At Tallak's offer, Korriban goes over it in his head. 'Spying on my friends? Betraying Celia... and Imperia? Absolutely not. I won't betray her. But... as long as the Five Fists are around, they'll be in danger. Okay, Korriban. Remember what Mom said. "Think over your situation and turn it to your advantage." So, the situation... Pia sold me out to an Ulfen agent of the Five Fists for drugs. Said agent, Tallak, is a member of a group that's interested in Cheliaxians for their well-being. Yeah, b******t. There's something else going on. He also wants me to give information on Imperia and her sister and keep tabs on them. And he's offering to compensate me. And he's flirting with me. There's no goons that I can see and he hasn't noticed the smokestick. Now, that I understand what's going on... time to bring it to my advantage.'
Korriban smiles. "Whoa there. Hold on for a moment. While the offer seems good, I would like to know a few things before making a decision. First, how did you find out about the Winthrune sisters? Second, why are you asking me specifically to do this? Third, why are you interested in Cheliaxians being safe by leaving the city? If that's the case, why not get the Queen to leave for her safety? Last I checked, she's Cheliaxian."
Strange, Raina thinks as she watches the Varisian woman out of the corner of her eye, it was not long ago that I thought this fortune-telling stuff was total crap... but now I'm worried about my dreams and getting a ghost to look into my future. She chuckles quietly to herself. I might be strung-up, but I really have changed a lot in just a few days... there is just so much going on...
Gadriel wakes from the drizzle, and for the first time realizes she can just duck back under a roof to get out of the rain without worrying about imps or other vermin fighting for the dry spaces. Using her cloak to dry an irritated and wet Abu, she sets about doing a little more cleaning before venturing out for food. Nervous, and unused to using coins for their intended purpose she pays nearly double for the basket of bread, cheese, and fruit. Still, as she enjoys a slow breakfast with Abu, she looks forward to seeing her friends again. "Such odd things happen when we are with them."
When you arrive at the Hospital of the Dawnflower, a small cramped-looking building just north of Pillar Hill Boulevard, you thread your way inside. A harried-looking orderly comes up to you as you stand in the vestibule, gazing around. "Yes? What can I do for you, eh?"
As far as you can tell, all of this seems genuine...if a bit strange.
Zellara smiles and nods, scooping the cards together and shuffling them one final time before fanning them. "Let us begin, then. First...the Choosing." She holds the cards out to you, and waits as you pull one forth. Turning it over, you see a card that appeared in your first reading: The Winged Serpent. Zellara smiles when you show her the card.
"A good omen indeed, child. The Winged Serpent forms the bridge between your knowledge and your caution, and means that you have yoked the two to the same plow. Your instincts are in line with the universe at the moment; you will know when to strike when you have to, and when to hold your hand. Or fist, for you, I suppose." She chuckles, and folds the card back into the deck, reshuffling. "Now...for the past."
Laying out three cards face down, she flips them over one by one, from the top to the bottom: The Carnival, The Vision, and a card that you've never seen before: The Avalanche. Zellara frowns as the cards lie on the table, glittering in the candlelight.
"Well," she says at last. "These are not happy cards--but they are in the past, and that is well. First, the Carnival suggests that in your past lay false dreams, illusions, or imprudent plans. Oddly, this card appears in the position suggesting beneficial parts of your past...perhaps a plan that bore fruit despite its being ill-conceived? The next card is in a more neutral position; the Vision often represents arcane or hidden knowledge. It could indicate the importance of a meeting with one who knows the secrets of magic...or, on the other hand, it could indicate the importance of a madman you have met." Her eyes flick up towards yours, across the table. "I suspect both readings could hold, for you." Bending back to the cards, she frowns. "Most potent in the past is the Avalanche: the disaster card. It represents an unthinking thing, a force of nature almost, that destroys all in its past. I suspect that here it signifies the events of the last few days...there is little more unthinking than a mob."
Zellara frowns and shakes her head. "Well, that told us little we do not already know...let us see what appears next." She draws another three cards, and reveals them: the flames in the back of an angry crowd seem to flicker in The Uprising, an eyeball stares up at you from The Mute Hag's mouth, and a vivid green, paper dragon sparkles in The Theater. Zellara licks her lips.
