"Sure I'd do better, I'd summon an image of a large angry lion, and promptly roar loudly. Goat flees, job done. Sometimes the simple solutions work best".
Kiara relents though upon hearing Aldric groan. She was mostly playing anyway, pushing buttons, that sort of thing.
"I could turn invisible and investigate the Lodge fairly easily one would think. Unless whatever (if anything) lives there has other means of detection, in which case I humbly suggest someone big, strong, and ideally small minded lead the way into the complex. I'll have your back. Probably."
"If your intellect is so stymied by such mundane conversation maybe you should stay here. You'd only slow us down."
"Us...stay here?" Kiara responds, looking completely incredulous. "I think you should definitely take us along, you couldn't handle the task on your own, it would almost certainly be something you couldn't handle..
At Kiara's comments about taking "us" along, and making the assumption she was lumped with that particular "us", she raised her hand to call attention to herself quietly. "I believe I was not included in those who should remain here due to intellect," she interjected. "But I agree with Aldric here; you two can ease that tension between yourselves on your own time. I recommend over wine in a candle lit room."
With a more business like tone, she quickly eased into the topic at hand, focusing her questions on Aldric. "Do you know much of this property? Are we in possession of the deed? Are we likely to be removed from the premise at any point? Is the location advantageous?"
"The tough flex muscles and the intelligent flex words," Jacob says spinning around to Aldric. "What did you expect from a gathering of nobles?" he asks, casting his hands around the table. He stops on Kiara though. "You need not waste the spell and if memory serves it won't last long enough. My familiar is perfectly suited for the job and no detection, magical or mundane, will help." Now that he mentioned it he forgot to bring the little guy back. Jacob reaches through the emphatic link and recalls his familiar. The Raven flutters back through an open window and right onto the table. It then walks its way up his arm and unto his master's padded shoulder.
"Did I miss something entertaining?" it asks.
Marris stands, shifts his chair nearer to the table, then resumes his seat, "If my knowledge of all that crawls upon the earth still serves me, the Shudderwood has perhaps the largest population of Ettercaps in the Inner Sea region. There are also tales of demonic wolves and murderous gypsies, but that's beyond my expertise... I'm rather specific in my interests. He glances around at the group once more, eyes shining with delight. "Do what you love-love what you do."
"Perhaps I ought to have ordered food to go along with the events. Dinner and a show, as it were," the barrister murmured mostly to himself.
"I must say that I quite agree with Aldric, though I do find sincere amusement at the situation. The best that Count Beauturne has to offer and yet here we sit, squabbling like hens over feed. Talk is cheap, as they say. Until we are aware of what each of us can accomplish, let's withhold judgment of one another's capabilities, yes?" Chester waits a beat theatrically for either consensus or silence, before continuing regardless. "Now, we've ascertained the way to scout the locale. Precisely what do we have at our disposal to retake it from whatever might be found within?"
Yazmine steeples her fingers in front of her face and looks at each of the other "nobles" gathered and sighs. Collaboration was apparently not anyone here's strong suit.
"I'm afraid most of my resources come from my intellect, and I'm not quite sure how useful that is going to be in knocking down doors and evicting unwanted guests. Unless, of course, I'm to write up a legal document insisting they remove themselves from the premise," Yazmine explained as she steepled her fingers in front of her.
"While land ownership and property laws are not my area of expertise, allow me a moment to see if I can't dredge up what we would need. That said, I do hate to boast but find that I am quite capable in the art of making all manner of helpful associates in a brief span. This may have dubious usefulness against Ettercaps, but only time and fate will tell." With an unconcerned shrug, Chester gets good and comfortable as his valet returns with a bottle in hand. A quick glance is all he needs before he shakes his head and silently sends the valet back to the bar for a better vintage. "I do have a boon or two from my chosen deity that could be of aid, but I suspect the wizard to be much more accomplished on that front. Or am I making grand assumptions, Jacob?"
The talk was becoming boring and grating on Jacob's nerves. He had a lot of patience but only for actions that still moved him closer to his goal. This talk was not doing that. His sour mood was broken by Chester's question. He raises an eyebrow at the man. "Pardon?"
"You had stated that you are a wizard, no? Please, regale us with what you are capable of." Chester turns his gaze toward Kiara briefly with the shadow of a devious smirk clinging to his lips. "I'm certain we're all dying to know what's got you feeling so superior."
The raised eyebrow shoots back down to join the other in a scowl. His mind works overtime and eventually...he smiles. "Oh I see. This is a verbal trap. You poke the hive and hope I buzz. Sorry to disappoint. Eventually I will be capable of anything. But I don't currently have the experience to do more than hinder an opposing enemy and some minor cantrips. I have a few surprises but I would rather keep those for perilous situations. But what about you Chester? All that traveling and cult worship must have lead to some powerful abilities."
