To Samaritha:
Phillip gives her a nod for the steer on the source of aqua, before speaking in a conversational tone "Was the dead one a friend or kin?"
"What? No!" she replies, startled and a little defensive. "He was Varisian, but that doesn't mean I knew him. I never saw him before. I mean, you don't know every halfling in town, do you?"
To Thuvalia:
Phillip proffers the cup of water with a flourish... restraining his puckish side from indulging itself. "Her kind, milady?" seeking her elaboration on the topic.
"You know," she traces her fingers down her face in a rough approximation of Samaritha's facial tattoos, "the natives. The wanderers in their caravans. From what I am told, they are all raised to be thieves and swindlers from childhood, no?" She takes a sip from the proffered cup. "Bah! This water is tepid! Is there nothing here fit for a lady to drink?" She climbs over the top of the bar and drops down behind it, poking around the shelves to read the labels on the bottles.
Tendal smiles at Liry "I certainly won't pass up the chance to be shown the town by a lovely lady. I am at your service Liry. What say you to showing me around in the morning and then later I can take you to find some lunch somewhere?" Tendal says with a grin.
Liry is amenable to those suggestions and leaves Tendal having made arrangements to meet him again.
"We got all four of them... unless they were working with someone else. The two here, the dead ones outside. Maybe they're common thieves. If they wanted to send a message from some ganglord it seems pretty dumb to shut up. Actually, if this one doesn't talk, maybe we couldn't capture any alive..." Braddon raises his sword threateningly.
"There is no message," the boy spits back. "This was supposed to be an easy mark for a caper on the fly. A has-been crimelord without friends or followers, so desperate he'd hire strangers off the street. We get hired on and have plenty of time to size up the likeliest pigeons and the lay of the land before Volo gave the signal, then grab the loot and get out fast. Wasn't supposed to be anyone willing to stick out his neck for Saul Vankaskerkin; that's what we were told."
"Told by who?"
"Don't know," he smirks. "Volo made the deal, and you killed him."
Phil doesn't let his meagre take dampen his spirits from a successful lift. The chips join the others within his pockets.
To Samaritha:
Phil holds his hands up to show no offense was meant "No I don't... just you seemed a bit cut up over it. I mean it's not like this would be the first dead body you've seen in Riddleport?... and certainly not the last." tipping his imaginary hat by way of thanks and moving off with the tepid water for the diva.
To Thuvalia:
Phillip doesn't initially respond to the Chelish lady's racism, his mind is focused on restraining himself from indulging in some sport. When Thuvalia goes in search of her own beverage Phillip turns to take in the rest of the room and replies "Not all that wear tattoos are of the caravan, and not all of the caravan wear tattoos. Unfortunately for a lady of your stature sorting the wheat from the chaff is not so easy."
Seeing that things are well in hand in the casino, Tendal heads for the front door.
Phillip doesn't initially respond to the Chelish lady's racism, his mind is focused on restraining himself from indulging in some sport. When Thuvalia goes in search of her own beverage Phillip turns to take in the rest of the room and replies "Not all that wear tattoos are of the caravan, and not all of the caravan wear tattoos. Unfortunately for a lady of your stature sorting the wheat from the chaff is not so easy."
"You mean they are not all so obliging as to mark themselves for easy identification?" she responds a bit tartly from behind the bar. "I suppose the clever ones would not, eh? Make it all the simpler to deceive people?" She stands up with a bottle in her hand and a look of satisfaction on her face. "Now, to find a clean glass."
The main doors are barred, not to mention heavy and difficult to open. Tendal could no doubt manage by himself, given time, but Saul notices his trajectory and gives Bojasc a quick glance and gesture in that direction. Somewhat grudgingly, the large Varisian leaves Saul's shoulder and trudges across the room, lifting the heavy bar with a grunt and then throwing his weight into pulling one of the doors ajar enough for Tendal to slip out comfortably.
