"I'll come and drag him out after I get the scholar out, Freia! Pull him over to a window and fight off those hounds, we need your blade and I can't do much else here!"
Moving across the battle field the masked Tear moves light of foot with an intensity in his eyes that meant only death was on his mind. As he approached his target he readied his strike looking for the perfect place to do the most damage.
The guard shakes his head, "I've got him, my duty is to the civilian populace first! Try to hold them back!"
The tear with the polearm switches it to one hand and drags his comrade toward the exit, pausing for breath and to glance around and defend himself if needed.
Abramov’s flashing blade opens a nasty wound on the hyena as it scrambles to its feet. Kalam does the same but the wound he inflicts is enough to finish off his target.
Freiya struggles to stop the bleeding from Pelgrev’s bleeding injuries but Zayid does manage to drag him towards the Kiss’s entrance, away from the demonic hyenas and rapidly growing flames. Johnny drives his sword deep into the flank of the previously wounded hyena causing it to whimper in pain and anger but not causing enough damage to finish the beast.
The flames continue to spread and smoke filling the air becomes thick enough to be dangerous.
Yolanda will move to the exit.
The doctor knows that their time is up and bolts for the exit.
The scholar frowns at the guard, something was off about him. "I'm not wasting any more spells in here, guardsmen. I don't know what authority you think you have, but its best if you cover our retreat, let me drag the idiot I knocked out. He's wanted by the Tears for questioning anyway."
The guard attempts to shout something back but the thick smoke forces him to lose it to a coughing fit.
Momentarily free from immediate attack, the guard makes a push for the door, his movement slowed by the weight of the man on his shoulder.
The survivors burst from the burning Kiss and into the polished streets of the Alabaster Quarter to find the scholars that escaped earlier nursing their wounds or otherwise sitting in a state of shock. As the survivors do a quick headcount, it quickly becomes clear that there are two separate groups present – the masked members of the Order of Tears and the surprisingly well armed random citizens lead by a non-descript city guard. Teveran eventually stirs and stares in bewilderment at the various dangerous persons assembled around him. ”They know! I’ve said too much!” he says desperately.
As everyone stumbles out of the building, the guard quickly takes stock of the carnage, setting down the man he carries, and searching for immediate threats, "Everyone out alright? Everyone stay put for the moment."
He calls to the nearby civilians, who are no doubt gathering, "All of you stay back, help will be here shortly."
Moving to the downed Tear, he kneels, "Make some space! Is he still breathing? Good."
Placing hand on Pelgreve's chest he reaches to the flask at his belt with the other hand, muttering under his breath "Cayden, see that this one lives to drink again..."
His patient restored to health, he stands quickly, looking at the other Tears, "Right, our assailant is still out there. Form a perimeter!"
Returning to the newly awakened Teveran, he looks down at the man, "You'd better have plenty more to say. I'm hereby placing you and the your accomplice under arrest in conjunction with the dockland murders."
Looking at the woman with the bow and the man in the coat he gestures to Teveran and the violet skinned woman, "Bind their hands and keep an eye on them. Both are dangerous."
Noro chugs the last of the ale as she watches over her fallen comrade. keeping an eye on the healer.
the anger in her eyes is still there, she struggles to contain it. There has been enough fighting today.
Once Pel s healed, and out of danger. she stands there for a moment. she drops the mug, it shatters on the stone road.. the blood loss has finally caught up with her, and she collapses in a puddle of her own blood now pooling around her.
She hid her wounds well, appearing ready to fight despite the injuries suffered. hopefully it isn't too late.
Seeing the other Tear collapse due to her injuries, the guard moves quickly to administer similar treatment.
As she regains consciousness he puts a hand on her shoulder, 'We'll not have you dying now! The attacker is still out there, could bring more of those things down on our head at any moment."
Uggghhh... Bright.
The big man shades his eyes as they adjust to the bright sun.
How did I get here? Dogs! I don't see them.
He slowly rises to his feet and looks around to take in the situation. He sees the freshly healed wounds on his skin, and a wry twinkle lights up in his eyes.
