"Lotta angry people all holed up together," Karrick observes openly to Muziel as the group walks through the city. "Makes you wonder what they're lookin' for, really. You keep people off the streets like this," he nods to one of the buildings under lockdown, "you keep a lot of extra eyes off the streets, keep things contained, quarantined."
Breathing in deeply through his nose, Karrick holds the breath a moment, then exhales a slow sigh. "Martial law's the best way t'hide something." Then, considering his words he adds, "Or someone."
Muziel perks up as Kera offers a place for them. "Marvelous, Kera, thank you for your hospitality. I'm sure your home will be more welcoming than mine."
When Karrick speaks, Muziel ponders his words. He was not particularly fond of all these marshals and deputies patroling the streets; particularly not after the Head Marshal treated him as a suspect. Muziel looks about suspiciously, seeing whether they are being followed - particularly by some marshal or deputy. He then waits a moment until they are out of earshot from any nearby buildings. "I agree, something peculiar is afoot. The Head Marshal accused Venrich as the suspect. Yet the Red Mantis lady went straight for Venrich's neck when she struck, so surely they were not in league." As Muziel ponders the marshall's words more, his voice becomes indignant. "It's typical really. Foreigners are immediately blamed for any problems that arise in town. I don't know what he'll say to you tonight, but don't let that fool of a marshal convince you that I had something to do with this."
"Perhaps they didn't expect us to find him... and then realised they needed to kill him when we had him. Which means... Grachius might have something to do with it if you say they are keeping him..." Miikae wonders out loud when they discuss the mutant in this situation. What happens to him now the mutation has taken over? She didn't know.
Leading the others to her home Kera notes how quiet the Captain has been. In truth she is rather glad he was a gentlemen through the whole ordeal. It had earned her respect to say the least.
”Not a problem Muziel.”
She said with a smile glad she could offer the group more then just her brawn in this venture.
Hearing the whispers and seeing the physical signs of the Marshall Law had Kera moving the group quicker through the streets. She didn’t answer any of the questions posed to her by the whispering masses. If anyone in the group tried to answer she would have tried and stopped them. They didn’t need to cause a panic with the people or fuel any rumors right now.
It wasn’t hard to hear Karrick’s words to Muziel. The place was oddly silent, plus they were walking in a group. She couldn’t help but mentally agree with him. Everything about this seemed off but Kera couldn’t put her finger on why it felt that way.
”Venrich…”
She whispers the name knowing he was the key to all of this but he was lost to them. As Muziel had pointed out he had gone mad from his mutation. If that hadn’t taken him no doubt the Lord or the Marshal’s would have.
”I won’t Muziel. I just want to know what he has to say. Even some false information might help up right now, at least help us know friend from foe.”
At this point the only people Kera trusted were the people she was walking with.
”I agree Miikae. I think Grachius had some hand in this. Also, as Muziel point out, the assassins went right for Venrich. He must have known something…to bad he is lost to us.”
They came upon her home then. Nestled among other homes of her family and near the Reedun foundry and gild house.
”We produce steel for the weapons smiths in town.”
She explains quickly letting the group into her humble house. No doubt her whole family watched them walk up then into her place. There would be a lot of questions later but for now she wasn’t going to worry about such things. Her home was nothing special. Everything on one floor with a large stone fireplace the focal point (Think studio apartment but a house). Moving to the fireplace Kera started to work on getting a fire going.
”Sit, make yourselves at home.”
There was enough seating for about four people. Since the bedroom was part of the living room someone could even sit on her bed and still be part of any conversation. It was a very cozy home but her own, though it was attached to her parents home.
Quiet as he enters, Karrick ambles through the small living space, looking the furnishing up and down behind the smoked lenses of his goggles. Near the fireplace, he unwinds the red cloth sash around his waist -- tattered and full of holes now -- to reveal a wickedly spiked chain made out of adamantine and cold iron. Unwinding the chain, he lets it drop with a clatter of metal links on the floor.
