Adoros nods at the Field Marshal's words, "Somewhat busier than planned at least. It might do to put some pressure on the city sewer workers to check on the rest of their 'charges' so we don't have another incident like today. It could be much worse next time if able bodies aren't nearby to deal with the situation." The Chelish man rubs at his chin, noting the need for a good razor soon and maybe a nice soak to wipe away the stench of the otyugh.
Korriban nods. "Well, all right then. Thanks for letting me know and sorry to bother you." He turns to the others. "All right then. Same time, same place tomorrow?"
Gadriel nods her head, before scampering out and onto the roofs to run back to 3 Lancet. A good rest, with the wind blowing, will certainly feel nice.
Korriban nods and says, "All right. See you guys at Lancet."
After all of the business, Korriban heads back to the Rosa. He walks in and calls out, "I'm home. Very eventful day today. Very interesting stories to tell." No doubt he still looks a little roughed up.
"I'll certainly speak to the sewer workers," Kroft says with a firm nod. "And I'll get in touch with you all when we know anything about the Five Fists. In the meantime, have a good night."
You make it home without incident, and the night passes peacefully.
Korriban talks about his day to his family at the Rosa, embarrassingly talking about getting knocked out flat at Eel's End. He then takes a nice bath and heads to bed.
Korriban gets ready for the day. He then heads to 3 Lancet to meet up with the others. He spends time with his friends. Eventually, Korriban suggests the team the idea of going to the Orsini Fencing Academy to meet up with Vencarlo and, possibly, receive some training to improve the rogue's technique.
Gadriel approaches Korriban when he arrives at 3 Lancet the next day. "We would like Korriban's help. We want to use the coins Korriban gave us to fix 3 Lancet. We would like other things, too, but we are unsure of where to go. We think 3 Lancet is a good place, for meeting and for sleeping, and we want to make it comfortable for the others."
Korriban listens to Gadriel's suggestion. He then places his hand on her shoulder as they look at Zellara's former home. "Well, the coins I gave you wouldn't be enough to fix the home. But, I think it's a good idea. Plus, it would be one of the ways that we could repay Zellara for all that she's done. But, again, we'll need a lot more money. Maybe we can ask someone on how much it would cost." He smiles and kneels down to her height. "Besides, we still need get you some new, pretty clothes and some of those foods you like. Candied pecans and roast pheasants, if I'm not mistaken?" He gently pats her on the head.
Adoros spends the night enjoying a few drinks at a bar, getting a nice hot bath and shave at a bathhouse, and then spends a little while before bed writing a letter to Lidda which he only half finishes before falling asleep.
Adoros arrives at 3 Lancet as Gadriel and Korriban are in a discussion about renovating the house, "Yes, a bit more coin to fully bring the place up to code. And you'd probably need to hire some specialists if you wanted to put in a new roof or knock out any walls to rearrange the layout. I have some connections with a few merchants in the city and might be able to get you a deal on raw materials, Gadriel, if you really have your heart set on it." Later, when Korriban mentions wanting to visit Vencarlo's academy, Adoros laughs and nods, "After the other day, I'd pay to see that. Weapon masters never take it easy on you the first day of class as they like to take your measure. You'll have more sores then after that fight at the Eel's End. Take it from someone who has had a few different trainers growing up."
Korriban looks at Adoros. "I was armed with only a knife. Trust me, I'm better with a rapier. Or did the encounter with the otyugh slip your mind? I just think it would be nice to learn from a master rather than being self-taught as I currently am. Besides, anyone can swing a sword. But it takes a true expert to make the weapon hit the right spot."
As the group heads out into a warm, bright day, the city feels like it might be truly at peace for the first time since Eodred II's death. Although prices are still high, and some people still seem wary, you can hear children laughing and the bustle of commerce resuming. In Old Korvosa, things have are close to normal now--which doesn't mean that it's safe, precisely, but things are calm enough to move through the good parts without fear of being molested.