"There is...much happening now, in Korvosa. Though I doubt you needed a Harrowing to tell you that." She shakes her head, and frowns. "The Uprising is clear enough--that can only refer to the recent unrest, this dissatisfaction with the Queen. It is a reminder that what is going on is bigger than you, bigger than your group--mighty forces are moving here, and people throughout the city are on the move, either physically or spiritually. And yet this card appears in the most hopeful position of the spread so far...below it, the Mute Hag stares at the secret pacts and betrayals that have been made, the agreements in the dark that can split people apart and topple kingdoms. Perhaps these agreements have been made on both sides--her position undercuts the perverse blessing of the Uprising, suggesting perhaps that not all who rise have the purest of motives. And finally, the Theater, strongly aligned in a negative position: a card, in this case, of false prophecy, a warning against those who would claim to know the ways of the world and the course that anything will take. A warning that events cannot be known, that when the world shifts, little can be done to predict how it will look when it settles. Zellara's fingers play over the sparkling cards as her eyes rove restlessly over the surface. "One thing I feel most strongly: the unrest in Korvosa--the pain--is not yet come to an end. A deep anger has been stirred in the heart of the city--a deep outrage--and its energy is not yet spent." She plucks three more cards off the deck. "The future, then."
As she lays them out, the colors seem almost to burst off the table: the somber tones of The Beating, the blue sky and earthy colors of The Juggler, and, most vividly of all, the poisonous green dripping off the blade shown in The Snakebite. Zellara sits back, eyeing the cards coolly. There is a brief pause before she finally speaks again.
"It would seem that the current calamity will be one not just dangerous physically, but spiritually as well. The Snakebite--" she taps the bottom-most card--"is a card of great evil, a card that portends the death of freedom, of happiness, of all thee intangible things that we hold most dear. The card's poison spreads easily, infecting the minds, the spirits, the very souls of everyone involved in this titanic shift. Whether all will come right is difficult to know: that much the Juggler's position, teetering between good and evil, tells us. Some things are out of your hands; all you can do is to try your best to do what you can. The one ray of hope here--for the second time in my Harrowing for you, I notice--is the Beating." She looks up at you and smiles. "Although not a hopeful card, the Beating suggests that even in the midst of this strife, this pain...there is an unexpected reserve of strength to be found. In Korvosa. In your companions. In yourself, Raina. Whatever happens..." Zellara smiles and reaches out toward you. "Remember that whatever happens, Raina, you will find a way to endure." As her hand touches yours, she vanishes, melting away into the air until you are, once again, alone in your room.
"Good morn to you. I sent a ...sum of money to be donated here by way of an Abadarian. I'd just like to make sure it got here."
Korriban thinks for a moment, stroking his slowly growing stubble. 'Something tells me that bad things are about to happen. I need to inform the others. Maybe the guard as needed. But how do I get away from this guy without confrontation and keep him in the dark? Hmm... maybe that will work.'
Korriban looks to Tallak. "The offer seems good. But it's a lot to take in. How about this? You give me a week to think it over and come to a decision. After that, I'll give you my answer. Deal?"
Raina, left with more questions than answers than before she started, immediately slumps into bed with a heavy sigh. Eventually she might get up to have dinner, but for the most part, she's content to mull over these supposed portents and drift off to sleep. Hopefully this time she won't be dreaming of beatings and avalanches...
The orderly's face suddenly turns sunny. "So you're the anonymous donor who went through the Bank of Abadar! Yes, yes, of course, we have it in safekeeping!" He takes you in more fully and looks slightly doubtful. "Er...we were told it was an anonymous donation...I don't suppose you're here to change that?"
"Of course, you need time," Tallak says with a magnanimous chuckle. "But I'm afraid I can't spare a whole week. Events are moving quickly in this city, and I'd hate for anything to happen to one of the Winthrune sisters. In three days I'll send Pia to you again. Be sure you have an answer for me at that point." With a chuckle, he turns and strides away, bare flesh seemingly unbothered by the cold rain. He doesn't glance back once as he proceeds to the end of the alley and exits to the street.
As the morning goes on, you don't see any of your friends; however, it occurs to you that they would probably want to know what happened to the bad men you all caught the day before yesterday. Perhaps they're at the "trial" that Field Marshall Kroft spoke of, down in Citadel Volshyenek.
Your dreams that night are filled with nothing stranger than your usual nightmares, and mercifully fewer of those. You wake in the morning feeling fairly refreshed, to find a city covered in drizzle, with a muted atmosphere. It occurs to you that Vancaskerkin and the Cow Hammer Boys' trial is today...other than that, you know of nothing in particular going on.
As you head into the galleries of the courtroom that afternoon, you note that they're not as full as they might be on another day. Court sessions can make fairly popular entertainment in law-focused Korvosa, but it looks like the rain has kept would-be spectators at home. As you (and any of the rest of your party who come) settle into benches near the front of the civilians' seats, a Guard sergeant rings a small brass gong to call the courtroom to order. At another strike of the gong, a side door is opened and the seven men--Vancaskerkin and his followers--are herded in, manacled hand and foot, and seated on a long bench at the front of the courtroom. Two uniformed members of the Guard follow them, and Field Marshall Kroft brings up the rear of the party. As the Guards and Kroft stand at attention, the gong rings again, and a stern-looking woman in an arbiter's robe sweeps in, ascending to take her place at the open seat (more of a throne, really) of the arbiter.
