Ben raises an eyebrow, glances over at a nearby shelf, and pulls a volume off said shelf, apparently at random. He looks at the cover and nods, seemingly satisfied.
"Here you go my lady." Ben says, bowing slightly as he holds out the book for Valexia.
Ben's mouth twitches only slightly as Val reads the inscription on the leather cover.
The Expert Sword-Man's , or The TRUE ART of with an ACCOUNT of the Author's LIFE and his Transactions during the Wars with Cheliax. To Which is Annexed The ART of GUNNERIE by Donald McBain
Ben shrugs, his smile difficult to hide now.
"I think the author changed his name for protection. I'm fairly certain that his real name was 'McBadA$$'. If even half that book is not complete fiction, he survived enough wounds to kill him a dozen times over. Healing Magics or not. His tales and anecdotes are true page-turners, but his tendency to droll on about the minutiae of military protocols and precise blade-handling would knock out even an Insomniac Hummingbird."
He looks around the room, only a trifle defensively.
"What?!? Long before I discovered the joys of Alchemic Formulea, I was still a voracious reader. I thought it was historical fiction. How was I to know it was an Actual Autobigraphy?!?"
"'Actual autobiography'," Rexus snorts, "Only if House Thrune's redactors didn't get hold of it, like they did everything else. All those books should be titled "History According to Thrune." Of all the treasure we could find, I would value a real account of events in Cheliax the most."
He rises and paces, wringing his hands unconsciously in excitement. "So, my friends, we will meet two days hence to seek our Fair Fortune. When should we go? It's in a rather warehousey kind of district, but there are still people around during the day. There are fewer at night, but then, of course, there's the potential problem with light - both having it, and having it seen by passing guards." The problems seem to please rather than discourage the slight nobleman.
"Nightfall. Or Dusk at least." Ben speaks up immediately.
"Early enough that being seen on the street with others won't be out of place. But late enough to allow us to leave under cover of darkness."
"I might be able to assist with the light issues,... if I can find enough materials,..."
"I have nothing with which to provide light, unfortunately," says Valexia, "But nightfall is fine if Ben has something up his sleeve." She peers towards said sleeve with some amount of feigned suspicion.
"So long as the lantern is hooded, since weird shadows in a stables arouse suspicion. Believe me." Dee chuckles softly taking another sip of her new drink.
"Dusk will be best, when there's the remnants of the workers on the streets. When nobles are getting ready to have dinners and when the guards are about ready for a shift change."
Ensis nods, then says somewhat guardedly, "I have better night vision than most. So long as there's a bright moon or a few last gasps of sunlight, I can lead us."
"Hooded lanterns, and I think I have enough compounds to scratch together a couple of alchemical torches. Yes, That should do it!" Ben mutters,... scratching notes in his battered notebook.
Ben looks up and blinks.
"Two days, right? Yes,I can do all that in two days. I've gone four without sleep before. Of course that was testing a new admixture I'd invented. Which was supposed to promote restful but alert contemplation,... Yeah I shouldn't have tested a formula designed for elves on myself. Probably."
"Oh Ben!" she shakes her head ruefully; "You don't have to do that, and certainly not lose sleep over it!"
She nods to Ensis; "See, we shouldn't be in much trouble - generally, with illumination at least." The noble backtracks thinking about all the scrapes she remembers Ben getting into.
Ensis shakes his head, a wry smile on his face, "If only we knew someone who could cast spells. From what I recall of when they tried to see if my bloodline ran true enough to grant me magic, making light is supposedly a rather simple trick."
He then looks at the alchemist and adds, "Although, Ben, I've heard tell of a technological marvel... Did you know that you can get pitch-soaked torches that light when you strike them with flint. Apparently people commonly sell these wonders, allowing overtired alchemists to sleep 'til noon."
He then winks at Deanna, as the chuckle he'd been holding back finally escapes.
Ensis shakes his head, a wry smile on his face, "If only we knew someone who could cast spells. From what I recall of when they tried to see if my bloodline ran true enough to grant me magic, making light is supposedly a rather simple trick."