A few quick questions point the way to Orsini's academy: 16 Hillcrest Street, near the center of Old Korvosa. The imposing building is gray stone, three stories high, with a top floor of whitewashed plaster and wood. An ornate sign over the entrance declares simply: "Fencing Academy. Vencarlo Orsini, master teacher." A student lets you in at the gate, padding through the hall on soft slippers that match her white uniform. The classic Chelaxian architecture of the building leads you to a central courtyard, where you find Orsini practicing with a watching circle of pupils.
For all his age, Vencarlo is still clearly a master swordsman. He's skillfully holding two of his pupils at bay with a blunted practice sword--though they wear masks and protective padding, he doesn't bother. He's narrating the whole fight as he goes.
"What Zhen is attempting here is called 'Threading the Needle' in Taldan tradition, though I suspect it has a different title in your homeland, eh? It's a good strategy against an opponent who's on the defensive, but has its weaknesses; for example, it's susceptible to disruption by unexpected sharp blows to the blade, like so." A flurry of blows sends the student's sword spinning and Vencarlo, noticing you, waves. He continues, without pause: "Menas, meanwhile, is going for a very aggressive approach, one we call 'The Bull Among the Rushes.' Unfortunately for him, this technique has left his flanks open, allowing a skilled opponent to capitalize on him using the 'Cat's Riposte.' Like so!" With two expert flourishes, Orsini raps his other student sharply on the ribs, bringing him to his knees, and bows to a polite circle of applause. His students disperse to practice their techniques, under the watchful eye of the Tien and Taldan youths that were sparring with Orsini.
The teacher himself strides over to you, wiping some sweat from his brow. He straightens his back and groans. "Agh! Not as young as I used to be," he pants. "Starting to get creaky in the joints and the extremities." He grins at you. "Heard you continued to be useful to Cressida the other day--and I'm glad to see you made it through your experience with Devargo. What can I do for you fine folks?"
Korriban claps at the demonstration. When Vencarlo comes to the group, Korriban shakes his hand, a smile on his face. "A nice display, sir. And we're lucky to have made it past Devargo. Though, at the cost of my pride." He rubs his nose. "Still wish we can take him down. Anyway, as to why we're here, I believe we made some plans to work on my technique, didn't we? So, you available?"
"Ah, of course, of course!" Orsini exclaims with a grin, clapping a hand theatrically to his forehead. "Forgive an old man his senility. Anything for a folk hero of Korvosa. Come! Grab a practice sword..." Turning to the rest of you, he extends a hand. "Anyone else care for some practice? Perhaps this fearsome little one?" The last is directed at Gadriel with a smile.
Korriban crosses his arms and chuckles. "No problem. Just eager to learn. And, me? A folk hero? Nah. I'm no folk hero. This city already has a hero. One of inspirations for me. Anyway, let's get started!" He then runs over to pick out the right practice sword, acting like a kid on his birthday. He turns to Gadriel. "I don't know, Vencarlo. She might kick my a**. She's a tough little kid." He ruffles her hair a bit, smiling good-naturedly at her. He then looks at Adoros. "I believe we agreed on a fight when we first met, attacking Lamm's men. Let's see what you got."
Adoros raises an eyebrow at Korriban before he goes over and grabs a practice sword off the rack, "I suppose we did. Well have at you then!" The Chelish man grins as he does a little twirling salute with the sword before taking a solid stance across from Korriban.
Korriban grins before performing a salute with his blade as well. He shouts in Elven, "In guardia!" He takes a solid stance, but allowing himself to have more movement.
Orsini grins as you two take up positions across from each other. "Oh, no no no. Both against me! Come on." He lightly grabs up his own dulled blade and twirls it expertly, calling some of his students back. "Here--watch how to deal with two opponents of different styles, rather than just virtuoso swordsmen." He settles into a cocky-looking posture, rapier leveled midway between Adoros and Korriban.
For a split second, the three of you face each other in perfect stillness. Then, suddenly, Orsini moves like lightning. Lunging towards Korriban, he meets the younger man's rapier in a clatter of steel. They battle back and forth for a few seconds.
"Good!" Orsini calls as he attacks you. "Unpolished, but good! You see what he does?" he asks his students. "No formal training, not this one, but he's picked up enough from manuals and from scraps in the street to trounce most of you. Never forget the importance of real experience--an actual duel will teach you more than any training session!"
