"..." She looks thoughtful for a moment before nodding to herself, her mind made up. "No, I refuse to believe it. She wouldn't, not now ..." Not after all this!
Freia gives the priestess an apologetic look. "Sorry, we got in some trouble when we entered the warded area before ... But we think it is okay now!"
Zayid says no more, his expressionless mask betraying no hint of his inner turmoil. Instead he waits and prepares to follow Freia if she enters.
Reck stares back at Noro, unflinching and unsympathetic.
"Fer what reason? Gold, grub, chance fer a good brawl or two. After th' crew voted t' sell th' Man's Promise an' we all went our ways I 'ad t'do something t'stay fed."
The chained half-orc spits on the ground.
"An' 'why' right back t'ye, Noro. Never figgered you fer th' law'n'order type."
Noro sits closer. It washn't a choishe. I wash covicted of murder, among other crimesh. this wash my shentence in lieu of hangin' they ar gonna "redeem' me. she says the last with a smirk and a laugh.
after a pause, look, I....ahhh...I...missed havin' ya around. she finally gets out afraid to admit her mistakes.
That gets a chuckle out of Reck. "Yeh never were much fer dancin', guess they figgered you'd not be entertaining dancin' th' Rope Jig in midair."
Noro's confession makes Reck pause, though. "Yeah," he says, quietly. "We 'ad some good times together. Don't reckon they'll 'and me th' same sentence as yeh. Cleaner than that mage would've done me for, as least. No 'ard feelings, Noro."
Noro takes pause, the gears churrnin' in her head. Lishten, you help me out with shomething, and I'll do what I can to get ya out of here. maybe we could hang out again, maybe bash shome skulls togetehr. what ya shay?
"Yeh must 'ave some pull, if'n yeh think yeh can spring me from this. Yeah, I kin 'elp yeh. If yeh can't... I wouldn't mind seein' yeh again afore th' end."
Noro gives a smile, but Reck knows there is some uncertainty behind it. don;t you worry about what pull I have, It jusht may require shome difficult choishes for you.
Nor gets to business, your old gang, The Tooth and Claw, who would take your placshe and what can I exshpect of him. and the other gangsh that are cropping up, any knowlwdge on them? You help me here, I will convinshe the Sorrowsh that you are a valuable asshet.
"You should just be able to fetch food when you want. But do be careful - some of the other Tears can be 'testing' new 'recruits'"
"So let us enter - if that is okay by you?"
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"Let's not get 'asty 'ere," says Reck. "Shouldn't yeh 'ave th' bad cop come in an' rough me up good afore spinning a sweet'art deal?"
Reck takes a slow breath and looks away. Treason's never tasteful, even when it's against a bunch of bastard dog-spawn. Still, they were MY bastard dog-spawn. Of all the lousy rat bastard street scum gangs in all the stinking, screaming cities in all the f@!!ed up nations of the world, she locks horns with mine. And you did it good, Noro. Looked like I was finally gonna make something out of life, again, and you tore it down, again. Chained to a wall, nothing but the rags on my back and a sore head. Just like the first time we met, all those years ago.
"f~*!."
Reck locks his eyes on Noro, decision made.
"With me outta th' way, Lee Ceder probably's runnin' things. 'e's usually about th' Mermaid's Sister, by th' bad end o' th' docks. Six-two, shaved 'ead, missin' 'is left ear. Don't look like much but 'e knows some fancy fightin' from th' east, real 'ard t'land a punch on 'im. 'e runs cockfights outta th' tavern's store-room, an' I 'ad 'im swiping likely barrels 'n bags off o' th' ships what was unloading. 'e made me th' most money o' my boys. Probably layin' low right now 'isself an' telling th' boys to cause trouble out o' our territory t' spread yeh Tears out. 'e'll be working with "Big" Bill Totts from th' Watch. 'e's crooked, more crooked'n th' rest o' the Watch an' that's saying something. 'e'd pass Watch schedules t' us for fixing th' cockfights and keeping 'im in coin an' lady."
Reck pauses to crack his neck using the limited movement available to him.
