"Go. I'll meet you later." Teodor moves in the opposite direction.
Gadriel hops out the window, easily balancing along the roof peak. "We will meet at 3 Lancet. We will let loose the magic, and try to thin the gathering."
Gadriel closes her eyes, then a translucent copy of Trinia begins to solidify. Nodding her head, Gadriel begins to walk along the roof peak, while the illusionary Trinia hops from roof to roof easily within the crowds view. Gadriel stays a ways behind the fleeing image, yet close enough to maintain her magical link to it.
Adoros sticks close to Trina and Korriban, his gun loaded and propped against his shoulder. He growls at anyone who gets too interested in their 'cargo', "Her ladyship don't like nosy busybodies."
Korriban puts his hand on Teodor's shoulder. "Stay safe, friend. See you at the safe house."
Before Gadriel leaves, Korriban kneels next to her. "You two be careful. Don't do anything that you think I would do. If you get into any danger, try and get away. Okay?" He places his hand on her head and ruffles her hair gently. With a smile, he says, "See you at 3 Lancet."
Turning to the last two, Korriban says, "Let's be off. Trinia. Smokestick. Follow me."
As they leave, the duelist stops by the halfling, he shakes her hand. With a smile, he says, "Thank you for your help."
When they leave, Korriban leads the two, keeping close to Trinia. He keeps to the alleys and the shadows and avoids the large groups.
The halfling shakes Korriban's hand seriously. "You keep her safe, hear me? If anything happens to Trin...you'll have me to deal with!"
The streets outside are packed, and the air is nearly stifling between the immense heat and the press of bodies on the street. Screams and cries fill the air, and people everywhere are shoving and pushing each other--some to get toward the nearest points of violence, most to get away. Distantly, you hear the shouts of the Guard, attempting to keep order, and the metallic clank of Hellknight boots.
Up on the rooftops, Gadriel follows the image Zellara is generating of Trinia over several buildings before a screeching squawk brings her up short, Abu clinging to her side. Out of the sky wheel a flight of hippogriffs, each bearing a rider clad in black mail. As the Sable Company's hippogriffs alight around the image of Trinia, Zellara causes it to pull up short, looking around as though in astonishment.
"Trinia Sabor!" a marine whose patch ranks him as a captain bellows, "You are hereby placed under arrest by the officers of the Sable Company, under suspicion of the high crimes of treason, murder, and conspiracy. If at any time...hey!" The captain breaks off, surprised, as two of his soldiers attempt to grapple "Trinia"--by the time the group looks around, Gadriel and Abu are already out of sight around a chimney, speeding along the rooftops toward Lancet Street. And even if they had seen her...she's just an urchin.
Down on the streets, Teodor makes his way through the crowd much as he always has, relying on the anonymity of poverty for his shield. Scenes of violence are not uncommon...but then, in the parts of Korvosa Teodor is used to, they never are. The closest he comes to actual danger is a brief run-in with a blood-spattered band of ruffians who are fleeing in the opposite direction, and literally run into him. "Watch where you're going, grampa!" The whipsaw-thin leader spits in Teodor's face. "If it's not the f**@ing horsers looking for trouble in this city, it's the Beast-spawned empties..."
A younger lad, and burlier, glances over his shoulder nervously at the mention of horsers. "C'mon, Jeb," he hisses angrily. "We gotta move it!" The group--half a dozen men in all--move off without another word. Teodor flattens himself against a wall as he hears a small band of Hellknights approach, and, once they've passed in hot pursuit, continues on his way.
Though the main thoroughfares are rough, Adoros and Korriban manage to make it most of the way back to 3 Lancet through alleys and side-streets, avoiding the major violence. The few times you do run into trouble, Adoros's muscle and Korriban's tongue are enough to deflect interest from Trinia pretty quickly. The painter, for her part, sticks closely to the two of you, her large blue eyes darting everywhere, looking for trouble.
Lancet Street itself is more packed than usual; most people are moving at speeds between a brisk walk and a flatout run to the north, away from Goldmarket at the south end of the street. You can hear cries and the ring of blows from that direction, but Korriban and Adoros manage to make it inside and lock the door without trouble. Gadriel is already there, having entered through a window; in just under twenty minutes, Teodor manages to join the group.
Trinia, who has removed her cloak, stands in the center of the room, looking around, slightly baffled. "So this is your hideaway?" she asks softly. "It's...homier than I'd expected." She looks back at the group, then down at the floor, swallowing suddenly. "So...what's to happen now? Where do I go from here?" She looks back up meeting your eyes, and you're slightly taken aback by the fire in them. "What do you plan to do with me?"
