Logan looks about for the other two who assaulted them, but he cannot find them. He curses darkly under his breath, muttering momentarily about "too many beards" and "not enough variety". He looks at Bolgrith, "Are you alright? They certainly weren't the most honorable of fighters."
The young dwarf walks purposefully up to Logan. "You are the human called Stonebit?"
He turns to the dwarf "That is correct, I am Logan Stonebit, lieutenant of the Borderguard. This is Bolgrith, a priest of Irori and friend. There is also Aladdin who is otherwise engaged and Coral who is also otherwise engaged, neither of whom were here when four thugs assaulted us for something we do not have. This is Tynn Hiloxiet, a scholar whom we met at the council of kings. With that in mind, since I understand you represent High King Stormcall, how can we be off assistance?"
Tolsbaer bows. "Rather it is I who hopes to be of assistance to your company. My Uncle has asked me to be your guide here on the isles and his representative to the lands beyond."
Logan looks at Bolgrith with a shrug, and back to the newcomer. "I have no qualms with you joining us. Did your uncle provide you with any of the details of what lies ahead, Master Stormcall?"
Bolgrith nods at the young human's question, though his eyes stay fixed on the Stormcall dwarf now in their midst. Once his piece is spoken, Bolgrith nods again. "Twice in one day, these offers of assistance!" the priest proclaims "Irori must think we are far from perfection indeed, to grant such a boon!" He chuckles goodnaturedly, eyes turned with expectation to the new arrival.
"Alas, I do not have much information about what lies before you. I am simply here to represent my uncle and help in what ways I can."
The dwarf chuckles. "Though I am curious how you were able to procure an Irkei Stone, and so quickly."
Logan nods "We will talk in detail of what lies ahead of us when there is less chance of someone listening in." he smiles. "As for the irkei stone, I suppose we got it so quickly because General Thunderhelm appreciates a good game of chess and because one of our friends happened to be able to provide him with one." a slightly somber tone creeps at the end of his words.
"In the meantime, however, I don't believe we caught your name. What should we call you, friend?"
"...Thunderhelm...A game of chess! HAHAHA! My uncle will have his balls!" The young dwarf's cheeks flush with embarassment and he clears his throat and bows. "Forgive me. I am Tolsbaer, nephew to the Holy King Sotrmcall. I am at your service."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Realizing that he may have just gotten someone in trouble, Logan adds "There was also a tactical discussion of the force to be reckoned with, as well. I suppose the chess game was more of a running model of the war to at hand. It is a pleasure to meet you, Tolbert. I know we are to sail tonight, is there anything you need in preparation for the trip?"
"It's Tolsbaer,"The noble chides gently, "And no, there are no preparations outstanding. I need only to pick up my travel sack."
"That's what I... Wait..."Logan cocks his head slightly sideways and blinks a couple times. Slightly embarrassed, he apologizes "I'm sorry, Tolsbaer, after that bar fight, my mouth and my mind may have gotten a bit disconnected. I think we are ready as well, for the most part.“ he looks to Bolgrith "Is there anything you need to gather before we leave? I know we will need to get Aladdin and Coral, eventually."
Bolgrith takes in the story as the newcomer, Tolsbaer, brings it to light. At Logan's question the cleric turns and sketches a short bow. "I am called Bolgrith, a Priest of Irori the perfect being. It is an honor to have one of the royal house accompany us during our time in the Hammertides." Turning to Logan and then to the stairs up which Aladdin and his friend absconded, he chuckles. "Let the kids have their fun. Besides I think we might have some business to conclude here." The dwarf says before scanning the room once more.
Spotting the two instigators at the nearby table Bolgrith marches resolutely over. Setting a gauntletted hand on each of their shoulders, he not unkindly says, "I wish for you to know that I bear you no ill will. Every struggle we face is but a step along the path to self-perfection. And this altercation has helped remind me how even the smallest of set backs can be used to bring about renewed strength." The Priest steps back a pace and brings a closed fist up to an open palm in salute to the pair, bowing deeply from the waist. In the process he chants a quiet prayer and a burst of brilliant cyan-flame races outwards from his body, wrapping everyone in the room with a soft warm flame. The holy fire consumes the bruises and scrapes starting to form on all of the tavern brawlers.
