Fear is evident on the young bandit's face as Vera and Grace deliberate his fate. Meekly, he speaks up, "I ain't lyin', I swear. An' I only said that the Brotherhood had fifty in it, not fifty at the hideout. James keeps only three or four wit him. Most of the Brotherhood are out doin' jobs: cattle rustlin', robbin' stagers, things like that."
He looks pleadingly at everyone. "Please don't kill me..."
Grace's voice is commanding and harsh, she knows that this boy is easily broken...
"Tell me everything about the hideout, layout, defenses, watches, armament, equipment and so forth. As for your fate that depends on how forthcoming you are."
"Mees Grace, I agree with you killing zee ozer one when 'e ran, so I will speak your language 'ere. I do not accept zat your Templar's regulations allow you to conduct your brands of 'law' in zis place, and I see no evidence zat zis man 'as done anything to 'urt you OR zee members of your creepy cult. Brainwashing eez worse zan death, and I weel not stand by and let you subject 'im to eet. 'owever, neither weel I untie 'im."
Vera turns to look Grace in the eye and speaks in as stern a voice as she can muster. "In ozerwords, Mees Grace, no. Not unless you can point to zee spots in your Pact zat say you can do zis. And not unless Relik can agree with you. 'e eez zee only one ere 'o's law I will respect."
Cogs speaks up in support of Vera. "Miss Grace, you may be an agent of the Occult Society, but we were hired as deputies of the sheriff, and as such our duty is to him. The prisoner has not been involved with magical activity, so falls outside the jurisdiction and authority of the Society."
"'e eez a broken man, Grace. 'is spirit eez shattered, and eet will take years to repair eetself. 'e 'as told us more zan I would 'ave expected from someone in 'is profession, with less zan a promise to keep 'im alive. Can we stop with zee threats and start planning for our next move? If you wish to 'and 'im to zee Marshal, so be eet. I weel get Clayt's word zat a trial weel be 'eld, and maybe Dek can find enough sympathy to go on living.
Either way, eef zee people of Bleakwood Falls decide to kill 'im, zat eez zier choice. We need to make ours. I choose to turn 'im over to zee citizens, represented by zee Marshal, and to begin thinking about zee Brother'ood strong'old." Vera sighs, frustrated with the argument. Dek had shown regret, even repentance, and there didn't seem to be anything more he could do to help the party, but he could still do good in the town, or at least have justice be done upon him. Besides, she'd tried appealing to Grace's apparently nonexistent emotions, her sense of right and wrong, and that of...wait. I have one more argument! "You know, of course, that if all our prisoners are either killed, like Coro back there, or indoctrinated into your cult, like you'd like to 'ave Dek, zat our enemies will likely stop giving up so easily. I'm sure Meester Doctor eez very good at what 'e does, but bullets 'urt, and eef enough 'it you, zey kill you. I'd razer not be shot, eef I can 'elp eet. Give Dek a chance; it may avoid our deaths later."
Grace cedes the point to Vera but makes it damn clear that if something like this ever occurs with Legitimate Templar business that the consequences will be...severe.
"As it stands I cede control of the boy to you Vera, understand this however. Should you ever interfere with legitimate Templar duties by aiding, abetting or in any other way assisting the Black Abbot, his cult, minions or for that matter anyone else who interferes with my duties that you will find no mercy at my hands..."
"Thank you, Grace. I assure you eef I ever think you have a right to do what you wish, I weel stay well out of your way." Vera bows slightly and once again begins leading Dek the crying bandit toward the town. "Meester Doctor, eef you would kindly show me to your fellow doctor's place of work, I believe zis man 'as some things to say to someone. After zat, we weel take 'im to zee tavern, and zen zee Marshal. 'opefully, eet weel be a light sentence, and zen you can take your 'ore, get married (or not) and live a 'appy, simple life 'ere."
Sure sounds like a plan
Leads Vera to the "Doctors" clinic
The bound bandit trudged sullenly behind as Vera and Brandon led the way, silent the entire trip. It took only half an hour to reach the town, and Brandon led the party straight to the Doctor’s office. The group’s reentrance into town did not go unnoticed, as evident by curious onlookers both on the boardwalks and in lit windows all along the main avenue.
Brandon led the way into the office and went straight to the injured saloon girl. Passing the doctor, he gave him a hard stare, causing the timid conman to make excuses about important work to do somewhere else.As you entered the section of the doctor’s office that the saloon girl resided, you could see that she was sitting, awake, and just staring at the wall. When she heard everyone enter she looked at you all quizzically, her gaze suddenly stopping on the young bandit. Tears started to form in her eyes and she looked down at her lap.