The courtyard of the Gold Goblin is deserted. Crossing the cobblestones to the street, he can hear raucous activity from the taverns on the wharves to the south. To the north, under a streetlamp, a few men are standing and talking; he thinks he recognizes their faces as some of the casino's erstwhile patrons. They jump nervously when they see him looking up the street, and one starts to sidle away. The other, braver, nods at Tendal and asks eagerly, "Here now, what's going on in there? Is it a bloodbath? How many dead?"
"Gentlemen, I am quite sorry to disappoint you, but there was no bloodbath. I know, I know, quite amazing. The trouble is that we need the Gendarme to take away the rapscallions who futilely attempted to rob the Golden Goblin."
"You know, if you want to make sure that you see them clearly before the Gendarme take them away, you could summon the Gendarme for me...then I will get you inside so you can see the arrest. You can tell all your friends that "you were there when it happened" then. What say you?" Tendal asks.
Interest in Thuvalia waning, Phillip gives a short bow and takes his leave. Strolling idly through the now wrecked interior of the casino. He ambles towards the door, though with an eye to see whether there will be any attempt to return some degree of service to the building.
The Varisian nods at Braddon in confirmation of his name, "Aye. He picks up the punctured boots, picking the the largest shards of glass from the soles, and returns them to their owner.
Malkith next turns to their hostage, "The problem is, Saul hired more than just sugeak like you. I hope your cut was going to be worth this trouble." He looks at Braddon and Daynadrian,"Possibly even you life."
"Nire lankideekin dastatu odol, eta gehiago bota gogotsua badirudi. Hasten zara hitz egiten bada, ez da zurea izan.Jakina, beste iturrietatik informazioa lortzeko dugu." He looks over at the unconcious Hellknight. "Daude, modu are deadmen egin, Volo bezala, hitz."
"My co-workers have tasted blood and seem keen on spilling some more. If you start talking, it won't have to be yours. Of course, we have other sources to get the information from." He looks over at the unconcious Hellknight. "There are ways to make even deadmen, like Volo, talk."
More than a little bit put out over, and not even remotely understanding, how Saul clearly continues to favour the big talking, but little doing, dandy, as well as having received little acclaim for his own part in stopping, and returning the thieving hellknights, Dayn steps back and broods silently to himself while shooting the occasional glare at Tendal.
'First he charms Liry, and now he's wrapping Saul around his dainty fingers. So it's true what they said about cities I suppose, how 'fake and finesse' hold sway over action and integrity. Well, that's all fine and good then. Dayandrian Nirgassan wasn't raised no fool, and no fancy and fast-talking city slicker is gonna get the better of him. You just keep yappin' with that silver tongue of yours pretty boy, one day soon, it's gonna get you in trouble, and I'll be there to enjoy it when it does.'
In answer to Saul's question Dayn grunts "Aye, I reckon I'll be willing to stay on for at least a little while longer. But I believe there was talk of being paid up front, and there being a bonus, when trouble arose, as I warned it would, and I was there to stop it." Giving a significant look to the harried Dwarf, Laur.
"As well, I promised the kitchen girls they'd get paid extra for sticking around even after your two head cooks took off. Along with a bonus for the two girls who took charge of things in there. I mean to see they get all they deserve for going above and beyond." and with that he cranes his head towards Samaritha, hoping to at least have someone be appreciative for hi actions.
"Gentlemen, I am quite sorry to disappoint you, but there was no bloodbath. I know, I know, quite amazing. The trouble is that we need the Gendarme to take away the rapscallions who futilely attempted to rob the Golden Goblin."
"You know, if you want to make sure that you see them clearly before the Gendarme take them away, you could summon the Gendarme for me...then I will get you inside so you can see the arrest. You can tell all your friends that "you were there when it happened" then. What say you?" Tendal asks.
The "gentleman" looks decidedly disappointed but, apparently deciding that watching someone be arrested is still preferable to any other action he might scrounge up this time of night, agrees to deliver the message to Devil's Fork that the Gendarmes are needed. Summoning his friend to accompany him with an insistent nod, he takes off toward the north.
