Cade feels the tap on his shoulder and turns to see who it might be. He feels that the tap came from someone who is taller than him, which is most people in this town. He turns and looks up right away into the eyes of Rig. A look of surprise comes across his face.
Damn Rig, I did not think you would be that quick...
Seeing that he may have overstepped into personal space, he tries to reassure Rig that it is not the end of the world. but..hey, I hear that it is a common thing in humans...so it happens to lots of humans. You do not need to be embarrassed or anything like that. I mean..well it is said that it happens to men more often as they get older so I would think this was just maybe a one time thing...I am sure it is..care for a drink?
Cade turns around and grabs a drink from the table beside him and tries to stifle the laughter that is entering his belly. He turns to Rig with a huge smile on his face.
Do not worry you were not gone long enough to miss anything of importance...you know umm disinheritance, dance lessons, witty repartee, umm that sort of night...nothing out of the ordinary.
Soooo, how was your night?...just a quick night cap?...
The smile is still there
Rig is already flustered from this night and has no idea what Cade is on about. He takes the drink offered him, downs it, and says, "I might be able to squeeze in a bit more dance, but then I'm off to bed. Before any other trouble comes my way."
When Flo catches sight of Rig, she flares up and reflexively draws her new favorite wooden spoon. All the frustration of the night and stressors of the past few days finally coming to a head when Rig shows up conveniently after the diplomatic fallout. She loses her cool.
There has been all manner of foolishness in here that could have used your attention!" she erupts, smacks Rig with the spoon multiple times during her tirade. "You can't go running off like that without saying something! What if something more dangerous happened? What if-" she rambles on for a bit about what happened that night with Lord Kaijitsu before letting up and stomping upstairs for the night.
________
Rig ducks his head and lifts his arms defensively to ward off the vicious spoon attack. He'd seen this kind of thing before, mostly among married people. The whole tavern joined in to laugh at the poor man, some of them probably thinking he was getting a beating for stepping out on Flo. It was clearly just one of those days. On the plus side, he learned a bit more about what had happened while he was away. With a couple of drinks in him, and a few new welts rising from his "spooning," Rig sighs and heads up to bed. "Feel free to wake me if anything horrible happens," he says to Slick on the way out. "Any OTHER thing," he corrects himself.
"I've ah, I've had too much to drink." Laurana foundered as she set down her mug and watched as two Rigs suddenly appeared back in the inn. She started up the stairs to her room before curling up on the landing and snored softly.
Part way through the night, Flo wakes up. Tossing and turning, she can't manage to fall asleep. It wasn't right of me to do that. It wasn't his fault. She drinks some water, reads a little, but nothing is relieving the pit forming in her stomach.
With a heavy sigh, she gets up. Opening the door as quietly as she can, she heads down to Rig's room and knocks on his. "Rig, are you up?" What if he doesn't wake up? Do I talk to him in the morning?
As the Sandpoint one-through-five all turn in and the music dies down the dancing finally comes to an end. Kargas, feeling a little giddy, takes another drink to calm his nerves. Turning to Ameiko he smiles and says gently, suddenly nervous again. "Hey, um...this was a good time, we don't really do this back home. Thank you."
Gesturing to the common room, he grins "Want some help cleaning up?"
Cade watches as rig moves away to be assaulted by Flo. As he watches Rig leave, Cade just stares at Flo and shakes his head in disappointment. Still he has a smile on.
Sure know how to sober up a party there Flo, Nice work.....I suggest you go and apologize to Rig for your actions. He did nothing to deserve such treatment. Stop trying to be a wet nurse...It is very unbecoming. You may not like it but some of us may know exactly what we are doing. You need to learn to trust that judgment as much as we trust yours. Now if you will excuse me, I saw a juniper berry brandy floating around here somewhere and I aim to taste some of it before the morning bell tolls.
Colvyn just shrugs at Rig's comment. He was about to mention that he was heading to bed himself, but the was pretty much done anyway. So, while none of the attention was on him, he slips out the inn and joined Phasgan in the stable. He settles himself comfortably, and with the warmth of the dire rat's fur, he falls asleep in a matter of seconds.