"Th' 'eartseekers'll be causing yeh problems too, no doubt. They're small but a right nasty bunch, run Devilweed, Sannish, an' Baccaran through th' city an' snuff out anyone else brave enough t' compete. They 'ave th' 'abit o' knifin' other gang bosses - yeh start taking us out, they'll be recrutin' old followers. Tanner Dace runs that show. 'E's not natural - 'e came after me an' I killed 'im. Made sure too. Week later 'e's out an about like nothin' 'appened."
"Th' Crowfoots'll pretend t' 'elp yeh out, but they'll turn on yeh as soon as they can. Watch for lone Watch disappearing one by one at night. Last I 'eard, Jarrad Frase was runnin' 'em. Dunno where he stays."
"Watch out fer th' Mantis Disciples too. Think they're assassins, most of 'em are two-bit thugs with cheap iron blades, but they're scrappers an' don't know when t' run. Thorrim Lyreson's the 'ead o' that lot. 'E's got an eyepatch what's fake - 'ole cut in th' middle an a glamour making it look solid. Think you get 'im 'elpless by circling to 'is 'blind side', then 'e sticks yeh. They stay in th' warehouse on Fleet Street, next t' th' silversmith."
Reck stops talking, licking parched lips.
"Might be I could recall more later, if'n I 'ad somethin' t'drink, an' maybe a smoke."
Halsanna - After a bit of wandering through the confusingly similar halls you make your way to the main hall. Large tables are set here in two long rows. The evening meal is in full swing making the food line easy to recognize.
You settle in next to a halfling who is talking quietly with two gnomes. They have no visible tattoos, but you've noticed that the tattoos can be placed just about anywhere. It doesn't take long for him to notice you.
Hey, boys! We got more fresh blood! What's your name, sweetheart?
Here's one of the "testing" ones Freia mentioned. You can see it in his posture and confident mannerisms.
Temple - Of course, come, please! She steps back and ushers you in. I'm so sorry. The news you brought... it made me forget my manners.
Zayid motions to Aboki to remain behind, then to Freia to precede him.
Freia nods thankfully and follows closely after the priestess. Once they are inside the warded room, she waits until the door is completely shut. Then she takes a deep breath and starts babbling.
"You were right, there was Thassilonian Rune Magic at works - and nasty one at that. But we stopped it, along with 'Akadia' and her accomplice. But ..."
She pauses to catch her breath and undoes enough her uniform and shirt from the collar and down to the brand, just enough that the priestess can see it. In an hopeful tone she continued, looking up at the priestess trough her mask.
"... we got this! Do you know what it is? Is it dangerous? Can it be removed?"
The priestess stands and leans in for a better look, then rounds the table she was sitting behind. Off the top of my head, no. You Tears do have a knack for bringing in interesting pieces, yon't you! She examines for a moment longer before sighing in resignation. Her eyebrows remain low in thought. I'll have to do some research. However, as this is a more personal request, there is the matter of the temple's fees. I will need to charge you one gold piece per week minimum per rune to be researched. This does not include fees to access rare tomes or any spellcasting that may be needed.
Is this agreeable to you?
Freias hopeful stance deflated a bit when the priestess shook her head, but resurged quickly as she offered to do research for them. Eagerly she nodded. I have enough gold! She started to button up her shirt as he spoke.
"Agree! There is at-least ten runes of this sort but ..." Freia tapped her mask. "... half is hidden out here. Would it be okay for you to pass by the Order of the Tears tonight and take a look at all of them?"
I can, yes. She says hesitantly. Do those masks even come off? I thought you wore them to protect your identity and to reduce the incidence of reprisal.
"They come off back 'home'. How else would we eat?"
"But on that topic, please keep this Rune-business as discreet as you can." Freia shudders. She was not keen on finding out if the Wrath-mage and Acadia had any friends left out there looking for revenge. Or to pick up the pieces ...
Of course. Was there anything else?
"Uhm ..." Freia hesitates for a moment. She is a priestess. It should be okay - shouldn't it? "W-would you say a prayer for us?"
Of course, dearest. She smiles and for a fleeting moment seems more caring grandmother than priestess of magic. She raises her hands to her waist, palms up and blesses you.
All-Seeing one, grant to these supplicants a measure of your divine knowledge and wisdom necessary to carry out your divine will in discovering the secrets behind their marks.