"Oh, don't be so sensitive. I'm merely poking fun. No offense meant, I assure you, just a bit of friendly ribbing," he replies with a soft chuckle as he shakes his head gently. Settling the mask of Comedy on the table before him, he idly traces fingers across the features as he looks around the table. "Cat's out of the bag now, though, so I suppose I ought to come clean. In the interest of full disclosure, I was not lying about my comment earlier. I am rather skilled at making friends. However, I also hold the ability to keep the lot of you alive. Magical healing in what demand it is around here, I don't advertise the fact."
"We can hypothesize all we want but eventually hands on testing will be required."
"Well, if we're in a hurry, my carriage is just outside. I was not anticipating having to accommodate five individuals within it, though, so it may be a tad cramped. And I rather doubt the carriage can make it all the way through the forest. An abandoned lodge more likely than not has all manner of things blocking off the road by now, if there was one leading to it at all."
Marris nods in agreement with Chester's words.
"I'm sure I'd much rather enjoy at boat ride over bounding across the wilderness, I find carriages uncomfortable propositions, even upon the cobbled roads of civilization."
A thought seems to strike him, and he quickly continues, "Say, isn't Lozeri down river?"
"I wouldn't know", Kiara responds smoothly. "I spent most of my time elseware, so the specifics of this region are hidden from me".
Kiara is quiet for a moment, before coming back to something Chester had remarked on. "If the road is blocked, wouldn't it be best during our restoration of the ledge, to remove such barriers in any case?"
"After we've reclaimed the Lodge itself, perhaps. No sense in doing more work than must be done, after all. Once we're quite finished making the estate ours, we can concern ourselves with how to go to and from more easily." Chester nods across to Marris in agreement before looking to the fairly quiet Keleshite. "And, if nothing else, it ought to give us a fair bit more time to get acquainted. Shall we, then?"
"As much as I hate to rain on our parade, it's getting late and I'm unsure if we can simply arrive spontaneously at a dock and demand to be taken off at exactly this moment," Yazmine put in with a skeptical look. "I propose we stay the evening in these...fine accommodations for the evening, and perhaps look at securing ourselves a method of transportation in the morning."
She responded to Chester's look with a quizzical one of her own before focusing her attentions back to the group as a whole. Surely no one actually thought they could just up and get a boat all willy-nilly like this at this hour of the day.
"Pht. Fine indeed," Jacob says under his breath. Ascanor Lodge would hopefully be much better than this dump and its soiled patrons. Once cleansed anyway. This seemed to be the end of the conversation so he approached the bartender about a room for the night. A good room. Travel could be arranged and money was no object to him. He was just glad to be moving forward now.
Though tempted to mention his thoughts regarding hiring a ship in the middle of the night and the value of money to common folk, Chester bites his tongue. Just this once. Instead, he nods politely to Aldric and moves to stand in favor of following Jacob's lead. "I imagine we'll be leaving first thing in the morning, hmh? Or do some of us have a healthy respect for beauty sleep?"
"Surely we'll at least have time for a decent breakfast. I heard food on ships is rarely fresh," Yazmine commented at the thought of leaving right away before getting something in her stomach.
Yazmine raises from the table and raises her voice loud enough to be heard across the bar.
"لا احد منكم يتكلم اللغة ، فسوف لا تعرف أبدا ما قيل!"
A woman on the far side of the room dressed much like Yazmine, albeit much less decorative, raises from her own table and swiftly makes her way off somewhere with a slight bow to Yazmine.
"I believe I will turn in for the evening. It was a pleasure," she adds as she turns to walk away from the table and head in the direction of the woman she had just sent away.
"That's my cue", Kiara responds dryly, also standing up from the table, and following close on the heels of Yazmine. Heading in the direction of the innkeeper, Kiara talks quietly with him for a moment, before heading up to her room.
"Well, I look forward to seeing the lot of you in the morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed, as they say. If anyone should need me, I'll be in room number..." He trails off, casting a glance across to his valet who promptly turns to murmur the number to his employer. After which point, said valet moves to exchange coin for a key and start toward the stairs.
"Twelve. Don't be afraid to knock, I assure you I do not bite unless asked nicely." With a flash of whiter-than-white teeth, he turns to follow the valet and collect his traveling companion on his way out.
Marris gives Aldric a warm smile, "I spoke, many agreed, what more can a person ask? Rest well, Aldric, I doubt the Shudderwood will welcome it's would-be conquerors."