Inside the casino, Phillip abandons Thuvalia to her bottle and strolls across the floor toward the front doors. He feels the proprietor's eye upon him, however, no matter how casually he tries to stride; at a nod from Saul, Bojasc pushes closed the door he had opened for Tendal to exit and stands forbiddingly in front of it. "Boss wants to see you," he slurs through a heavy Varisian accent, gesturing with his chin for Phillip to join the knot of men around the two captured Hellknights.
Phillip's mouth goes dry as his mind races over the last few hours, trying to find an instance where he could have been caught. Coming up empty he turns attention next to the large man blocking his exit and finds his options lessening. One hand going to his hip, near to where a dagger is swallowed within his garb he keeps his voice steady "Is that a fact... and which one might your boss be then?"
"Herr Vankaskerkin," the man replies with something that might be a smile if it weren't so unfriendly. "Got only one hand. You can't miss him." Indeed, as Phillip glances in that direction, Saul Vankaskerkin meets the halfling's gaze and gives him a nod. The man doesn't look angry, but Phil has no inkling of what he might want.
In answer to Saul's question Dayn grunts "Aye, I reckon I'll be willing to stay on for at least a little while longer. But I believe there was talk of being paid up front, and there being a bonus, when trouble arose, as I warned it would, and I was there to stop it." Giving a significant look to the harried Dwarf, Laur.
"As well, I promised the kitchen girls they'd get paid extra for sticking around even after your two head cooks took off. Along with a bonus for the two girls who took charge of things in there. I mean to see they get all they deserve for going above and beyond." and with that he cranes his head towards Samaritha, hoping to at least have someone be appreciative for his actions.
Larur glares at Dayn, but Saul intercedes before the dwarf can answer, "We'll talk remuneration when the Gendarmes have taken these gentlemen off our hands, but I feel sure we can work out something mutually acceptable -- and a new pair of boots for you, lad," he nods to Braddon. "Need to pay off the kitchen girls and send the cashiers home as well. I only see one kitchen girl, though," his eyes go to Samaritha who has been waiting rather awkwardly on the outskirts of the group. "You came in with the rest of these lads, my dear. You looking for employment as well? I'd be happy to provide you with a regular position. Varisian caravan night could be only the beginning," he smiles at her with an expression somewhere between a grin and a leer.
Samaritha shoots Daynadrian a look of gratitude for bringing up the issue of her payment. "No," she replies to Saul's offer of a steady job a little too quickly. "I mean, I appreciate the offer, sir," she amends, "and if you're looking for more kitchen help or waitressing, I'd be grateful for the opportunity, but I didn't come to Riddleport to settle down in a serving job. I'm a, uh, a student, and I'm hoping to get taken on as an apprentice at the Cypherlodge; I just find myself in need of a little work until I can get a position there."
"Drulia -- the young lady I was working with, I think she was making sure the other girls got home safe. They were all in there with me right up until...," she glances at the man lying on the floor and the bound captive, "well, they were there working as long as I was. They deserve to get their pay, too."
"Oh, I'm sure we could find you something more interesting to do than just serve drinks and cake," Saul grins back, his eyes running up and down her appreciatively. "If things don't work out with the Cypherlodge, my offer stands, and I'll guarantee you a job next week for Varisian caravan night. As for the money, since you're the only member of the kitchen staff who stuck around all night, I have no problem paying you the whole kit budgeted for the kitchen. If you want to track down girls who are living over their parents' stores and washing my dishes for pocket money to pay for ribbons and frippery, that's your business. Come along to the cage, lass, and I'll see you paid." As he turns to escort Samaritha to the cashiers and instruct them how much to pay her, he once again catches Phillip's eye. "The, uh, halfling you spoke of, I presume?" he asks Malkith. "Walk with me, friend," he gestures to Phillip to join him.
As Phil falls in step with him, he claps a not-unfriendly hand on his shoulder. "You appear to be the only person still in this building voluntarily who wasn't working for me tonight. Now why is that?"