"I would learn from you, child of destiny. For knowledge worth them trying to destroy you is powerful indeed."
Korriban smiles at the halfling. "Don't worry. Trin's in good hands."
When the team arrives to the home, Korriban breathes a sigh of relief. At Trinia's amazement, Korriban chuckles. "Yeah. We renovated." As everyone gathers, Korriban begins to pace. "Let's see. We have Trinia safe and sound. However, Kroft is expecting us. We know that Trinia didn't kill the King. But, everyone is still convinced that she's a murderer. We need to find a way to clear her name while keeping her safe and secret. So, any ideas?"
Looking around, he decides to throw out an idea of his own. "A thought I had was that we get a written statement from Trinia and we deliver the statement to Kroft and convince her to our side. If need be, we can take Trinia to a different location to throw off the guards. I'm a bit wary on taking her to the Rosa and possibly putting my family in danger. But, if needed, we can put her there. My family might be able to help." He looks around at the others. "Thoughts?"
Seeing the anxious look on Trinia's face, Korriban gently says, "Don't worry, Trin. We'll help you through this."
Trinia listens intently to Korriban's proposal, though she shakes her head nervously. "I don't...I don't know how I feel about sending a written statement to the Field Marshal of the Guard. Won't she just shake you down to find out where I am? I mean, no offense, but...she's in charge of the police force, and there's a warrant out for my arrest. It seems like the sort of thing she'd have to take care of!" She takes a deep breath. "But I trust you to do the right thing here."
To Teodor, she adds, "I don't know that I know anything worth sharing...honestly, I don't know where this rumor came from! Though the Queen did take a disliking to me...it wouldn't have been hard for someone to suggest to her that I killed Eodred."
Korriban is so wrapped up with the possible ideas that he doesn't notice to blush. He says, "Okay. Obviously, we need to get Kroft to get rid of the arrest warrant and to see the truth. We could try to arrange some impromptu conversation with her or Grau. But, she might try to arrest Trinia on the spot. Maybe if the interview was in a private location with witnesses. Maybe some spells that help with truth telling. She might listen to us and give it a shot. After all, we did stand up for Vancaskerkin and showed proof of his noble intentions. So, she doesn't have any reason to doubt us now. Anyone have any thoughts?"
Turning to Trinia, he asks, "Do you know anyone who can vouch for your whereabouts when the King was killed? Could help us out."
Trinia shakes her head slowly. "The rumors I heard are that I'm being accused of poisoning the King--so it wouldn't matter where I was the minute he died. It was practically the middle of the night, and I'd already finished my work there. I was nowhere nearby, but I doubt that will matter much."
"An artist of your talent should not blush so easily, my dear. What is it you aren't telling us about you, the King, and the so-called Queen?"
Gadriel moves up to the roof once everyone has arrived. She knows the questions for the young lady are best left to the older members. Plus, she's not sure what she'd even ask. Better that someone keep an eye out on the streets and crowds, and preferably a vantage point of some height. It certainly had nothing to do with the crisp breeze that had suddenly picked up...
Adoros nods his agreement with Trinia's statement, "The Crown and the mob have made up their mind on Ms. Sabor's guilt. If there is a trial where her innocence can be proven, it will be short and a farce. Enough public theater to appease the tiny shred of conscience in their hearts before sating their bloodlust with a grisly execution. They want a villian even if it has to be a strawman, or woman in this case, in place of those responsible."
The young Chelish man paces about the room as he stops to glance out the curtained windows every so often, "Unless someone comes up with a better plan, we have two options. First, we could turn her over to Commander Kroft, who stated her own doubt to Ms. Sabor's guilt in the regicide, and pray that the Commander has enough weight to push for a real trial or investigation into the matter. This I doubt as even if we keep her hidden and only notify the Commander she is in custody at a undisclosed location, eventually the pressure will come down on the Commander's shoulders from the Crown itself and she will be forced to arrest us for aiding and abetting a fugitive. That is treason and unless you feel like relocating to a distance location outside the reach of Korvosan justice, and relocating your family, then it is not an option to work with Kroft and yet not work with her. The second option is we attempt to smuggle Ms. Sabor out of the city. While she might be safe here temporarily, the longer the hunt for her goes on the greater the chance someone will find her here. Escorting her beyond the reach of the walls, however, with this manhunt going on will be a feat in of itself."
After Trinia's statement shuts down Korriban's idea, Korriban sighs. After pacing a bit more, he stands next to the wall. He says, "Okay. New plan... we need a new plan..." He then proceeds to do this.