He then looks at the alchemist and adds, "Although, Ben, I've heard tell of a technological marvel... Did you know that you can get pitch-soaked torches that light when you strike them with flint. Apparently people commonly sell these wonders, allowing overtired alchemists to sleep 'til noon."
He then winks at Deanna, as the chuckle he'd been holding back finally escapes.
Ben looks up at Ensis over the top of his spectacles.
"Well, my father always said, 'If your going to be an A$$, it is best to be a WISE one, not a DUMB one'."
"He'll be happy to know that someone is heeding his advice." He sniffs disdainfully, Ben's bruised ego temporarily over-riding his usual hero-worship attitude of the duelist.
But as usual, the alchemist's churning mind will not allow him to dwell or hold a grudge, especially not with one of his true, few, friends.
"Hmph. I suppose that even though my inventions would be vastly superior to a common pitch-soaked fire-hazard, my skill and time WOULD be put to better use in brewing various healing elixirs and potions to aid us in our 'nocturnal requisition'." He acknowledges gracefully. (As he can.)
Valexia huffs and says, "If only we knew someone who could cast spells, indeed! Can you imagine such a world, where you know someone who knows some magic? Why, it's enough to boggle the mind! Magic! Incredible." As she says the last word she uses prestidigitation to make some coloured confetti that she throws unceremoniously in the air, also using ghost sound to make a party noise maker sound as she does so. If it's possible for such a sound effect to keep a mocking tone, she certainly manages it.
"While I don't have a knack for making light yet, there's plenty I can do, you'll see," says the bard as she crosses her arm. The whole confetti thing backfires as most of it gets into her hair.
Dusk deepens to night as the group approaches Fair Fortune Livery. The old stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. Alleys of packed dirt separate it from neighboring warehouses, all dark and shuttered for the night.
The street-facing double doors are chained together but so loosely that they gape open slightly. If there are other entrances, they are somewhere in the darkness of the alleys. The streets of Redroof are quiet and almost deserted. Only a few late workers hurry home for their dinners. Guard patrols are most likely in the larger warehouse districts, where the noble owners' wealth ensures frequent and regular rounds. This lower-class neighborhood is likely lightly patrolled.
It's quiet, save for the distant harbor sounds and the occasional cry of a gull. The fresh breeze that flapped cloaks and blew hats on the way here has died to an evening calm. The stale smell of ancient urine-soaked hay wafts from the stable.
"This is it. If it weren't for my mother's word, I wouldn't be caught dead here." Rexus' quite voice conveys his doubt and distaste.
Ben nods his agreement with Rexus' observation.
"Looks creepy. And dilapidatedly dangerous,..."
Ben elbows Ensis.
"YOU can go first!" He smiles politely.
"Dilapidated is right. Where's a building inspector when you need one?" Rexus jokes quietly, though perhaps a bit nervously.
Ensis smiles, "That was the plan. And trust me, being able to see more of it doesn't make it look any more appealing."
With that he draws his blade, then readies a torch for his off-hand, and takes a step forward, then stops, speaking over his shoulder, "Just remember, Ben, if you let a trap kill me, I won't be able to save you from the bad guys with weapons."
"I'd say dilapidated works in our favour in this case, don't want to roll out the welcome mat if you're trying to keep the place secret."
"I'll come with you." Bert offers and steps forward with Ensis when he says he'll go first. "I have a bit of a knack with traps f we find one maybe I can keep it from killing you." He peers into the darkness beyond the torchlight "Personally I'd rather not charge in the front door though, any chance we can sneak in the side?"
Attempting to be quiet he sneaks up towards the entrance and carefully searches for any traps or anything they should be wary of.
"Good idea, I'll keep an eye out for lurkers or watchers." She replies is a soft low voice whilst naturally sauntering behind Bertom. With a glance and wink at Rexus; "Hopefully no building inspectors or any government officials around here...."
Rexus brings the lantern forward a little so Bertom can see better, smiling at Dee's little joke. Ensis, Bertom, and Deanna move forward towards the main entrance doors.
