To Koya, Alaric says, "Let me know if you change your mind. Oh, Melinda says hi."
"Give her my love."
"OK," she says, "First, let's try you in some of the usual stuff for slim women. Minidress. V-neck cashmere with trousers. Bustier top with skirt. Strapless knee length dress in a semi-rigid fabric. You know, the stand-bys."
Mel does what a someone who is clueless about how they look would do. She suggests all the wrong colors first, and then listens to the person who actually understands fashion and skin tone.
Rhost perks up at this. "What are you owed?"
"One of the people they killed was an elderly man who has been a member of my household for sixty years. As far as I am concerned, killing everyone involved is merited. However, if you merely slay whomever you deem fit among those who hired or commanded Asvig Longthews to steal the sword, I shall be content."
"So, um ... I guess maybe I should go start getting ready, then?"
How 'getting ready' could possibly take all day may leave Kalimac a bit mystified.
After Kalimac and Ameiko part for the morning, Kalimac will ponder that mystery.
He will also try to come to grips with the reality of a poetry writing wolf.
"How ... much of this stuff do you think we could fit in the Caravan, exactly?" he wonders.
Alaric, a twinkle in his eye: "Only one way to find out."
There is a pause. Then Ameiko says:
"Kalimac. Don't ... spread it around, OK? It's just a first date."
Alaric can't hide the triumphant grin, but refrains from a celebratory fist pump. "You have fun. I should really take my young lady out at some point."
As she tries to speak, her hands sneak under the hem of his shirt, fingernails lightly scratching up and down his back.
Alaric can't hide the triumphant grin, but refrains from a celebratory fist pump. "You have fun. I should really take my young lady out at some point."
"You really should," she agrees. "Most people have the first date before the one-month anniversary."
"The Tyrant? Oh, Miss Sorn... I'm the Tyrant of the Boudoir!" It's part tickle, part caress, part desperate undressing of the loveliest creature he has ever seen. As each stretch of green flesh is exposed, he claims it with a kiss, sometimes a bite, repeating "Mine," in the same ridiculous accent.
After a bit: <How connected are you to us? I mean... do you hear us... all the time?>
"One of the people they killed was an elderly man who has been a member of my household for sixty years. As far as I am concerned, killing everyone involved is merited. However, if you merely slay whomever you deem fit among those who hired or commanded Asvig Longthews to steal the sword, I shall be content."
Mel does not look at all sure of herself when she replies, "Okay. I think that kinda sounds like what we were planning on doing anyway..." She pauses, "So, you said you could help us with that. You have information on the people that Asvig was taking orders from? Do you know why they stole the sword? Or kidnapped Ulf? Are any of them even the slightest bit sane? Or at least coherent?"
<That is actually something I had been meaning to talk to the two of you about today.>
<Most of the time, I can only hear you when you are intentionally thinking ‘at’ me. I cannot read your thoughts, or anything of that nature.>
<However, as I have mentioned to Melinda, it is the case with my touch telepathy that I hear thoughts that are ‘shouted’ even if they are not deliberately intended for my mind. Thoughts with high emotional content to them can end up being, well, accidentally broadcast.>
<It occurred to me only a short time ago that this long-distance effect may work in the same manner. Some of what I heard from you and Mel on the ship, when she was endangered, may or may not have been intended for me. I am not entirely sure.>
<Today I will be looking for a magic item that can play very very loud music in my ears alone, in case such a thing is necessary for ... other occasions.>
"One of the people they killed was an elderly man who has been a member of my household for sixty years. As far as I am concerned, killing everyone involved is merited. However, if you merely slay whomever you deem fit among those who hired or commanded Asvig Longthews to steal the sword, I shall be content."
Kalimac shrugs. This is not justice as he has come to accept the term. But as they say, "when in Kalsgard, do as the Kalsgardians do." (Or words to that effect.) He is not particularly happy with this sort of justice, but he is learning that he is not in a position to change an entire culture.
Alaric goes to the hotel concierge and finds out where the best sweet fish curry with mushrooms can be found in the city. If such a thing is possible.
Curries are not the most common food here, but in the Fire Quarter there's a place run by Vudrani immigrants which is supposed to be very good.
Kalimac shrugs. This is not justice as he has come to accept the term. But as they say, "when in Kalsgard, do as the Kalsgardians do." (Or words to that effect.) He is not particularly happy with this sort of justice, but he is learning that he is not in a position to change an entire culture.
Alaric's inner monologue: Hey, maybe I will get to kill every slaver in this stupid savage place!
Mel does not look at all sure of herself when she replies, "Okay. I think that kinda sounds like what we were planning on doing anyway..." She pauses, "So, you said you could help us with that. You have information on the people that Asvig was taking orders from? Do you know why they stole the sword? Or kidnapped Ulf? Are any of them even the slightest bit sane? Or at least coherent?"
