"Brett Scabb was in Riddleport the day of the attack on the Goblin, punting down the river with a man named Syd. If he's in with Kreeg of the Araska, it pays to mind that the men in the Churl might also be..." pausing to see if the thought's followed.
Braddon nods as if in understanding.
"So," he mutters through a mouthful of breakfast, "we head down there and crack some skulls?"
The Governor gives the tapping spoon an annoyed frown. "I wouldn't presume to know what arrangements the Overlord might or might not already have in place for getting goods to market," she replies a little sharply, "but if I did know, it's more than my position is worth to tell tales on your competition."
Tendal leans back in his chair, eyes narrowed. "So, you are a sort of constable then? Ensuring the peace of the town but staying out of the way of commerce? Curious. I don't think I have ever met an official who didn't have her fingers dipped into the pot. Most commendable and refreshing actually." Tendal said, eyebrows raised.
Braddon nods as if in understanding.
"So," he mutters through a mouthful of breakfast, "we head down there and crack some skulls?"
Taking a deep breath, "Probably. But not initially. We should meet back up with the others before we head that way. More than likely we're gonna need them if there's gonna be skulls to crack," he states plainly.
Taking a deep breath, "Probably. But not initially. We should meet back up with the others before we head that way. More than likely we're gonna need them if there's gonna be skulls to crack," he states plainly.
Braddon shrugs. "I'm happy to share."
The trio on the wharf turn and head for the Port Governor's house, visible on its bluff over the roofs of the town.
Tendal leans back in his chair, eyes narrowed. "So, you are a sort of constable then? Ensuring the peace of the town but staying out of the way of commerce? Curious. I don't think I have ever met an official who didn't have her fingers dipped into the pot. Most commendable and refreshing actually." Tendal said, eyebrows raised.
"Cynicism," the Governor sighs. "That's what Korvosa and Sandpoint breed in you. It may be said there's no honor among thieves, but Overlord Cromarcky has proven quite adept at instilling a code among pirates ... if only because he has demonstrated that there is more profit in cooperation than in disarray." She downs the rest of the cocoa in her mug at a dash. "Have a look around the port if you wish. You're welcome back for dinner, and I'll write an introduction to the Overlord if you'd like to go to Riddleport and negotiate business."
"Time", Gristav observes, "Is a burden to those who must fill it lightly. And lightly filled by those who've bore its burden. And a stranger's chores are a lark. Please, feel no disrespect, and please, do feel welcome, if there's anything I might help with?"
"You can help yourself out the door," Mr. Arrow replies tartly, "and take your tradehouse gentleman with you."
Tendal's eyebrows raise at surprising offer. "Well thank you Governor. I appreciate the offer, and I accept. I would like the opportunity to talk to the Overlord, especially if he inspires such service from those who work for him.", he says candidly. "And I do agree, cynicism has been bred into me by history and circumstances. Its very refreshing to be reminded that not everyone is driven by base desires." And with that last comment, Tendal pushed back from the table and stood.
"If you don't mind Governor," he said as he picked up his cane, "I would like to make maximum use of the day to talk to people and look around the port. I do thank you for your hospitality and most certainly look forward to another meal with you. While I would like to return for supper, I don't know how the remainder of the day will go. If I may, I will send a note and see if the offer for dinner is still open the day before I depart." he said, a pleasant smile on his face, actually quite pleased both at the wit and the apparent honesty of the woman.
"You can help yourself out the door," Mr. Arrow replies tartly, "and take your tradehouse gentleman with you."
"Not my decision.", Gristav says in a note of regret. "I'll wait in the hall.", follows a stronger chord. "Will that serve?", comes gently, but not weakly, after.
Snake makes his way directly toward the Port Governor's house, knocking on the door when he arrives.
"If I may, I will send a note and see if the offer for dinner is still open the day before I depart."