Bertom can see the chain around the doors has a lock, but the gap in the doors is large enough that he might be able to squeeze through. A gnome or halfling surely could enter without trouble. He sees no sign of any traps, nor does Deanna.
Ensis joins Deanna in out looking for trouble while Bertom tries to find a way in.
Valexia is ready with her hand near her bow, in case it has to be used in the near future. She advances a bit . [smaller]"If we need an illusion or anything at any point, that's what I'm good at. I'll keep an eye out."
"I'll keep that in mind." Ben says to Ensis belatedly, as he suddenly finds himself standing behind the group, who is approaching the building.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Ben hisses and ambles rapidly to catch up to the others.
"Huh." Ben observes cleverly as he peers around Ensis broad shoulder to watch Bert fiddle with the lock and chain on the front door.
"Any luck?"
Bertom looks over his shoulder at the others "Well no signs of traps that I can see, it's locked obviously" He says indicating the lock on the door "I don't think that'll give me much trouble"
He stops and listens carefully at the door, then frowns "Something's in there though, growling..." He looks up to see if the moon is full "Well it's probably not a werewolf, but I'm again inclined to find a less obvious entry. Should we give the place a once over? If we don't find a better way, I'll see about the lock."
"Maybe see about the lock anyway? Just in case we need another exit point once inside. I mean, You know, just in case,..."
Ben stops talking and gives an inexplicable amount of concentration to the building itself,...
Ensis nods, "I like the idea of having another way in... or out... if needed."
"Here, before you take a stab at it, try this,..." Ben leans in between the others and pours a bit of liquid from a vial onto the lock. It sits for a second, then a strange hissing, creaking, popping sound comes from the lock. Not loud, but it sounds like the lock might be trying to open itself,...
"Well,... Don't dawdle! It won't last long! Should make it easier to manipulate the internal workings. If I didn't over estimate the strength of the formulae,... or underestimate it,..." Ben looks at the lock again, slowly backing behind the others once more,...
"Hrm,... Maybe a TAD less frost venom next time,..." ;P
Bertom blinks at the popping lock for a moment, "Umm Thanks, I think... it's not going to dissolve my tools is it?" He asks with a bit of hesitation taking out a small set of tools then starts working at the lock, he tries a few different picks trying to find the right fit for the lock.
Bertom pokes and twists at the internals of the lock. The lock is a bit rusty and there's no certainty that Ben's potion did anything more than help freeze the pins. In fact, after a few seconds of trying to set the pins properly, the tip of the pick goes snap! and is jammed in the mechanism. Nothing short of a hammer and chisel is going to open this chain.
As Bertom works, the growling from inside increases in volume until everyone can hear it, with a few warning barks thrown in.
On the bright side, Bertom can tell from his up-front position that there's plenty of slack chain around the front door posts. Even though it's not unlocked, it should be possible to squeeze out - or in - of the double doors, given time.
Oh, to be a halfling.
Ensis sighs, "Well, safe to say from the barking that we're not likely getting in undetected. Bertom, do you think we can ask get through there, out do we need to go over or around?"
"Yep,... Definitely less frost venom next time." Ben makes a brief note in his battered leather notebook.
"Hm. Well if they KNOW we're coming, let's at least make it difficult to tell WHERE we're coming. I suggest the old youth game of 'knock-knock-ditch'. We find the back door, bang on it good and loud to make it sound like we're trying to force it open, then run back to here and squeeze through while they're checking it out."
"Well, it's not a BRILLIANT plan, I mean it's a work in progress, I mean,... ohnevermind,..."
Bertom sighs and shakes his head "Sorry, it's all rusted... or frozen or something... no way to get it open unless someone feels like bashing it off of there."
He looks at Ben considering his plan for a moment then shrugs his shoulders "Well it's going to be a tight squeeze trying to get in there with the lock still in place, that is unless one of your weirdie potions can make us all half-sized" He stands up away from the lock "The plan's not necessarily bad though, but we might want to do the reverse, some people cause a distraction on this side while some others sneak in the back way, it'll just take too long to squeeze through this way we're sure to be found out." The short young man shrugs his shoulders "Of course that somewhat of a moot point if we don't find another way in."