Seeing no other option available, Phillip notes Saul's beckon and moves to join his walk. "I find that when there is a crush of crowd they don't often look down to see what they might trample. By the time the crowd had cleared there wasn't any reason to leave... besides, I have chips to cash."
"A practical man, I see," Saul nods shrewdly. "There's not many who can keep their head when a crowd panics like that. A lot of men out there are kicking themselves right now for carrying away a pocketful of wooden chips they paid real coin for, but it was the last thing in their head when the screaming started." Reaching the cage, Saul takes a moment to instruct the women inside what to pay Samaritha before turning his attention back to Phillip. "I look to be hiring right now. Got a handful of lads in there who kept their heads to look after my interests," he nods toward the floor, "and you kept your head to look after your own. I respect that, and I can't help but wonder: What if my interests and yours coincided? You're right when you say men don't often look down to see what they'll trample; a fellow who's somewhat ... less obtrusive, shall we say, than the standard size? A fellow like that might come in handy around an operation like this. You looking for a steady position while I'm in a hiring mood?"
Malkith next turns to their hostage, "The problem is, Saul hired more than just sugeak like you. I hope your cut was going to be worth this trouble." He looks at Braddon and Daynadrian,"Possibly even your life."
"Nire lankideekin dastatu odol, eta gehiago bota gogotsua badirudi. Hasten zara hitz egiten bada, ez da zurea izan.Jakina, beste iturrietatik informazioa lortzeko dugu." He looks over at the unconcious Hellknight. "Daude, modu are deadmen egin, Volo bezala, hitz."
"Traidorea, Vili, zure odol propioa aurka atzerritar horiek asko galdaketa zara!" the Varisian spits at him through gritted teeth. "Duzu eta erdi-erbia puta, pare bat nahiko duzu. Sczarni ez ahaztu bai duzu, ziur dezakezu." His face twists in anger, but he growls and goes on in a low voice. "Ezin dizut esan zer ez dakit. Volo aurre egin. Inork ez zekien nork jarri zion lana bada, bere azeriak madarikatu izango litzateke. Demasiado erdia adimendunak zuen." He glances around the room and grins. "Demasiado duzu adimendunak, hala ere."
"'Sczarni!'" Larur rasps excitedly, pointing a broad finger at the torrent of unfamiliar words that pours out of the captive's mouth. "I heard 'Sczarni!' You hear that?" He looks around for Saul, but his business partner is standing all the way over at the cashier's cage with Phillip and Samaritha.
Phillip runs his hand through his hair and smooths out his mustache as he thinks... and focuses on Saul Vankaskerkin. Using his Calistrian given talents, he picks up on the subtle and subconscious markers of his base desires.
"'Sczarni!'" Larur rasps excitedly, pointing a broad finger at the torrent of unfamiliar words that pours out of the captive's mouth. "I heard 'Sczarni!' You hear that?" He looks around for Saul, but his business partner is standing all the way over at the cashier's cage with Phillip and Samaritha.
"Scar knee?" asks Braddon. "I can give him scars where ever he wants."
Braddon walks up behind the captive and smacks him across the back of the head. "Speak properly! You're useless at delivering messages. No wonder half of you are dead. You should also apologise to... where'd the banshee woman go?"
"Makil eta harria, Daft txerri. Arma ez marraztu dut zu edo zure ilk aurka. Ez dut eman kasu txerri bezala duzun guztia zuena. Pharasma bat gutxiago soul delako me arratsaldean ongi etorria eman du.," Malkith gestures to the unconscious form. "Zurekin amildegitik."
He stands to walk away, then stops and looks to the bar where he left Thuvalia. "Ere txarra da Volo ez zen performer bere trollop erdia da."
"It's too bad Volo wasn't half the performer his trollop is."
He then looks about to account for the people still gathered in the casino. In a voice loud enough for everyone to hear he announces, "He doesn't know anything. Knowledge of the deal died with Volo. We'll have to get those details from his whore."
