"Heel." Rodrik commands Xander before looking up at the tenants, "What seems to be the problem here?"
The Temple of Oranna (Milena)
As the cardinal take the restorative, she seems to relax. "This is delicious. Already I feel less stressed."
The rest of the tour passes without event, as Milena's guest takes an interest in the rituals and practices of Oranna and her entourage remains silent and grim.
Boward's Imports (Evengi)
"Mr. Kooper," Mr. Boward addresses Evengi, taking charge of the situation. "If you could hand me the sword that I might inspect it." After a quick inspection, Mr. Boward replaces the sword in it's sheath and places it softly on the counter. "Ms. Garcia," he says crisply to Ayala, who had just set the ledger on the counter and opened it. "Open to page 19, if you please." While Ayala is finding the correct page, Mr. Boward turns on his heel to face the red-haired man. With a slight bow, he says: "I apologize that our merchandise was not up to your standards, sir. I hope we have not offended the Falrin family." Something about that name is decidedly familiar to Evengi, though he cannot quite place it at the moment. He certainly doesn't recognize this man, but the name is familiar.
Once Ayala has the correct page open, Mr. Boward cleanly slides over to examine it. "Ah yes, here is the correct price. 150 gold pieces, paid in freshly minted Coraillan coin. If you'll excuse me, Mr Falrin, while I retrieve your refund from our strongbox." With that, Mr. Boward is gone once again, though likely soon to return.
The whole interaction reaffirms the younger Boward's crisp and business-like demeanor, which is why he is favoured over the older brother in matters like this.
Rodrik's Apartment (Rodrik)
Xander immediately stops barking at Rodrik's command and falls in behind his master. As Rodrik intercedes in the argument, both women glare at him. They simultaneously launch into explanations of their arguement. Just as Rodrik is feeling frustrated with the women, he spots his old friend Elrint Jobe entering the hallway, a sheaf of papers in hand. He looks questioningly at the women, an eyebrow raised. "I hadn't realized you had re-married, Rodrik. Surely, not to such loud women." While his comment is a scathing rebuke, the disarming smile that accompanies it merely re-igntes the argument. "See, even HE thinks that you are loud!"
"I'd like to speak with you, Rodrik, perhaps somewhere a little more peaceful?"
R:
Ev:
M:
A:
L:
Ef:
V:
City Park (Arry, Lysi, Eftil)
As the day wears on, the children have fun exploring the park, looking for bugs, and generally being carefree children. The sense of being watched comes and goes throughout the day. Then suddenly, there is a rustle in the bushes across the path.
Lysi is trying to coax a squirrel over to her with some bread crumbs.
"Arry, Sisterlysi, behind me." Diri squawks as is head swivels around to watch the bushes.
"What is it Diri?" Arry, who had been hoping the squirrel would come down too, asks his gigantic bird-like friend.
"Not sure. Need to be careful. Get behind me."
Normally she'd have argued, but after yesterday she decided to do as Diri asked and get behind him.
She saw that Diri was watching the bushes. "Is there something in there?"
"Falrin family? I am sorry that I do not place the name sir. I know that I have heard of your family, so you must be someone of some importance, but I cannot recall how. Do you mind refreshing my knowledge sir?"
"There's something."
Eftil draws his spear, runs over and begins poking the bushes.
Boward's Imports (Evengi)
The red-haired man straightens himself and puffs up a bit before answering. "Well, I wouldn't expect a commoner like yourself to know me by name, but since you're interested, the Falrin family is one of the prime noble families in Corail. We were the first family of the old empire to support the rebellion, and we were vital in it's success. We also helped root out Empire sympathizers before they could fight back." He finishes with a smug look on his face.
For a moment, there is the sound of rushing blood in Evengi's ears, and the anger boils up.
Focus on the hunt Evengi...do not let the prey know you are a threat. Don't move from the blind until it is time to take the shot.
"Ah. Well. I am not certian that I knew any Empire sympathizers here in the city, everyone I knew was solidly for the rebellion. But it sounds like you and your family are true heroes of the rebellion."
Evengi pauses and thrusts out his hand. "If I may shake your hand sir? Also, if I may, I would like the opportunity to buy you a drink sometime, perhaps this evening if you have the time."
Boward's Imports (Evengi)
"Me? Drink with a commoner? No no, that won't do whatsoever. I will allow you to shake my hand, if you wish." He proffers his hand -puffing his chest out - just as Mr. Bowden returns from the back room with a small sack of gold. He is standing nearby, counting the coin into stacks on the counter quickly and concisely.