"Found that in the late Diplomat's room," Karrick explains without directly saying how he got there or got his hands on it. Then, from within his vest he removes a small book that had been pressed up against the small of his back. This is tossed over to Muziel in an underhanded lob. "Can't read it," he states, "Found it in a concealed compartment."
Then, from by the collar of his vest he withdraws a large folded document and walks that one over to the alchemist. "Some kind of contract or something. Dunno what it's for." Folded up with this legal document is the hand-written note he showed Muziel earlier.
"Someone tossed his room before I got there," Karrick says as he walks over to the fireplace and leans up against the wall beside the hearth, crossing his arms over his chest. "Figure they were looking for the hidden compartment all that was in, but they were in a hurry." Furrowing his brows, Karrick cants his head to the side.
"I..." He grimaces, "may've made my own mess. They're gonna' know that something went missing."
while we are walking the captain pipes up the beast way to sneak someone in or out is to create chaos and panic so everyone is distracted from whats really going on. Their could be riots if too much suspicion and rumor is going about we must be very careful to tread lightly until we can be sure our footing is safe. he looks around carefully to see if we are being followed and any irregular behavior besides the lock downs.
perception
at least we are not being singled out and being put into certain districts to keep watch on people.
As they approach the house belonging to Kera' family, Miikae, walking besides Sands, stops before the door and whispers quietly to him, rubbing his nose, "Stay here and watch boy, let us know if you see or smell anything ok?" patting his neck she leaves him beside the door as everyone goes inside.
Miikae enters the small offshoot of the house that Kera lived in and looked around. Cozy, simpler than I expected. As Kera lights a fire and tells them to sit she instead leans against the wall next to the door so she can move at a moments notice. She is strung a bit too tight at the moment and cannot relax.
The spiked chain Karrick reveals startles her and she leans forward trying to get a better look. A deadly weapon, she didn't want to know why such a thing would be created, an evil implement surely.
"All this came from Venrich?"
"Perhaps they won't connect things missing with our visit, if they even notice anything at all. "
As the others are inside the large stable, Sands stands guard at the door. Looking around for any food that may be near but finding only dirt and rocks underfoot. Perhaps they were eating and Miikae would bring him a treat, she always gave him the best treats. He stamps the ground with a hoof idly. He could smell the people inside with Miikae. He liked the other female, it was all in their scent. The men though, smelt slightly off, but he trusted Miikae's judgement. He lifted his head to make sure no one was coming. He hoped no more bloodblade women would come after him.
the captain smiles widely at karrick that a boy! its already martial law so you might be able to pass it off as some peasant ransacked his room if someone asks! saying it as a proud moment for karrick. the captain gets close to the fire and feels down his coat to think. maybe the duchess is married to sleif and she is smuggling her self out of the city and she knows it would fall if it didnt go into martial law. .. never underestimate what one man can do,or capable of if things are missing.
Knowledge spiked chain (untrained)
"Well if any old peasant can sneak into the Nidalese embassy..." she remarks sarcastically, one end of her mouth turned up in a half smile, "Perhaps I'll give it a go next time."
Muziel admires the Reedun foundry as they pass by. "Nice place, Kera. I'd love a tour someday when we have more time."
They gather in Kera's home, and Muziel takes one of the limited seats. He catches the book lobbed to him by Karrick. He sets it on an armrest, though, first taking the note and contract that Karrick handed to him. He opens the note up.
"I got a peek of this note already, but let me read it aloud so I don't leave anything out. It says, 'Lord, I believe someone plans to assassinate you this night. I believe Grachius is involved, but I do not have solid proof. Please meet with me at the Hall of Nex, and I will explain everything. I am the one you meet last time you visited that region, you were impressed by my rifle.'" Muziel sets the note aside, inviting others to examine it if they wished.
"As for this legal document, it's in some sort of Shadowtongue, but it's rather mysterious. I don't know if it's just the legal language or if it's some sort of code. Zadock, you might be more familiar with this sort of thing. I can brew up a potion to help you decipher the language if you need it. Muziel walks the legal document to Zadock.
Finally, Muziel picks up the book, and looks at Karrick. "So you found all of these things in Lord Vyktor's room? Nice work." Muziel begins to flip through the book, seeing if he can summarize the contents.