As the strange warm and fuzzy feeling rose with her Freia resisted her urge to hug the priestess. Barely. Instead she gives a quick bow for thanks.
"Thank you! This will surely be needed for the days ahead."
She smiles underneath her mask, her spirit lifted by the simple gesture.
"I believe that is all. Thank you once again!"
Zayid stands quietly to the side as Freia speaks to the priestess, looking politely away as she undoes her uniform. When she asks for a prayer, the young man raises an eyebrow. When it's time to go he nods farewell to the priestess and heads outside.
On the trip back, he glances over at the strange woman beside him. "You don't think they actually care, do you?" he asks.
Freia returns Zayid's glance with confusion. "'They'? The Priests?"
"The gods."
"Oh ..."
Freia responds and falls silent for a long moment, thinking. Do I? She thought back on her life. She hadn't had many moments that could be called "divine intervention". On the other hand ... With a soft and thoughtful tone she starts speaking again, after a handful of minutes.
"I hope so, but I am not sure. I asked the Gods for salvation once - and I was saved. But that was from and by the hand of us mortals ..."
She pauses to shudder at the memory and rubs her wrists before continuing in a more optimistic tune.
"But then, it couldn't hurt to ask - could it? What do you think?"
You can call me Casper. And Aspis! That's new. We don't get too many of you wandering free around here. Maybe you can wander by my place later, eh? He chuckles and glances knowingly to his companions.
Zayid walks on in silence for a bit before shrugging. "I guess it shouldn't hurt anything." His voice says what his words don't; that he doesn't think it'll help, either.
The gnome to the left has short, blue hair and looks like the muscle of the group. Gimble, he says. The other has green hair and says, Locke
Casper, meanwhile, fumes, but you are under close observation here so.he dares not start anything. Instead he spins and stalks off, taking his squad with him.
You hear a slight rush of wind where there shouldn't be, directly behind you. Your instincts tell you that Absentia just appeared nearby.
As Freia and Zayid walk back, they suddenly have an Absentia walking behind them. She glides beside Freia as if materializing out of thin air.
Of all my Tears, you two have the most to loose. Why, then do I find you entering a warded area without me. Again.
"Eeek!"
Freia emits a startled sound and jumps half a foot in the air. She stutters and fumbles with her words before managing to from a coherent sentence. But I told her !! Her tone is a mix of shame and confusion.
"B-but I said I was going to the Temple?"
She sighs and collect herself, looking up at the Sorrow.
"We went to see the Priestess about the case and ... the letters. I thought you understood."
As an afterthought she added -
"The priestess said she would come by HQ this evening and examine them. Perhaps they can find something ..."
Zayid freezes as Absentia appears, closing his eyes and reaching down to calm the snarling, startled feline beside him. Before he falls behind he starts walking again, but stiffly and with eyes averted as a heavy knot forms in his stomach.
You said you were going to the temple, yes. Perhaps I should explain more.
Sorrows are responsible for the Tears under their care, especially when said Tears are outside the base. Regulations demand I check on you if you disappear from my sight. If I am harsh, it is because I must be. Technically, disappearing off the grid is grounds for Heavy Labor for a week, but I understand your circumstances and have overridden that clause. In order to keep you from seeming favored by the other Sorrows I must be... exacting... in all things.
Her voice gains a gentle quality for a moment.
Believe it or not, Zayid. I am actually one of the only people on your side.
'Orders aren't always pleasant, young one.' The guardsman's words come, unbidden, to Zayid's mind. 'But Ilnar...' 'No buts about it, kid. When you put yourself under an authority, you do what that authority tells you, unless it's flat-out wrong. And even that can be hard to tell sometimes, because they know more than you do. You understand?' 'But... you can't mean I should've stayed with my uncle and... done those things.'
Zayid walks along in silence as Absentia speaks, letting his memories play themselves out. 'No, I don't mean that. Think about it, okay? You can tell me what you come up with later. Meantime, grab that sword... I still want to show you the maneuver I was telling you about last time.'
The young man takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly before responding. "Will you be punished?" he asks, his eyes still wandering the street.
Freia looked down at her feet as she listened and nodded to Absentias explanation. It seemed to make sense ... With the last sentence that warm and fuzzy feeling resurfaced again and she looked up - holding her breath as she waited for the Sorrow to reply to Zayid.