"The City of Korvosa charges against former Korvosan Guard Sergeant Verik Vancaskerkin and his followers, six men known collectively as 'the Cow Hammer Boys,'" the Guard acting as majordomo declaims formally. "We beg Arbiter Zenobia Zenderholm to hear this case."
"I will hear the case, Guard," the woman on the chair says in clipped tones, picking up and skimming a scroll presented to her by another on-duty Guard. "Proceed."
And so the trial begins, more or less as you would expect such an event to go; each of the Cow Hammer Boys is called to testify, alternately begging, whining, or pleading for their innocence. Zenderholm stares down at each of them impassively as they make their cases--usually to be refuted by someone from the neighborhood of the butcher shop who knows the truth, or damning each other by their own half-true testimony in their eagerness to be acquitted. At one point, Kroft ushers in a couple of guards carrying a massive tub that trails a cloud of buzzing flies. One of the two describes how they and several others were assigned to go investigate All the World's Meat yesterday, to look for clues.
"And what did they find in a pit in the corner of the slaughter room?" Kroft asks rhetorically, overturning the tub. A grisly jumble of bones--many with flesh still clinging to them--tumble out. Hands, feet, a few skulls. "Mixed in with the waste of normal animal butchery were the remains of nearly half-a-dozen humanoids. Arbiter, the evidence clearly suggests that the so-called Cow Hammer Boys were slaughtering their victims in the same facility as the animals they butchered, and quite possibly selling the meat to the populace as well."
The guard who testified glowers at the gang. "Not to mention contributing a pest problem," he growls. "Lommy nearly lost a hand to the two huge damn reefclaws the waste had attracted."
Vancaskerkin looks slightly sick; some of the younger members of the gang don't look well either. Zenderholm calls a recess, and you all stand up to stretch your legs.
During the recess, Kroft approaches you. "So you decided to come see this through to the end, did you?" she asks, nodding. "Good. That's as it should be." She glances at Zenderholm, then leans forward and speaks in a more conspiratorial whisper. "I wonder if, when we get to Vancaskerkin, some of you wouldn't mind testifying as to your experiences with him...Zena's a great arbiter, but she can be...overzealous. I want the truth to come out, of course, but if Verik truly had no idea what the others were doing I don't want him to hang for their crimes. What he'll get is bad enough."
The gong rings again, signalling an end to the recess.
Later, at the trial, Teodor raises his hand. "I wish to share the truth."
After Tallak leaves and Korriban is sure he's gone, the rogue breathes a sigh of relief. He places his smokestick in its proper pouch. He runs for Lancet and walks through the door. Seeing Gadriel, he smiles and says, "Hey. Sorry I'm late. I just got caught up in something. Something very important. Something we need to talk to the others about. In secrecy. Vancaskerkin's trial is today. Let's go."
The walk seems to be boring Korriban. Not to mention he seems distracted. Probably about what happened to him earlier today. Eventually, a look of mischief appears. "Hey, Gadriel. How about a race? First one to the courthouse wins."
No matter the victor, Korriban arrives to the Trial, slightly wet from the drizzle. He finds his seat and watches over the event. Seeing Imperia, he whispers to her, "I need to talk to you. In private, away from prying eyes and ears. It's very important."
Korriban easily recognizes the Arbiter. 'So the Hanging Judge is taking over, huh? This might not end well for Vancaskerkin.' At the sight of the bones and the revelations that the gang was supporting cannibalism, Korriban's jaw drops and he whispers, "By Calistria's honeyed thighs." At the recess, he listens to Kroft's request. He smirks and says, "Do you really have to ask if I'll testify? I was planning on doing it anyway. Oh, by the way, could we meet after the trial? Just want to see if you have any more jobs for us." He subtly winks at her, showing that he needs to meet with her. But for a different reason.
When court is back in session and Vancaskerkin is brought forth, Korriban raises his hand and says, "I'd like to testify, if that's possible."
This was the perfect kind of day to stay in bed all day, Raina notes blearily upon waking, later than usual as a result of the grey rainclouds blocking her usual alarm clock--the mid-morning sun. Nevertheless, the nibbling reminder in the back of her head that the trial was today eventually encourages her to leave the warmth and comfort of under her covers, bathing and munching on some half-stale bread before donning her new chain-link armour. A strange and unfamiliar weight upon her shoulders... she fingers the chain shirt, finding it uncomfortable but knowing that it would be better protection from danger than her old leathers. With a sigh, Raina slips a shirt on over the top and heads on down across the city to the courtroom.
Compared to the usual courtroom-goer, Raina looks considerably out-of-place in her shabby, rough-and-tumble clothing, and doubly so from how drenched she got from walking through the rain all this time. She is nevertheless unheeding of the dark glares she gets for tramping mud through the courtroom galleries, and takes up a seat nearby some familiar faces.