New scars. What happened?
As soon as Pelgrev is healed Freia is at their side, taking a good look to make sure they are actually fine. While their auras is still fragile - they doesn't seem to be deteriorating anymore. With a sigh she gives Pelgrev a hand "We're outside now - you didn't look that good for a while! It seems the guards have some resources after all." She laughs - all the damed up nervosity is at once relieved. "I'm sure youknowwhom will be most displeased to hear we owe the guard one ..."
When Noro also collapse she rushes to her side instead. Dammit...! Luckily, it would seem as if the guard was even more resourceful then they had dared to hope. Kneeling down, she offers Noro some water. "Here - take this" she leans closer to give her a hand "Please don't do that again - you had me worried Lou would be orphaned..."
Abramov studied the Tears, having nothing to do now that Kalam bestowed upon them his God's healing touch. Why weren't they pushing their superiority? Kalam had taken charge and put a plan into action, so he had no option but to follow. His mom had once told him a story about a ship with too many captains ..
Waiting to find out how Kalam has got this all planned out, the doctor remains on the razor's edge.
Noro tries to sit up but she definitely looks quite fatigued and possibly a little sick.
She takes the water Thanksh, Ish Pel OK? I had to shtay up long enough to make shure he wash OK, Jusht in cashe. Noro's lisp is more prevalent now, an indication of her anxiousness, or possibly worry about something.
Still frowning, Ariana escapes out the back door. "There's no need to bind him, he's not dangerous. He's just a person of interest to the authorities. Thank you for your assistance, but we can take it from here. If you truly want, you can help us escort this..oddly hued lady to our headquarters for questioning as well."
Moving up to Pelgrev, she'll help him stand up. "The summoned beasts attacked you and that woman.." she nods toward Yolanda. "May have something to do with it. I think Freia said it wasn't her doing the summoning, but that didn't stop her from blasting you with negative energy while you were down and out."
Brushing at her skirts, she'll flash a forced smile at the guard and his companions, offering her hand, forgetting that they can't see her face anyway. "I'm Ariana, thank you again for your help. Who are you all? You wear a guardsmen uniform, but your friends don't."
Ancestors help me, magic surrounds. I... get used to it...
Pelgrevs sighs.
That blade seems to have cut both ways today.
The big man walks over to Noro, and chucks her shoulder.
I be okay. Thanks.
The guard spits at the mention of Teveran being harmless, "Harmless my ass lady. Him and the purple wretch are up to their eyeballs in these murders! Why do you think I hired these two to tail the pair of them?"
He wracks his brain to remember how the city watch's authority interacts with the Tears' :
He offers a salute, "Sergeant Sims. I'm coordinating our investigation at ground level. While not our killer, it's our belief that the lady here is a former accomplice of his, likely staged this attack to keep her from talking. You have my gratitude for helping keep her alive. That gratitude only extends so far however. I don't know what authority you think you have but I hold jurisdiction here. These two are coming with us. That said, in light of your assistance we will be willing to share any information gleaned with your organization. Who knows, I might even be able to convince Lieutenant Lowell to turn them over to your custody once we have completed our interrogation?"
Noro watches the back and forth show of authority. she knows what she represents but beyond that no clue on juristictions.
Perhapsh I will accompany them, I have been known to provide shome inshentive to get people to talk. I could represhent our interest with the prishoners.
Noro has trouble standing but manages to do so, probably out sheer will power to not look weak.
The guard shakes his head, "The offer is appreciated but you can barely stand, ma'am. I've done what I could but right now you need rest before you're ready to be doing much of anything."
"I'm getting too old for this, Sims. Damn, I'm a doctor, not a thrill-seeking mad man! Now, can we go? I need a drink after all of this.."
The doctor truly seemed rattled and at the end of his nerves. Twitches and spasms plagued the corner of his right eye and left pinkie. His coat and pants did well to hide the constant tensing of his muscles.
We go with you, see Cap'n Cabbaine. He and Sorrows fight 'bout old mage.