City Park (Lysi, Arry, Eftil)
As Eftil pokes his spear into the brush there's a shout, and some cursing in a foreign language . Out from the bush scrambles the very same man who had woken Eftil up with his spear. A dark-skinned, tattooed man with a thick Xoltian accent. He is dressed in leathers with tribal decorations of teeth. "Watch where you point that ting! Great brute!"
Docks District (Milena, Vandrake)
Milena arrives a little early, finding Vandrake also waiting nearby. The prison which Jobe described is actually little more than a small jailhouse, but there are a pair of guards standing outside. No sign of Jobe as of yet.
City Park (Lysi, Arry, Eftil)
As Eftil pokes his spear into the brush there's a shout, and some cursing in a foreign language . Out from the bush scrambles the very same man who had woken Eftil up with his spear. A dark-skinned, tattooed man with a thick Xoltian accent. He is dressed in leathers with tribal decorations of teeth. "Watch where you point that ting! Great brute!"
"Oh, cool! I learned new words today...I don't think the caravan master knew all of those words even though he did brag that he could swear in twelve languages ...but he seemed kinda hesitant to demonstrate. I think he was exaggerating. I like your tattoos. They're interesting. Do they mean anything or are they just for decoration? Ooh.....that necklace.....what kind of teeth were used to make it? Is there any particular pattern? Does it mean anything specific? I want to make one like that ...what kind of cord do you use? Hemp? Leather? Well, it would be silly to use a metal chain with something as natural as teeth so that wouldn't work....Hey, do you live in that shrubbery? How does that work? Don't you get cold? And what about when it rains? I don't think I'd like sleeping out in the wet very much. It sounds uncomfortable."
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm Lysi. Who are you?"
Vandrake paces, his brow furrowed. He notes the graceful approach of Sister Milena with a polite nod. "A pleasure to meet again, Sister."
Vandrake nods extending his arm and hand to indicate Milena may walk first.
Noticing the return of the management, Evengi simply shakes Mr. Farin's hand. "Good day to you sir." he says and returns to the back room.
I cannot follow him now...but I have a name, and I should be able to find his house in the city without much problem, the porters and footmen in the taverns after work will be able to point me to him.
Plus I don't want to get fired today...I still have to eat!
Docks District (Vandrake, Milena)
The shorter of the guards smiles at Milena's blessing. "Of course. Jobe is often late isn't he? You may go in." He opens the door, allwoing both Milena and Vandrake to pass. The prison doesn't look impressive within. There is another man sitting at a desk in the entrance room, and then a short hallway with 4 cells, which ends in a staircase. The man seated at the desk looks up. "Oh... here for the Khallan scum? He is asleep. Poor bastard."
City Park (Arry, Lysi, Eftil)
The tribal man looks a little exasperated as he cannot get a word edgewise for a minute as Lysi rambles on. Eventually Lysi introduces herself and gives him a chance to do so as well. The dark-skinned man introduces himself. "I am Itzli. I have come here, fleeing the brutality of Lethond. I do not care to be involved in their civil war with Xoltia. I do not believe the gods want their chosen people slaughtering each other. And so I am here."
Where would a rich snob drink....perhaps The Lion, or one of the other smoking clubs.
Evengi makes his way across town into the upscale district. The roads change from cobblestone to smooth flagstone, regularly swept clear of dirt and detrius.
"The youngling asked you questions. Best to answer some." Diri tells Itzli, clacking his beak sharply despite Arry moving in front of him to hold him back.
"Don't worry about Diri much, he usually doesn't bite people who aren't trying to hurt us."
City Park (Arry, Lysi, Eftil)
"What manner of beast is this which speaks?" The dark-skinned man seems to have ignored what Diri said in his curiosity. "This creature doesn't appear to any sort of animal I am familiar with. What are you, creature?
Vandrake walks behind Milena into the cell. "Is that not a peaceful picture."
Evengi stops and talks to several footmen and servants as he walks through the upper class district.
A scullery maid:
An older manservant:
A footman:
"What manner of beast is this which speaks?" The dark-skinned man seems to have ignored what Diri said in his curiosity. "This creature doesn't appear to any sort of animal I am familiar with. What are you, creature?
"He is no beast!" Arry replies angrily! "He is a great and marvelous bird that is as much a part of me as I am a part of him!" Pulling his bangs aside, Arry reveals the glowing rune on his forehead and points to the identical one on Diricawl's head as well. "See?"
"He speaks truth. He called and got answered. By me." Diri says as he dips his head to hold Arry back now.
"He's not a normal bird, I don't think." Eftil shrugs. "What were you doing in a bush?"