A few minutes later, when Teodor brings up Trinia's blush, Korriban stops. He turns to the artist, arms folded across his chest, eyebrow raised. Though, he still looks ridiculous with a red spot forming on his forehead. He says, "If there is anything else that we need to know, then please tell us."
At Adoros's suggestions, Korriban frowns and furiously paces. "D****t. Escorting her out of the city is a solid idea, don't get me wrong. But, what about the outlying areas? If anyone out there recognizes her, then they'll turn her into the Guard. Plus, if you may recall, Kroft is expecting us to return with her. If we get her out of the city, then eventually Kroft will find out and, eventually put us behind bars. I can't do jail. I just can't. Do you know what they do to good looking guys like me in prison? Ugh! Why is this so hard?! Can't we just convince Kroft or Grau to hear us out?! Or... or..." He stops his tirade and pacing, an idea forming. "Vencarlo... He turns to the others. "Why not have Master Vencarlo look after Trinia? He doesn't like the Crown any more than us." He sighs, "If not that, then getting Trinia out of the city might be our only option."
When you ply her for further information, Trinia blushes even more intensely. "I, uh...well, I suppose it's a well known fact that His Majesty liked...girls. A lot. I mean, he married a woman less than half his age...so, after I'd been working on the portrait for some time--I'd been to the palace I think four times or so?--Eodred started getting a little...playful. Nothing bad," she hastens to add. "Just, you know, flirty, and occasionally a little handsy. I tried to brush it off, but it made me uncomfortable, and I think it made Queen Ileosa a bit angry." The thought clearly still embarrasses her.
When Korriban and Adoros start batting ideas around, Trinia adds, "Though I hate to leave my home, I'll probably have to leave Korvosa eventually...but I'm not really excited about the idea of just waltzing down the streets. In the meantime, I support any plan that doesn't rely on the kindness of strangers, or at least the kindness of the Guard..."
Up on the rooftop, Gadriel can see that riots are still raging throughout the city, though things seem to be slowing as evening approaches. The sound of fighting comes from Goldmarket still, and distant cries echo from the castle's plaza. Sections of Old Korvosa look like they might be aflame, but most of Midland and the Hill seem to have escaped serious damage. The Gray and East Shore look relatively peaceful.
"Did the flirtation lead to intercourse? I ask only for motive purposes."
Korriban blushes when he hears Trinia's tale. When Teodor brings his thoughts to the table, Korriban scratches his chin. "A motive, indeed. Maybe if we present this possibility, it could help us."
Trinia looks stricken at Teodor's question. "No, no, no, no, no! Absolutely not! Nothing of that sort!" she exclaims, turning a fiery red. "And I think the Queen knew that much. But it's painful to see your husband lust after another woman. It seems unlikely to me that she'd invent this story up out of pure spite...why do so when that would leave the real murderer on the loose? But she might have been suggestible if someone wanted to point a finger at me." Her eyes well up slightly. "Though I have no idea who'd want that..."
Korriban sees the tears begin to well in Trinia's eyes. He removes the bandana he got back and hands it to her. "Hey. It's okay. It'll be okay. We'll find the real murderer and clear your name. Now, c'mon. Don't cry. A pretty woman such as yourself shouldn't cry." He gives a small smile to her.
"Forgive our young friend Korriban. His chastity gets the better of his manners. Cry, my dear. We should all cry, for there is much to cry about. But we mustn't cry over everything, less we drown the world. As for your question, who profits if you take the blame? Most notably, the actual murderer does. We must therefore assume the Queen doesn't want the actual murderer caught; and thus, she must be behind it."
Korriban looks at the cleric. "True. We should all cry. But, we should all try to support each other to help lessen or remove the tears. And I assure you, Father, that my chastity has nothing to do with what I do. Though, I must say that you are oddly focused on it. I wonder why that is?" He ends with a smirk.
"The Lord takes away our tears when the time is right, Korriban. No one living sheds no tears."
Korriban smirks. "You know, it continues to astound me how deep you seem to be. While what you say is true, wouldn't it be better to pass to the end with no pain? No regrets? No tears? That way, it should be easier to accept it."
"Everything ends, my friend. Whether we want it to or not. Pain is inevitable; what we do with that pain is up to us. When you think you've ended pain ...you've really ended feeling. Shiver is a hell of a drug."
Korriban sighs. "Yeah. It is. Trust me. Living in Bridgefront, I've seen a lot of things. Painful things."
Trinia blinks back her tears, staring slightly as Korriban and Teodor wax philosophical.