For the most part, the testimony process bores her, and she very nearly drifts off to sleep more than once. However, when the tub of grizzle is brought in as evidence, she sits up, straight-backed, her eyes wide in shock and disgust. "I... I was right?" she says quietly, slack-jawed. "They were... selling people... to eat..." Raina goes somewhat green in the face.
When Kroft approaches them with a request to testify, Raina stays quiet, merely arching an eyebrow in response. She'd never heard of this judge, and she certainly didn't really feel like taking the stage at this point, but... well, we'll see.
Kroft's eyebrows climb at Korriban's suggestion--and she clearly picks up on the hidden message--but she says nothing, only nodding when some of you affirm your desire to help. "Very well," she says. "I'll call on you when the time comes."
Once everyone is seated again, the trial resumes, and before too long they've finished with the other six men and bring Vancaskerkin to the stand. Once again, members of the Guard who have investigated the butcher shop come to testify, speaking to the respect the other men were known to give Vancaskerkin before he defected, as well as the paperwork they found there suggesting that he was running an illegal charity giving meat away to families.
Verik, for his part, looks gaunt and sleepless, and when he's called to give an accounting for himself, he's direct: "What with the Queen so recently on the throne and the king so recently dead, I figured that now'd be a good time to establish myself as a separate businessman--as it were--in town. I figured the Guard wouldn't have enough resources to deal with me, and I could build a network and do some good by spreading the free meat around. I never--I never--knew what the others were up to. Far as I was concerned, we were just trying to do a bit o' good." He clamps his mouth shut and looks down, testimony evidently finished.
Kroft stands in the silence that follows. "Arbiter, as we've heard from each of the accused and several investigators, at this point I'd like to request that we hear testimony from the special expeditionary force the Guard hired to subdue Vancaskerkin and his men." Zenderholm nods, and Kroft calls each of you who's volunteered, one by one, up to testify.
When he's called, Korriban walks to the chair. He sits down and begins his story. "We got our assignment from Field Marshall Kroft: to find Vancaskerkin and bring him in. We made our way to the butcher shop. Along the way, we came across an... acquaintance of ours who informed us of odd dealings at the butcher's. So when we got there, we brought it up to the guards at the counter. Baldrago and Malder, I believe they were. Anyway, we're talking and they're asking us if we want anyone killed. Tempers start flaring and Baldrago leaves into the back. Eventually, we decide to detain Malder so we can continue into the shop. I listen for sounds and it turns out the Malder has assembled the rest of his gang so that they would shoot us when we opened the door. Through a lengthy battle, we detained all of the Cow Hammers. Verik eventually comes down the stairs. We explain what was going on. He was shocked to say the least. He had no idea that his boys where running an illegal side business of murder. Bet he didn't even know that he was selling human flesh. The guy was trying to do right in these dark times. I don't know him personally. But after seeing him so broken, I'm willing to vouch for him."
Gardiel smiles at Korriban when he shows up at 3 Lancet, offering him the remains of her breakfast.
The sprint to the Courthouse is a tight race until the end, where Korriban's longer legs and stamina win out over the girls youthful speed. She stays close to Korriban as they enter, the number of people and confined space causes her to pale slightly. Her color returns a bit when she sees the rest of the group.
Gadriel watches the proceedings with a quizzical eye, Abu watching intently. When offered the chance to speak, she quickly shakes her head no. "We do not thing we could speak in front of so many. Abu would speak, though, if anyone else understands him."
As the time to testify draws upon them, Adoros clears his throat and follows Korriban in giving his testimony, "Your honor, I am Adoros Porthis of Cheliax, lately of Korvosa, and the testimony I give today I pledge as the whole truth as experienced by myself. As my comrade stated, your Honor, we were tasked by the Field Marshal with looking into the issue of deserting members of the guard. We discovered a murder-for-hire operation being ran by these 'Cow Hammer Boys' in the evening hours while hiding behind their 'charitable' activities during the day. When we declared ourselves as agents of the Field Marshal, the men tried all the harder to murder us as to hide their crimes with the only exception being the accused, Vancaskerkin, who on full explanation of the crimes being leveled against them turned himself in under his own power. The remorse and naivety displayed by the accused, Vancaskerkin, seems genuine and he put up no further struggle. Now I know in the eyes of the court that ignorance of the law does not excuse the commission of a crime but in my humble opinion the accused, Vancaskerkin, is at most guilty as an unwitting accomplice. Korvosa, shining jewel of Varisia, has seen much unrest and shedding of blood these last few days so it might serve the city to set some examples of those that wantonly break the law such as the 'Cow Hammer Boys' have done but at the same time, it might do much to help heal the wounds to show mercy to a man who's only crimes are dereliction of duty, a desire to do good for those that cannot do for themselves, and benig a spectacularly poor judge of character in those he keeps company with. Thank you, your Honor."