Prison (Vandrake, Milena)
The man at the desk (likely the Warden) hands Vandrake the key to the cell, allowing them to pass. The pair can see that the man is clearly asleep, though he looks by no means peaceful. Even in sleep, his face is curled into a hateful snarl, the tattoo on hiss forehead standing out against his light skin. As Vandrake opens the door, the mans eyes flutter open and he sits up quickly. His hands are in manacled. He doesn't speak.
Upscale District (Evengi)
Evengi grows frustrated as folks in the upper class district seem to be giving him the cold shoulder. No wonder though, dressed as he is. He is unable to gain any information on the whereabouts of his target on this evening, either because he is being brushed off, or simply because people simply do not know.
Undeterred, Evengi moves on, looking for the loading or servant's entrance to any upscale inns or eateries in the area.
Vandrake enters the cell. "The expression of one determined not to speak. How little faith do we put in those we follow and upon whose orders we act. Yet if our masters, our gods, were truly strong, we would have no need to conceal their affairs. Why not with great fervor and faith speak the truth of why you have come and who sent you. Show me the power of your faith and your surety in your path. Lesser men might hide behind the false strength of silence, but great men need not be silent about the extraordinary plans they take part in. Tell me, great man, tell me our doom."
Rodrik is relieved for Jobe's aid and nearly jumps at the opportunity to disengage from the two women. "Come, boy" he says and he scoots past them. He joins Jobe and leads him down the stairwell away from the argument, giving a polite nod to another tenant as the two slip downstairs into the lobby. Rodrik smiles and pats Jobe's shoulder.
"I find myself further and further in your debt, friend. What brings you to me this fine morning?"
City Park (Eftil, Arry, Lysi)
"To be perfec'ly honest, I was followin' you. Heard yas was involved in the trouble yesterday, then ya come and sleep in mah park. Thought it'd be interesting ya know? But you're pretty boring, truth be told." Itzli says, in a tone that matches his words. He sounds bored. "There ain't much excitement in this city."
The Hound's Hearth (Evengi)
Evengi prowls along alleyways, finding a upscale inn by the name of the Hound's Hearth. A three story stone buidling, well built. Marble pillars support the corners. A busty platinum-haired young woman is standing just outside the rear entrance, holding a metal flask casually in one hand, leaning against the wall. "Are ya lost or somethin'?" she calls to Evengi.
Prison (Milena, Vandrake)
The Inquisitor stands, spits at Vandrake's feet. "Perhaps I shall speak, and when I do, you shall know that Razgrizz is the One True God. Soon, his armies will descend upon your pathetic, unorganized rebellion. You will not have any allies in this fight, despite what your leaders may say. The world shall see Justice once more."
Rodrik's Flat (Rodrik)
Jobe definitely looks weary - he clearly didn't sleep last night, but he still manages a smile. "I need people. Folks I can trust. I need to know I can rely them. The government, the army," Jobe's smile fades, "No one seems to realize how fragile our position here really is. Our economy may be booming, but we are surrounded by enemies. All the Lethondites, the Khallans or the Aurelians need to do is figure out their domestic problems are we are like sitting ducks. We need people who can get things done. And I need someone whom I can trust to lead them." Jobe proffers a badge to Rodrik a badge. The inscription reads: "Warrant Officer, Special Forces division". "Every person involved yesterday showed a great ability to act. Though it pains me to involve civilians, especially children, we need all the help we can get. How would you like to return to active duty?"
Rodrik is taken aback. He had sometimes imagined returning to active duty. He certainly hadn't pictured being asked like this though, in a dusty lobby with muffled shouting in the background. He furrows his brow and strokes his moustache. "You're asking the children to fight? I don't know if I like that Jobe... I understand we're in dire straits and they may have some magical potential, but they're still just kids. And speaking of, I still haven't found a trace of my daughter. I don't know about this..."
City Park (Eftil, Arry, Lysi)
"To be perfec'ly honest, I was followin' you. Heard yas was involved in the trouble yesterday, then ya come and sleep in mah park. Thought it'd be interesting ya know? But you're pretty boring, truth be told." Itzli says, in a tone that matches his words. He sounds bored. "There ain't much excitement in this city."
"Well, that's your problem right there. No one is actually boring. You're just unimaginative. Why, even the crazy lady on brook street with twenty five cats isn't boring. Do you know, she brushes all of her cats every day and uses the fur to spin yarn that she knits into sweaters? It takes almost a whole year just to make one sweater. I think that's fascinating. Creepy, but fascinating. If you want to find things that are interesting you just have to look harder," she said cheerfuly.