"I suppose I should count myself lucky I've escaped with my life...for now, at least," she says softly, not looking terribly consoled. Glancing around, she asks, "May I stay here tonight? I don't want to impose, but...we have only a few hours of daylight left, and I'm loath to chance the streets again."
"Of course. Though Korriban may want to bring you to his brothel, this is the most secure place we have. Gadriel and Abu live here and I can stay somewhere I can watch the house."
Korriban shrugs. "I don't mind her staying here. Trinia doesn't have to come to the Rosa. Should be safe enough. With Gadriel and Teodor watching the place, then all should be okay."
Trinia blushes slightly. "I, uh...admit that I'm not eager to...head into a...brothel." She blushes harder. "No offense meant, Korriban. But I'd feel more at ease staying here tonight. Where should I....?" When you indicate the stairs, she nods and heads up. "Goodnight, then...and thank you." she says softly, over her shoulder. Then she's gone.
Looking outside, you'd guess that you still have about an hour before full dark...Field Marshal Kroft must be expecting you at some point, it occurs to you.
"So, obviously, we can't turn her in. But we cannot trust Kroft to agree. She is devoted to law, not justice. As far as we can prove at the moment."
Korriban nods at Trinia with a smile. "It's okay. Completely understandable. Have a goodnight."
Looking at Teodor, the duelist sighs, "Yeah. Makes things all the more complicated, it seems."
Gadriel returns to the lower floors, swinging in through the open window. "The chaos is slowly dying, others returning to their lives. We think we are safe for the while." Seeing Teodor and Korriban deep in conversation and thought, she simply shrugs before grabbing some dinner and heading to the roof to curl up in her blanket for the evening.
Korriban smiles at Gadriel as she heads off to the roof. He then says, "So, do we have a set plan? Otherwise, we can pick this up tomorrow."
When the conversation is over, Korriban decides to head back home.
9:00 a.m.
The night passes quietly for everyone in your several homes, and the next morning dawns just as bright and sunny as the last (though less unbearably hot). It's barely past the ninth bell in the morning when you all receive a sealed note bearing the crest of the Guard and delivered by a breathless Korvosan Guard private. Each of them is written in Kroft's handwriting, and bears an identical message:
Citadel Volshyenek. My office.
C.K.
Korriban asks, "Do you think I should inform my mother of our situation?"
When Korriban arrives home, he stresses about whether or not to inform his mother.
Korriban bites his lips as he reads the note. 'Oh, man. What've we gotten ourselves into?' He heads over to the meeting spot. He then says to the others, "I'm assuming you all got the same message."
"Absolutely not, Korriban. Cut your cord, for Groetus' sake."
Later ...
"Hrmph. Damned guard found me just as I was doing my morning routine in the alley. I don't care for Kroft's tone. I'm not her servant."
Korriban looks at Teodor. "I'm not overly dependent on my mother. I just wanted to keep her informed in case things go south. I look out for my family. It's the least I can do since she did save my life."
"And putting her in this dangerous loop doesn't help her. Knowledge can be power and burden."
Korriban sighs. "Yeah. It does seem like getting them involved would do more harm than good."
Korriban looks around the room. "So... what are we going to do about Kroft?"
Gadriel munches her breakfast, breaking off the occasional piece for Abu on her shoulder. "We should not bite the hand that pays us. We are indebted to Kroft for where we are now, and what we are doing for Korvosa. We should meet Kroft soon, to avoid losing what we have now. We think it likely about our rescue, so we may need to decide about the recued."
Adoros stands and shakes his head, "We're going to need to go speak to Kroft or we're all going to burn up any goodwill we've built with her very fast. I, for one, do not want my head on the chomping block and posted all over the city on wanted posters. I'll go speak with her at the least. If any of you wish to join me, the more the merrier, or in this case, misery loves company."
"How much do you plan on telling her, gallant heroes?"
Adoros rubs his chin, "Depends on what she wants to know. For the sake of Ms. Sabor, I'll leave off where she currently is hiding but I'll let Kroft know she is safe and in custody for now. I'll tell her it wasn't feasible to transport her across Korvosa as the lynch mob was growing restless and was in every direction. If Kroft pressures me for more info, or gods forbid decide to use torture, I'll attempt to give the rest of you enough time to relocate. I'd prepare to move just the same. Kroft probably knows most of our usual hideouts if her guards are even half-way competent."
"We will go with Adoros. We can send Abu with a warning if Kroft becomes Lamm. We do not think it will come to that, but Abu is careful. We... will let Adoros speak. We do not have an easy time conversing with others."