"I'm keeping the chain," Karrick states flatly, "Most of it, anyway. The metal's worth more than the weapon to me." He offers a look up and around the room. "Unless anyone knows why I shouldn't have it melted down into a few more elegant instruments."
________
Passing through the room after a few of the others, Pervince looks around as though in a museum. He sits with his back against the bed frame. As Muziel speaks of the things Karrick produces, he stares at the Watts gun. And who would believe Grachius wanted Vyktor dead? It hits him then.
"I would believe the same as this man with an impressive rifle, seeing how drunk Grachius was in the morning. He was practically celebrating- as was that half-elven woman with a demon's glare."
In a passive tone, Pervince continues. "About this weapon... it's available to few. Top quality engineering, even for the Watts, despite it's bulk. This Slief gnome is someone important, not just to Hana Reidford. That he is after the vaults in Martel could have a connection to Vyktor, the Red Mantis, and Grachius- because of the timing. It does not sit well with me that Venrich is in Grachius' care now."
I should have though more about Slief. Regarding the Watts gun as though it were a memory aid, Pervince continues listening.
|
You do seem to recall an apprentice of your fathers that talked about Slief. Never anything real negative, only that he often spent more time going on about the Duchess and less about his work. There was an order once placed for a very unique repeating crossbow for a Nidal diplomat, that did have some features you saw on Slief's gun. You can not say for sure that Slief made that weapon, but the similarities are there.
As you are talking out side Miikae can hear a subtle noise from Sands that maybe someone is approaching.
"Someone's coming, " she whispers and peeks out a window to see who might be there.
Zadock drinks the potion and takes a look at the document and spiked chain set before him completely absorbed in the task before him. Ignoring even the warning of possible intruders.
Linguistics (with +4)
Knowledge (Religion) - for spiked chain
Knowledge (History)
Knowledge (Nobility) (Max 10)
Knowledge (Arcana)
When Miikae issues her warning Muziel tucks the book away in his bag and draws his bow. Damned marshals followed us, he thinks. He moves quietly towards the front door, and opens it slightly to peer outside.
|
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"He's behind the corner across the street, saw me looking," she says to Muziel, "Think I remember him from the embassy, one of the guards that first stopped us." It seems they were being followed. She scrutinizes the street for any other suspicious action before turning back towards the room and addressing the others. "We have company across the street. We were followed from the embassy. Only one as far as I could tell."
Muziel is annoyed. The Nidalese embassy was undermining his good name in Alkenstar. At this rate, he might end up imprisoned with the lot of them.
"We need to stop that spy before he reports our location to his superiors." Muziel looks toward Karrick. "Maybe some of you sneaky ones can get close. The rest of us will join you once the fun begins."
Muziel finds some space in a corner and begins to brew another potion.
When Muziel looks back to make a suggestion to Karrick, he's already gone. A window not far away from where Karrick is now stands open, the curtains slightly billowing in the breeze.
Outside, around the corner from where Miikae said the guard was eavesdropping, Karrick keeps himself pressed close to the house as he assesses the situation from his vantage point. Considering the guard's position, Karrick opts to stay out of his line of sight entirely and make a swift circuit of the block to circle around behind him. Once out of sight, he dashes across the street and moves as quickly as he can until closing the distance, then begins to move with slow and purposeful strides up behind the eavesdropper.
______
(Appraising what this guard is doing out here)
(see spoiler)
(skulking)
(Looking for anyone else)
(Any additional insight about these guards, if any)
She nodded to the Captain’s words as they walked to her home. He was right about sneaking someone in or out but she wasn’t sure that was what this Martial Law was all about. She hoped to find out more tonight when some of them went to the Strong Hold.
”Of course Muziel. When this is all over I would love to give you a tour.”
She says with a bright smile.
Kera was glad they had a safe place to relax. She had been alright at the embassy, well until Lord Creep’s breakfast that is. Watching Karrick unwind the tattered cloth she cringes slightly at the rather evil looking weapon he produced.
”What is it?”
