"Taldan nobles maybe. Here assassination will get you hanged, no matter your birth. Besides, the people of Brevoy carry grudges for generations meaning the noble houses would constantly be at each other's throats. They're not, not in the murdering sense at least." Now if you were a commoner things were different and the nobles would probably get away with it but between the Houses? No.
"Also, the evil practices of your kin are no excuse for trapping these men. Once again, you seem to rather see two men killed than wear a simple dress. Am I the only one that thinks that's a vile thing?"
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"Psssst...hey guys," Wonky says in a low voice in an attempt to stop the arguments. "There's one of the fellows that accompanied the Chelish woman over there by that door in black. Big axe for a ball..." Wonky avoids making big gestures towards the figure as she points him out to the rest of the group.
"Should we go ask him if he needs any help cutting down a beanstalk or...?"
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Wonky giggles at Aurelius, and then stops herself.
"I don't think that would get the response out of him that you'd be looking for," she suggests earnestly, "though it would be very funny."
I wonder if the Chelish - the Chels?....I must look that up - the others are in league with the ones who want to kidnap Lady Kalima?
Wonky peers into the main hall again, determined to see if the Taldans in question are in any way acknowledging or in an apparent conspiracy with the man in black with the large axe.
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Kalima gives an disliking look to to Pavel and says, "If it is the suggested approach by everyone here may consider the disguise route. This is only a Half-Measure and not a solution to the problem at hand. They will follow me to the ends of the earth if coin or even loyalty to the noble Bourtze drives them. Better that we cut the hounds from their master than have them dog us for the rest of our lives."
"Won't he just send new hounds? More vicious than these two and in larger number?" He let out a small sigh.
"Look, despite what I have said I'm on your side in this. I only have to think about how happy my sister was when her horrible intended disappeared as part of the Vanishing to know how bad it can be. But putting down his dogs won't end this. The only options I see are either he needs to vanish, you need to vanish or you need to somehow become undesirable to him. The only factor we control is you and we have a Vanishing of our own planned already. We're leaving for the Stolen Lands. We just need to make sure you remain safe until then and we do NOT want to make this Bourtze fellow more determined to get you."
"You could just marry Paval. Can't be intended to someone else if you belong to another, right?" Aurelius wiggled his eyebrows at the pair. "Paval has the blood and the name. People would think twice about crossing either of you. Maybe some would even see it as a good thing. You could hire me on full time as your guardian!"
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Kalima considers Aurelius's words and says, "Taking a husband may be a solution but I escaped Taldor to avoid such arranged marriages. Perhaps one day I may be open to a political marriage but now is not the time for such things, especially since I have no current regency over a domain. Besides, I can hardly marry a man who has no official claim of Nobility."
"Agreed. Not that I wouldn't like to see the look on my father's face when he can no longer deny me." A broad grin appears on Paval's face though it vanishes as quickly as it appeared.
"That leaves the matters at hand though. We need to get you out of here, preferably without being seen or leaving dead bodies in our wake."
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"They may be moving to cover the exits from the outside," Ahto replies. "If we leave the Ball with the majority of the crowd, it may help us move past them in the mass of bodies, but it might also give them the opportunity to strike from within the hustle and bustle and claim innocence for lack of witnesses. If we try to leave alone, they cannot hide in the crowd, but of course, no witnesses."
Ahto lets out a soft, exasperated sigh.
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I had no clue that a ball with nobles could be so dramatic! the gnome guilelessly wonders.
The gnome pops away from the group with a "Oooooh! and returns a moment later with a morsel in her hand.
"Fish parcels! Oooh. Hot!" She makes the 'hot potato' face after taking a bite of the hors-d'oeuvre and drops the remainder of the parcel for Sprocket to collect, which he steadfastly does.
As the group keeps arguing the door guarded by the Chelaxian opens and his lady leaves dressed with a revealing black and red gownot. After her the bald man wearing the ceremonial robes of a priest of Asmodeus chats with the mayor followed by his halfling assistant, his face pale and his eyes red. The Baroness starts walking slowly toward the party.
