Almost at the same time Marissel speaks, We should go now. He stops, listening to Karri. Once she finishes he says, Yes, it would be safer, but I know that I have people I need to check on who may not be safe. As I'm sure some of you have as well. I believe the sooner we can get this all done the better.
"The rioting may get worse so we should leave immediately. We should return the brooch, use the money to get some supplies and then get back here."
Lyla thanks Zellara for the deck; the first gift she's ever received-well, aside from a roof over her head, courtesy f Althea. She plays with it excitedly, oblivious to the conversation around her; she sits on the ground close to some of the kids and starts playing with the deck, making some tricks.
The mention of the reward sparks her interest, and she peeks over the kids' heads watching Ortik ad Demitri debate about it. Finally, Lyla sneers at Demitri's suggetion of returning the brooch.
"Pff. Hey chief, don't be naive. Look at us! You think we'll just walk in an hand the brooch over and they'll give us the reward? Not a chance! They'll probably want to know which one of us stole it in the first place; we'll be lucky if we walk out of there at all. I say we just sell it to... well, let's just say I might know a guy."
She stands up and goes to Dimitri. "Let me handle this. I also gotta check on someone, maybe I can sell the brooch on my way home." She thinks about Althea and how she must be worried sick about her absence last night.
The children are all very entertained by Lyla's stylish card tricks. A couple of them even lean in closer, trying to figure out how she did them.
Amin turns to Lyla as she starts speaking. "Well, then again, there's always the possibility of them believing that you never stole the brooch in the first place. The Arabasti brooch is incredibly valuable: enough that anyone who returned it would perhaps be thought of as having only the best of intentions. The Queen wouldn't be foolish enough to have whoever returns the brooch executed; she has shaky enough relations with the rest of Korvosa already."
"Besides, good luck finding a merchant who will take it off your hands. It WAS registered with the Guard as stolen property." He finishes, crossing his arms and looking out the window.
It's about noon, and the sounds of the rioting outside are beginning to stop. Slowly, but surely.
karri listens to the dextrous halfling, Nice card tricks! and then looks over at Amin. "Maybe we don't have to go so far as you would think, Lyla. We do have someone here that owes us a favor." She arches her eyebrow at Amin. Maybe she is asking for his advice, or maybe she is daring him to say no.
Amin meets Karri's eyes. He pales a bit.
"Er--"
"Judging from the poster Ser Jalento so kindly brought us, it appears that the reward for the little bauble's return is worth more than what you'd get if you were to sell it elsewhere." Zellara says with a small smile.
"--yes! And besides, is this really the place to talk about this?" Amin continues, his voice shaking. "I think that if we keep off the main streets and try not to draw attention to ourselves, we should reach South Shore without a problem." He says, looking out the window again.
"Indeed. We should just bring it back to the queen ourselves and soon."
"I agree, I imagine that fencing it would draw more attention than we would like," Ortik says. "And if we did return it, it should probably be handed in by someone who has credibility in the eyes of Korvosa. Someone whose word would have more value than a homeless dwarf or a silent hulking Varisian. A member of the guard, perhaps?" Ortik casts a meaningful glance to Demitri.
"Ex-guard, but I see your point."
Amin turns to the group.
"Well, have you made a decision yet?" His voice is thick with worry. He keeps glancing between you and the street outside.
A flight of pseudodragons swoops by, pursued by a gang of imps cackling madly. They pass by the house, the sounds of their battle fading into the distance.
"My home is in South Shore. I hope Mother is alright..." He whispers, shifting from foot to foot.
"You're right, we've taken long enough as it is," Ortik replies, straightening to his full height, which is really only enough to tower over Lyla and the children. "Let's get Amin back to his home, and then check on our loved ones. Madame, please take care of the children for us, we'll be back as soon as we can."
"Right. Does anyone want to accompany me in returning the brooch?"
Jakob glances out the window at the streets, the sounds of rioting filling his ears.
"Perhaps better that we stick together," he says softly.
I agree with Jakob. We'll escort Amin, then check on loved ones, then return the brooch together. Marissel looks at Ortik, I think being in each other's company will be sufficient for our credibility.
"Really, six people to babysit fancypants? That's a downgrade from offing Lamm, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Let's go, I still have to get back to the Shingles and see Althea." She turns to Marissel and says "You remember her, right?"
Marissel smiles at Lyla's comments. He seems to want to say something, but waves it away. When she asks him about Althea, he nods. I do. It'll be good to see her again.
Karri shrugs. "I'll go." But we should wait.