She asks wondering what sort of weapon that was. Of course she is also pondering how Karrick happened to be in the late Diplomat’s room. Clearly there had been some snooping going on. She couldn’t be to mad though as it was giving them important clues. Next Karrick produces a book then a letter. Kera was sure she would be of little help with either of those things.
As Karrick walked back over to the fireplace, near where Kera was standing, she looked at him as he spoke. His grimace had her a bit worried and when he confessed that he had “made a mess” Kera grimaced as well. Well they wouldn’t be welcomed back there any time soon. That would be the least of their worries about the embassy. The Lord wasn’t likely to take kindly to being robbed.
Looking to Miikae near the door Kera worries for her friend. She seemed pulled to tight but then many in the group seem that way. When she speaks of the mutated diplomat Kera shakes her head in the negative.
”No I think it came from Lord Vyktor Von Zol room. Right Karrick?”
She did wonder if maybe she was misunderstanding things. Kera nodded to Miikae hoping she was right about the embassy not connecting them with the ransacking and theft. The Captain gave voice to her thoughts though he seemed to go off the rails a bit at the end.
”I don’t think the Duchess is married to Sleif. His theft may be a distraction but…marriage…that seems a bit far fetched.”
She laughs softly at Miikae’s comment about the embassy. The girl had a shape wit to her which Kera enjoyed. Listening to Muziel read the letter she ponders it a moment.
”Do you think the note could be a fake? Maybe to get the Lord to the hall to take himout?”
Anything seemed possible at this point. They had a lot of leads but none of them were very rock solid. At least they were getting clues from Karricks spoils. As for him keeping the chain she just shrugged not really caring if he wanted it or not.
”If you need it melted down let me know.”
She offered softly not wanting him to get the wrong idea that she wasn’t still ticked at him for his comment. Kear nodded to everything Pervince said. He made a lot of sense and echoing a lot of things she was thinking. When Miikae says someone is coming Kera quiets down trying to listen for herself. There is little need for that as Miikae tells the group about the man a crossed the street.
”We…I…should confront him. After all I can order him off the streets.”
Not that he would listen but Kera could hold her own in a fight. Looking over to Karrick she sees he is gone and sighs before moving over to the window Miikae had been looking out of to see if there is anything to be seen.
Perception:to see Karrick and the spy
Those watching see Karrick vanish into the night and round a corner.
Hearing others in the area and spotting a few sheriffs, Karrick boosts himself up to scale the side of the building swiftly, maneuvering himself up onto the rooftop where he can stay out of sight but still within listening range. There on the roof, he crouches low and positions himself so that he might be able to be seen by the others in Kera's house.
Glancing back down into the alley, he holds up a number of fingers equal to the number of men.
____
Bearing the heavy gun upon his shoulder once again, he starts for the door. "Ah, ah, deputy. We will confront him together. Let's not wait for Karrick, alright?"
Moving out the room and waiting just outside, he looks to them. "It was only one man, right?" he says with a smile.
the cpt. looks to kera and smile im glad to see that my rambling might have some weight this is a strange time. its so less complicated in the sea. cpt. smiles and looks at pervince you know my feelings about one man and your right one man pshh.
"Oh no, what is he doing this time, I wish he would tell us his plans so we could be prepared, " she says when she notices Karrick gone this time. They were meant to work together, perhaps he didn't trust them very much. He seemed very capable to her, the evidence of his last exploits in front of them.
|
|
A window to Kera's house, left open, soon becomes an entrance for Karrick as he hoists himself in and lands with a clunk of his boots on the floor. "Pretty-boy had some backup, sheriffs or something. They were rounding up vagrants, didn't look too suspicious. Not sure what the hell they're doing, might be keepin' tabs on where we are and what we do." Shrugging, Karrick sheathes a knife that had been hedl in one hand, and walks back over to the fireplace.
Muziel just finishes preparing his infusion when he is startled by the sound of Karrick dropping in. He doesn't like Karrick's news. "We have sheriffs AND the embassy watching us? Why are they in league with each other?" He lets out a sigh. It seemed Alkenstar was no different than Nidal - nobody could be trusted.