"Oh, a note," the Governor lilts. "Do. Mr. Arrow depises notes. He's always sure they're about him. I'll be sure to give him several significant glances while I'm reading it."
As Tendal gets to his feet, the sound of the front door's heavy knocker sounds again, and Governor Gildersleeve looks intrigued. "Now who can that be? What a busy morning."
"Now who is that?" Mr. Arrow complains, as the sound of another visitor knocking at the door is heard echoing down the hall. He gives Gristav a glare as if he suspects that the new arrival must be his doing.
---------------------------
Out on the porch, Snake, Braddon, and Phillip are opened to rather abruptly by a stubble-faced man of marine habits who spreads his glare evenly around the group. "Well?" he demands. "What is it?"
Visible in the hallway behind him, Gristav and Tendal are approaching.
"My doing.", Gristav explains grimly, keeping his pace steady. "Whenever anyone disapproves of me, these two get an itch and rush to preserve their offices."
"Gentlemen, Mister Arrow. Mister Arrow-" Gristav moves out of the house, through whatever space remains in the doorway, with healthy nimbleness but ill grace. "Good day."
Phillip remains non-plussed allowing Gristav to speak for his own exit from the situation and waiting for Tendal to make good his own extraction.
Once free and clear he raises an eyebrow and inquires "One hopes Magnimar at least had a fruitful conversation? We've not hit a straight lead - more of a tangent really... but one that deserves an angling at the least."
"Now who is that?" Mr. Arrow complains, as the sound of another visitor knocking at the door is heard echoing down the hall. He gives Gristav a glare as if he suspects that the new arrival must be his doing.
---------------------------
Out on the porch, Snake, Braddon, and Phillip are opened to rather abruptly by a stubble-faced man of marine habits who spreads his glare evenly around the group. "Well?" he demands. "What is it?"
Noticing Gristav and Tendal making their way down the hall toward them, Snake glances at the man and turns and leaves without a word as the others eventually make their way back outside.
Once free and clear he raises an eyebrow and inquires "One hopes Magnimar at least had a fruitful conversation? We've not hit a straight lead - more of a tangent really... but one that deserves an angling at the least."
"Yeah, let's hope." Once Tendal finally makes his way out, "Don't suppose you learned anything of interest that'll help us, did you, bub?" he asks the well-dressed wizard.
The door shut behind them, and the sun streaming down upon them, Tendal swings his cane around, then steps lightly down the stairs to the road.
"Not a thing." Tendal replies to Snake, a small smile on his face. "I was unable to ascertain any individuals or organizations that might be of significant enough threat to warrant further investigation. The Governor seems to have most affairs well in hand, but from some of her comments, I don't think that she is interested in machinations." he says, wiggling his fingers. "Of course, I could have been simply blind-sided by her offer of marmalade and dinner later."
"I achieved my primary goal however." he continues,"We know have a reasonable story, supported by our actions, confirmed by the local magistrate and further license to meander our way around the port and talk to whomever we want, without raising any immediate hackles."
"We now have a reasonable story, supported by our actions, confirmed by the local magistrate and further license to meander our way around the port and talk to whomever we want, without raising any immediate hackles."
Braddon grumbles, "Where's the fun in that? I thought we were going to crack some skulls."
Chuckling Phillip implies "Marmalade and dinner means she might have been more interested in something else you had to offer..." giving Braddon a wink before continuing on business "Story established or not, I think we've still been left with a relatively straightforward choice. Meander the port and hope to stumble over something... or be stumbled over by Serpe's prior acquaintances... or head into the Churlwood and at the least experience the hospitality of the local banditry as we try and find associates of the associates of Lil's pet pirate captain..." pausing to crack a smile as he sees if his companions had a specific leaning.
"You'll likely have that fun, we came here toward two loci for violence: Marzo and minions, and whatever defense will accrete about Lil. Add the town's reputation, and you should be well served."