Just as Kalima leaves the white-haired woman approaches the rest of the group and with a contrite face say I wanted to apologize to you all good sirs, last night I was shocked after the thievery attempt and reacted in a bad way she turns to look straight at Ahto I'd specially want to thank you my lord, you saved me from becoming a murderer and for that I'll be eternally grateful she curtsies to the group and says before turning around Please, make sure the Lady Kalima receives my apologies
Kalima opens the closest door and finds herself in a corridor with its walls covered in tapestries showing armored men facieng one against another. On the left side of the corridor a wooden door through which comes the sound of a kitchen, at the end of the corridor a closed door looking heavy and tough.
Paval pays very little attention to the woman's words and instead moves after Kalima, only to see her reappear. He smiles at her and nods. As he moves closer he drops his voice to a whisper, "Did you see anything there that could lead to another exit out of this place?"
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Wonky watches Kalima leave the party unannounced.
Isn't she supposed to be under protection? Wonky wonders.
"Please, make sure the Lady Kalima receives my apologies...
Wonky watches the Chelish woman wonder away without a glance at her. She then sees Paval head off.
Oooooof. Humans. They are soooo inconstant!
The gnome contents herself with bending down and scratching Sprocket behind the ears, receiving a lick on her face for the effort.
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Just as Kalima leaves the white-haired woman approaches the rest of the group and with a contrite face say I wanted to apologize to you all good sirs, last night I was shocked after the thievery attempt and reacted in a bad way she turns to look straight at Ahto I'd specially want to thank you my lord, you saved me from becoming a murderer and for that I'll be eternally grateful she curtsies to the group and says before turning around Please, make sure the Lady Kalima receives my apologies
"Certainly," Ahto replies with a small, but respectful nod of his head. "I shall be certain to convey your apologies to her in the spirit with which it is intended."
He gives another respectful nod to her and turns to give one to the Asmodean priest as well.
The group makes its way through the kitchens trying to avoid the looks of those working there. As they exit by a service door they find the streets desserted and covered in rain. The storm is pouring on Restov and the sound of thunder that was silenced by the music inside the estate reaches their ears.
Aurelius moves out in front of the group, staying about ten foot ahead of the others as be looks around cautiously.
'To the Orphanage and then to another Inn. We only need to be here another night!"
Sprocket stops suddenly while looking at a side street and starts wagging his tail while pulling Wonky towards a small shadow standing under an unlit torch.
The shadow seems shocked hearing Wonky but after a few seconds the halfling steps out of the shadows an takes off the hood covering his head Miss Prong... I'm sorry to approach you and your friends like this but... well, I have knowledge I can't in good conscience just keep to myself he looks around warily I'm afraid you're all in danger, the Baronees Althea has paid a hefty bribe to the mayor and the commander of the guard to ensure there'd be no guards near your lodgings at the inn tonight he looks shepishly at Wonky I think she is so used to halflings being slaves that she didn't even realise I couldhear everything a sound at his back makes him spring and turn trembling but it turns out to be just a big rat carrying a big piece of wet bread I... shouldn't be here... this cloak and dagger situations are not for me, I'm just an accountant for Abadar's sake! Please, be careful
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Wonky looks at her friends.
"I guess apologies are in word only, it would seem. It also sounds like the mayor is no loyal friend of ours."
She turns back to the affable halfling. "You are a good person, Neko. We will remember your kindness. I guess you should stay here for a bit while we make our way somewhere safe."
But what about Madame Vika and the others? Will they be safe? And how will I get her dress to her?
She thinks for a moment. "Could you get a message to Madame Vika at the Inn for me? Tell her that 'the yellow bird has flown safely, but will return her feathers soon'. She might know what that means..." Wonky wrinkles her brow, wondering if her code-talk is too obscure.
Paval had spotted something from the corner of his eye but Sprocket, and thus Wonky, moved faster. Still he followed, sword drawn but held to his side.
When he sees it's the Halfling accountant he keeps the blade there.
