"Try and leave a marker for us to follow. Maybe we will be done soon and can come and aid you."
Lucia smiles warmly at Isabeau as she settles her own hand over the one placed on her shoulder. She takes her free hand and places it on Isabeau's cheek and lowers her head as she begins to whisper:
"Blessed Ezra, Our Guardian in the Mists, She who sacrificed Herself to fill the Hollow,
Healer of the sick, protector of the weak, guide to the lost,
To You we pray. Watch over us, Your people. Take us under Your protection,
Show us the light when we are lost in darkness, defend us when the Legions of the Night draw close,
Lead us to our place in the Grand Scheme, and bring us through the night to the shelter of peace."
Lucia slowly raises her head with a warm smile.
Do not fret over me too much dear Isabeau. Ezra has guided us this far. I have faith that our paths will cross again soon. I personally hope that I can finish my work swiftly so you do not have to follow me down to confront this darkness, but do not let your guard down. I may be facing evil magic, but you face the evil of man. Be safe my sister.
Adjusting her pack as Isabeau, Stenrick and Bliznap depart, she offers her departing friends a last glance before turning to the others to encourage the three that they should do the same.
”Perhaps a song with a play on 'a net' — like fishermen caring for a precious net? Or a series of animals caught by a net and the boastful hunter? Most of the songs I sing sound like birdsongs and have very few actual words.”
Isabeau was quiet and subdued after parting from Lucia... she could not help herself from fretting over her safety. But that would not return her to her side, accomplishing her task was the only way to do that.
As Stanrick spoke of coded lyrics, Isabeau perked up some and found some relief in turning her mind to the task.
"Yes, that sounds like a good place to start. Let's see..."
She scribbles a few moments, scratching something out here and there as she goes and finally offers the lyrics for Stanrick and Bliznap to review.
'They say a fisherman is wed to the sea,
though a dark and treacherous, cold lass she be.
His fishwife is but his mistress by comparison,
though she cares for him and warms his blood by her bosom.
Pity the fishwife, who is left ashore to fret,
and work her own hair to make him a net.
She awaits his return, in silent repose
her fear for her love like the thorn of the rose.'
I say, most excellent. Is there anything you can't do miss?
Bliznap says with a smile.
The gates to Misericordia's grounds are open, and only a pair of bored-looking, black-armored guards keep watch, inquiring about the business of those who approach, and confiscating weapons. At the boathouse itself, you see a stronger, more alert force in Baton's blue and gold livery.
Also, as far as waterskin/guns go, I'm just going to go ahead and treat it as a ranged touch attack with a range of 5'. Meaning that you'll take a -2 for every square further than adjacant. You'll also have to deal with penalties for targets in melee, etc. Not trying to be harsh, but hey it's a weaponized waterskin.
Bliznap will have given up his weapons when asked.
Looks like Baton has upped the guard. Hopefully it is not to difficult to gain entrance. Let's try to get ourselves added to the entertainers list.
The quiet is more oppressive than even the disturbing noises were. Garold steps up closer to
Wendel, eyes wide...shaking...and looks around, trying to steel himself.
"You are a stalwart ally, Garold. We face darkness but I'm glad to have you at my side." The warrior gives him a firm look, trying to repay him for the courage he'd given Wendel earlier. "Listen, it would seem that our fiendish enemies are retreating before Lucia's commanding words."
Wendel maintains the swing of his flail as he rounds the sacristy to see what's become of their potential opponents. Deep down, he's hoping they're not in the same condition as the acolyte earlier.
Torn between chasing whatever was ahead and going straight to the source, Lucia moves to the alter gritting her teeth trying to keep focused. As she begins to inspect the alter she mumbles more to herself than to anyone else.
Just outside the city, was a derelict chapel with a near identical lay out. There was a stone covering a tunnel entrance leading into the city. The stone was around here somewhere. If we wish to get to the catacombs... Lucia tries to recall the exact layout of the ruined chapel and mimics Isabeau's movements fingering the stone and attempting to pull it up.
Isabeau smiles sheepishly at the bard's praise. "Oh, we all have our limits. Hopefully we won't discover too many today though, eh? I'm afraid I'm more believable as your guard, Master Bliznap, but I will support you however I can."
When they have finished deliberating and approach the Misercordia, she also surrenders her weapons, though it takes her a moment as she turns over a pair of shortswords, a sap, dagger, her spiked gauntlet from her wrist and her short bow and quiver. She grins and shrugs at the glances she draws, and says only "Luck favors the prepared, eh?"
