. That's enough to make anyone suspicious."
"As for my name, around here it's Aldaar. My mother's name still carries some weight around here."
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Ahto nods in acknowledgement of her statement. "We should take precautions, then. Moving you to another location, as Aurelius said, would be wise. I would not attempt to draw them out by using you as bait unless you are willing to put yourself at risk. Aurelius and Paval are experienced warriors, but we won't know who or what we are facing until we are attacked."
"You say she comes from afar and is suspicious yet you claim to be from here and to be a Noble, but you use a commoners name and only choose to reveal your blood tonight? Paval, do you not see the irony in that?" Aurelius grinned at the man before nodding to Ahto.
"My suggestion for bait was that we leave here and make our way openly to another location. We will be tracked so any location we move to now will be compromised. We lure out those who tail us and make note of them, or take them out, before we spirit the Lady and us away to a more private location. Wherever we go from here we will be followed, so we will need to confront those who follow us one way or another!"
"None of my name's are commoner's names. Fagyaszt is a bastard's name my father came up with. And I talked about the Aldaar line yesterday. Besides, I'm not doubting anyone's nobility, just their motive for being here."
Paval turned to face Kalima again, "Now if you'd just explain to me why they want to take you back to Taldor it would solve all of this."
Aurelius smiled at Paval politely before inclining his head. "I meant no disrespect. I only pointed out that we all have our secrets and reasons for doing what we do."
"Well, I think if we take a path from here towards the Inn first, we can probably lead them there, then perhaps we either hide her in one of the Churches or in the Orphanage I am from!"
"I understand that. It's more that I prefer to know why I'm risking my life before doing so. To me that's only reasonable."
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"I shall explain things later mister Fagyaszt once my livelihood is no longer in immediate danger. In the meantime we should get our way somewhere safe and make sure the hounds of Baron Bourtze are thrown off my scent. I swear if they even try and lay a hand on me, I will smite them with an arcane fury they shall never forget."
"I knew I liked you for a reason..." Aurelius grinned at Kalima before turning and beginning to weave a path towards the front gate.
"Except you're not in immediate danger. Those goons are out there, hanging around, probably secretly enjoying themselves at the ball. A ball which will last for several more hours. They can't do anything while you are here so we have some time. But if you don't want to share who you murdered back in Taldor, that's fine but don't expect me to throw myself on a blade for you."
Aurelius seemed to be itching for a fight, that Ahto hadn't clapped him in irons for killing a farmer that looked at him, or "lady" Kalima, the wrong way was surprising. Yet for some reason all three of them seemed to want to fight. Fighting was an idiotic thing to do though, there were bound to be dozens of guards on the streets to ensure the ball wouldn't be disturbed.
"Now I do have an idea that might get you out of here, but you'd have to swallow your pride. Could you do that to save your own hide? After all, we don't need magic to disguise you."
Aurelius stood near the entrance, glancing around in thought. "Surely one..."
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Ahto listens to the exchanges between his companions. "Clearly, personal histories are involved in tonight's events. One's past is never wholly divorced from one's future. Nevertheless, this is probably not the the ideal circumstance for a round of testimonies and confessions. We need to agree on a course. Shall we delay, and rely on the safety of the public eye, or shall we slip away amidst all the spectacle?"
He looks to the others for opinions.
"Do we make for the orphanage, a place pursuers might assume is not befitting Lady Kalima's position, and may therefore overlook, or shall we try to seek sanctuary in the Church, on the hopes that they would not be so brazen as to attempt an assault or kidnapping on holy ground?"
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"Clearly, personal histories are involved in tonight's events. One's past is never wholly divorced from one's future."
Wise words from the wise priest.
"I think both of those options are decent, Ahto. I would think that other members of the clergy, especially a law-upholding clergy such as Abadar, would be better back-up than orphans if it came to it."
As she follows the gang towards the main entrance, Wonky slips an extract from under her sleeve and drinks it.
Wonky ponders aloud: "It's odd, don't you think, that we haven't actually seen the Chelish lady at the ball? Might it be that she's counting on us leaving the ball so that she and her goons can attempt to nab Kalima out of sight?" Wonky peers about the main entry hall, looking for the Chelish woman and her band of miscreants.
Paval can barely contain a laugh at Kalima's reaction, "Was that so hard? I mean, that's a sentiment I can understand and appreciate."
"While I think both Ahto's destination's are fair game we do need to get out of here. For that I think it would be best if you, Kalima, and at least one other person take the servant's entrance. Not all of us, that would attract too much attention." He looked at the others, trying to see if all were still on board.
"We also need to make sure whoever is keeping eyes on you does not actually follow you. Here is where the swallowing your pride comes in. They are looking for a noble lady, if we can get a hold of and you put on a servant's outfit, including ditching all jewellery and the hair style, they will probably have a harder time finding you."
Aurelius nodded to himself contentedly before turning and hurrying back the way he had come. When he reaches the group he took them to the side again, before beginning to speak in a hushed voice. "I agree with this plan and as a matter of fact... Right now there is a drunk woman with the same general build as Kalima outside the front door. If we can get her around to the service entrance and conduct a swap of clothing, maybe we can get the Lady Kalima out of here unseen. Of course we will have to bribe the woman!"
"Was she one of the nobles? Servant would probably be better but it should at least throw them off."
Paval looked at Kalima, "We will have to do something about your hair and jewellery as well though. Would be even better if we could find some glasses or a monocle."
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"You expect me to wear servant clothing? This is the only noble dress I have with me on this excursion. Any choice we make will only delay the inevitable. Eventually the pursuers will find the ruse and go back on my trail. It would be far easier to get rid of them. If they are trying to kidnap me they're criminals anyway."
"I hope my ears are deceiving me. Are you suggesting we murder them in cold blood? All because feel you are to good to wear a poor woman's clothes? They have done nothing wrong, at least not yet. Are we to punish people because they could commit a crime?" He shook his head in disbelief.
"I must say, you are starting to make my made up murder story sound very plausible."
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"Oh little do you know mister Fagyazt about the ways of nobles. Thwarting robberies, kidnappings and assassinations is more common than you think. I do not suggest murdering them. I suggest having them attempt their crime and thus giving us legal reason to remove them as a problem. I of course have yet to do something like that, but I have had relatives who have used such tactics in the past. Often times you need to let events proceed as they will and act when it is decisive."