"And we've raised some hackle, although I'm unsure how in my case. I'd have said Arrow and I were getting along, until I... well, I must have said something, perhaps I struck him as insufficiently busy. Hard to explain, having so many things needing done, but none of them in reach."
"Another hackle: that dandy shieldman. Though that seems explained as a competitor's growl. No mystery."
"Mysteries, we have two: The Harlot Prodigal, the when and how of her taking, and our own Prodigal Who-now, the why and when of his leaving."
"And where is it, we're headed now?"
"hmm. The Churlwood does sound like the most likely place to continue our investigations." Tendal mused. "I imagine that if we do find Lil's past acquaintances, we might find some more direct path to follow. In any regard, I would like to know how goods get from this town to market, and finding out if paths through the Churlwood have any part to play in the pirate trade may be exceptionally lucrative in the future."
Departing from the Governor's house, the group sets out across the uneven ground toward the Chavali River. A clearly-visible beaten path up the western bank directs them to the ford, where the river broadens over shallow stones. What was once a natural ford has been 'improved' by the addition of chunks of broken masonry and some felled trees to make the crossing less damp; a rope is also strung across the river from a pole haphazardly sunk in the ground on this side to a low bough of a near tree on the far side to provide a handhold.
"Not a ground I'd want to retreat over. Shall we walk the banks a bit, and see what else might offer? Although, that it's been improved suggests it was worth that effort..."
Warily eyeing the shore Phillip counters "Likely this is the best that can be expected on the river..." taking a good look at the foilage in view to see if their attempt is to be 'watched'...
Phillip doesn't see anything moving in the fringe of the forest across the river other than the breeze and likely some woodland animals. There is an unconcealed path cleared between the trees and what looks like wagon ruts worn into the ground leading deeper into the Churlwood. Above the treetops, less than half a mile in, what looks like the top of a stone tower is visible, though whether it is attached to a larger structure or is a simple watchtower is unknown at this time.
Shrugging Phillip begins moving to cross the ford "Doesn't seem to be any cause to fret" seeking to make his way swiftly and safely to the other side.
Pulling his coat to, "This should be fun," he says sardonically. "Let's move." Snake then follows the halfling across.
Braddon grabs the handhold rope and splashes his way across the ford. On the other side he tries to get a measure of the various forms of traffic and if any diverge from the usual paths.
Dutifully steadying the townside stave until Tendal had crossed, Gristav then crosses lastmost.
Phillip comes out the other side of the river damp to the knee, but the taller members of the party get no more than their boots wet. The east side of the Chavali feels cooler than the west, the deep shade of the Churlwood creeping so near the riverbank. The intervening water makes the vice and venality of Roderic's Cove seem farther away than the short walk would attest; in place of the shouts and oaths of the wharf, all that can be heard is the running water, the light breeze through the leaves, and the twitter of birdsong from deeper in the forest.
The deepest ruts cut into the earth by wagon wheels run back up the eastern bank of the Chavali River to the north, and there are a bewildering array of boot- and hoofprints in and among them heading in both directions. Tendal has a vague recollection of fording the river by wagon on his bone-rattling journey from Sandpoint to Riddleport; this must have been the way he came, although he had no interest in the grimy seaside settlement visible to the south at the time other than to be thankful its appearance meant his final destination was nearing; there had certainly been no suggestion of stopping at Roderic's Cove.
The ruts leading into the Churlwood itself are less numerous, and grass grows healthily between them. There are clearly far more who travel around the forest than who go in.
Braddon points at the ruts into the forest.
"I figure we're heading for that tower. Do we want to meet travellers or sneak up on them?"
"I'll defer to wisdoms greater than my own. And offer magicked dry feet in exchange for your guidance?" In punctuation or explanation, Gristav waves idly, and one boot, then another, forgets the the flood of the ford.