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Rig smells smoke and hears the familiar crackle of fire. Loud cracks, like those of support beams. Not a small fire, a large one. He opens his eyes. He's lying on the ground outside the inn, fully dressed. He sees Kargas and Cade organizing a fire brigade, throwing buckets of water on to the burning inn. Laurana holds the head of an unconscious Ameiko in her lap, whispering, "Please wake up." Brother Dashtail rides up on a giant rat. "This is all your fault, Rig," he says, before dashing off to put out the smaller fires trying to spread.
He hears someone faintly calling his name. He sits up. Shayliss is running towards him, a great blaze rising behind her. "My father! He's trapped! Help!" she cries. He's on his feet running toward the grocery. He kicks the door down, but the sudden rush of air creates an explosion that throws him back to the ground. He struggles to rise and catches a glimpse inside the building. Vender is dead, a flame-charred husk on the floor of his own store.
A strange knocking sound distracts him. Goblins! They're back. And they're riding giant ticks?! He didn't even know that was possible. He goes for his scimitar, but it's gone. A goblin-laden tick crashes into him, staggering him back into the fire. The goblin laughs with glee as it bursts into flame. The fire burns away Rig's clothes but leaves his flesh untouched. He's absorbing the flame, becoming the flame. He gasps and the incoming breath expands his sight. He has consumed the grocery, and needs to move on to the next building, and the next.
A voice softly calls his name. "Rig." Oh no, where's Flo? She must be trapped in the inn! He wills the fire to shrink, but it's to no avail. He can't move. There's nothing but fire all around him.
"Are you up?"
He bolts up in bed, fully awake, half naked, covered in cold sweat, a dagger in his hand. A small stream of smoke lazily flies off a spent candle. He runs to the door, sure that there's trouble.
Floredana's at the door, spoonless. There's no fire, and she doesn't seem to be in a panic. He casually slides the dagger into the rear waistband of his pants. "Hey, Flo. Is everything okay?" he stammers. It's clear that he's in a bit of a panic, with a wild look in his eyes slowly focusing on the world around him. A large bruise spreads across his ribs, clearly not caused by her.
He looks like he has been expecting something else... Is he ok? She quickly tries to compose her face into a neutral expression, trying to hide the blatant befuddlement.
"Well, sort of. I wanted to apologize. It wasn't right for me to chastise you like that. You see, Sandpoint is my home. I may not have been born here, but the people have taken me in like one of their own and I have embraced them all as my family," she explains, now looking Rig straight in the eyes. "The goblin raids, the council meeting, and then the mess with Lord Kaijitsu pushed me to my limits, I was barely keeping it together. I know you're good with words and dealing with people, so when you showed up right after we needed you, I lost control. I took my anger out on you and it wasn't right. It's been a lot for me to handle lately, but I promise that it won't happen again. I'm sorry," she confesses, her voice barely faltering.
For the first time, she notices the darkening bruise on his ribs. "A-are you ok? That would be easy enough to heal, you know," she offers, gently poking around the bruise. "Did you just get this?"
"Oh don't worry about it. It's been an... active couple of days for everyone. I certainly don't hold it against you." He blushes when she points out the bruise. He rubs the back of his neck and head with his hand and looks at the ground as he says, "Yeah, bit of a run-in with a local yokel earlier in the evening. I figured I'd just sleep it off, but I'd be foolish to turn down a faster heal."
Looking back up, he looks weary but he smiles. "Honestly, it would be helpful to have someone making sure I don't accidentally step on too many toes around here. You feel free to chide me whenever you think it's appropriate and I'll do my best to stay out of trouble. Deal?" He offers her his hand.
With a deep sigh of relief, Flo takes his hand firmly. "Deal!" What did he get up to tonight? That's a mean looking bruise... She channels the divinity of her faith into healing energy, washing away the bruise.
"Sleep well Rig," she offers, smiling, and heads off to bed.