"I have no idea. I assume he wasn't at the top of the chain because everything I have found out about him indicates he was a petty thug who would never conceive of complex plans involving magic swords, and the lack of the sword at his house seems to indicate that he had passed it on to someone else. But I am not without resources and contacts. If you can uncover even hints regarding whoever was behind him, I may be able to discover more."
Kalimac seems to be a bit at sea here, in uncharted territory. But he's proceeding with good humor, since it's his friends we're talking about. "It should probably come as no surprise that Attatoq is sweet on Silmemir. The surprising part is this."
Kalimac hands Myri a sheet of paper that has been smoothed out, but still shows its somewhat crumpled and drool-stained past.
Contents of Note:
On the paper, painstakingly scrawled in appalling handwriting, is the following:SILLMMEER
A POME BY ATATOK
ZANDRGHOUL PROMISSES POME NOT HAV TO RIME
"SLLMEMMEER -"
"YU SMELL GUD"
"REEL REEL GUD"
"AND YOOR PRETY"
"I LIEK YU"
"Attatoq would like you to read that to Silmemir."
Myri had been smiling as she plays with the fur around Attatoq's neck. As she reads the note, her smile disappears and something of a questioning frown takes it's place. Her right hand comes up to take the other side of the paper, as if keeping it straight might somehow keep the contents from being misread. She reads it again...and then a third time.
When she finally looks up...or down as the case might be, first to Kalimac, "Attatoq wrote this?" She shoots Kalimac a not quite trusting lookSense Motive:
She sighs.
...and then to Attatoq, her expression finally softens and she gets down on her heels to put both hands on his shoulders, "You are an amazingly bright young wolf, aren't you? How in the world did you write this?" She pauses, hugs him, then returns to arms length. "I will be happy to read this to Silmemir if you want me to. ...of course, you have to be there, won't make sense if you're not." She pauses again, looks thoughtful for a moment. "I know most of her initial tr...er, interaction was done in Sylvan, though I've been speaking to her in Elven as well...and now everyone's speaking more languages than I can keep track of. Um," she glances back at Kalimac, "I'm not sure what language to use." She ends kind of helplessly. "Any ideas?"
Once she and Shae come back from having ducked around the corner, or behind something, Lio straightens out her shirt sort of self consciously. She whispers to Shae where they are going, just in case anything happens, so that the taller elf knows where to find them. And then she and Myri set out towards the location on the little note, it's a spot not too far away from the caravan.
Myri moves a step or two to give them a minute amount of extra cover, then follows Lio as she returns from her "encounter".
<Today and other days have shown this can be a grim business, but still ... we're headed to the top of the world, planning to fight to free an oppressed people ... I'd never imagined even attempting such a thing. Heady days. Small wonder half the group is falling in love.>
<Did that even make sense?>
"I have no idea. I assume he wasn't at the top of the chain because everything I have found out about him indicates he was a petty thug who would never conceive of complex plans involving magic swords, and the lack of the sword at his house seems to indicate that he had passed it on to someone else. But I am not without resources and contacts. If you can uncover even hints regarding whoever was behind him, I may be able to discover more."
Mel smiles, "Well, we were told, by a supposedly reliable source, that Asvig answered to Snorri Stone-Eye, who is also dead. He in turn followed the orders of the Rimerunner's guild, which may be front for the Frozen Shadows which is a part of the Five Storms. The current leader is supposedly Thorborg Silverskorr heavily supported by one Goti Runecaster, whose familiar is a very good spy."
A pause, "Which means it is likely that now that we've come to visit, they will try to kill you. I suggest finding a way to make sure that they don't."
Off her first look, with a gentle smile he says: "I asked you because you're her best friend."
Then, as she ticks off the list. "Jasmine! Of course. Perfect sense. Ameiko said something about music too... me making dinner? Hmm... that sounds like a good way to give us both indigestion."
As Myri's statement grows maudlin, Alaric's expression takes on a little concern. "Are you all right, Myri?"
Myri's seems to catch herself, she smiles, "Yes, of course, just fine. I..um, thank you, it's nothing, really."
bluff: +1 trait bonus if you could be sexually attracted to Myri
Myri was not used to having friends her age. She found one in Sandpoint, and now she's feeling...well, lonely, because Mel chooses to spend as much of her time with you as possible. Talking about what she thinks Mel might like, got her to thinking about herself as well.
Lio at some point in the start of the morning stops at a bakery or street vendor selling tasty looking promising smelling food. She picks something out for herself, and having probably dragged the three of you along, insists that at least Shae eat something as well. She pays for Shae without even thinking about it, and if Myri or Ameiko pick something out, she will pay for it, too.