Korriban sighs. "Okay. Adoros and Gadriel will go and meet with Kroft. Me and Teodor will stay here and keep watch. Just be careful, you guys. We don't need you guys getting in trouble with the law as well."
When you arrive at Citadel Volshyenek, a Guard takes you straight to Kroft's office. En route, you notice that despite the city's relative calm following yesterday's riots, the guards seem jumpy and on edge. There seem to be more on the walls than usual, and one group of sergeants hurries past you in the hall, and you catch a murmur in their conversation that sounds like "...blasted barbarians are stirring up more trouble than they're worth..."
You find Kroft closeted with two people you've never met before: one, a dwarf carrying several sturdy looking weapons, wears a breastplate inscribed with the holy symbol of Abadar, his colors marking him out as a member of the Church. The other is a tall, rail-thin, aged man, who leans on a walking stick made of some massive femur and topped with a bird-like skull. He wears a shirt hung with various small bones, and has warpaint on in the form of a skull. He turns to you as you're announced, and looks at you with blank white eyes. A red razor crow perches on his shoulder, and turns its baleful eyes toward you as well.
Kroft turns to you as you enter, her expression betraying a strange mix of exasperation and relief. "I send you off to catch a fugitive and you don't respond for eighteen hours?! It's about time you..." She pauses, suddenly, taking you in. "What's happened? Where are Korriban and Teodor? What happened to you all last night? Are they all right?"
Yesterday was a bad day for you at the forge; the riots that swept Old Korvosa kept you from doing much besides shuttering yourself in your quarters and trying to avoid attracting any attention. It was after you had already started to get ready for bed, late in the evening, that a low-ranking priest of the Church had appeared, knocking on your door with an urgent missive. The Church, it seemed, had been asked to lend its assistance to Field Marshall Kroft in a matter of some delicacy for the sake of the city; and, the higher-ranking paladins and clerics being engaged in keeping the riots busy, they had elected to send you, an outsider that they knew to have a good heart, a strong arm, and powerful faith.
You haven no idea what Kroft wants; you arrived punctually for your meeting, and she introduced the tall, elderly man as Thousand Bones, a Waykeeper for the Skoan-Quah of the Shoanti. You'd barely gotten past introductions when a Guard announced "Adoros Porthis and Gadriel." The pair turn out to be an even stranger sight than the old man: a tall, pale, good-looking man in chainmail who carries himself with an air of command, and a tiny urchin girl, barefoot, with ragged hair and strange eyes, who looks around at everything as though seeing it for the first time. The girl has a tiny monkey on her shoulder.
Kroft turns to them as they enter, her expression betraying a strange mix of exasperation and relief. "I send you off to catch a fugitive and you don't respond for eighteen hours?! It's about time you..." She pauses, suddenly, taking them in as though there's something strange. "What's happened? Where are Korriban and Teodor? What happened to you all last night? Are they all right?"
From the questions she asks, it seems that there can only be one possible thing she's talking about: these two must have been sent off to catch Trinia Sabor, alleged poisoner of the late king!
Adoros and Gadriel haven't been gone for long when Trinia descends the stairs, yawning prettily and blinking sleep from her eyes. "Good morning, Teodor, Korriban," she says, with a timid smile. Going into the kitchen, she retrieves one of the apples Gadriel has stored there and sets about coring and peeling it deftly. "I trust you each had a pleasant night? I slept uneasily, I admit, but...this house is pleasant. However did you all come by it?"
Diamon was surprised to actually receive an order from the church, ordering him to give aid to Field Marshal Kroft in some matter that wasn't clear. While he did try to continue good work in Old Korvosa, he was glad to have something that sounded fairly important to the church. Gathering his weapons and armor, he locked up shop, and trotted out to meet with Kroft.
When he arrived, he was ushered into Kroft's office, and introduced to an elderly-looking individual by the name of Thousand Bones. He had only just got his own name out when two more persons were announced and brought into her office. He stared at the duo curiously, armored limbs folding over his chest as he stood by for the moment and just watched them speak with Kroft. Trying to hide his surprise at learning that these two, along with others it seemed, had managed to capture one Trinia Sabor.
Korriban looks at Trinia. With a smile, he says, "Yeah. I had a good night's sleep. As to this house... well, that's quite a tale. This house belonged to the one who assembled us together in the first place. We figured we'd honor her by restoring the place and using it as our little meeting place. Our base, if you will." He then goes on to explain the events with Lamm with grandiose and flourish.
"A ghost gave them this house, Trinia. And I slept terribly. I'm not used to indoors."