"Well, Karrick, since you're back, I can tell you that the spiked chain on the ground is something Lord Vyktor wore often at social gatherings. It signified his status as an Agent in service of the Umbral Court in Nidal. It's quite an exquisite weapon in the right hands."
With no immediate threat apparent, Muziel returns to figuring out what to do next. He thinks about the warning note again - it mentions the Hall of Nex. Muziel ponders whether he's ever heard of such a place from his limited time here.
Muziel takes out Lord Vyktor's book again. He peruses it, checking again to see whether anything useful is found between the covers.
|
|
Muziel is quite familiar with the book he holds. "Ah, the Umbral Leaves, a holy text of Zon_Kuthon. It's been a long time since I've studied this."
Muziel's stomach starts to grumble. The feast he had with Grachius is starting to wear off. "Kera, I hate to impose on your hospitality even more, but do you have a bite to eat? I have some travel rations, but they're not very exciting."
Pervince perks with a near hop at the mention of food. "Of course! If not from Kera and her... limited stores.. she and I can make but a short trip to my abode so to retrieve some. Cheese, bread, meat... *ahem* plenty for everyone. Besides, I've some things over there that I should like to pick up aside from a good meal, so that if we must travel, I will be ready right away."
Pervince continues to speak with a refined voice, as though he had the capacity to prattle indefinitely without going hoarse. He does not, however, talk without purpose. "I wish to purchase a dog tomorrow. For riding. Preferably one trained for combat. (yawn) After the first task set before us in the morning, that is. Surely something suited to foiling Grachius before he smuggles out old magic, or finding out who has an impressive rifle. I would like to meet this man. Perhaps it would be best finding out who that likely is by speaking with Samuel Reidford or that bounty hunter associated with the Greystones."
Hearing the news about Goulfvrim does not sit well with Miikae. She hoped he did not keep showing up. If the Nidal embassy was wanting to know what they were upto it likely did not bode well. They needed to keep moving or they would fall behind the enemy. Whatever they might be upto.
"Thankyou Muziel, it is much appreciated," she accepts the potion gratefully and pockets it, intending to give it to Sands before they move on next.
"So where do we go now?" she asks.
"I'm not comfortable where this is going" Karrick finally speaks up after a long time of silence most of the day. "When people start talking about the Vault of Nex, I get nervous. It's not that I don't want to tangle with a Kalikang, but I really don't feel like getting shot at by one." Approaching Muziel, Karrick keeps his hands on his hips, but takes one moment to lift a hand and scrub it over the top of his bald head.
"So... what? We have that gnome with the fancy gun, the Duchess, something in the Vault of Nex and a dead diplomat. Does any of this seem a bit suspicious to anybody else?" Karrick looks around, lifting his hands in a hapless shrug gesture.
"Duchess hires us to investigate the murder, then disappears with that gnome. The last guy to talk to the gnome winds up face down in a ditch and his room at the embassy tossed." Karrick exhales a breathy sigh and scrubs over his head again. "I shoulda' known that money was too good t'be true. I think the Duchess is using us to cover her ass." Looking up to Muziel, Karrick shakes his head.
"I got a real bad feeling about this."
yeah this is not feeling right and karrick i think you hit everything on the nose and we are the "mercenaries that are cleaning up dirty work and possible punished for it later... We will see how this all pans out one way or another i will get y boat tho.[/b] he says to the group with a deep hush tone voice.
Muziel concurs wit the Captain and Karrick. "About the only person I trust right now are people who these Red Mantis assassins want dead. That would be Venrich, who's beyond saving anyway... and that gnome, Slief. When we ran into the Red Mantis assassins, they talked about wanting the gnome dead. Maybe we need to find someone who can tell us more about this slippery gnome and what he was up to." Muziel looks toward Pervince. "Maybe someone in his guild?"
Muziel turns to Zadock. "Zadock, any luck with that legal document? We need to figure out who else might have wanted Lord Vyktor dead. Grachius had reason enough. He and Lord Vyktor were well known to be rivals. But somehow, I suspect there's more to this assassination than some feuding nobles."