Korriban smiles at Gadriel and eats what's left of her breakfast. At the end of their race, he smiles, chuckles, and ruffles her hair. "No surprise I beat you. But it was close. I imagine that when you're 19, you could give me a run for my money." He gives her a wink.
When they enter the courthouse, Korriban notices her paling. He places a gentle hand on her shoulder that Abu isn't occupying. "It's okay. I'm here. We're all here. So there's nothing to be scared of. Just let me know if something's wrong. Okay, little sis?"
Zenderholm listens impassively to Korriban and Adoros's testimonies, nodding her simple thanks after each. The rest of the trial is taken up mostly by formalities: a bit more evidence, the closing ceremonies, and then Zenderholm's retirement into her chambers for deliberation. You all mill about for a bit--Kroft's in a quiet conversation with several members of the Guard, but no one seems to expect the decision to take long. It doesn't; Zenderholm reappears barely ten minutes after she left, prompting a new round of gong ringing and people scurrying back to their seats.
The arbiter settles herself into her chair, sitting absolutely still. "After much consideration, and a careful weighing of Abadar's scales," she says formally, "I, Zenobia Zenderholm, empowered arbiter by the grace of Her Majesty Queen Ileosa of Korvosa, first of her name, do find in the matter of the City of Korvosa against the Cow Hammer Boys, the following."
"The six men known as the Cow Hammer Boys at large, I find guilty of the charge of desertion and dereliction of duty, guilty of the charge of running an unlicensed charity, and guilty of multiple charges of murder. The punishment for the six whose names are inscribed here--" she hands a sealed envelope to a Guard at her elbow--"shall be death by hanging, drawing, and quartering in the courtyard of Citadel Volshyenek, four days hence, in accordance with the Korvosan Decree on the Taking of Life of 4534. There is to be no appeal."
"In the case of the leader of this group, one Verik Vancaskerkin, I find him profoundly guilty of the charge of desertion and dereliction of duty, as well as the charge of running an unlicensed charity. I find him innocent of all charges of murder. The punishment for Verik Vancaskerkin shall be branding upon the left cheek with the mark of desertion, followed by one month of imprisonment in Citadel Volshyenek." Here she pauses, and her eyes stray, ever so briefly, to Korriban and Adoros. "In light of Vancaskerkin's avowed--if dubious--claims to be attempting to do good, I hereby remit the usual penalty for running an unlicensed charity. In lieu of losing two fingers, Vancaskerkin shall be required to pay a fine comprising the sum total of his coin and worldly possessions, such that when he begins life anew on his release he shall learn to depend on such charity in others. On his release, he shall be granted a purse of five silver shields, drawn from the funds he has paid."
Zenderholm stands, nodding imperiously to the secretary, Kroft, and the civilians. "The case is so ordered, and this court is now closed." With that, she sweeps out of the room.
As soon as the gong sounds, signalling the complete end of the case, the watchers (and some of the more excitable of the participants) burst into excited chatter. The Cow Hammer Boys are led off, back to the brig; Kroft is deep in conversation with a lieutenant, but waves you over when she catches your eye. "Well, that went...about as well as could be expected, I suppose," she says grimly. "I'm glad Vancaskerkin won't die, though it's a harsh sentence. Still, I thank you for your help in this case."
She pauses slightly. "I seem to recall that there was some...matter of your employment you wished to discuss with me. Go and wait for me in my office; I have some business to take care of now that this is all wrapped up, but I'll be along shortly." With a final-seeming nod, she turns back to the guard.
Pleased that she didn't have to take the box, Raina watches the court proceedings fairly impassively, stifling a yawn as she goes. With Korriban and Adoros down there testifying, she figured all was going to be alright for Vancaskerkin... to the extent that she's legitimately shocked at the harsh sentence laid down on all of them. She chokes back her surprise, biting down hard on her lip to stop herself from yelling out.
Okay... the death penalty for a creepy murder cult... I guess I can understand, Raina reasons with herself, staring in disbelief at Zenderholm. But losing two fingers for running a CHARITY? Losing all your money as a downgrade in the sentence?! What in the hell?! Though she was aware of how unfair the law and order of Korvosa could be, this was the first time she was seeing it in the flesh, so to speak. Raina narrows her eyes and scowls at no-one in particular--just the crazed system that left her city all kinds of messed up. The stupid laws. The upper class. Cheliax in general, really.
Raina is still rather irate when Kroft calls them over, so much so that she merely responds with a curt nod and immediately begins to make her way to Kroft's offices. She doesn't bother waiting for her friends--she's too distracted by clenching her fists and shooting dark looks at any lawyer-looking people she can see.