________
Rig stretches his shoulder, noting how his ribs no longer hurt when he does so. "Thanks. G'night." He feels a bit more settled and hopes his dreams will be a little more calm as he lies back down to sleep. "Ack!" He reaches around and grabs the dagger he left in his waistband that he just jammed into his thigh, sets it on the night stand, and goes back to sleep.
Gradually the merriment of the evening wanes. Ameiko and Kargas along with others continue to dance, and Cyrdak and his musicians continue to play, but things are more subdued, and as the night goes on the patrons gradually leave, until it is naught but a few hangers-on. Cyrdak and his Musicians stagger out the door, clearly far too drunk, assisted by Daviren Hosk, who has had just as much to drink but seems to handle it better. Sir Aldern is also deep in his cups but manages a polite bow and staggers up to his room.
Kargas helps Ameiko clean up along with the help of a couple of Ameiko's staff. Even Ameiko has had a few too many though and Kargas has to help her to her chambers. Eventually all is quiet.
One by one the group wakes to the smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.
He's on his feet running toward the grocery.
Rig comes suddenly awake, and ponders his dream, until he remembers that Master Vinder is a Chandler and runs a Chandler's shop. In fact, now that he thinks about it, he's not quite sure what a "grocery" is, though it seemed quite clear in his dream.
The group gradually gathers in the common room, and out of the kitchen comes an elderly halfling carrying trays of food.
"Good morning dears!" Beams the halfling, whom you recognize as Bethana, one of the housekeepers who works at the Rusty Dragon.
"Her laydship's feelin' a mite... tender this morning so I'll be looking after breakfast today."
"It's not like her, really, but I understand business was quite good last night, so who am I to complain. I heard she and her father had quite a row! What did the old fart want now?"
Bethana begins doling out eggs, sausages, potatoes, soup, and fruit to those who make their way down, and is pleased to chat and gossip with the guests of the inn. Not having been present last night, she is eager for details.
After a little while, the door opens, and one of the guardsmen walks in, whom you recognize as Sergeant Bartle.
The Sergeant looks around the room.
"I... uh... good morning. Hope I'm not botherin' ye," he says as he takes off his helmet.
"Ah... so, we began doing searches of houses yesterday eve, looking for any goblins wot could be hiding in town. I understand you had a social engagement with a certain nobleman, so we didn't bother you, but I heard that's done with."
"So... if any of you are available today, we could use your help with the searching, as we are still short-handed and a lot of us were out workin' last night."
"We got a few militia helping out, but the Constable told me to call on you. 'Specially since I heard this whole searching thing was your idea."
He looks around the room at the group.
"So what do you say?"
Rig helps himself to a hearty breakfast. He's also eager to hear what went on last night in his absence. And not to keen to talk about his adventures. The food seems to help settle his mind a bit. Today is a new day, hopefully better than yesterday.
When the Sergeant comes in, Rig snaps to attention, worried something is amiss. He looks around to his companions. "We should be free to help," he comments. "Unless I'm forgetting something on our social calendar," he says jovially.
After helping Ameiko to her room Kargas found his way to his own, and this morning he's jovial and perhaps a bit too loud--his hangover does nothing to bring down his fine mood, but hearing that Ameiko's not feeling well does subdue him a bit. "Hope she feels better soon," he whispers to Bethana.
To the sergeant he offers a shrug. "It's been what, almost three days now? Doesn't seem likely that any goblin would have that kind of patience, but sure. Ready when the others are."
Flo is happily munching on some honeyed buttered toast with a cup of coffee when Sergeant Bartle enters the Rusty Dragon. "Certainly! The safety of Sandpoint is an utmost priority. When we have finished our breakfast and prayers, should we meet the Constable in his office?" Hopefully he picks up on the AFTER breakfast part. No use searching the city on an empty stomach!
________
Waking up early, Colvyn is able to tend to Phasgan and do his morning routine. He then walks back in the inn for the morning meal. At the mention of the old fart Colvyn smiles. He just can't help it, ever since he met the old lord, he just feels like the man didn't deserve any respect. Just another noble that complain about everything unless it increase the size of his coin purse. When the Sergeant walks in and ask for their help to search the houses, Colvyn is a bit surprised. "Just how many houses did you search so far? This isn't a big town, can't be that many left. Just give us a list of what is left to do, and like Sister Floredana said, well get to it once we are done eating."