Here, a half dozen blue-and-gold liveried soldiers wait, far more alert than the Borcan guards at the gate. As you approach, spears are lowered to point at you, and the officer in charge scowls as he looks at you. He consults a scroll, and then looks again, studying the gnome intently.
The scroll drops to the flagstones as his hand reaches for his sword, and the others step forward, closing ranks.
"What is your business here, Bliznap?" the officer says, hostility and a certain amount of fear plain in his tone.
It takes only a moment for Lucia to find the stone behind the altar. It is a ten foot by ten foot chunk of marble, after all. Finding the means of opening it takes a few moments, but it is counterbalanced well enough that once she finds the catches that release it, it tilts up revealing a stairway that leads into the ground. The walls are finished and dressed stone, and the ceiling is vaulted as the stairway twists out of sight.
The grinding of the mechanism drowns out any other sound, but as it stops, Lucia hears soft breathing coming from the door to the sacristy.
To entertain of course, why else would I be here? I was summoned to entertain Lord Baton and his guests by the Lady. Now move aside so that we may pass.
He says with a waving gesture.
Of course, if you would like to keep them waiting. I am sure they are very patient; wouldn't you agree?
He says sarcastically putting his violin case on the ground gently and beginning to take a seat on it.
Garold steps up to guard Lucia, terrified of what he expects to find...and watches what she's doing.
You...need help?
Along the way to the boathouse, Stanrick appears to take great delight in naming the flowers and shrubs, but he is confused why the hedges are so strait. ”Why would anyone find beauty in such a non-natural shape? If you want straight lines, build a stonewall...or a fence. I guess that’d work.”
When the spears get lowered towards the group, Stanrick holds his open hands in front of his chest. ”Not the reception I expected,” he murmurs to Bliznap. He looks over his shoulder. ”They can’t kill us for trying to sing a song can they?”
"Yes, surely Master Baton and his honored guests would not miss the chance to be the first to hear a new verse penned in homage of the pending nuptials?" Following his lead, Isabeau tries to adopt Bliznap's casual attitude.
Wendel takes an involuntary step forward as the secret passage opens behind the altar. "Careful, my lady, perhaps I should go first in case there's trouble."
He takes a look down the stairs, listening intently, shield upraised and ready, flail at his side to avoid accidentally hitting one of his comrades.
"Of course," he says, smoothly, bowing courteously. The other guards raise their spears one by one, some uncertain, others seeming to believe that the threat has passed. "Please, come inside and I will inform Lord Baton that his Lady has sent musicians."
He leads you into the building's foyer, and then up a flight of stairs to a luxurious apartment. Every stick of furniture is of the very best workmanship, of rare materials, and anything that could be gilded has been. The room you are in is a spacious sitting room, and he indicates a corner opposite the door you came in and the other door, which seems to lead to a porch, from the sunlight streaming in.
"If you'll wait here a moment, I will announce you," he says. He gives a quick bow and walks out, onto the porch.
Wendel grinds his teeth and whispers, "Something flees down the stairs, a light is moving away. Shall we pursue?"
Pausing a moment he withdraws a sunrod from his belt and holds it up, inquiring from the others if he should ignite it.
Garold nods emphatically, and peers into the darkness, biting on his lip to avoid showing exactly how terrified he is.
Heh, getting in was easy. Let's hope that we can finish what we came here for before the Lady recognizes me.
Bliznap says quietly and quickly.
Bane follows to the edge of the stairs. "Do we proceed?" he asks to Lucia. Bane still holds his falchion in his hand.
In response to Garold's nod, Wendel strikes the sunrod and holds it aloft to get a better look around the immediate area of the cathedral, then pans the light down towards the spiral staircase.
The hidden stairway behind the altar is only a few steps (ten feet, for those who are counting) from the door to the sacristy. The stairs wind down out of sight. On the altar itself are the instruments of Ezra's faith, a silver longsword, a kite shield and a sprig of belladonna.
There is no mistaking the way his expression changes when he sees Bliznap, however quickly he tries to hide it. It is a look of fury, and his hand twitches towards his sword before he masters himself.
"You say it was her Grace that sent you?" he says, not quite managing to sound pleasant.
The officer, meanwhile, crosses to the door to the stairwell.
Garold peers into the stairwell...almost hoping he won't see anything... but even more afraid of missing something horrible.
Taking care to be quiet, he moves ahead, and down the stairs until he's able to see as far as the light allows.
Isabeau places her hand on Stanrick's shoulder and whispers to him,
And then moves to stand protectively beside Bliznap, observing the Lord and his men and trying to get a sense if they are in danger here.