Absentia doesn't answer for a long moment. That's above your pay grade, Sorry. I just hope you made good use of your visit?
"I hope that too ..." Freia replies with a tinge of regret. "The priestess didn't know what they were off-hand, but she agreed to look into it. Perhaps it is best if you meet with her as she comes over to examine them all ? On that topic - how are visitors handled, if we even can have them - or contractors for that matter?"
I can admit her under my authority. You couldn't. I will escort her at all times while she is in the building. It's not too bad when you are bringing contractors in for your own team. Your situation makes it easier still. Shouldn't be a problem.
The tanned young man decides to let Freia answer the question as he contemplates Absentia's response. If she's going to be punished, why not say so? Wouldn't that make us feel 'worse'? It'd make her look selfish, though. But if she isn't, then... why not say so? To guilt us? And in that case, why not make us do the hard labor so we're less likely to err again in the future? Unless she's trying to make us feel bad and also trust her more... that doesn't make any sense though.
As Absentia finishes explaining the visitor allowance, he frowns. "Will everyone have to wear masks?" he asks.
Freia waited in anticipation for the Sorrows reply to her comrades question. I hope not - then she would only see half the runes! But I might be able to draw them ... *hmh*
Because of the purpose to which she has been contracted, no, you will not be masked.
Hunched over a lap desk, Ariana's pen scrawls long, elegantly curved letters in Elvish. Slowlys, she imbues the magical power into the scroll until, with a flash of pale yellow light and a flourish, she completes the second scroll. She wraps a black ribbon around it and stamps it with a clear label before sliding it into a scroll case beside three others. "Preparation is everything," she says quietly to herself, repeating the Rosencruz family motto.
Absentia arrives at your bunk room with priestess in tow about an hour before lights out. The priestess is carrying a god sized hard leather case and smiles warmly when she enters.
Good evening, everyone. She says. Absentia is quiet.
Zayid nods a greeting to the priestess before turning his attention to Absentia. Since when does she not have anything to say...
Probably deciding how best to get rid of us... no, that's not fair. She hasn't given us any reason to distrust her, and she's claimed repeatedly that she's 'on our side' – whatever that means.
The tanned young man reaches down to pet Aboki just as the big cat stands and gives a long stretch, the rune on his head sparkling in the light.
As the pair entered Freia looked up from her sketchbook. She had left both her armour and sword with the Tears enchanters and without them to fiddle and fix, she felt a bit restless. She had attempted to cure that by training her sketching skills with a mirror and the brand on her forehead. Besides, the sketch might come in handy for the priestess. After a while she had realized she was painting the glyph inverted and added some watery ink to soak trough the paper, causing the backside to reveal the glyph in its proper alignment. She was quite proud that she pulled off that one!
"Hello!" She greeted the pair. She looked around, hesitant and unsure if she were to introduce the others but decided that giving their names should be their choice. "Ummm ... Welcome to our quarters, I guess!"
The priestess bows a little, Thank you, Tears. Now, I believe we have some work to do.
She moves to the nearest unoccupied bed and opens her case which turns out to be a much more professional and elaborate kit for scriveners. She motions you over one at a time and transcribes your runes carefully upon separate sheets of paper. If you give your name, she doesn't label the papers with it.
Finally, she is done and Absentia escorts her out only to return immediately. Gather up. I have some news about your mission.
We just got word through one of our informants that a deal has just been struck between the Charred Cavaliers, the group you are scheduled to hit, and the Caped Monkeys who controlled the two blocks beside them. They are now the Caped Cavaliers and have grown significantly more dangerous overnight. You mission has gone from low risk test strike to a nearly suicidal run.
And you're still going in.
The worse news is that most of our other assets are occupied elsewhere at the moment and there is no time for a re-assignment. Besides, a last minute shift of the magnitude needed to effectively back you would alert the targets.
Oh, and it's "Targets" now. You have two where you used to have one. Both gang bosses have holed up in the government building as it is the most defensible.
She hands whoever is nearest a large roll of paper.
Floor plans, as promised. I can't guarantee that is the exact layout, but it's close. They haven't had enough time to completely renovate, I'm sure.