Laurana woke with a start and was horrified to see she was still on the landing. Her head throbbed to the point that she felt like crying out in pain. Every little sound was like a dagger being driven into her skull. Finally, and with great effort, she was able to drag herself up. The others were already downstairs. She was not in a state to join them. Stumbling to her room, she splashed her face with water from the washing bowl. She needed to study, she knew. Sitting down heavily, she pulled her spell book to her and started thumbing the pages. She would be in this position until the others were ready to go.
"Just how many houses did you search so far?"
"Not as many as I would like. We still had to have men stand watch at the gate and the bridges - that's six at any one time, round the clock. And there's only twelve of us left. We couldn't do it if it weren't for the militia volunteers we got, but we ought to have more than that. There's a bit more than two hundred buildings in this town. We covered the big ones, like the cathedral, the town hall, the mill, the brewery, the shipyard, and so forth."
"Most of the residences still need to be searched though."
"What I'd like is for you to split into two groups and work the opposite sides of a street. I can accompany one group while one of my guards accompanies the other, so the townsfolk know that it's legit. But that's all I can spare."
"An efficient plan Sergeant Bartle. How do we want to split up?" She asks, eating a plate of eggs accompanied by a glass of milk.
________
Rig nods his assent, hoping he can direct his group AWAY from the Vinder house. He decides that he will definitely speak up if anyone asks 'which side of the street will this group take.'
Cade makes his way down the stairs dress in a white shirt and red pants. He has a black doublet on as well as his traveling coat. He is freshly shaven and in a good spirits. He seems to be humming to himself and smiling as he climbs down the steps. Once he reaches the bottom he sees Bethana.
Good morning to you Mistress Bethana, it is very nice to see you this fine day. How are you feeling?
When he hears about the condition of Ameiko. Cade simple smiles and chuckles to himself.I have been there on occasion.
The drink I had your staff bring me this morning, It may do some good for her ladyship. This is one of my own tricks to clear the head after a long night. It works for me and it is my hopes that it will work for her as well.
Fresh tomatoes are the key. With what she drank last night, her stomach is going to be a little raw. I would skip the black pepper and go with white pepper...it tends to be a little milder and should still give the bite that is needed to clear the cobwebs away.
He listens to the others make their pitch and then he speaks up.
It would appear that we are at your disposal good Sergeant. I do have a question...do you happen to have sentry whistles that we may use. It is my hope that we do not need such but if we encounter anyone it will come in handy when aid is needed...Two groups? Splitting your forces...ok I am fine with that. Have you a method to the search..A pattern or a general idea of what and how you want to accomplish this task. I want to limit the chance of a enemy getting into a area that we just searched.
Good morning to you Mistress Bethana, it is very nice to see you this fine day. How are you feeling?
When he hears about the condition of Ameiko. Cade simple smiles and chuckles to himself.I have been there on occasion.
"I bet you have, dearie! I've heard about the Goodbarrel family." She gives Cade a wink.
"My sister's son's sister-in-law's uncle is married to your second cousin, Dorfer. You know, the one who has the post as a brewer for the stadium. Good position, that. He hasn't been happy lately - his daughter Sangria ran off with that acrobat boy, Johen, or something like that. That's no kind of life for a girl with prospects, I tell you!" She shakes her head with a tsk tsk as she continues to serve breakfast.
He listens to the others make their pitch and then he speaks up.
It would appear that we are at your disposal good Sergeant. I do have a question...do you happen to have sentry whistles that we may use. It is my hope that we do not need such but if we encounter anyone it will come in handy when aid is needed...Two groups? Splitting your forces...ok I am fine with that. Have you a method to the search..A pattern or a general idea of what and how you want to accomplish this task. I want to limit the chance of a enemy getting into a area that we just searched.
"Whistles... yeah, I think we got some at the guardhouse. We could stop there if there's anything else you need. Lanterns maybe, if we're going to be looking into basements. If I were a goblin, I'd hide where it's dark."