"The tower would indeed be a fair bet for destination... and I'd hesitate before we turn to the trees. Appearances being what they are... we'd hope to project one that we're here on a purpose and unconcerned by what we might meet. Once we draw nearer we can put a thought to keeping at least the one or more of us in reserve... but for now I'd keep us together." pausing a few moments in thought, Phillip remembers the freshly bought sleeves garbing his arms and connects thought to intent.
Shaking his arms to the side, he subtly changes his appearance to include a few hallmarks of the Sczarni to any that might squint eyes towards him. Nothing garish or too overt, but enough in color and cut that a learned spotter might place him as a middling member from Magnimar - his former home.
"Right. Bluff and bravado beats stealth and subtlety. This way."
Braddon points down the path into the forest and leads the way towards the tower. His eyes are alert to the sides of the trail though and his normally prominent weapons, while no less accessible, are slid somewhat out of sight.
"Besides the fact that I cannot see the point in moving stealthily through the woods at this point. We don't know that we have any enemies here. Sneaking up on people has a way of making them your enemies quicker than simply walking up and speaking to them."
"I believe that we are suitably equipped to render groups of miscreants to mere mumbling mounds if we must." Tendal illustratively alliterates.
Snake looks up at Tendal, cutting his eyes between him and Gristav. "You and Gristav aren't related, are you, bub?" he asks Tendal as they move into the forest.
The party heads into the forest. The trail is wide and easy, having been cleared for wagons, and the heat of the day which was just beginning to peak as the sun nears its zenith instantly drops a few degrees as the leafy green canopy of the Churlwood intervenes. After a dozen or so feet, the trail curves, and the sight and sound of the river fade away, leaving only the sounds of the forest: wind in the trees, birdsong, the chittering of insects, and the movements of small unseen animals in the undergrowth.
And one other thing: the gentle, occasional chime of bells. The source of the sound is not immediately clear, but then Braddon spies a belled horse collar hanging from a low branch some ten or fifteen feet off the trail. After that, they cannot always be seen, but the belled harnesses can be heard chiming softly in the breeze to either side of the path as the group advances.
With force of intent Phillip walks upright and not with the bent shoulders and hunched presentation of a tension filled interloper... which is how his true self feels. Each chime of the bells rings through his spine and resonates in the center of his brain that governs to fight or flight. Our passage is known...
A snippet of phrase and meter tumbles from the shadowed corner of his mind, and he settles himself by mumbling it at low ebb...
"And who, tolling, tolling, tolling,
In that muffled monotone,
Feel a glory in so rolling
On the human heart a stone --
They are neither man nor woman --
They are neither brute nor human --
They are Ghouls: --
And their king it is who tolls ;
And he rolls, rolls, rolls, rolls"
The halfling has an urge to put hand to steel and see himself armed, but suppresses that as well, instead putting a copper to his right hand and setting it to dance.
Snake looks around through narrowed eyes at the guessed location of the sound. "This ought to be good. Be ready, bubs," he tells the others. Lucky buries himself a bit deeper within the tall man's pack, sensing the tension within the warlock.
Snake looks up at Tendal, cutting his eyes between him and Gristav. "You and Gristav aren't related, are you, bub?" he asks Tendal as they move into the forest.
"It's an open question. Some... element, of my person made me worth the bother of stealing from my cradle, and training as a mage and noble. Perhaps blood? Tendal's arts betray a talent, one worth stealing in the form of an infant, if one thought not of the crime of it. And if one planned in decades."
"But I've been told I show an Azlanti brow, and I see none of that about. Any others, with an instant ease for bow bent, and arrow sent? A fae folly? Baptised to Erastil, I'm told I was. An Azlant and Elf, and honoring Erastil? It's all conjecture, but I doubt any of us share line." Grinning, Gristav added, "I expect that's comfort to you all."
The party heads into the forest... the sight and sound of the river fade away, leaving only the sounds of the forest: wind in the trees, birdsong, the chittering of insects, and the movements of small unseen animals in the undergrowth.