Kera is rather apprehensive of Pervince’s plan. As much as she thought rushing out there to confront the issue was a good idea, with Karrick out there she didn’t want to chance anything.
”I think we should wait. If Karrick gives us some sort of sign that he needs us then we should go.”
Shaking her head, in the negative, at the Captain and Pervince she took a step to the door.
”We wait. I trust Karrick, though he goes off half cocked most of the time I trust him.”
Kera had the feeling that it might not be just one man. No doubt Karrick had the same feeling and that was why he had vanished. Though she had wished he had said something to the group, or at least her, before lit though the window.
She couldn’t help but give Miikae a sort of apologetic smile. Sands had been the one to warn them then Karrick went off on a dangerous solo mission.
”I do too…but he hasn’t so we wait. Either till he comes back or we hear the sounds of battle.”
Or Karrick gave them some sort of sign. Kera turns at the sound of someone in her window. Her hand is on her bastard sword ready to pull it out. When she sees it’s Karrick, Kera gives a sigh of exasperation then listens.
”Could you maybe warn us next time you decide to vanish on a reconnaissance mission?”
She asked following him to the fireplace. When Muziel speaks she gives him her full attention. It seemed they could only trust each other in all matters.
”I don’t know but we will get to the bottom of their alliance.”
When Muziel spoke about the weapon it only served to give Kera the chills. A weapon like that seemed sinister, she was glad Karrick was going to have it melted down. After the explanation Muziel went back to his book and Kera went back to giving Karrick a scolding look. When Muziel speaks of what the book is the words go over her head. Whatever the text is it seems to fascinate him. When he speaks of food Kera nods.
”Of course Muziel…”
She had been about to go into her small kitchen when Pervince spoke. She arched a brow when he spoke of limited stores. How the heck did he know what she had in her cupboards and cellar? Placing a hand on her hip she saw where this was going. With a shrug she decided not to argue with the halfling and just a company him to get what he needed.
Once back Kera will start to make a meal (I’m assuming a midday meal). When Miikae speaks of what to do next she nods.
”We go see the dwarf but not till later. For now we should try and figure a few things out, rest, and try and come up with a plan. We can always alter the plan if the dwarf gives us any good information.”
As Kera speaks she serves everyone the simple, but good, meal. Karrick speaks the most she has ever heard out of him. Kera listens nodding here and there and finally speaks.
”What if the events are not connected and are just a matter of coincidence? Maybe the gnome did what he did to make SURE the Duchess was out of the city? I too have a bad feeling but we have all promised to see this through. Personally I want to know what is going on. My home is under Marshal Law…it’s not safe and the peace has been broken…I want to see it fixed.”
It was clear from her impassioned words that Kera cared deeply for her city. Muziel brings up good points when Kera remembers something.
”The Duchess knew Marshal Law would be called when she gave that Iron star to Greysov. Not sure if that helps our deductions at all.”
Looking at Pervince she sighs.
”We are under Marshal Law. I am not sure you are going to be able to buy this dog you want…but we will try. I would also like to meet this man with the impressive rifle but that isn’t much of a description to go on in this town.”
There were several people she knew which what could be considered “impressive riffles.” As dusk falls Kera turns to the group.
”Alright, who wants to come with me to Reidford’s?”
She knew Muziel couldn’t go and as loathed as she was to split the group she would have liked for a few to stay here with him.
When Kera serves simple cooked meats, Pervince assesses it carefully. He nods appreciatively, complimenting her effort. It seemed to him that he was grating a little on her, so he made an effort to be less abrasive.
Muziel catches his attention with mention of speaking to a Watts guild member. "That'll take some time to find out who was associated closely enough with him, unless my father knows him well. If he doesn't know, then time better spent, I think, simply finding about people we really need to figure out. Let's not expect anything more than mild association, though my father certainly was a friendly halfling."
When she proposes to actually head to Reidford's, Pervince tugs at his belt with one hand, nodding to Kera. "I certainly will. I do expect he has something useful to say about Sleif. Hopefully, the state of marshal law will help a potential seller give away his dog more easily. People have to eat, as do dogs."