"Simplest if we just do one street at a time, one group to a side. If one group gets to the end of the street first they double back along the other side until both groups meet."
Sergeant Bartle takes the group back to the guardhouse, and finds some whistles which he hands out to the group. He also finds a box with some pieces of chalk, and gives one to each person present.
"We're not going to be kicking in doors today, just getting people to let us search their homes for goblins. Nobody's going to be under arrest or anything. So if nobody's home, just mark the door with this chalk so we know to come back later."
The party proceeds to move through Sandpoint street by street. Most people are friendly when they come to the door, and many are openly happy that the 'Sandpoint Six' has come by to look out for them personally. After a going through a few houses, Sergeant Bartle visibly relaxes, and mentions that not all the people in Sandpoint necessarily enjoy visits from the guard. Having the Sandpoint Six around is making the process go much more smoothly.
However, while this does make the process less acrimonious, you can't help thinking that it might go faster if you were just ordinary guards. Upon arriving at a house, most of the residents invite you in and want to chat about things or inquire about the fight with the goblins. Many offer you tea, baked goods, beer, or other refreshments, and though you don't want to be rude, it often seems more difficult getting out of a house than getting in.
Through the day you work your way through the town, starting at the north end and working your way south. Once you get below market street (where the Rusty Dragon is located), Sergeant Bartle seems to get more grumpy and impatient. Perhaps he is getting tired of the job.
Eventually the group finds itself outside the Fatman's Feedbag, a tavern at the foot of Salmon Street right on the docks. It is popular with sailors, dockworkers, and those who work at the shipyard, and is operated by a master Innkeeper named Gressel Tenniwar.
Sergeant Bartle looks at the tavern for a moment. Then, with a sigh, he steps forward and leads the group into the tavern.
He lets his eyes adjust to the gloom for a moment, and then steps over towards the bar.
"Master Tenniwar! Good evening. The town council has ordered us to search the town for goblins that may be hiding within the town after the raid. We need to... I'm afraid we need to search the premises."
The tavern goes quiet. Everyone seems to be looking at you, or at the innkeeper.
"There's no cause for that!" Blurts Master Tenniwar.
"There are no goblins here. We use the cellar often and there's nothing down there that shouldn't be. This is a private business and you cannot search the place without my say-so."
Sergeant Bartle seems about to reply when a tall man playing cards in the corner stands up.
"Was this Hemlock's idea?" The tall man says as he steps slowly away from the card table. "He's always poking his nose where it doesn't belong, and accusing ordinary people of breaking the law. He could have at least shown up in person this time!"
The man gestures at the people seated in the tavern.
"But... what a great excuse to start searching people's houses! What is he really looking for this time? Nobody here has done anything wrong, so there's no cause to be going through everyone's things."
"Stay out of this, Vhiski," warns Sergeant Bartle. "You take things too personal."
"That's all nonsense anyway! We've been all over town today searching houses. And yesterday too! This isn't about you- the council really ordered us to search the whole damned town."
The sergeant waves Jubrayl back towards the table.
"So just sit back down and stay out of it. This doesn't concern you."
"Oh, it's always something. Goblins this time... what was it last time? Runaway orphans? And then there was the 'dire rat' scare a couple years back. You never give up, do you? It's all the same tapdance."
Jubrayl Vhiski does a little tapdance in the middle of the floor, ending with a flourish.
"If the Sandpoint Six here want to find some goblins, I suggest they look outside the town. Do you really think Master Tenniwar here would be hiding some goblins in the kegs downstairs?"
Through out the day Cade gladly takes any drinks offered to him. When he is offered to take a bottle or jug with him, he does so with enthusiasm. When offered to have a drink with a person, he does so but he keeps it small. Cade has been drinking all day but it does not affect him at all.
When offered a drink that he feels would bring to much enjoyment to his job..
I do not wish to offend but I just tried some of Mr. Thompson's 22 year age whiskey and my pallet is a little numb right now..perhaps I may take that with me so that I may properly enjoy it.
Cade gives Kargas a pat on the arm
I got this...