Amin turns his cloak inside out, ensuring that the clasp of his cloak is hidden from view. A relieved smile is on his face.
"Thank you all for doing this." He says as you step out into the streets of Korvosa.
The hour-long walk to the South Shore District takes you through many of the side streets and alleys of Midland. The sounds of rioting are beginning to fade... slowly. The sounds of breaking glass and running footsteps are all around you as you move.
Amin keeps his talking to a minimum as he leads you through the streets. Here and there, patrols of Korvosan Guards can be seen arresting the worst of the rioters. Several of the guardsmen appear to be junior officers, their age and inexperience evident to Demitri: one has to wonder where the higher-ranking officers are in all this.
As you turn onto the main road leading to the gates of South Shore, you see a group of terrified citizens being escorted into the district by a squad of four Guardsmen. These citizens appear to be quite wealthy, and looks of gratitude can be seen in their eyes as they glance at the guards. None of them pay you any mind.
Surprisingly, the South Shore District is fairly isolated from the anarchy afflicting the rest of the city. Amin leads you down the main street, taking a quick right as the road turns and stopping in front of a clean, luxurious-looking home.
"Here we are." He says, digging around in his pockets for something. He produces a well-made coin pouch and tosses it to you.
"I'd give you more, but I'm afraid it's all I have on me. Still, a Jalento always pays his debts." He says with a bow.
"That's not even necessary," Ortik says with a wave of his hand. "But it's not unwelcome. Like I said before, I'm glad to be able to pay House Jalento back for its kindness over the years." He tips his furry hat to the nobleman in an attempt at gratitude he'd welcome, and looks to the rest of his group, waiting to see if they have any more words for Amin.
"Agreed. We're just doing the right thing." Demitri says agreeing with Ortik.
Amin nods at you, then runs up the steps to his home. The door opens, and a clearly worried middle-aged lady in fine noble's garb practically drags him inside.
The coin pouch he tossed you contains six platinum pieces: one for each of you.
"Many thanks. We should get moving to return the brooch."
"Lead the way," Ortik says, falling in step with the former watch officer. "The sooner we get rid of it, the better."
As you leave South Shore, the sounds of rioting have died down greatly. Though the walk to Castle Korvosa is mostly quiet, the air is thick with tension, barely kept in check by the presence of what Guardsmen, Sable Company Marines & Hellknights are left.
An eerie silence falls upon the afternoon streets, in stark contrast to the mayhem that preceded it. Here and there, citizens can be seen doing their best to carry on in the aftermath, sweeping aside broken glass and returning to their homes to lock up for the day. As you walk down the main street of the Heights toward Castle Korvosa, a breeze picks up, carrying flecks of ash and parchment down the street.
Castle Korvosa’s long shadow looms over the city. A magnificent achievement of architecture, the castle walls and spires rise high into the sky above. The entire structure looms even higher for its ancient foundation—a Thassilonian ruin in the shape of an immense flat-topped pyramid. Although one corner of this impressive foundation has fallen into ruin, the additions built onto the sides by eager and talented Korvosan masons have created one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Varisia.
A squad of Korvosan Guards is lined up in front of the southern ramp leading up to the castle's keep. As you approach, they level crossbows at you, and their leader speaks.
"You approach Castle Korvosa, citizens. State your business here or move along."
A quick look at their faces reveals their nervousness.
"We found something that belongs to the queen. We'd like to return it to her."
The guards lower their crossbows slightly.
"Aye? And what would that be, then?" The leader asks, somewhat convinced that you're not a threat.
"The brooch that she lost. The one you all couldn't find. Now step aside and let us in."
Jakob watches the guards carefully. Until his sister had been taken he had respected the guard, but once he saw how unwilling most of them were to help, his opinions had changed. He stands close behind Demitri, silent and serious.
karri cringes at Demiri's less than politic treatment of the guards. Hahaha they will get you killed! Take charge show them Our strength!!
Lyla smacks her forehead in face of Demitri's approach to returning the stolen brooch. She steps forward and tries to ammend the situation.
"Greetings, noble guardsmen! Excuse my friend here, his eagerness to return such beloved heirloom to her highness has made him anxious, especially after the dangers we faced to recover the precious brooch. All we desire is to fulfill our civic duty. Could you helps us? I am sure the queen will be thrilled to hear these news; I wish I could bring them to her myself and enjoy her happiness, but alas, I guess that would be your prerrogative."
She does not sound like herself at all.
The guards start chattering amongst themselves at the mention of the Queen's brooch.
Before long, the leader nods at one of the guards and he runs off up the stairs to the castle. He turns back to you.