Once the holy light subsides, The Faithful address his opponents further. "Only one thing concerns me. The Irkei stone, was it merely for money that you wished to possess it?"
Many of the calmed brawlers grunt or exclaim in surprise as their black eyes and busted lips heal completely. The one knocked out cold by Logan’s fists flicks his eyes open, and slowly gets up with a groan. He looks around with a confused expression before finding his friends, and their unaggressive posture toward the priest they were recently fighting. Without a word, he slips into a seat at their table. “Aye,” one of the ruffians answers Bolgrith, “We didn’t even know about it until an hour ago. Wunna teh rich merchants put us up to it, said we’d get more gold than we could fit ‘n ‘er pockets.”
The other dwarf hooligans nod to confirm the speaker's account.
Coral does a poor job of masking her mild frustration with sweetness at the sorcerer’s, ahem, hurry. Still, she seems quite content to ignore the commotion in the tavern downstairs and idly talk of a future intertwined with the mad stormborn.
Tynn sits down as the commotion settles and regards the young new dwarf with a measuring look. He says nothing and resumes his meal.
After a few moments of consideration, he waves Tolsbaer over to the table. “Take pinch of bread and beef before we go.”
"Today, we sail for Anvil Isle."
Bolgrith nods patiently. "I see," he says quietly. "And which merchant was this?" He asks softly.
Logan grabs the attention of one of the bar maids and orders a round of ale for the group of brawlers.
The dwarves nod to Bolgrith and are about to speak when the barmaid brings over three pints of ale. As the tankards are set down in front of them, the three begin hurriedly talking over each other all that they know about the merchant who hired them.
“I don’t know his name, but he’s a human-”
“Something that started with ‘B’... or ‘V’...”
“...a hooked nose, and a dark eye-”
“-in a fancy purple robe with gold-”
“-fingernails! Except for his missing-”
“-teeth. Such an unpleasant smile. His moustache-”
“-of fine, supple leather must have cost a fortune.”
In the end, they all convey that they were to meet him at sundown on dock Two Four Six Zero One, with the Irkei Stone to exchange for their reward. The three also pile on profuse apologies, saying they would never fatally harm anyone, just meant to rough them up a bit and scare them into handing over the stone.
Tolsbaer turns to Logan. "We should intercept this person and find out what he needs with a sacred stone of my people."
To the apologetic dwarves: "You men will keep this rendezvous, and we will apprehend this villain. In exchange, I will not see you prosecuted. I require you acquiescence."
Logan nods, "Agreed, especially considering the lengths this merchant was willing to go to get it." If indeed the merchant is a human, I wonder how his plans relate to the war... A slight frown tugs at his face as accusations of treason creep into his mind.
"So what were you thinking of doing after adventuring?" he said idly as he listened to her talk
The three nod and one of them says, “We will lead you there; it’s about an hour til sundown, that’s when we’ll leave. Should only be him and his aide and bodyguard, methinks.”
Tynn adjusts the bifocals that seem to intensify his annoyed look. “Is this really necessary? Whoever wanted that stone will not get it. I would prefer your assistance on my research sooner, rather than later…”
“Okay, let’s go,” the three befriended ruffians rise and begin walking down the darkening streets. After a few turns down the blocks, the adventurers can hear and smell the docks as they draw near. Passing between two huge storage rooms, the three stop those that follow.
“Around this corner, they’ll probably be waitin’ for us.” one of them says, “An’ he might get jumpy if we bring so many.”
Toslbaer indicates that the men should lead on. He then assumes the walk of a trained diplomat, for such he is.