I hope..what the f%#~ am I thinking....I got this...I am a stupid f~+@ing idiot
Cade walks to the middle of the room and turns around looking at all the patron. His smile as always is there. He does not climb up on a chair to see eye to eye with anyone but remains on the ground with his feet ready to move.
Easy now, let us calm down. There is no need to be nasty to anyone. That just ruins a perfectly good night of drinking.
Cade lets his smiling face move around the room. He pauses on the apparent owner of the tavern but then shifts to Jubrayl Vhiski.
Now Master Tenniwar, I understand how inconvenient this can be and I sincerely apologize for any problems this may bring to your fine establishment. The longer we debate this the longer the inconvenience will remain. The sooner we are able to finish our task the sooner your fine patrons can get back to filling your pockets with their hard earned coin.
When Jubrayl Vhiski does his little dance, Cade just watches. When he is done he turns and looks at rig. Then his attention goes back to the man.
I would give you a eight for the little number but you started off on your left foot when it is clear your prefer your right and your frame needs a lot of work. So I will give you a six instead. But I applaud your initiative in wasting time.
Cade smiles brightly and nods at Rig
Now if this was not a waste of time and you really want to have a dance off...I am sure my companion would be more than happy to teach you about the art of dance.
Dance battle.
He shakes his head and chuckles a bit and still looking at Jubrayl.
I am sorry..perhaps another time. There is a task we wish to finish. Master Tenniwar, we will be conducting a search of your tavern now and if you have any protest..you can file a complaint at the town hall. He starts to walk away but stops and looks at Master Tenniwar
if you are so concerned with the welfare of your establishment and feel that we would do harm to your property...you may join us on our search.
He then turns back to Jubrayl
You could also send a representative to oversee our task as I see you are very busy running your business..maybe Mr. Vhiski would care to help us out. He seems to have a good bit of fondness for this place. I think he would do a fine job of making sure we did not cause any damage to...your property.
Colvyn follows the conversation with little interest, until an idea crosses his mind. He steps forward with a small smile. "Look, we are not guards. Whatever small irregularities that we could see during the search, I can assure you that we will ignore. We are here for some possible nasty goblins that might have stayed in the village to cause some mayhem later on. I understand that a search in a place of business might disrupt it for a moment, but the faster we do this the faster we are out. Also, if you wish to file a complaint or a protest, you can always see Lord Lonjiku Kaijitsu. But you better hurry, I think he is about to leave the town for business"
Rig thought this house searching thing was gonna be a drag, but socializing with people?! Aww, that's not so bad after all. And as long as he stays clear of Vinder's place, he's pretty happy. He gladly accepts the food, and has a few sips of alcohol, to be polite, but doesn't want to dull his senses, such as they are.
Everything seems to be going pretty well.
Bartle seems to be pleased with the job they've done. As they cross into the southern area of town, Rig is wondering who else they'll get to meet. What's this?! They get to search a tavern?! Well, all right!
The barman, who he assumes is the proprietor, is less than happy to have them do their duty. Honestly, it would seem hard for goblins to hide in a tavern, but many of them do have extensive cellars.
Being a bit of a vagabond himself, Rig recognizes Vhiski as a Sczarni. They're usually fun to party with, as long as you keep your purse well hidden. They're often involved in illicit activities, so it would make sense that this fellow wouldn't want his person searched. It wouldn't be outside the realm of reason to suspect that the fellow could be smuggling goods as well, but a man's gotta make a living. Rig passes no judgement on harmless activities like that.
And then he does his dance. The fellow isn't bad. Rig hardly needs encouragement from Cade, but gladly accepts.
Rig perfectly parrots the Sczarni's dance, as though he'd been born doing it. Following the dance's ending flourish, he repeats the tap dance twice, getting faster each time. By the third tap, his feet are a blur of motion. "I could also do it in reverse, if you'd like," he says to the Sczarni with a gleam in his eye.
At Slick's mention of taking their complaints to Lord Kaijitsu, it takes all of Rig's self-control not to burst out in laughter. With a broad smile, Rig says "Brother Dashtail speaks truly. We're not interested in petty contraband. One of you could easily accompany us. We mean you no ill will at all."