Wendel leads the way down the stairs.
Lucia bites her lip with indecision. Every fiber in her body drives her to clear out the Church before moving on, but the pressing matter of the necromancer who had access to all the dead he he could possibly want or need for raising. She was glad that the decision was made for her as Wendel lead the way. She replaces the stopper on the waterskin and lets it hang at her belt. She follows in suite moving slowly behind him as she moves into spell casting.
Estu'natre devitus protusin fel!
She presses her palms together as she begins the incantation. In a fluid motion at the middle of the of the casting, she places her right hand over her heart then over her stomach for a quick moment before moving it into a one handed praying position. She then clenches her fist and holds it behind her shield making sure not to touch herself or anyone else until she needs to discharge the spell.
Stanrick nods to Isabeau’s whisper. He shifts his cloak to reveal the pin in his collar then rubs near the base of his neck, clearing his throat, one finger tapping near the pin Marissa gave him.
”This tension isn’t good for my voice,” he says, clearing his throat again. He shifts slightly attempting to get the pin to gleam with reflected light.
Bliznap bows graciously and pushes Isabeau aside gently.
Yes M'Lord, she hired us as entertainment as she prepares a pre-nuptial gift for you... Oops, shouldn't have said that.
He says with a chuckle.
Roughly 40 feet down the passage is a cross passage, you see the light reflected off the stone coming from the left side of the fork. The passages here are narrow, barely 5' wide. On either side, alcoves full of corpses are separated by walls, the ends of which form columns that support the arched ceiling. According to local legend, the catacombs are a vast labyrinth. The dead are said to outnumber the living in the city above by two to one, or far more, depending on the teller of the tale.
"A strange thing happened last night," he says. "Assassins attempted to kill me while I was ... attending to personal matters. I was fortunate enough to escape unharmed. One of them, as it turns out, was a gnome."
One of his courtiers draws a rapier. He is a young man, with a familial resemblance to Baton, but Alain turns, holding his hand out to stop the younger man.
"This morning, I find another gnome has been sent to me, as a gift from My Lady," there isn't anything resembling affection in his tone when he speaks of her. Very much the opposite. His eye cuts to Stanrick, and he adjusts his collar, showing a similar pin. "Yet you come bearing signs of friendship. I expect you have a story to tell me. It will be better if the story you tell is the truth."
The officer and the courtiers look completely baffled.
Stanrick bows to Lord Baton and clears his throat one last time. He smooths the front of his shirt then rests his hands at his sides. Taking a deep breath, he smiles at Bliznap and Isabeau, clearly eager to sing.
”Lord Baton, we’ve a song specially prepared for you,” he says. ”Lyrics written by the charming and lovely Isabeau,” he flourishes his hand towards Isabeau. ”Bliznap?”
Following closely behind Wendel, Lucia peers around warily at the number of dead surrounding the group. Her relief that these three decided to join her was plainly seen as her eyes darted up and down each alcove they passed. The sound of straining leather could be heard as the grip on her shield tightened.
What is wrong little one. Scared of a few corpses?
Your point is noted. With that being said, you should leave these idiots behind and leave!
Will the two of you be quiet?! I am trying to focus here. There may be danger around us.
Lucia did not even realize she was using her "outside voice" as she watched for any movement from the dead surrounding them.
Are you saying that all Gnomes look alike? I take offence to that. And to think that the great Bliznap is an assassin? Hardly.
Bliznap turns to Stanrick.
Of course we do, and if I might say, the song should speak to you when you hear it.
He pauses for a moment.
Are we to play here, or will a stage or performance area be arranged for us, M'Lord?
Bliznap says bowing graciously.
Garold looks at Lucia and blinks a couple of times...and does his best to still the shaking and be absolutely silent...staying close by Wendel.
"The cockroach takes offence," he says. "I cannot say that I mind offending you, knee-biter, since you came last night to kill me. Did your Mistress not instruct you where you were to perform, mite? If you have a message, deliver it swiftly, before I decide to decorate my blade with your miniscule innards."
Wendel steps forward towards where he saw the light at the end of the passage. "I think I see some light up ahead and to the left. Be ready for anything."
He looks over to Garold and gives him a nod of certainty. "Courage, Garold. We are doing the rightful work of Ezra now. Take your courage from the goddess, my friend."
Feeling the walls close in on him, the warrior hooks his flail to his belt and draws his longsword, holding it in the downward guard along the top of his shield. Should something leap from the shadows, he feels confident in his ability to stab immediately forward.
Gripped in his left hand along with the handle to his shield is the sunrod, casting light before them and giving him the waning feeling of some protection.