Regret in his eyes, the young bandit spoke up. ”Naya, I… I’m sorry for what Coro did ta ya.”
”You din’t even try to help me, Dek. I was fond of ya and wasn’t gonna ev’n charge ya for some time t’gether, but ya let Him take me an’ rough me up…” she said softly without looking up.
”I know… I was afraid of what he’d do to me if I tried to stop ‘im. He’s dead now though--these folks made sure of that--so you an’ me don’t got nothin’ to worry ‘bout now. Will ya forgive me, Naya?” You could tell in his voice and his words that he was sincere.
She looked up at him with tearful eyes and a slight smile on her bruised face. ”If ya really mean it, leave the Brotherhood. Kadjok won’t be too fond of ya, but I reckon I might be able to convince ‘im not to pepper ya with Ol’ Gutrender. “
Dek nodded eagerly and smiled, unsure of what to say to this, and then looked at you all for approval as well.
Grace herself departed from the group just before the Doctor's office, deciding to take a stroll around town, her eyes peeled for signs of occult activity ()...
perception
"Mees Naya, I 'ope you mean what you say about forgiving 'im. 'e eez still responsible for zee things 'e 'as done, and zere are still penalties 'e must pay. One of zose is to Kadjok. Anozer is to zis town. I am off to talk to zee Marshal and make certain zat 'e won't be executed for 'is crimes, but time in jail eez still likely, and deserved. I 'ope you'll be okay with zis." Vera nods at Dek, a single tear in her eye. "You weel, of course, submit willingly to zis punishment, but I see no reason not to be a 'appy member of zis town after. If zat means zis girl, and she wants to be 'appy with you, zen zat eez a good thing, no?"
"Meester Doctor, eef you would be so kind as to keep an eye on Dek while I am gone. Also, keep 'im bound, just een case."
Vera leaves the building, hurrying to the Marshal's office. By the time she steps off the front porch, she's fully composed and all business. She knocks on the Marshal's door.
”Ah, Miss Lyngriff. What can I do for you at this late hour?” he asks as he motions for you to come in and have a seat. He offers you a drink of water or whiskey before sitting down behind his desk.
"That boy always seem'd ta get himself in trouble. He's lived in this town his whole life. Didn't have no family after his folks died few years back... dysentery I think. He'd always hang 'round the Dusty Silver after that. I think him an' that saloon girl that got hurt fancied each other. We were all concerned when he joined the Mavericks. I reckon he felt like they were a new family for him. A shame, really. There ain't nobody in town that wouldn'ta brought him in for a hot meal and a roof, but he kept to himself and that Saloon." He pauses, taking a sip of his whiskey.
"Here's the thing of it. He ain't broken any laws himself here in town, so he won't git the noose or anything. If he really means ta leave the Maverick Brotherhood, then they ain't gonna be pleased. Bring him here, an' I'll keep him in a cell for his own protection. He ain't gotta know that's what it's for, but it'll let him stew over his decisions. Give him a few days t' reconcile, and after ya folk take care of James I'll let him go. As for his partner, I'll still need the sashes if ya want the bounty," he finished as he sat at his desk, propping his dusty boots on the corner.
Vera shotguns the rest of the whiskey, pouring herself another before continuing. "As for zee sashes, We weel deliver zem all togezer, I think. Thank you for your 'elp with Dek. Maybe 'e weel turn 'is life around after tonight. Eef not, Mees Grace 'as a plan for 'im, and I won't stop 'er twice." She drinks the second glass of whiskey and takes her leave of the Marshal.
Out of the street, Vera starts feeling the effects of the two human-sized shots of whiskey she drank, and by the time she returns to the doctor's office, she's well beyond drunkenness. Her balance is pretty much gone, and so is her accent. Careening into the doctor's office, she grabs Dek's shirt to steady herself. "Dek, I have goodnews. The Marshal isgoing to put you away forawhile, but you'll be out someday, but hesays he won't even pop yourneck. But if you everdoanythin' like thisagain, I'll let Grace fryyou." She pulls at his sash until it tears and hands it to Brandon. "Keep ahold of that. I think we need themfor something, but Ican't 'memberwhat. Now, weneed to take thisboy to Clayt and then I needtofind abed. You need to help me, Mister Doctor. Whatsyourname, anyways?"
Grace looks at Vera and sighs...
"I swore off whiskey a long time ago, when this one gets drunk it's harmless... When I get drunk I breath fire..."