Pelgrev chuckles at the thought.
If he dangerous, safer in numbers.
"Noro's right, we'll accompany you to whichever barracks is yours. We can send word to the Tears from there. Its our ass on the line if we let you walk off with our suspect. And what do you know about the murders? The Tears were tasked with investigating that issue, not the city watch."
Teveran squirms against his bindings only to laugh darkly a moment later.
"Even now you feed them... Such small short-sighted minds... How can you hope to stop what you don't understand?"
The doctor gets visibly annoyed when the elf tells them they know jack shit about the investigation, and Jack just left town. "You signed over custody the moment he overwhelmed the lot of you. It is clear that we are the experts here, and you the trainees. Who apprehended him? Who made sure none of you are in the fitting room for your own oblong box? And yes, mam, I do happen to know a fair bit about the murders. How dare you question our, nay, my professionalism! You should be on your knees thanking Sims, because he kept you out of Pharasma's grasp. And we all know how she had her bony knuckles wrapped around your throats only moments earlier today."
He holds up his right hand and flexes his finger outwards and then inwards over and over again. As he ends his tirade he reaches for a flask inside his coat, turns around and chucks away its contents in one swig. The twitches and spasms stopped and a feral demeanor washed over him. Clearly not a happy drinker, this one.
> AC 21, Init +12, +6 to hit.
In a moment of lucidity, the mad scholar frowns and focuses on the posturing parties standing over him.
”Enough! You all stand there blustering like fools. I’ve risked my hide with what I’ve said already. Why should I help a moment longer?!”
Ariana looks at the crazed stranger with a bemused expression. "Custody? You don't look like you're with any authority that I know of. And if you were there, I was the one who knocked the poor sod on his rear. I already gave my thanks, your..attitude is not appreciated nor warranted. As far as we were informed, we were chief investigators on these murders. If the city has you working on it as well, it makes even more sense for you to come with us to the Headquarters so it can all be worked out."
Noro just watches the interaction and not quite liking the direction this is going.
Noro walks up behind Ariana. Noro grabs by the back of her outfit in an attempt to drag her back away from the situation. I got word, a new mission, we need to discuss it...Now!
please just go with it this is a bluff but Noro needs to talk to you privately.
Noro takes her away from the situation and out of earshot of the rest of the groups.
The guard is visibly taken aback by the doctor's outburst. Staring at the change that seems to have come over him, "The good doctor represents authority ma'am. He's attached to this investigation...for a number of reasons...maybe more than I'd guessed..."[/b]
Regaining his composure he looks at the Tears, "It's clear to me that you are suffering from a lack of communication. Something your order had been decidedly guilty of before. My investigation is under the radar, hence the hired help. I do however assure you that is supersedes you own efforts. After this attack you must realize we're dealing with an extremely dangerous opponent here. I have no intention of taking this man to the local station where any fool in a shiny uniform can simply walk in."
He addresses the mad scholar, "My aim is to get you both off the street as quickly as possible. It seems your friend aims to remove you from among the living. I'd prefer to keep that from happening. We will keep you off the streets and safe for the time being, but only if you help us."
Well, we are clearly not going to win a battle of arms, depleted as we are... Freia bites her tongue as the unpleasant doctor opens his mouth. The words "glory hog" quickly passes trough her mind but she clenches her jaws shut. An angry glance gets the point adequately across instead.
And it didn't look like the guardsmen were going to let himself be defeated in a battle of words either. Probably some ambitious sod trying to earn a promotion or something. Explains his hired thugs too! It was situations like these she wished she had the talent to spin a web of words and ensnare him, trick him into giving them what they wanted freely. Instead she had to settle to try and compromise. They weren't going to win a battle of either arms or words - but they might go for a stalemate on the later...
"Sir, I'm sure you have a perfectly good reason for this. And we do appreciate assistance. But returning empty handed ? That isn't something we can do on your word alone." She pauses and swallows, clearly not comfortable talking to him. "But please, we just have a quick series of questions we need to ask - surely you can spare a minute? Arguing otherwise would probably take longer anyways ..." She gives the doctor another stare, this one not quite as angry, but just as hostile. "Your goons could keep people away - giving us enough privacy to do it right here! Then you can have him for whatever crusade you are on..."