Sensing the deadly mood, Isabeau shakes her head. "I don't think they are in the mood for music, Stan."
"Is it possible you're mistaken, my lord? You look well to me, so maybe an assassination was thwarted, rather than carried out. Perhaps 'personal matters' have sent us here on your behalf. 'Personal matters' that should remain private. We disarmed ourselves just as you asked, we mean you no harm. Are you certain this greeting is warranted?"
Bliznap is not happy with being insulted, and his facial expression immediately changes from happy to vindictive. He completely drops the facade and is now set to lash back with the same punishing tone. Very swiftly he exclaims.
Your mistress, whom you conducted "personal business" with last night, wished for us to pass a message to you discretely. I see that the facade is no longer necessary, and that everyone in the current company is aware of her existence. Now we can pass this message onto you privately, or I can just let everyone know how you are involved with the lady, and then turn her over to your betrothed as originally instructed.
Bliznap stares back at Baton without flinching or blinking.
Perhaps you should be more trusting of those willing to help you rather than insult them when they are privy to information you don't want shared.
Baton listens to the gnome and sighs dramatically, sitting heavily in a very comfortable looking armchair. He turns to the youth with the drawn sword.
"Angelo, will you inform Lady Boritsi that her gnome has come and that he is upset."
The young man wears the expression of a child being sent away while the grown-ups speak, but he sheathes his sword and walks to the door. The officer of the guard opens the door to allow him to leave.
"You haven't denied that you were the gnome that was outside my lover's front door last night at the same time that three men were killed outside her back door," Baton observes when the young man has gone. "Setting that aside for the moment, you're wasting my time. You have now been invited twice to deliver your message, but instead you take offense because you were recognized. Very well. You are either an assassin, or a hired musician who won't play. Either way, your honor is of no consequence to me."
He turns towards Isabeau and Stanrick.
"Are either of you privy to substance of this supposed message, or shall I return you with Bliznap to she who sent you?"
Bliznap looks at the man accusing him and thinks about how he will repay the treatment he has been shown. For now he remains quiet and begins to postulate his next move.
He leads you into the building's foyer, and then up a flight of stairs to a luxurious apartment. Every stick of furniture is of the very best workmanship, of rare materials, and anything that could be gilded has been. The room you are in is a spacious sitting room, and he indicates a corner opposite the door you came in and the other door, which seems to lead to a porch, from the sunlight streaming in.
Accusing him directly will probably create a gnome-sized bump in the road he is travelling along in his steamroller of wealth & nobility. After all, he is Lord Baton, betrothed to the undisputed Mistress of the realm. In terms of power and influence, the difference between the two of you is sort of hard to conceive of, and he's surrounded by his countrymen. In six days he will be the second most powerful person in Borca. On the other hand, if the rumors about his bride-to-be are true, in seven days he'll be dead.
You could move the clock up on the whole dead thing by persuading his bride-to-be that he's in with rebels, but this is an extremely dangerous course of action. After all, they're engaged, and she's exactly the type of psychopathic dictator who's likely to kill the messenger.
You might get traction by finding other people - people who actually have real influence - to do your dirty work for you. The best choice for this would have been Feodro Zari, but he was killed night before last. Carmello Inchiso, the head jailer, might be useful. Ivan Dilisnya, head of the Enforcers and Emilia Sarac, the chief procuratrix could also be useful, but the waters of politics in Borca are dangerous at best.
Spreading the word to the public would be another option, but also dangerous. If it's working, he'll be after you as soon as he hears of it, and there's a 50/50 chance that you'll turn him into a folk hero.
If you have other ideas, I'm happy to help. I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to achieve except in the most general way.
Isabeau raises her hand in a stalling gesture before Angelo leaves with his message.
"Wait, Lord Baton, please. The Lady Boritsi did not send us. We came at the urging of your Annette. She is safely hidden and I will tell you where privately. I'm sure you trust your men, but when I agree to something I do not take half-measures. The Dark Lady knows of her presence here and I won't risk her safety. I will tell you alone, Lord Baton."
She extends her arms to show she means no harm and if he allows it, she will move close to him and whisper.
Witnessing the interaction between Lord Baton and Bliznap, Stanrick remains quiet, unsure of how to act in this situation, clearly a little disappointed they wouldn’t be singing. There are social forces here he doesn’t understand. Knowing the ways of a wolf pack is one thing, but knowing the manners and expectations of city life is another.
Isabeau does what they probably should have done in the first place.
Stanrick puts his arms behind his back, standing at rest, waiting for Lord Baton’s reaction.