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Flo enjoys the pleasantries with the locals. Engaging with the townspeople truly relaxes her, and almost forgets that they are on the lookout for stowaway goblins. As they walk into a new neighborhood, she gives Sergeant Bartle a sideways glance. What happened here that makes him think so poorly of this place?
In the bar, Flo remains silent as Bartle announces their intentions. That man in the back is the real leader here. But why?
Flo's eyes go wide as she realizes that the dance was no casual maneuver. We are in for it now. Whatever there was to find is certainly gone. Or perhaps we are about to be assaulted. Both, maybe? She gently tugs Kargas' sleeve and whispers into his ear. "On your guard, that was a signal."
As Cade opens up with insults, she quietly prays to Desna that the dance was not a signal to prepare for combat. "We are only looking for goblins. A quick look around should make it clear that there aren't any, then we can rest easy knowing that the entire town has been searched!"
________
Kargas is a little unsettled at the notion of moving house-to-house with the citizenry, but the warm welcome and gifts quickly soften his wary demeanor and the half-orc is soon joking and toasting at every home. Unlike the others he drinks and eats freely, though several of the choicer gifts he tucks into his pack to enjoy later.
As they rejoin the Bartle's group he grins and offers a slice of raisin bread to Bartles. "Have a slice, sergeant!" the berserker chuckles, oblivious to the guard's disquiet. When the bar goes quiet at their entrance Kargas' grin fades and he rolls his shoulders in anticipation of a fight.
He keeps quiet as Cade, Rig, and Vhiski skirmish with their words and dances; the form of the competition is unfamiliar, but the posturing is not too dissimilar from warriors in the Stormscar tribe competing for status. When Flor taps his arm and whispers...
"On your guard, that was a signal."
...the big warrior grunts an acknowledgement and starts moving towards the stairs to the basement, brushing past Vhiski. "We've said why we're here, let's get this over with."
The half-orc's hand shoots out, grasping a fistful of shirt and yanking the offender closer. Kargas grins, a decidedly unfriendly look, and sparks literally crackle in his eyes as the tattoo-scars criss-crossing his body flare up with an azure light. A light breeze from nowhere stirs the room and there's a faint whiff of ozone. "I don't think you care to dance with me," Kargas voice is low and hard.
Re:Flo's aid- you may want to help Cade instead. I'm trying to be scary
Laurana was having a great day searching the town. It had been a while since she had just walked the streets and it was wonderful to see and interact with the people again. She waved off any offered drinks, "Thank you but I dont do so well with that kind of thing." Which was the truth.
She was having a grand day, that is until they turned to the tavern. Her parents had always warned her about the tavern and its surrounds. Nothing good ever came from there she was warned. Gulping down her trepidation, she moved forward with the rest.
She just watched from the back as the others did the talking, and oddly enough, the dancing. Thoroughly confused, she watched Flo, knowing that she would have answers.
Flo tries to discreetly gesture for Laurana to come forward and say something too. This is a tough crowd, we'll need all the help we can get! Desna, grant her the courage to speak up and the luck to have the crowd receive her words well.
She looks at the crowd warily, hoping their words are starting to have an effect on them.
I am sorry..perhaps another time. There is a task we wish to finish. Master Tenniwar, we will be conducting a search of your tavern now and if you have any protest..you can file a complaint at the town hall.
Master Tenniwar gives Cade a glare.
"Asmodeus' Knickers you will!" He shouts, and he pulls out a club wrapped in leather straps from under the counter. He hammers it down on the counter with a BANG!
"I'm a free man an' no vassal o' any of those lords! I hold this land in fee simple and owe them nothing beyond taxes an' keeping the peace and whatnot. Which means this place is MINE and nobody pokes around without my permission, council or no!"
He points the club at the group.
"So that means yer trespassin'! And I've a right to defend my place against you lot. Now get lost!"
Several of the people around the bar stand up, including all the other men at the card table. Other patrons turn their backs and pay close attention to their drinks.