The tear with the polearm studies the two groups in silence, his expression unreadable due to the black mask that covers his face. All of a sudden he steps toward Kalam, one hand on his polearm. "He's lying." he says quietly. "He's been lying this whole time."
The doctor was seething with anger. "By Abadar's just and divine balls, the woman is right. Can we get going already?!"
We let Captain and Sorrow aid. We all go to guard base.
Pelgrev looks the old man in the eyes and lets his earnest desire for a peaceful resolution show through.
"I really don't care what you say, Guardsman, about whether you apparently supersede our jurisdiction on this matter. I'm not taking the word of a random patrol officer on this matter. In fact, you don't seem to know much about why we are here or what we're looking into. There has apparently been some oversight on both sides. Now if you'd keep your bloody arrogant tongue between those shiny white teeth and get walking as your companions suggested, I'm sure we can work all of this out. At headquarters. If you insist on going to your local barracks to inform your superiors first, feel free. We can contact the Tears from there."
The guard considers the blue tinged Tear for a moment, ignoring the protests of the others. He looks back at the scholar with a grimace before turning back to the tears, "Damn it all, there's little time for this but I can respect your predicament. Ultimately we're all on the same side after all. If you've only a few questions for the man I might be able to oblige the lot of you. Just do me a favor and don't mention it to the Lieutenant, he'll have my balls for breaking procedure..."
He looks around, "My associates could use two of your number to help secure the perimeter. Otherwise you've got a few minutes, try to stick to pertinent information. I'd prefer to get to the safe house sooner rather than later. The one we're after is a dangerous bastard that's for sure."
Turning, he moves to watch over the purple skinned woman.
A moment later, guided by the blaze that's become of the Nereid's Kiss, a troupe of Alabaster District Guard arrive along with a masked figure some recognize as Sorrow Ministrant. The guard at the troupe's lead pauses to salute 'Sims' before starting the task of seeing to the wounded scholars and organizing a fire brigade.
Teveran stops struggling in his captor's grip and nods that he's ready to leave.
Sorrow Ministrant strides up to the Tears and offers a sealed roll of paper. Orders
Squad,
The informant you acquired earlier today has spilled his guts. A grave situation develops. Report to base. This supersedes your current investigation.
AbsentiA
After you have read the orders, Ministrant says flatly, Follow me. without leaving room for argument.
Ariana shrugs and turns, bowing to the guardsman. "It seems we are requested elsewhere. If it can be arranged, we should convince our superiors to let us collaborate on this issue."
Her tone is deadpan, to the point. She's not very good at being polite or paying attention to social niceties. She turns on her heel and follows after the Ministrant without another word.
Freia swallows her thankful reply to 'Sims' when the Sorrow and the guards show up. Visibly relieved she takes the scroll and quickly reads it before passing it to the others. Confused, she scratches her head then shrugs. Three more minutes to finally question the scholar is too much ? *Sigh* Ah well, atleast something is working out properly... Clacking her boots together, she raises her right hand in salute to 'Sims'. "Until next time, Sergeant Sims!" Then she turns away and grabs Pelgrev, leaning in close as they follow Sorrow Ministrant away. "New orders - we are to return to base. I'll try to explain on the way."
Ariana shrugs and turns, bowing to the guardsman. "It seems we are requested elsewhere. If it can be arranged, we should convince our superiors to let us collaborate on this issue."
Her tone is deadpan, to the point. She's not very good at being polite or paying attention to social niceties. She turns on her heel and follows after the Ministrant without another word.
Sims snaps a salute to his fellow guardsmen before nodding to the Tears, "Farewell, I wish you luck. Perhaps we'll meet on simpler terms next time."
Taking the violet lady roughly by the arm he nods to the other two to bring the scholar, "Lets get out of the open."
Departing he leads the others quickly down the street.