Hearing the sentence, Korriban's jaw drops in shock. 'What?! How is that a downgrade?! Oh, well. At least he won't die.' At Kroft's comment on Verik, Korriban nods solemnly. "Yeah. But everything's going to be taken away from him and he'll nothing when he's released. Maybe we can help him find employment. Just to help him get back on his feet."
When the rogue enters Kroft's office, Korriban begins pacing, waiting for Kroft. All the while, he mumbles angrily to himself.
You all wait in Kroft's office for a good twenty minutes or so before she arrives, looking irritated. Seeing the looks on several of your faces, she rolls her eyes and holds up a hand. "Don't start with me. I know you all have a soft spot for Vancaskerkin--and I didn't want to see him swing either, for that matter--but he got off lightly. Zena would never mention it in public, but you impressed her. Normal term for desertion is a couple of years in prison, not a month. Vancaskerkin will be just fine when he gets out--as soon as he finds an employer who's all right with hiring a deserter. Shouldn't be too hard, in this city."
She circles around you, sits at her massive desk, and leans forward, rubbing her eyes. "Ye gods...I need sleep. What with the riots yesterday and now this...I've been getting a friend at the Bank of Abadar to cut me deals on prayers to keep me going without sleep, you know that?" She sighs, and drops her hands, shaking her head blearily before focusing on you with a crooked smile. "But I imagine that's not what you're here to talk about. What can I do for you, Korriban? And why couldn't we discuss it out there?"
Korriban sighs and explains, "When we recovered the brooch, there was someone else there. A tiefling. At the time, Imperia's sister was kidnapped and the tiefling was negotiating with Gaedren Lamm in taking her away. Naturally, we saved her. Before he died, the tie fling mentioned that he was part of the Five Fists. This is where it gets interesting. A woman we rescued named Pia came by the Rosa. Left a note saying she wanted to me to talk to me. We met up at the Temple of Aroden this morning. Turns out she lured me out for some shiver. There was an Ulfen there, Tallak. A member of the Five Fists. He offered me to spy on both Imperia and her sister. Says that the Five Fists are a group of Korvosan citizens who want outsiders to feel welcome, especially Cheliaxians. Says he's interested in their well-being, with a particular interest in Imperia and Celia. I, personally, think that's rubbish. Two high class Cheliaxians, both show signs of magical aptitude, and he's concerned about their impression of Korvosa and their well-being? No. Absolutely not. There's something more to this. I thought that I ask the guard for help in this. I managed to convince Tallak for three days time while I "think about it". He will then send Pia out for me to meet with him again. We can't discuss it out there because I'm guessing he probably has people keeping tabs on me. And unfortunately, it could be anyone in the city. The offer for me to become a spy is genuine. I don't think the intentions are pure, though. So, can you help us out? I do have contacts that can get us more information, if you need it. Now that I've met with a member, should be easy."
Raina shoots Korriban a sharp look. "Why the hell didn't you tell us before?!" she grumbles, but it's clear that her annoyance is more out of concern for him than legitimate anger. She sighs in disgust, massaging her temples and shaking her head. "That traitorous little... ugh. You shouldn't have gone out by yourself! Who knows what could've happened to you?!"
Korriban looks at Raina. "I didn't tell you because I didn't know Pia would do such a thing. When we saw her on the way to All World's Meat, she looked like she was doing better. I know it was stupid. Besides, would you really want Celia there with a man who's part of the same organization as the tiefling? Or Imperia? I mean, Lamm and the tiefling were negotiating a price for Celia. Besides, the one of the best parts of receiving training from a group of prostitutes is the ability to talk your way out of trouble. And, it's not like I didn't have an escape plan." He takes out his smokestick. "This would have covered my escape. But... I thank you for the concern, Rai-Rai. Glad to know you're looking out for me." He gives the boxer a grateful smile. His face grows serious. An odd expression to see on him. "But, what matters is that we have an opening. We need to find out more information on the Five Fists and to come up with a plan. We only have three days and I'm not turning into a spy against my friends. I swear, here and now, on everything that I am, I'm willing to do what it takes to protect the Winthrune sisters."
"Chelish law, Chelish gangsters, Chelish justice...how lucky Korvosa to have all tthese blessings. I did not take the stand, in fear I would draw reactions like ...have seemed so common recently."
Kroft's eyebrows climb up her forehead as Korriban's tale goes on, and when he's done, she just shakes her head, slowly. "So you lot are the ones who did for Lamm, eh? ...Well, I certainly won't miss having to worry about the old bastard. Tell you what, if it ever comes up again, why don't we say that you were doing it for me?" She chuckles.
"But anyway...I've never heard of these 'Five Fists' before, and that worries me. A lot. It means they're almost certainly either new, or very well resourced. What kind of support were you thinking of, Korriban? I'll definitely put some investigators on the job."
To Teodor, she adds wryly, "You know, I appreciate that, actually. It may be...just as well."