And one other thing: the gentle, occasional chime of bells. The source of the sound is not immediately clear, but then Braddon spies a belled horse collar hanging from a low branch some ten or fifteen feet off the trail. After that, they cannot always be seen, but the belled harnesses can be heard chiming softly in the breeze to either side of the path as the group advances.
With force of intent Phillip walks upright and not with the bent shoulders and hunched presentation of a tension filled interloper... which is how his true self feels. Each chime of the bells rings through his spine and resonates in the center of his brain that governs to fight or flight. Our passage is known...
A snippet of phrase and meter tumbles from the shadowed corner of his mind, and he settles himself by mumbling it at low ebb...
"And who, tolling, tolling, tolling,
In that muffled monotone,
Feel a glory in so rolling
On the human heart a stone --
They are neither man nor woman --
They are neither brute nor human --
They are Ghouls: --
And their king it is who tolls ;
And he rolls, rolls, rolls, rolls"The halfling has an urge to put hand to steel and see himself armed, but suppresses that as well, instead putting a copper to his right hand and setting it to dance.
"Not so dire as all that!", Gristav grins again. "Just folk at their fires, beyond a bare eye. I've traveled with such, camping away from the road, for the peace of privacy, and bells on every horse, or song in voice, to not blunder blindly into what isn't wished to be seen."
"A grand song, Phil, but perhaps, some brighter? Or would we rather, I blather?"
Up ahead, the trail opens into a clearing where a fire smolders in a circle of stones despite the hour. Wagons mixed with a few tents and makeshift shelters are scattered around it in a wide and uneven circle.
A Varisian man near where the trail opens into the clearing gets to his feet as the party approaches and runs his eyes over them appraisingly. "Were you turned about at the crossroads?" he calls pleasantly.
"Were you turned about at the crossroads?" he calls pleasantly.
"No, of course not. We mean to be here."
There's a brief pause as something clicks inside Braddon's skull."Oh, we mean no harm." He takes a step forward and halts, arms out, hands empty.
"We're looking for..." He glances round at the others.
"We're looking for memories."
He grins.
Snake looks to his right, cutting his eyes toward his pack. With Phillip up front and Braddon doing the talking, he nonchalantly steps a bit closer to Tendal and looks in his direction but not directly at him. "Something's very wrong, bub, we're in trouble," he whispers toward the wizard before looking back in the other direction.
Gristav's attempt at lightening of the mood is greeted with little more than a dismissive grunt, Phillip not showing any interest in engaging with the attempted levity. The shorter demihuman is focused on the road ahead and the shadows beside.
Phillip steps forward at Braddon's shoulder - a half pace behind him and supplements the half-elf's words with a "Aye, arrotz bat agurrak arrotz." making sure of eye contact with the Varisi to ensure the words spoken carry their meaning to his ears...
As he speaks, Phillip drinks in the vista - seeking to discern if this is a static camp, or a caravan caught mid-journey... and whether the Varisi present would hold second loyalty to broader criminal families...
Snake looks to his right, cutting his eyes toward his pack. With Phillip up front and Braddon doing the talking, he nonchalantly steps a bit closer to Tendal and looks in his direction but not directly at him. "Something's very wrong, bub, we're in trouble," he whispers toward the wizard before looking back in the other direction.
"Non dira ekarri dugu , izan noski gara. Nire bidea Duela egun batzuk Riddleport buruzko area honen bitartez gainditu dut, eta entzun ez dagoela merkataritza hemen interesa izan liteke." Tendal said, making a motion with his cane generally towards the wagons and tents. "Galdera da , jakina , zuk , jaun dira zure ... basoko produktuak edozein ... lortzean Riddleport edo haratago merkaturatzeko interesa izanez gero? Ez bazara, erosleei interesa, ondasun edo informazio, orduan izango dugu gure bidean." Tendal said, as calmly as he could while Snake's warning rattled around in his mind and a bead of sweat rolled down his back between his shoulderblades.