"So that devilbound b*!#~ is after blood? Not very surprising. Thank you. If we manage to establish an enclave and you feel the need to leave this place I think we can find a spot for you." Paval made a short bow towards the man.
The terrified halfling looks at Wonky and answers The yellow bird... feathers... I'll try to remember. he seems surprised by Paval's offer I... well... thank you... just make sure you get to safety... or at least safety from that white-haired devilspawn. After this he turns and tries to make his way stealthily away from the party.
"He said tonight, so they probably think to catch us while we sleep. I'd say we all head to the inn right now, get all our belongings and leave to somewhere else. Maybe have some people move ahead to see if Kalima's Taldans are there. I think we should also explain to Madam Vika." The Chelish woman was still at the ball for now so they had some time.
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"I disagree, Paval," the gnome says. "I just sent Neko to give Madame Vika a message for us in code. We can explain to her later. As for belongings, I think going tomorrow morning and then leaving straight away is the best choice."
The Inn is not where we want to go at all tonite, though I doubt the Chelish woman would bother with us directly. She'd likely send goons, or worse.
Wonky looks at Ahto. "You mentioned that Abadar could shield us for the night, likely. I'd bank on the God of Laws seeing us safely through the night against any treachery, if you think your order wouldn't mind us, Ahto."
Sprocket woofs.
"He's house-broken," she offers.
"The Inn will be being watched. We can go there but we will be inviting the fight you oh so want to avoid."
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Going with the party and listening in and says, "The Plot thickens further. I never expected such lengths to be taken to see to our capture, well capture for myself and perhaps assassination for the rest of you. I do apologize that I have mixed all of you up in my affairs but little can be done about it now. I agree, we had best not return to the inn and see to it that we find another place to lodge for the night and depart from this city at first light tomorrow."
"The Chelish woman and her goons were still at the ball, weren't they? That means that if we go now we should be fine. I suspect she's is one of those people who'd rather do the bloody work herself." The dealings with the street urchin attested to that.
"But if you want to go in the morning and risk them stealing all our belongings and as such hampering our journey, that's up to you. Even if we don't go now I think some of us should still pass by, through the kitchen if need be, and make sure our belongings get stashed somewhere safe. Just in case he didn't grasp your message Wonky."
He then turns to Kalima, "Really dear, stop with those delusions. The Taldans want to capture you for your loving husband to be but the Chelish cunt would prefer you bleeding to death next to the rest of us."
"We do not know we will meet the Chelaxians when we go to the Inn Paval, it could be the Taldans for all we know. All we know is she paid the Magistrate off."
"Yes, but why would she do that to help the Taldans? It's not about money because if it was the Taldans would have paid of the mayor themselves. It's not politics as Taldor and Cheliax were never the best of friends. I think milady here can attest to that. In addition, we have seen she's a sadist so she'd prefer to be involved herself. So unless I am missing something big here there is no reason to assume they are working together." Things just didn't add up.
"Besides, I'd prefer being seen by the Taldans and having to leg it to missing all our equipment and being as good as dead once we enter the Stolen Lands."
"Except for it is dirty work killing a Noblewoman, even if the guards are not around. The blame could still come back to land on her shoulders. Better instead to simply have Kalima spirited off in the night then have us removed by "street thugs" one by one. But then, that is just what I would do, in her position!" Aurelius shrugged. "You advised caution earlier, I am doing the same now. We need to be careful here, I agree with you!"
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"I'm not going back to the Inn tonite, Paval," the gnome says after drawing herself up to her full height. "You and I both know that these aren't common criminals looking to steal our stuff. And we saw two of the four Chelish folk inside - not all - and if you know Chelish folk like Neko and I do, you know that hiring people to do your dark bidding is their religion. We need to go somewhere safe now. Let's argue while we are there; not in the rainy streets!"
She sploshes over to Ahto. "Please lead us to the temple of Abadar, Ahto. With all speed."
As the party makes its way towards the local Abadarian Temple the rain and thunder is joined by a strong wind.
Roll for Initiative!
Paval's hand quietly draws his sword, "Thugs and Taldans on our right."