Korriban chuckles, "Agreed. We took out Lamm for you then."
Korriban strokes his chin in thought. "Well, my sister, Lidda, has a web of contacts that we can get info from. If you can get some investigators to help out, then that would be great. We need to get as much info about them as we can and we only have three days to do it. On the day I meet with Tallak again, I was thinking that we can have some of the guard lying in wait, ready to spring an ambush. The trouble would be to find a location that could work for us and inform Tallak to meet me there at the deadline. We could use the Temple of Aroden again. Once we have Tallak and any associates he brings for insurance or in case things go south, we can interrogate them for any missing bits of information. However, if word gets out to the rest of the Five Fists, then we might have a problem. Any thoughts, guys?" He turns to the others for their opinions.
Raina shakes her head at both suggestions from Korriban and Kroft. "You think that a guy who was able to find you from... what, the corpse of his buddy, is not gonna hear that you're asking around? That the guard is investigating? You gotta know he'll figure out where the name leaked out from, and he'll come after you next."
"I feel like we gotta keep this on the down-low. Maybe wait in ambush for him when you meet up again... then pounce. I'm sure I can take this a**hole and teach him a thing or two about messing with my friends." Raina cracks her knuckles pointedly.
Korriban looks at Raina. "When the Five Fists found out about the corpse, they asked around until they got to Pia. She knew my name and that's what she told them. So the only ones who they probably know about would be me, though that information might be lacking, Imperia, and Celia. As for keeping it on the down-low, what if we don't make it look like they're investigators? What if we have Lidda, her contacts, and the investigators look and act like they're normal citizens who heard about this group and are interested in joining? Maybe when we're ready, we can send a message to Pia to Tallak. Have a location set up for our own ambush."
He looks down solemnly, "Another one of my concerns is if he knows about my family. If this goes south, then the Five Fists might come after them. *sigh* Why is it that every time I try to do something good, I always seem to f#*k up things?"
"Because you're a naive fool. If you send all these groups to investigate and infiltrate, they smell it a mile away. Groups like this don't get walk-in converts. They choose their prey. They are Chelish zealots, not improvisational people."
"Much as I hate to agree with Teodor, he's right," Raina says with a frown. "We didn't exactly leave much of a trail going in and out of there, and yet they still managed to track you down... from a bloody prostitute, for Abadar's sake. They've got good ears to the ground in this Five Fists group for sure. I think you'd be putting your family in more danger by getting them involved... not to mention Celia and Imperia."
"I reckon we keep this to ourselves. Maybe if we had backup from the guards waiting for a signal...?" Raina glances towards Kroft. "What do you think, Field-Marshall?"
Korriban sighs. "All right, you two. No spies. No investigators. No use of contacts. For my family's sake. But I should at least let them know what's going on. So they can keep an eye out in case the Five Fists try to use them as leverage. What's your opinion, Field Marshall?"
"I agree with Raina and...Teodor," Kroft says, nodding slowly. "This group sounds like trouble, and I cannot condone civilians trying to organize any sort of amateur investigation of their own that might tip our hand or put people in harm's way. I will have a few of my investigators start researching the issue, but discreetly. Nothing so obvious as mentioning the Five Fists' names. Just doing some digging into the underworld, seeing if any new players have shown up recently, that sort of thing. They're professionals; they know how to go about it without sending up any red flags."
Turning to Korriban, she adds, "By all means, though, warn your family to be on their guard. They should be aware of the situation, even if it's not clear how much this 'Tallak' knows about you. Best for your people to watch their step as much as possible the next few days. When we have more info, we can try to set up some kind of ambush for the man. In the meantime, I'd like you all to come back here tomorrow--I think I've likely got another job for you, but I'd like to talk with an informant first, and perhaps have him present for the briefing." Her instructions are interrupted by a knock at the door, and she smiles. "Ah, yes."
Opening the door, she lets in a young Guard lieutenant carrying a large bundle, who lays it on the desk and, with a quick salute, steps out. "Vancaskerkin's gear," Kroft explains, unwrapping the package to reveal a polished, darkwood bow, a quiver of arrows, and sundry other items. "As Field Marshall, I have some say in the disposition of his property, and I figure fine equipment like he had could be better used by you lot than just about anywhere else. Take it and use it, sell it, or, for all I care, hang onto it and give it back to Verik when he gets out."
- one emerald-green potion in a vial
- one suit of masterwork chainmail
- one masterwork spear
- one masterwork composite longbow (+2 Strength bonus)
- a quiver with 18 exceedingly well balanced arrows
- one ornate silver dagger
"We should be careful to stay together. If others are watching and waiting, spying and tracking on us then being alone endangers them. Maybe we should stick close until more is known, at Rosa or 3 Lancet. We would not like it if Raina went home only to find more trouble with no one else near."
It appears Gadriel was listening more than it seemed from her perch near the window of Kroft's office.