And then, with a sudden flourish, Orsini raps Korriban's rapier right out of his hand. Adoros, however, has had time to come up behind him, and the armored man's blade manages to catch Orsini in the side. The older man yelps--he's not wearing armor--and turns to engage. "Ruthless, this one! Hahaha, I recognize this style." Orsini's lips purse, his eyes narrow, and he attacks with renewed vigor. He goes for the disarm twice, and each time Adoros barely manages to disengage before his blade is wrested away. "Professional Chelish soldier, this fellow. If the armor wasn't enough to tip you off. From the motherland! Very precise, very disciplined, and totally ruthless." Adoros manages to land a swashing blow on Orsini's hilt, driving him to one knee. "Very...good!" Orsini grunts, barely managing to keep his rapier up. And then, suddenly, he's twisted away and up, and Adoros's blade is skipping across the cobblestones of the courtyard. Orsini bounds to his feet, grinning. "Not quite good enough, but good!" He laughs, and the students join in--it's a warm, collegiate laugh, not a mocking one, and the fencing master helps Adoros and Korriban to their feet with a grin.
"Now, some pointers..." The next couple of hours pass in cheerful instruction, and when it's done, Orsini bids you all a cheerful good day.
Hearing the idea, Korriban nods at Adoros before turning to Vencarlo. For a while, he stares down his opponent. The determined look on his face turns to shock as Orsini comes closer in a mere second. 'He's fast! Faster than I expected!' The rogue puts up a strong defense before moving into offense. He slashes and stabs at his opponent. 'Left! Right! Left! Down! Stab!' He smirks at Orsini's praise. "Thanks. You're pretty good yourself, Master. Like I said, learned on the streets, from old manuals, and from... experience!" He begins to push back in the deadlock that the two are in at this point. Though, that smirk disappears as Vencarlo disarms him and knocks him flat on his back. He groans as Adoros attacks. He mumbles, "Second time in a day that I've knocked flat on my a**." Hearing that Vencarlo's analysis on Adoros being a Chelish soldier, Korriban's jaw drops. "You're a Chelish soldier?! Would have been nice to know! Makes me wonder if you've been hiding anything else!"
As Adoros lands on the ground, Korriban laughs. "Ah. It's funny when it's not happening to me." Korriban accepts the help to his feet. During the lesson, Korriban takes the lesson seriously, practically absorbing everything he can like a sponge... though, he does some things with his own brand of flair.
At the end of the lessons, Korriban bows to Vencarlo. "Thank you, Master Orsini. I'm assuming I'm an 'unofficial' student of the Academy now."
Gadriel watches in rapt attention from the background, until the flipping of bodies hitting the floor. Then, she stifles a giggle... poorly. Abu just seems to roll his eyes.
Orsini chuckles. "Yes, I suppose you can lay claim to that...'unofficial' title. Though you know, a student of the Academy typically comes for more than one lesson. And pays." He takes the sting out of his words with a smile and a wink, and waves you all out of the Academy. "Come back any time!"
While lying on the ground, Korriban hears Gadriel's little chuckles. He looks up (down from your point of view) to look at the young witch. He smiles a good natured grin. "Well. I'm glad you get some amusement from our situation."
Korriban shakes Vencarlo's hand. When the group leaves, Korriban shoves his hands in his pockets. "So... what do you guys wanna do? Shopping? Find Teo? Grab something to eat? Maybe visit Imperia?"
Adoros shakes his head at Orsini's and Korriban's deductions, "I cannot claim to have served the official Chelish military though many of my tutors growing up did. I did squire for a few years under my uncle, a member of the Order of the Scourge. Regardless, thank you for the reminder that there is always something to learn, Master Orsini."
After the lessons are finished, Adoros rubs his chin as the trio walk down the street, "Yes, it has been a time since Lady Imperia went off to see to her sister's safety. Perhaps that would be a good idea to check upon her condition. It wouldn't do to have this Fist organization slip in while we are distracted and abduct them."
Korriban nods at Adoros. "Let's go then!" He heads towards where Imperia and her sister are staying, making sure that no one suspicious is following them.