"The world isn't a very exciting place." Eftil examines the point of his spear. "Sorry I poked you."
"The world isn't an exciting place if you don't want it to be. Have you watched the crazy cat lady Sis mentioned? I've seen people on spells that can't move that fast! And the cats know tricks, I've seen them! I don't think she taught them though, that they made them up on their own..."
Prison (Milena, Vandrake)
The Inquisitor stands, spits at Vandrake's feet. "Perhaps I shall speak, and when I do, you shall know that Razgrizz is the One True God. Soon, his armies will descend upon your pathetic, unorganized rebellion. You will not have any allies in this fight, despite what your leaders may say. The world shall see Justice once more."
"An uncouth act is a sign of weak faith. A sign of perturbation. One that is sure maintains the composure and civility taught to him by his faith. Being a former priest of Razgrizz myself, I know that you have been taught proper manners. I myself suffered a thorough interrogation by the Inquisitors of Razgrizz without insulting my interrogaters nor engaging in vulgar behavior. I would hope that you would do the same."
"It is obvious that Razgrizz does not wish the alliance with the Nethysia to occur. I shall relay that information to further strengthen the proposition that this allianec is a worthy one. If Razgriz fears the alliance and has sent his most faithful Inquisitors to disrupt it, then it must be to our mutual benefit and to the detriment of the Khallan Empire. It is astounding that the Khallan Empire would fear this alliance."
"Have you for a moment contemplated the cause of Razgrizz's fear of this alliance? Imagine for a moment Razgrizz sending you and the others into an enemy city because he fears them making an alliance with a nation that does not worship Razgrizz. The mighty Razgrizz shivers when he sees Nethys and Corail speak. The Razgrizz of old would not have sent such vulgar and common assassins to disrupt this alliance. The Razgrizz I followed would have armies surrounding this city. It would be made an example of, utterly destroyed with fire, storm, and quaking earth."
"Why did Razgriz not dispatch the full power of The Khallan Empire? Why does he fear this alliance? Who sent you? The High Priest? Or are you a former citizen of Corail acting with others of like mind on your own accord? If you are citizens, please do not mock Razgriz by claiming to act on the orders of his priesthood. Razgriz would not be pleased by such assertions if they were false. So displeased that you and the others might suffer in the afterlife. There is no use in making this a difficult interrogation. If you serve the mighty Razgriz and The Khallan Empire, giving information of this kind to meager enemies that Razgriz will crush only serves to further glorify The Khallan Empire. Speak freely. Inspire in myself and the good sister such fear that we will tremble in our sleep at the nightmares of Khallan reprisal we will see when we close our eyes."
Prison (Milena, Vandrake)
Rodrik's Flat (Rodrik)
"I'm not asking the children to fight. They asked ME to fight. I... as much as it bothers me, I can't refuse them. They remind me of Door, of the Champions... he was only a child when his story began. And if not for him, who knows what the fate of the world might've been?" Jobe once again wears the same weary expression from the day before, as he shifts his weight. "I know the situation isn't ideal, but people in the army are complacent, they don't see the need for immediate action. If I can gain your assistance in this matter, perhaps I divert resources to locating your daughter."
City Park (Eftil, Arry, Lysi)
"You tell me this stuff is interesting, but cats do nothing interesting at all. They eat, and they shit, and they sleep. Not very interesting." Itzli shrugs, brushing off both Arry and Lysi. "Maybe I picked the wrong folks to follow around. The only thing interesting you have is your talking bird-creature."
"Sounds just all the things people do." Arry says as he turns to Diri and begins combing his fingers through the feathers of the closest wing. "Given that people aren't as nice as some cats, I'm more likely to side with the felines."
Lysi shakes her head sadly. "It must be so sad being you. Something wonderful could be right in front of you and you'd just complain about how boring everything is. I'm surprised too. To have traveled away from everything familiar and still not appreciate things....your loss."
"Oh, look, there's that squirrel again. I wonder if we followed it if we would find a nest of baby squirrels...I think a squirrel would make a very good pet. Maybe if we find baby squirrels we can take one and raise it and teach it fun tricks...."
Sense Motive:
"Even a hero is only exciting when he's doing hero things. I'm just a mercenary who keeps missing the battles."
Rodrik ponders the offer, crouching down and scratching Xander behind his ears, before speaking. After a few moments, he rises."Alright, I accept. Gods know I haven't made any progress finding her on my own... And someone needs to keep these kids from biting off more than they can chew. That said, I've probably got more old friends among your enemies than your allies, I might ruffle a few feathers. Perhaps we should go somewhere a little more private to discuss the details?"