Korriban smiles at Gadriel. "Sounds like an idea. I'd suggest the Rosa. That way we have more eyes backing us up and we can make sure the family's safe. However, it might take some work getting everyone situated as far as living conditions go. Bridgefront doesn't exactly give us much in terms of space. But, I'll accommodate anyone to the best of my abilities."
Korriban looks at Verik's gear. "So, guys, what do we do with this?"
"Oooooh, living conditions ...beds and roofs and sheets and poofs. hee hee hee. If I'm welcome," Teodor looks pointedly at Raina, "I will join you, but I need no such niceties. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, I say. I'd rather not get used to luxuries of the moment. Korvosa is the only home I need, hmmm? But don't fool yourself, dear whoreson, safety is but an illusion, or perhaps and allusion to fiction. Friction and factions break us down into fractions hee hee hee."
Adoros nods at the Field Marshal's words and Gadriel's asute observation, "Yes, I suppose it would be best if we were in closer proximity to one another in case these 'Five Fists' decide to bloody their knuckles. Though I highly doubt their motives are entirely about the safety of Chelish citizens. We Chelish have little to to fear in Korvosa. This isn't Andor for gods' sake. Something fisher is aloof here."
At Korriban's query about Verik's equipment, the Chelish man puts a hand on the chainmail, feeling it's well designed interlocking links, "For the holes he put in my current armor not to mention my flesh with his arrows, I think he owes me at least this much."
Adoros looks at Korriban while they wait, "I take it you have guest chambers at the Rosa that do not see regular use for the establishment's other activities?"
Raina frowns at Teodor, but does not complain about his joining them wherever they should go.
"There's the guard barracks too," she points out, "assuming that offer from Kroft still stands. I don't care where we go... just so long as there's a bed somewhere in there."
Truth be told, Raina felt a little uncomfortable staying at the Rosa (for basically the exact reasons Adoros hinted at), but she didn't feel like belabouring the point too much.
"As for this junk?" She glances over the equipment with an arched brow. "Eeeh, some of this fancy stuff looks like it might be worth a fair bit..."
Korriban shows faux fear. "But, I don't want to be broken into fractions. If I'm fractions, then I'm not so charming."
At Adoros's question, Korriban strokes his chin. "Well, the ground floor has a bunk room for the guards and cooks, a sitting room, and a common room. Those could be used to have more guests. The upper floor has the lodgings for the girls. Though, you may not wish to sleep in there. There's also Falko's room, Lidda's room, my mom's room, and my room. There's also my mom's office... but I'm not sure on that. We do have commodities: a bath, a laundry room, and a lavatory. So, you would be covered on that. And we do have access to the roof if you wish to sleep there, Gadriel. If there are any other rooms, then my mom hasn't told me and I haven't seen them."
Listening in on your conversation, Kroft nods. "Of course you could stay here, if you want--though I did speak with Theandra Darklight, proprietor of the Three Rings Tavern up in Five Corners. If you want somewhere a little less spartan, she'd be your woman. She's got a small suite set aside should you want it: two rooms, one for the women and one for the men, with a small common room."
Korriban picks up the potion. "This looks interesting. Wonder what it is." He looks at the silver dagger before he takes out his knives. He turns to the others. "I'm debating on claiming the knife. Verik did say that it had some sentimental value to him."
At Raina's thoughts, Korriban says, "Mom would be willing to set up some spare bedding in the common room and/or sitting room. We have plenty of blankets. If you need a real bedding, then you can take my room. Don't worry. My room is very clean and sanitary. After all, I don't work as a prostitute. I'm just the help that lives there."
He turns to Kroft. "That's very generous." He speaks to everyone, "But, personally, I would vote on the Gang staying at the Rosa. At least, that way, I can keep an eye on my family. For my own peace of mind."
"I cannot indulge in such comforts. I will sleep nearby. As for Verik's possessions, I say they remain his, in as much as anything can be anyone's. Especially punished as he's been for quitting a terrible job to help people."
Kroft snorts disdainfully. "Buckos, we don't have storage space enough here to hang onto everything a former Guard gets stripped of. If you don't want any of the gear, I'll happily sell it off as surplus. If you want it to get back to him, you may as well take it--I like him, but I'm not going to go bending the law just to hang onto it after he deserted."
Abu pulls Gadriel towards the pile, and with his eyes suddenly glowing white, Gadriel's eyes begin to unfocus as she stares at the former guards gear.
Gadriel spends a couple of minutes staring at the table, rapt, her eyes shifting from item to item. Finally, she shakes her head as though coming out of a daze, and looks up.
Korriban puts the emerald green potion in his pocket after Gadriel looks at it. "So, do you know what it is, Gadriel?" He then stares at the knife, chewing on his lower lip. It's obvious that he's debating about whether to take it or not.