The group makes their way through the city without too much difficulty, arriving at Imperia's small apartment in the Heights. A watchful doorman points you to her apartment with only a slightly suspicious eyebrow--the piece of paper with her address on it helps mollify him a bit.
When you knock on the door, you hear, faintly, a rattle and a clicking noise; then the peephole darkens for an instant. "My friends!" you hear Imperia exclaim. You hear locks being undone, and then the door is pulled open and Imperia welcomes you into her home, throwing her arms impulsively around each of you.
"Come in, come in!" she exclaims, leading you to her tiny sitting room. "If I'd known you were coming I'd have straightened up a bit...what news?"
Though she's pleased to see you, the last couple of days have clearly been hard on Imperia; she looks slightly haggard, distracted, and a loaded crossbow leans against one wall. Celia is perched in a chair in the sitting room, eating a piece of toast, when you enter, and she nods shyly before curling into herself.
On the way to Imperia's, Korriban takes the time to straighten his clothes and wipe the dust from them. When Imperia gives him a hug, the young rogue's face turns a deep red and he gets a goofy grin before shaking it off. He clears his throat and says, "Not much. I asked Kroft yesterday with no results. Otherwise, we've been busy with working against Barvarsi, fighting an otyugh, and training with Vencarlo. But enough about us. How have you and Celia been holding up? Do you need anything?"
Imperia shakes her head, smiling slightly at Korriban's worries. "We're...all right, thank you, Korriban. It sounds like the last couple of days have been far more interesting for all of you than for us. We've been sitting here, mostly." She frowns darkly. "I've been trying to find some way to get Celia into the Academae...though it's far from a safe place, it's incredibly well shielded against external threats, at least. But they've locked the gates. Apparently they're going to remain that way until after Queen Ileosa's coronation. I'm sure that Theumanexus College, in East Shore, would take her on, but..." She shakes her head. "They're a school of generalists--dilettantes, really. The Academae's abjurers are among the best in the world. That's what the whole Breaching Festival is about. If I could get her in there...she'd be safe. But I'm not sure there's anything to be done."
Korriban frowns in concern. He gently places his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Whatever it is the Five Fists are up to, we'll stop it. I swear to you on that. You'll be safe and your sister will attend the Academae. Even if we have to break her in ourselves."
He turns to Celia. He walks to the child and kneels to be more at her level. With a smile, he asks, "How are you today, Celia?"
Celia glances up at you, smiling shyly. "I'm ok, Mr. Korriban. I did not sleep very well, but Imperia says that will get better soon enough." You notice she's still playing with the little dolphin pendant she got at Lamm's place. Looking at you seriously, she asks, "Was your work very difficult?"
Imperia adds, speaking lowly to the rest of the group, "It's true, she hasn't been sleeping well. I don't know if anyone knows good remedies, or has any experience with healing, but...things have been...odd...since she got back..." she trails off, looking hopefully at you all (especially Teodor) for some guidance.
Korriban smiles at Celia. "Yeah, it was very difficult at times. Got hurt a few times. But, if I can keep people safe, then I'm happy to do it. But, enough about me. I'm curious about this restlessness you're experiencing. I don't mean to pry. When did this start?"
Hearing Imperia, Korriban, with a gentle smile, holds up one finger, indicating that he'll be back in a moment. He stands and heads to the group. He whispers, "Do you think it has anything to do with the Five Fists' interest in her, the intense staring contest she did with Lamm, or the state she was in when we picked her up from the Rosa?"
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!" Teodor toasts the nice men that bought him drinks. Just as I thoughtknew. Sheher the kween destructlosechoyce of the SELF... He then made his way out to find the murderband of nonfoes with the witchgirl most portentious.
Celia shrugs noncommittally at Korriban's questioning. "I don't know...I guess I haven't been sleeping truly well since I got nabbed. I mean, captured," she says, correcting her street cant. To all appearances, she's telling the truth as far as she knows it.
Imperia whispers back, in response to Korriban's question, "I didn't notice it till I got her home, after the Rosa, but I think it may have begun before that...your family, Korriban, said she was withdrawn at the Rosa. I'm worried about her..." She bites her lip, looking at her younger sister with a worried frown.