He looks at the door again "What bothering me is... I thought this place was supposed to be abandoned. Why is there something growling and barking in there? Even if someone wanted to guard the place from scavengers shouldn't the guard dog be out here?"
Ensis shrugs, "Given the way House Thrune has been squeezing the city, it could be as simple as squatters... though that would likely mean anything of value is gone. Still, best to be sure."
"I'd offer to travel to the other side and take a look around, but my eyes are not so great in the dark," says Valexia, before she adds, "Even if you do not have enough potion to make us all small, enough, Ben... perhaps you could make yourself small and peek in and tell us about what's in there. Or find another way to let us in. Though maybe we should distract the dog, yes... Anyone have meat?" She laughs softly, thinking it a bit absurd that anyone from among this band of mostly nobles would be carrying meat on their person.
"Um, No, sorry. Not enough to go around I'm afraid." Ben mumbles absentmindedly as he peers at the lock, probably still trying to figure out what went wrong with his additive.
(You suspect [HOPE] he's referring to the request for potions, and not meat.)
Ben blinks and looks around.
"Sorry, if your waiting on ME you might be a while. I'm not the 'decisive' type. I'm more the 'experiment again and again until you get it right' type." He shrugs unapologetically. Then he grins happily.
"ON the other hand, if you need a distraction, I'M your man! Just say where and when!" He pats his leather bag fondly.
"I doubt the hound is to prevent squatters, however House Thrune may have a hand in it." Deanna ponders the puzzle, "There might be a seller of meat pies or some fish? Even at this time of the night. Though I'm not sure I could force the lock. Is there another way in?"
Cautiously but with a certain degree of nonchalance she moves down the side of the building away from the congregation at the gate.
"Ok, you all find us another way in. Give a whistle, and I'll 'distract' the living daylights out of the hounds! And then join you!" Ben smiles eerily as he pulls out a couple of vials from his bag.
Now that the stable's occupants are roused and wary, everyone can hear that there are several sources of light, annoyed barks, along with one deep, basso booming bark.
Ben lights a candle in a small ceramic bowl,(wind cover) moves over next to the gate (M1) and puts the candle down on the ground. He gives a nod to Bert and holds up two clay spheres with a n undisguisable smirk.
Bertom looks at Ben for a moment supposing that smirk indicated that the young rogue should know what those spheres are, and be impressed, or at least confident Ben had this covered. However having no idea what those things were Bert simply widened his eyes and nodded slowly "Right... Well let's find another way in here."
He stands and looks to the side of the building "It'll be quicker if we split, maybe I can go along this side with Lord Victocora, if Ensis you can accompany the ladies along the other side, we can meet in the back."
Ensis smiles and winks, "I certainly won't object to spending additional time with the ladies."
Ensis smiles and winks, "I certainly won't object to spending additional time with the ladies."
"Ooo, that's a good one. I should really write that down,..." Ben mutters, reaching for his pocket, only to discover that his hands are already full of, things. He looks decidedly confused for a moment as he tries to figure out how to hold the clay spheres and pull out his notebook too.
"Well, we'll be depending upon you to see in the dark, Ensis," says Valexia, patting him on the shoulder and glancing towards the building. She speaks quieter, "Seems like lots of dogs... I can make a barking sound to make anyone in there think it's another dog riling them up."
Raising an arched eyebrow at Ensis, she slightly shakes her head. "Probably best not turn our backs on you...."
Cautiously she moves further around the building and replies softly to Valexia; "Good idea, so long as it doesn't rile them up any further...."
Ensuring that her loose dress doesn't get caught on the building, the noblewoman looks forwards and peers around the corner.
:)
Dee begins to move into the darkness.
Ensis chuckles, "I can admire you from any angle... Especially in the torchlight... Still, I suppose I should keep an eye out for danger..." Fortunately for me, I can do both...