Ignoring the captive, he moves to intercept Samaritha. He put a hand gently on her shoulder as he reaches her. "More excitement than you'd find at the Cypherlodge, I imagine," he says with a smile, "It looks like you did pretty well for one night of work.
"You should consider taking Saul up on his offer. At least for a little while longer. We didn't make any fans with the Sczarni tonight and it's likely those two will want to take the frustrations of their failure out on someone." Malkith pauses to consider his next words, "I etsita litzaidake ezer ziren nahi duzu gertatuko gorabeherari honetan zehar."
As Malkith moves out into the center of the room whence he can see the bar, Thuvalia is no longer visible.
Tendal moves back from the street to wait by the door to the Golden Goblin, watching and waiting for the Gendarme.
I hope that this does not take too long. I am ready for a nice glass of wine and perhaps a smoke.
Ignoring the captive, he moves to intercept Samaritha. He put a hand gently on her shoulder as he reaches her. "More excitement than you'd find at the Cypherlodge, I imagine," he says with a smile, "It looks like you did pretty well for one night of work.
"You should consider taking Saul up on his offer. At least for a little while longer. We didn't make any fans with the Sczarni tonight and it's likely those two will want to take the frustrations of their failure out on someone." Malkith pauses to consider his next words, "I etsita litzaidake ezer ziren nahi duzu gertatuko gorabeherari honetan zehar."
"'Etsita?'" she asks with a smile that quickly fades from her face. "A little too much excitement for my taste. I... I don't know," she sighs. "I'll think about it. I'm just afraid that if I get involved... it won't be so simple just to walk away."
Tendal moves back from the street to wait by the door to the Golden Goblin, watching and waiting for the Gendarme.
With the exception of the distant sounds of riotry and brawls from the taverns in the Wharf District and the quiet murmur of the waves from the harbor, the night is calm and uneventful, a fact which makes the wait for the authorities to arrive seem to drag on interminably. Without passersby to watch or the sun in they sky by which to gauge the passage of time, Tendal finds himself wondering how long he has already been standing there -- and how much longer he will have to wait. He starts to think about the possibility of having that drink or smoke while waiting for the Gendarmes to arrive.
Phillip finishes his mulling and responds "It would seem that your interests have caught my interests at an agreeable time... I'm willing to hear you out on what exactly you would have me do, and what you would offer that the same service - though perhaps that discussion might be best had later? For tonight you'll get me for the bargain price of a bed and a late meal." pausing for a half second to make sure that Saul did not object.
"Anything you'd like to throw my way right now?"
Frowning when denied his immediate payment, Dayn nevertheless keeps his peace for now. His frown deepens when Saul begins leering at Samaritha and speaking openly suggestive to her. Again though, he keeps his thoughts to himself 'No wonder this man is so reviled, even in a town like Riddleport. I'll take his money for now, but I'm sure there's better places to work.'
Deciding to follow along as his new employer leads Samaritha to the cashier. He looks up when the Seer yells out about Volo's whore, but not being sure what he's talking about, he pays it no mind.
While Saul is distracted with the halfling Dayn takes a moment to lead the beautiful half-elf slightly out of ear-shot and speaks in a lowered voice "Don't give up on your dreams Samaritha. The money from being employed here might be tempting, but you'll have your hands full avoiding the lecerous advances of that one." as he nods towards Saul. He then gets a bit of a sour expression on his face as something occurs to him "Then again, I suppose a girl as pretty as yourself is likely to get that kind of attention almost anywhere you work, huh?"
Looking into her eyes for a moment, he continues "Well, here's the thing. I like the way you stood up for Druila and the other kitchen girls, shows your heart is in the right place. But I'd also understand if you decide to keep all the money for yourself, for that's a pretty nice chunk of change and it should keep you housed and fed until you get in to the Cypherlodge. I guess it's gonna be a bit of a difficult decision for you. But I just wanted you to know, that if you do decide to track down the girls to give them their share, I'll be happy to help you. Either way though, whatever you decide, you won't find any judgement from me. And, ah, if you don't work here, I, um, I hope we can still get to see each other."