Korriban smiles. "Don't worry, Celia. We'll figure this out. Soon, all of this will be behind you and you'll be in the Acadamae, learning lots of magic."
Korriban rests a hand on Imperia's shoulder, cheeks faintly turning red. "Don't worry, Imperia. We'll help. Even if we have to go to every library and read every book, we'll help and find something. Don't ever think you have to do this alone. If you need anything, anything at all, my door's always open." He smiles a bit at the end, trying to reassure and comfort her.
Teodor knocks on the door outside with great patience.
Adoros pats Celia on the head, "Don't worry, little dove, in a few weeks your ordeal will be but a fuzzy memory. The dreams will go back to sweet ones with time. I'm sure all this silly nonsense with the riots in the city isn't helping matters but we're working to help the authorities get everything back nice and calm."
Korriban moves closer to the door, holding a dagger behind his back. He says in a singsong voice, "Who is it?~"
"So man has asked from the moment he knew he was an individual. Who is it? Who is this thing, this me? Is it the accouterments of sensual input and half-baked selfmemes? Am I truly me? Are you you? Is there?"
Korriban sheathes his dagger and unlocks the door while rolling his eyes. "Don't worry, guys. It's just Teodor." He opens the door and smiles at the cleric. "Hi! Nice of you to show up. Come on in! We're having a party!" He locks the door behind Teo.
Imperia smiles and squeezes Korriban's hand in thanks. When Teodor enters, she greets him with a nod--she seems about to embrace him, but her nostrils flare at the last second when she gets close, and she refrains.
To Adoros, Celia says as Teodor enters, "I hope I do get to go to the Acadamae. I want to learn all the spells I can to keep people like Lamm and Hooky away from me and Imperia. And to keep the others away, too."
Korriban looks at Celia with a smile on his face. "Good goal you got, Celia! And we'll help you learn every spell!" The smile slowly dies as reality sets in. "Even though, some of us aren't... spellcasters... and Teo's... a priest." It's hard to tell if he's doing this on purpose or if he's questionably insane (or dumb).
[b]"Celia, we are not close but I wish you an incredible life. I ask only you define yourself as yourself, and not merely as an enemy of something else."[ /b]
Celia smiles at Korriban while Imperia chuckles. "Thank you. I bet I could learn if I could just get some books or such..." To Teodor, she says solemnly, "Then I will define myself as the one who keeps the fires away from us."
Korriban smiles as the sisters seem amused by his antics. At the mention of books, Piper adopts a thoughtful expression, stroking his chin, fingers going through the faint scruff that's starting to grow. "Books, huh? Hmm..."
Imperia laughs gently. "Don't trouble yourself too much, Korriban. Unfortunately I doubt there's much that Celia could make good use of, and goodness knows I'm not going to be able to teach her out of my own old school primers. Besides, you all have much more important things to worry about."
Just as she says that, there's a knock at the door!
Though she tries to hide it, Celia clearly perks up her ears at the mention of Imperia's old books.
Korriban smiles at Imperia and Celia's obvious interest. He's about to say something when there's a knock on the door. He places a finger on his lips to the others. Slowly taking out his dagger, he quietly moves to the door.
He lowers the pitch of his voice and asks, "Yea? What'chu want?" (while adding a somewhat drunken slur).
He places his ear near the door and listens.
"Is this the residence of Ms. Imperia Winthrune?" a familiar voice calls. "This is Sergeant Grau Soldado from the Guard. I have a message for her from the Field Marshall."
You don't hear anyone or anything else in the hallway besides Grau's voice.
Korriban continues his impersonation. "Hold on a momentish." He listens even closer, paranoia settling in.
He turns to the others and whispers, "Should we let him in? Personally, I say do it. He seems on the level."
He listens even closer, paranoia settling in.
Korriban hears nothing untoward from the hallway, just Grau shuffling around. All of your impressions of Grau so far have been that he's a good, honest man when he's not drinking, and he seems to be on the level now, as well.
Korriban unlocks the door and opens it. Seeing Grau there, he looks to the left and right before grabbing Grau and dragging him into the apartment.
As he locks the door, Korriban says to Grau, "Sorry about that, Grau. It's just that we've been having some problems lately. So, what's the message?"