Myri picks up something that smells good. Hopefully, it tastes as good as it smells. :)
"Thank you, Lio. This pastry tastes wonderful." And hopefully, she's not lying. ;)
Myri had been smiling as she plays with the fur around Attatoq's neck. As she reads the note, her smile disappears and something of a questioning frown takes it's place. Her right hand comes up to take the other side of the paper, as if keeping it straight might somehow keep the contents from being misread. She reads it again...and then a third time.
When she finally looks up...or down as the case might be, first to Kalimac, "Attatoq wrote this?" She shoots Kalimac a not quite trusting look.
Kalimac shrugs. "Evidently he wrote it. I'm still trying to figure out how he held the pen. From the drool, I'm going to guess with his mouth. I've always known he is clever, but this came as a complete surprise."
He frowns in thought as he considers the question of what language to present it to Silmemir in. "Hmmm. Normally I wouldn't think it would matter what language you read a poem to a wolf in. Personally, I think that you should read it in the original Taldane, as Attatoq wrote it. Since he'll be there, he can make sure the sense of it gets through in wolf."
He looks at his lupine friend. "Does that sound like a good plan, Attatoq?"
The address you have as the place where Jorun is staying is barely a shack. Jorun himself answers the door, and looks at the two of you with an expression of wary surprise.
Myri smiles pleasantly at Jorun and gives him a little wave, but stands a half pace behind and to one side, obviously ceding communication to Lio.
Mel smiles, "Well, we were told, by a supposedly reliable source, that Asvig answered to Snorri Stone-Eye, who is also dead. He in turn followed the orders of the Rimerunner's guild, which may be front for the Frozen Shadows which is a part of the Five Storms. The current leader is supposedly Thorborg Silverskorr heavily supported by one Goti Runecaster, whose familiar is a very good spy."
A pause, "Which means it is likely that now that we've come to visit, they will try to kill you. I suggest finding a way to make sure that they don't."
Kalimac nods in agreement. "They seem to be big on warning people against helping us. This morning they killed the innkeeper who rented rooms to us. Killed in such a way as to make it clear that he shouldn't have been helping the enemies of the Frozen Shadows."
"So do please take precautions."
At a point when Alaric rests from his appointed task, "No surrender, but we can talk about a truce," she gasps out with a laugh.
"I, um, had actually already made a clothes-shopping appointment for later today," says Ameiko, coloring a little for some reason. "But," she brightens, "I could come along and -- um, I mean, if you wanted my opinion about any outfits, I'd be happy to give it."
"Um, please?" Myri almost pleads, "My dad's weren't exactly, um, in favor of anything other than armor and the um, practical nature of garments, you know? I...picked up a few things from the Varisian gypsies coming through Turtleback Ferry...and...and traveling with Shae of course, but I guess I was never really much interested until...recently." Perhaps she looks a little guilty. "And I'm always in favor of adding something to my costumes...though I guess,...I don't really need them much, anymore." She looks out the door.
Kalimac nods in agreement. "They seem to be big on warning people against helping us. This morning they killed the innkeeper who rented rooms to us.
"I would kill all involved in that," Rhost says. "That offended me."
Myri will attempt to go back for the following, either when the others are preoccupied or on another occasion:
1. hand held mirror Lio was looking at (if it hasn't already been sold, which she understands is a distinct possibility)
2. 2 brooches, leaf shaped. emerald or ivory set in silver.
3. 2 single large black pearl necklace.
4. puka shell necklace
5. cowrie shell necklace
6. sea shore necklace
(2-6 emailed)
"I would kill all involved in that," Rhost says. "That offended me."
Quietly, so as not to interrupt the conversation, Kalimac says to Rhost, "Sina ja mina nii, mu vend."
"I would kill all involved in that," Rhost says. "That offended me."
"Agreed. But this is me, so I'd really just heal you while you killed them. I would look very angry while I did it, though."
Alaric smiles, clearly having missed whatever it was that Myri was hiding. "All right. If you change your mind, you can always talk to me. Or tell me to leave and talk to Mel." Alaric gets a little wistful, then: "I need to go get her some birthday gifts. Thanks for the assist."
Myri looks up, smiling. "Glad to help and good luck. Hope you find what you're looking for."
Mel smiles, "Well, we were told, by a supposedly reliable source, that Asvig answered to Snorri Stone-Eye, who is also dead. He in turn followed the orders of the Rimerunner's guild, which may be front for the Frozen Shadows which is a part of the Five Storms. The current leader is supposedly Thorborg Silverskorr heavily supported by one Goti Runecaster, whose familiar is a very good spy."
The white eyebrows lift once again. “That’s quite an accusation,” he says. ”The Rimerunners Guild is extremely influential. Many of the merchants of Kalsgard and much of the local economy is beholden to them. It’s said that Guildmistress Silverskorr has the ear of King Sveinn Blood-Eagle himself. If we can find plausible evidence that they are a front organization for a group of thugs and assassins, that will cause quite a shake-up in this town.” He seems, if anything, slightly amused by the idea.