As he finishes his awkward advance Dayn swears inwardly to himself 'Damn it farmboy! That was smooth! Why don't you just leer at her like Saul next!' while he apprehensively waits for her response.
Having no interest in Thuvalia's absence, Braddon shrugs and watches perplexedly as Malkith speaks to the hostage. Braddon's face falls when Malkith announces no further information, but brightens again when a whore is mentioned.
He follows Malkith over to Samaritha and flashes her a smile, while keeping an eye on the hostage. He waits impatiently while Malkith chats to her. When they finish he eyes Daynadrian approaching Samaritha but asks Malkith, "So, where's this whore? We gonna see her tonight?"
While Saul is distracted with the halfling Dayn takes a moment to lead the beautiful half-elf slightly out of ear-shot and speaks in a lowered voice "Don't give up on your dreams Samaritha. The money from being employed here might be tempting, but you'll have your hands full avoiding the lecherous advances of that one." as he nods towards Saul. He then gets a bit of a sour expression on his face as something occurs to him "Then again, I suppose a girl as pretty as yourself is likely to get that kind of attention almost anywhere you work, huh?"
She gives a flustered laugh as her cheeks grow red. "You have no idea," she says, almost to herself under her breath.
Looking into her eyes for a moment, he continues "Well, here's the thing. I like the way you stood up for Drulia and the other kitchen girls, shows your heart is in the right place. But I'd also understand if you decide to keep all the money for yourself, for that's a pretty nice chunk of change and it should keep you housed and fed until you get in to the Cypherlodge. I guess it's gonna be a bit of a difficult decision for you. But I just wanted you to know, that if you do decide to track down the girls to give them their share, I'll be happy to help you. Either way though, whatever you decide, you won't find any judgement from me. And, ah, if you don't work here, I, um, I hope we can still get to see each other."
She gives the newly-fat purse in her hand a little toss and catches it again, the coins jingling within. "I ... I don't think I could keep it," she sighs. "The other girls might not need it, but they earned it as much as I did. He," she looks at the bound Hellknight, "would say they are outsiders and I am a fool to share with them what I don't have to, but we're not all like that. Some caravans, they give us all a bad name, you know?" She smiles at Dayn. "I'm sure this isn't our final farewell. Riddleport's not such a big place, especially if you stick to the safest parts of it. Besides, " she raises her voice so she is certain it carries to Malkith. "And I can pay him for it now." She jingles the purse and gives him a grin before returning her attention to the elf. "If you're going to stay here and work for Old -- for Mr. Vankaskerkin, you'll see me again."
Phillip finishes his mulling and responds "It would seem that your interests have caught my interests at an agreeable time... I'm willing to hear you out on what exactly you would have me do, and what you would offer that the same service - though perhaps that discussion might be best had later? For tonight you'll get me for the bargain price of a bed and a late meal." pausing for a half second to make sure that Saul did not object.
"Anything you'd like to throw my way right now?"
"That's an eager lad," Saul grins. "Why don't you cash out your chips and let the authorities take away these would-be bandits? I'll arrange for some food and wine, and we'll all go upstairs and have a little discussion about our future plans, what say you? Larur," he calls to the dwarf, "what did you agree with these fine gentlemen on for their night's good work? Let's get them paid and the vault locked up for the night."
Larur scowls at Daynadrian as he stumps over to his business partner. "One gold apiece for stopping any trouble," he admits grudgingly, "which I suppose they did."
"No point in being stingy with our new associates," Saul replies grandly. "Why not make it an even two? After all, this lad needs some new boots." He gestures to the cashiers to count out 2 gold pieces each for Daynadrian, Braddon, and Malkith.
"Two gold!?" Larur squeaks, beside himself. "For one night's work? Do you think I have platinum coins falling out of my beard?"