He could feel them out there, the eyes in the forest, watching them...watching him, with arrows and blades.
I hate this. I can't stand not seeing what I am dealing with...these unknown numbers...unknown threats...I really hope this works.
"Were you turned about at the crossroads?" he calls pleasantly."No, of course not. We mean to be here."
There's a brief pause as something clicks inside Braddon's skull.
"Oh, we mean no harm." He takes a step forward and halts, arms out, hands empty.
"We're looking for..." He glances round at the others.
"We're looking for memories."
He grins.
Gristav laughs at Braddon's sincere sidhe sensibility, a filial grin growing at the magus' mouth, and echoing in his eyes. Comradely, he claps the swordsman on the shoulder, lowering his hand as he listens to the words of the others.
"Barkatu, Lehen" , Gristav requests in Varisian, "Hauek- dugu , Gadjo ez zuen pentsatzen faltatu. Ginen, bidelapur ohartarazi baso horiek ere, ez beraien karabanak at folk sinpleen Not. lehenengo beldur ginen agian gehiegi bestearen unthinking. Oh, gutxienez, I ikusi nuen, kantua arnesa saw- dugu, eta besteei entzun, baina ez du uste edozein errugabe folk kezkagarria ginen. I hobeto ezagutzen dute luke, behin esaterako, arnesa, Gadjo bat, baina erabilgarria, mila luzea, eta urte labur atzean ridden. Long nahikoa ikasteko, ez zen zaldiak, dei- . gainerakoak, lehen ostean I ohartarazi izan dute, beste batzuk horiek, I entzun bada hobeto, orduan Baina: ergela bat Beraz, mesedez, barka naiz Gristav "
There are no overt signs in the circle or worn by the man speaking to you that indicate the camp is run by any particular Sczarni clan.
The Varisi's eyes travel from one to the next of the party as each proffers explanation for their arrival. "Esaiezu zure laguna," he says, nodding toward Braddon, "gustuko bere maitalea iragan memoria bat, karabana guardia desafio baino apur azkarrago aurkitu ahal izango zuen izan nahi badu." He shifts slightly to one side, symbolically opening the way into the clearing, and grins, "Txanponaren gastatuko duzu bada, zoriontsu arintzeko hura izango gara."
Braddon rolls his eyes.
"That's friendly talk right?" He glares about himself and puts his hands on his hips, closer to his swords.
"'Cause if they try to ambush us, I can probably only kill half of them."
He nods politely to the Varisi greeter and wanders confidently forward towards the clearing, arms swinging gently at his side, eyes in all directions, smile just a little too fixed.
"Good enough then." Tendal says, nodding first toward the guard, and then casting a glance toward Gristav.
"Gristav. I believe it to our benefit to give you precedence in this matter. I am now certain that I cannot affect the appropriate mannerisms to converse with these particular caravanasari." And with that, Tendal inclined his head toward Gristav, and motioned for him to take the lead.
Snake shakes his head in dread as Gristav speaks. His eyes then go wide at Tendal's suggestion. "No!" he exclaims before cringing at his own outburst. Gathering himself, Gonna have to gamble on this one "Ne, Braddon, mi ne certas estis. Ili diras, ke ili estus feliĉaj por malpezigi nin pri monero ni havu. Ne certas se tio estas minaco aŭ negoco proponon. Mi havas mian konjekton."
Nodding in acknowledgment of Tendal's hat-tip, Gristav then laughs at Snake's exclaimed disapproval. Letting Snake explain some of what was said to Braddon, Gristav adds in Elven, "Li diris, se vi atakas gardiston, vi estos memoro." Shrugging in doubt of that prodeiction, Gris adds, "Mi ne farus. Ankaŭ, Tendal ne havas Elven. "
Looking to Tendal, Gristav explains in Taldan, "We aren't unanimous. Let's just stick together. Nothing is certain."
"Braddon, wait up."