Not too far onto the pier, Tolsbaer calls. "Greetings. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
Logan waits out of sight as Tolsbaer progresses; his hand on the hilt of his falchion. He keeps an open eye and an open ear out for if the situation goes awry, as well as for any surprises.
“I don’t like this,” grumbles Tynn to Bolgrith’s ear, “We are wasting time. The Irkei Stones are a coveted item among all merchants and nobles who wish to curry favor with the kings. There are probably hundreds attempts to acquire them in a year and rarely have they succeeded -why does this failed attempt matter?”
After a bit of small talk, the two saunter down the stairs to rejoin their friends, only to find that they have left. Twenty minutes of running down the darkening streets and asking around, Coral and Aladdin catch up with their companions, out of breath.
The tide sloshes against the sides of the docked ship. Wood and rope creak sleepily. The only light nearby is that held by the pair at the end of the dock.
A tall man in an embroidered purple cloak leans casually against a stack of crates on the dock. His pristine leather boots fidget against a knot in a wood plank at his feet. A smaller woman in muted and efficient attire stands beside him, holding a lantern against the dark of night and looking tired. The well-dressed merchant sports a debonair moustache, which twitches above a sour, forced smile as he regards the three approaching dwarves. The lantern-bearer raises her light and adjusts her glasses.
“Merchant Venjamin, of Mirth. Here to trade with the stout goodfolk of these isles,” a rich male voice answers back, pleasant to the ears. The purple cloaked man pushes himself off the crates and stands up straight.
“I was expecting these two, but not you. Is everything alright?” he asks with a guarded tone.
Why would everything not be alright Venjamin of Mirth? Do you know me?"
"I can see you wear a royal medallion, but there are three royal families and you stand too far from the light to for me to recognize you." Venjamin smiles unpleasantly. "I did not say things were not alright. I wasn't expecting you, whoever you are, is all I meant by it."
"So, do you have the stone? Or are you wasting my time?"
The light from the lantern casts the shadow of a stack of crates onto the sides of the nearby ship. Behind the crates, stands the shape of a tall and powerfully built man.
Venjamin was expecting to deal with ruffians of the bar, not this new face before him. He is a little on edge, but is now hoping to make the best of it by arranging some kind of exchange for the stone that Tolsbaer surely has with him.
Tolsbaer walks forward casually, almost into the light, whispering to his guides as he walks past. "This was not supposed to end well for you. Be on guard and stay behind me."
"I'm happy to come into the light if your big friend wants to do likewise, and you know full well that The royal stones are not for sale."
"Now tell me, Venjamin of Mirth, what did you hope to gain by illegally acquiring an Ireki Stone?"
Heavy foot steps precede a well-armored man who saunters out from behind the stack of crates. Hocking a glob of phlegm over the edge of the dock, he leans against the wood boxes once more, this time in full view of Tolsbaer, adjusting his shoulders when his sheathed greatsword presses between his back and the crate panels. Folding his thick arms casually, his scarred face turns a bored and disdainful look at the three dwarves.
Venjamin tisks disapprovingly. "Come now, we both know that they can be bought legally," flows his silky voice, "But it is plain to me now that the vagrants who brought you here are as incompetent as they are filthy. As it stands, I have committed no crime, for no goods, legal or illegal, have exchanged hands. I owe not a copper to those rats with you, master dwarf, and they have no proof but their stinking tongues that I made any such promise." He carelessly shrugs as one does over a matter that cannot be helped.
While nothing he says is untrue, Tolsbaer gets the sense that Venjamin is trying to distract him with legalities, away from the fact that he dishonestly sought after a stone that was not for sale. He did not answer why he wanted one, either.
"Do not try to mire me in lawyer's prattle, Venjamin of Mirth. There is no stone available for legal sale. Moreover, you did not answer my question: why do you seek an Ireki Stone?"
Tolsbaer glances at the big man. "Order your man back a ways. I'm sure he does not intend to cause unease, but we must observe the other’s feelings. For example, I am very mindful that you would likely be displeased if this little rendezvous ended with the revocation of your merchant's license and that of all your known associates: a course of action I am proportionately more likely to consider the closer this brute is to my immediate vicinity."