The night passes, the night’s fog recedes into the Vhatsuntide River, and the hazy dawn creeps back onto the labyrinthine streets of Ardis. Breakfast isn’t terrible, but even the food is a testament to the city’s ennui. What little commerce is left in the city begins with the city criers’ piercing cries of woe and misery, just another day in the grand old city.
Marris leans on his cane in the shadow of one of the dock's many warehouses, waiting for the others to arrive. His eyes casually follow the meager fair passing along the street, all thread-worn and dreary.
Nothings in a nothing city, the heart of Ustalav is a decayed, unliving thing, unfit for habitation. Real habitation. My habitation. Ascanor though, we'll murder the pests and make it right again. Living in the lap of luxury, far from the prying eyes of our lessers...exquisite. It's what I've always wanted.
Marris absently nods to himself as he contemplates the crumbling road.
Jacob has everything he needs and feels this town is unworthy of anymore coin then what has already been spent. He finds the quiet one waiting at the docks where they intend to leave from. That price too was outrageous but expedience was worth it. He says nothing to the man as he approaches; just a barely perceptible nod of recognition. He finds a barrel to sit on and makes himself comfortable. Comfortable being folded arms and scowling at anyone that came near. He was not a morning person.
Yazmine arrived at the docks along with her ever-present handmaiden. Her outfit was as out of place for Ustalav as the one from the night before and again her handmaiden matched in a much more dull variation of the same style. Judging from the bags, it appeared that she had made some purchases on the way here, though it certainly wasn't Yazmine who was carrying them.
"Good noon," she said politely at those who had already gathered at the docks. "I assume everyone is all set for the journey ahead of us! Did anyone happen to find out if this shipmaster expects payment up front? I do hate pre-paying for service."
Marris looks up at Yazmine and gives her an inviting smile, Welcome, my dear, to the docks of Ardis. I've interrogated a few pilots and none are too keen on taking us into the Shudderwood, but only a few of the more craven refuse the idea entirely. There's a stern, older gentleman just down the way," he indicates with his cane, "that seems a good choice."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Chester, by comparison, is up with the dawn and enjoying a fairly lackluster breakfast. So much for the boons of beauty sleep; clearly his good looks all come from either good breeding or divine blessings. Either way, he sends his valet out first thing in the morning to fetch a bit more onyx for his master's "collection" before heading on over to the docks. Sliding out of his carriage fluidly, the barrister smooths out the wrinkles that had been beginning to form on his jacket. He flashes a bright smile at the assembled individuals as his valet waits aboard the carriage. "Hello again, my friends. Lovely morning, isn't it? Who are we missing, exactly? I must say that I am rather eager to get moving."
At the mention of contracting someone to take them to their destination by boat, Chester raises his eyebrows and looks in the offered direction. "Oh? Well, perhaps I can persuade him to provide us with an opportunity to exercise frugality. Or have you already tried?"
Marris gives Chester a long suffering look, You can certainly try talking him down, but I didn't have any luck with him. That's why I like him actually, seems like the type to get us where we need to go."
Kiara prefers a sleep in most days, and today is no exception, sleeping in for as long as she could, giving her precisely enough time to fulfill all her other duties before she headed off. Leaving her bed, Kiara strips, and cleans herself and her clothing, before redressing and abusing a quick prestidigitation spell to provide a pleasant aroma, substituting for perfume. Leaving the room, and the tavern Kiara allows herself a small flash of superiority. It was always satisfying after staying in a dingy place to come out smelling like a rose (literally so in this case), and walk out in better condition than she entered.
After having a light breakfast and buying suitable essentials such as food and so on, Kiara finally joins the others on the dock. Smiling happily, she listens quietly, before hearing the beginnings of a discussion. "So, did I miss anything important?"
"A morning at the market, if you could call it that," Yazmine said with a snort of disapproval. "Quality goods are apparently near impossible to procure in a place like this. Took me all morning just to find edible food for the trip!" She reached into one of the bags her handmaid was holding and pulled out what appeared to be a perfectly fine pack of travel rations, then gave a shake of her head before stuffing them back away, clearly displeased about them in some way.
"Are we just waiting on Aldric? What time does the ship depart?"
"Well, there's certainly no harm in putting forward the effort," Chester replies cheerfully to Marris as he makes for the captain of the ship they are to board. With a snap of his fingers, his valet drives the carriage over to halt at the edge of the docks just beside their new form of transportation. With what he hopes is a bright, friendly smile, the barrister steps up to the captain and introduces himself. "Good afternoon, sir, and how pleasant it is to meet you. I am Chester Banderfeld and to whom might I be speaking?"