"What?" Vera continues to clutch Dek's shirt for balance. "I'mnot drunk. I hadtwo shots with theMarshal, and now I haveto take Dek tojail. Help me takehim to jail!" She lets go, crossing her arms over her chest and stamping her foot before standing still and looking at Grace and Relik. She looks not unlike a kid having a tantrum in a dress.
Grace calmly takes a chair and will attempt to put Vera into it... Her voice is clear and firm.
"Sit"
strength check
Despite her best efforts, Vera finds herself manhandled into the chair. She shoots Grace a look that says if looks could kill, she'd be dead now, before ruining the effect by turning pale and gagging a little.
Grace's hands firmly attached to Vera's shoulders she tersely instructs
Brandon, "get me a bucket of cold water. Vera needs what we in the old countries politely call "instant sobriety"
"Gracenoooooo. This dress's 'spensive! You'll ruinit. B'sides, I'm not toodrunk. Now helpme get Dek tothe Marshal's!"
Considering Relik's advice Grace thoughtfully "hums"...
"Hmmm...good point."
Grace's tone is reserved mostly but you can see a glimmer of wicked humor in her eyes...
"Deliver Dek to the Marshall my good deputy, while your at it arrange a room at the Inn for Vera. By the time that is done she should hopefully be comatose..."
Dek walks silently as you escort him to the Marshal's office. As you approach, you see the Marshal standing on the boardwalk of his office with his shotgun in hand. He nods at your arrival.
"Go 'head and bring 'im in, Deputy. We'll let him sit there for a bit. Key's on the desk for the cell. Just put 'im in and lock it." He spits to the side onto the ground as you pass.
After locking Dek into his cell, you are about to leave when Marshal Clayt blocks your path.
"I got a task for ya, Deputy. I need ya t' keep an eye on that Occultist lass. I ain't ever trusted them Society members, but somethin' about her just rubs me the wrong way. Think ya can do that for me, Deputy? After all, we Silver Stars gotta look out for each other."
Grace attempts to lift Vera onto her shoulders rather like a sack of grain...
strength
If she succeeds Grace will then proceed to the Inn and chat up the Ogreth for a room to put the inebriated halfling in...
Cogs goes to the bartender and orders the strongest coffee he can get and brings it to Vera. "This isn't proper dwarven coffee, but it ought to help you." Then he goes to check on Relik and make sure he doesn't run into trouble in town, stopping only once to make a quick sketch of an idea for a lasso modification to his wrist-mounted grappleshot.
Vera lets the Templar pick her up, adjusting her dress quickly and muttering quietly to herself. "But mom, Idon't want to getonthe boat. Where'sit going and why isn'tdaddycoming with?" By the time they're at the Inn, she's asleep, though she wakes up long enough for a sip of the coffee.
Sigh I might as well make her a remedy in the morning.
Kadjok eyes everyone warily as you enter the saloon. He hands Cogs the coffee and talks with Grace about negotiating for a room.
"Heard whatcha did fer Naya. I appreciate th' help. So th' one that roughed 'er up good's dead? You folk're right by me now. I gots two room available fer ya, tree beds each. Ya can stay 'ere anytime, free of charge. If ya need a place t' lay low, we gots a room downstairs behind th' storeroom."
"We need a room in which to inter this halfling... By the eastern Saints she does not handle her liquor well..."
Grace hearing of the secret room speaks, "I would take the room below."
Grace then decides that speaking to the bartender might reveal valuable information about the feeling she felt as she surveyed the town on her walk...
"I need some information if you would oblige me barkeep, I seek the Black Abbot and the supposed "renegade" congregations he leads... An hour ago I walked this town to seek out anyone who possessed the "gift". I found no one but I felt eyes upon me...and the not the eyes of those frightened by the Occult...
What I felt was the gaze of hatred, I wonder if any of the Abbot's cults have a presence in this town... You are the barkeep, you pick things up. Have you seen anything or anyone who you felt was just wrong?"
Vera continues to snore on Grace's shoulders.
After seeing that Vera is safely asleep, Cogs queries Grace about the wrong feeling she experienced. He makes a trip to the hardware store to pick up some spare parts for his gear, keeping an eye out for things that were out of place.
"Th' room below's for hiding out. Access is 'ere behind th' bar. Th' two room upstairs're for ya to stay as long as ya like. As for that Black Abbot fella an' his ilk, I ain't seen or heard nothin' related t' him in years. As for those with "the gift," well, yer th' only one t' come t' this town in months. Last "gifted" was a girl, maybe mid-twenties. She was a cute lil' thing too. Caught th' eyes of James though and went and charmed her way int' his gang. Last I heard she fancies herself as some Bandit Princess."