"Larur, Larur," Saul says soothingly, "I've told you before: you have to spend money to make money. Think of these men as an investment. They've proven their worth. Now, we can treat them well and keep them working for us, or we can see them lured away by the crimebosses, leaving us undermanned and defenseless against all sorts of petty criminals. You want to see these men answering to Zincher because we're too parsimonious to pay them what they're worth?"
"Damn it, where did that sorgin go?" Malkith swears when he notices Thuvalia's absence. He's about ready to scold the halfling he left to look after her, but releases the futility of it at the moment. Instead, he heads to the bar to get a better vantage of the area, gesturing for Braddon to join him. As the half-elf approaches, Malkith explains, "Thulavia was in on the heist and I'm willing to bet knows who hired them to try and pull it off."
The bar area is deserted. It seems obvious that Thuvalia did not exit via the casino floor where everyone was waiting; the only other way out is the corridor leading from behind the bar toward the kitchen, the stairs, and the back door....
Phillip gives a shallow but genuine bow and nod and heads off to avail himself of a cashier. Once woof is replaced with the comforting weight of metal, Phil finds a chair and takes a seat to relax - awaiting Saul's completion of the work at the floor and looking forward to the chat in the office. Already his mind began to race with possibilities... as well as warm thoughts looking forward to a rendezvous with a certain seamstress' assistant for lunch.
Malkith explains, "Thulavia was in on the heist and I'm willing to bet knows who hired them to try and pull it off."
"Ah. That's why she was in a hurry to leave."
Braddon runs for the back door and out into the street, darting across to the nearest alley unless he sees his prey first.
"Bored." Tendal says aloud as he scans the empty streets once more for any sign of the Gendarme.
Frankly, I would be happy to watch a piece of trash blowing in the wind at this point...or a mangy dog...something!
If Liry was around, at least I would have someone to talk to...I could go and bait that elf fellow and see if I can get his face to go red...perhaps a spell to turn his hair green? Tendal thinks, and a small smile crosses his lips as he thinks about twitting the elf.
"Come along, Larur," Saul cajoles the recalcitrant dwarf, "let's see about getting these fellows out of Fiora's armor before the Gendarmes take them away, or you'll be paying for that, too." He considers the bound and conscious bandit momentarily. "Er, lad," he asks Daynadrian, "you think you can handle that one? These other three shouldn't put up much of a struggle." Saul takes up a mostly-supervisory position as Larur and Bojasc ungently strip the dead and unconscious Varisians of their borrowed finery, his own handicap preventing him from being much help.
Braddon hops over the bar and heads for the back door, which he notices is slightly ajar before he ever gets there. Skidding out onto the packed dirt path next to the woodpile, he takes a quick look around. She could have gone anywhere; there are buildings providing cover and shadowy alleys full of concealment all around him, and he's still a stranger in this town. If she's even marginally familiar with the lay of the land, he'd have to be amazingly lucky to simply blunder onto her trail before it goes cold.
In the meantime, on the front veranda, Tendal is shaken out of his pleasant reverie about tormenting Daynadrian by the sound of tramping feet. Looking up, he can see a half-dozen uniformed men approaching down the street in front of the casino, an approximately equal number of civilians trailing in a much less disciplined formation behind them.
Braddon's mind is whirling as he races for the alley. He glances up and down the street, relying on his lowlight vision to give him an edge, and quietens his breathing to listen for the clacking of fine women's shoes running nearby. If he were a stuck up, snooty, woman he figures he'd go through the nearest alley and emerge from the other side to walk away from the main street at a leisurely pace. Clever enough to avoid the main street, but too stuck up to keep to the alleys any longer than necessary. If she hides, he'll have time to find her on his return.
So Braddon runs.
Smiling slightly at the not-quite-brush-off, Dayn nods and replies "Well, I'm glad to hear you'll be giving the other girls their share of the pay for tonight. And also that you'll be back. But, um, like I said, if you'd like any company tracking them down, I'd, ah, I'd be happy to help you." as his own cheeks flush a little bit 'Damn it Dayn! What's the matter with you?? You never had problems like this talking to the girls back home! Get your head on straight!'