A scowl plays across Logan's face A code word. We should have established a code word...
“Aw, he dun’t like the cut o’ my jib!” drawls the big man in mock disappointment, but he does not move.
Despite the noble dwarf’s politeness, Venjamin does not like what he hears. He steps forward with a frown, indicating his aid to follow. Light washes over Tolsbaer and the two peasant dwarves. “Ah, Stormcall. I might have known. See, that’s government for you, Biff,” he says to the armored man, “Here to ignore and interfere with everyone equally.”
“So you come to this dock, waste my evening, and threaten to revoke my merchant’s license? I recall my associate was on this dock before you, Master Stormcall. What if he doesn’t like all your questions, hm? I have two witnesses here that could testify that you showed up and caused trouble. But I think it’s been a long night, and we’ve wasted enough of each other’s time. If you would step out of the way, we will be going…”
“Oh, and if you must know, I sought after the stone to gain audience with King Fivestone. Word is he likes glittering stones and precious metals, and I had an offer for him.” He waves his hand dismissively. “But I suppose that meeting must wait. Now, if you would please...” He indicates that Tolsbaer should move out of the way.
Tolsbaer smiles. "As it happens," He raises his voice to the others. "I have five witnesses that you have been engaging in activities of questionable legality. Moreover, they have witnessed you threatening a member of a royal family."
Tolsbaer shrugs. "Now I am sure this is all just a misunderstanding, but I am sure the royal council can help us sort it out. I insist you accompany me to the palace where our respective grievances and your offer can be presented to the kings."
Logan steps out from where the group waited and approaches Tolsbaer. He stops within 5 feet of the dwarf, outwardly calm but inwardly ready for anything should they be non-compliant.
"Stay here, out of sight!" Aladdin whispered urgently to Coral. He worked a little magic in his mind, and summoned a cloud to start raining above his head while waiting in his hiding place.
Bolgrith steps forward into the light. His stance is nonthreatening, but his shield is securly strapped to his forearm in preparation.
"Threaten! I did no such thing!" Venjamin sputters. His eyes narrow as two figures step out of hiding, but he cannot quite identify them. "Less than five. Unless you count yourself and these two unreliables?" He gestures to the two vagrant dwarves.
He draws himself to his full height. "This is a misunderstanding! I look forward to your shame in court on the morrow! Send your summons to the Beedlebrock Inn, for that is where I will be staying tonight."
Biff and the lantern-carrying assistant move forward, following Venjamin, who strides up the dock with purpose. He stops within arms reach of Tolsbaer. "Now, will you please move? I've had enough dwarven cock-wagging for one evening!"
The muscular Biff chortles at his employer's tirade.
"I ought to sue you for damages, Stormcall. There is no chance that King Fivestone will hear my offer after our hearing tomorrow. It will bias him against me," Venjamin huffs.
"Why not explain your offer to me now, and if I find it beneficial, I can speak on your behalf?"
Tolsbaer’s seemingly kind offer is met with a bitter laugh from Venjamin. The merchant recovers momentarily, making a show of wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. “No... Eheheh… No. I think that would not be in my best interest. You’ve done a bang-up job of showing me that I cannot trust you.”
“Now, as I said before: Will. You. Please. Move.” he says with all patience gone from his voice.
The tall, muscular man behind Venjamin sizes up the armored Borderguard beside Tolsbaer. When Logan notices, the fellow warrior cracks a sly grin and a cocky wink at the Stonebit as he folds his thick arms across his barrel chest.
A wink like that is seen in every tavern, every night. Made by eager, drunken folk with bold, carnal designs for the one to receive such a suggestive signal.
Aladdin springs out from behind his hiding spot, his cloud whizzing after him to continue drenching him. . "You there! The God Porkchop has declared that this man be completely trustworthy!" as he waves a hand at Tolsbaer