The orgeth bartender looked at the clock behind the bar for a moment, taking in the time.
"It's gettin' late. Ya'll should call it a night. Ain't gonna get much else done t'night. Don't worry, I'll make sure nobody bothers ya."
@Cogs, "I don't know what it was but I felt something... It was like the gaze of hatred bore into my back... We would do well to take one room and set watches."
With that Grace will retire with Vera to a room.
"A Society renegade... This needs to be handled delicately...and I don't do delicate."
Grace looks Relik dead in the eye, her gaze isn't like what she pulled off with Dek and his "mentor" but still it is clearly a sign of the occult...
"I know this quite well, intimately you might say. As for my intentions I will do as the Templar code demands, I will defend the occult, I shall immolate those who would kill innocent children for just being born with the gift and if required I will lay down my life to perform my sacred charge."
"I am not concerned as how the Marshal perceives me, Deputy. I will obey the laws established by the Compact within reason..."
Grace herself lowers her voice, "another matter needs to be dealt with...that of the mesmer who fancies herself to be James's paramour..."
Vera wakes up long enough to crawl into a bed, and then resumes snoring.
Once everyone had nestled into bed, it was an uneventful night. Everyone awoke in the morning fully refreshed and ready to start a new day. As everyone made their way downstairs to the common room, they were greeted by the smell of freshly cooked eggs and bacon as well as fresh coffee provided by Kadjok. He insisted that he cooked them himself, much to the disbelief and doubts of everyone partaking in the delicious breakfast.
There are no other patrons present in the Saloon this early in the morning, leaving only yourselves and Kadjok's employees. Now would be the most opportune time to plan out your next move.
Vera digs into the food, squinting at the lights in the common room. After a few bites, she looks at the others. "Okay, Dek 'as told us quite a bit about zee Brother'ood. At zee waterfall-'ideout, zere should be only three or four, plus zee leader. I believe we should get moving, unless anyone else 'as other concerns or information." She adjusts the hairpins she put in, poofing her hair up to make her look taller, before fidgeting with the revolver under her jacket.
Grace's tone is disapproving as she looks at Vera, although one can sense that has more to do with the halfling being drunk last night then anything else...
"There is a concern Vera, you were drunk but we may have a society renegade on our hands. Or someone who slipped through our fingers in the first place..."
You can feel a sense of foreboding in Grace as she pauses...her voice is filled with you think pity...
"Hope that she is the latter, the punishment for society renegades is... You do not want to know."
Cogs shows up and orders a big mug of black coffee. "What do you think, sneak around and surprise 'em? Or try to lure 'em out? I wonder if they've heard of us yet."
"I believe surprise eez a good option. Eet eez likely zat sey 'ave not 'eard of us yet, but eef we do not go after zem today, zey weel know. As for zee renegade or your missing person, zis situation eez different zan last night's. Today, eet weel likely be impossible to get zem all to surrender in an ambush, and we weel 'ave to kill zem. Would you say she eez a larger threat zan men with guns? Eef so, she may 'ave to die quickly."
Vera sniffs the air a couple of times. "Meester Cogs, zat coffee smells delicious! I must get one for myself." She orders a mug as big as the dwarf's.
Stumbles down the stairs hair disleveled
Yea that coffee sounds like a reat idea.
Takes a long whiff of the coffee and takes a good drink
aahh! Man I know Prometheus was punished for giving mortals fire, but I think whatever god gave us coffee was punished worse.
looks around that table
So whats the plan?
Grace's voice is analytical but in the last few lines you can detect a faint pique of emotion from her...
"The Mesmer would most certainly be the largest threat, her abilities are those of manipulation and deception... However I am opposed to killing her if it can be avoided, if she is someone who slipped through the cracks it is my responsibility to bring her to the Hollows..."
Grace's tone is realistic as she describes the options available.
"Note however that while I would prefer to take her alive that doesn't mean she has to completely "pristine", bruises and broken bones can heal given enough time. I do not ask you however to take suicidal risks in this regard, as much as I hate to admit it killing her may be unavoidable...
"Mmmm. I believe we should talk to zee Marshal. I believe 'e said something about 'aving 'orses for us. Well, something more my size for me, 'opefully. Once we 'ave mounts, We should go scout out zis 'ideout. In zee meantime, zough...Meester Doctor, Do you still 'ave zee map?" Vera looks at Brandon expectantly, eager to make a strategy for assaulting the bandit lair.