"The Queen will be quite interested in seeing that brooch of hers returned, but if you intend to see her, you'll need to relinquish your weapons first before we'll let you through." He says. "It's just standard procedure, citizens. No need to panic. You'll get 'em back once your business here is done."
Karri surrenders multiple knives and a wicked looking skull breaker. "Of course." You are never unarmed if you let us out...
Marissel surrenders his axes immediately. He pulls his gun out of his belt then hesitates. This weapon is extremely valuable. If there are extra measures you could take to ensure is safety, I would greatly appreciate it. He then hands the gun over.
Ortik is offering his weapon to the guard even before he asks. "Same for me," he says, with a quick glance to Marissel.
"Yes, I'm aware of procedure." Demitri says handing over his sword and crossbow.
The guards are quite surprised to see Karri produce such an arsenal, but they set her gear aside all the same.
The leader takes a look at Marissel's gun. "Shouldn't be a problem, ser elf." He looks over at one of the other guards, who promptly runs off. He returns with a small, wooden box with a lock on it. A small brass key is dangling on a leather lanyard from the guard's wrist. The guard leader takes the gun and the box and pops the box open. The box's interior is lined with velvet: one would surmise that the box is normally used to safeguard jewelery. Marissel's gun fits neatly into the box, which is then closed and locked.
The other guards finish relieving Ortik & Demitri of their weapons, sorting them into footlockers that other guards dragged out. The last two guards look Jakob and Lyla over, looking even more nervous at the sight of the hulking Varisian.
Jakob waits until he hears Demitri confirm that it is standard procedure before handing over hammer, scimitar, bow and arrows, and a few miscellaneous daggers and knives that he has accumulated. When he has finished disarming himself, he steps back.
"There you go", Lyla says handing over her dagger and crossbow.
The guardsmen finish organizing your gear and carry it into the garrison next to the ramp. The remaining guards--4 in total--escort you up to the castle's keep, carrying heavy crossbows & swords with unease.
As you climb the stairs up to the top of the pyramid, there is a figure waiting for you on the stairs to the castle's third floor. Clad in exquisite dark maroon platemail and bearing a finely crafted zweihander, her night-black hair is blown all about her beautiful face. A scar is visible on her cheek beneath her right eye. She regards your group coolly, sizing you up. The guardsmen escorting you stop and salute her.
She gives you a curt nod and steps forward.
"Greetings, citizens. I have been told that you have something quite dear to the Queen, and wish to return it to her. Is this correct?"
Ortik has no idea who the woman before him is, but he notes the guards snapping to attention as she walks up to them. Whoever she is, she must be important - and most definitely not the Queen.
Jakob looks the woman up and down and wonders who she is. She must be someone, if she's allowed to carry that sword in here.
He gives a dockworker's best effort at a courtly bow and speaks
"We found a ... um ... a thing. See, there was this guy. Lamm. He was using kids.... Anyway, we fought him and and we found... a thing. Who has the thing?"
"Yes, we found a brooch belonging to the queen. We would like to return it."
Noticing that no one seems to know who they are dealing with, Lyla bows before Sabine and drops a hint to the rest of the group.
"It is an honor do be of service to her majesty, milady Sabine Merrin, hand of the Queen."
Demitri will throw in a formal salute when he hears who it is out of habit.
Marissel bows, but remains quiet.
Ortik bows as well, once Lyla mentions who it is that's before him. "We were hoping to return it to Her Majesty's hands ourselves, but returning it to her hand is just as good."
Sabina smiles.
"Oh, there's no need to bow. You're not in the presence of the queen yet."
As you mention the brooch, Her smile widens a bit.
"Is that so? Then allow me to be the first to welcome you into the halls of Castle Korvosa." She says, stepping aside while holding out her hand.
The guards move to escort you further, but Sabina raises her hand.
"That won't be necessary, Guardsmen. I'm certain these citizens mean no harm to the queen." With that, the guard escort salutes, and returns to their posts at the bottom of the ramp.
As your party ascends the white steps of Castle Korvosa, the sun begins to set. Looking out over the city, you can see a few weak plumes of smoke rising from the more populated districts.
"So, how should I introduce you all to Her Majesty?" Sabina asks as you ascend.
"Demitri, Marissel, Ortik, Lyla, Jakob, and Karri. We are just citizens." Demitri replies introducing everyone.
Sabina turns to Demitri as he speaks.
"Ah, yes. Demitri Severin, is it? Field Marshal Kroft was asking after you." She says.
"She wanted to know how you were doing, among other things."
She was quite understanding of why you resigned.