"Only as long as it takes to find what we're here for," Sir Jack rumbled.
Jack didn't care much about baths or whatever was going on with Nate.
"I'm gonna take a walk while Nate gets sorted," the big knight said.
Tell 'em I'm gonna go find the inn where the other Knot was staying.
Raaven, who had been in the shape of a small snake and spending most of his time in Alice or Morana's handbags since leaving Ballentyne, sounded distraught. His voice echoed in minds of the entire Nessian Knot except for his master's.
Oh hells below, he's actually trying to be useful. He wants to find where the previous Knot stayed when it came here. Please do not let him wander the town alone.
Havelyn takes in the surroundings with a studied eye as he walks, albeit one more acquainted to finer things of late. Auld'lrey strikes him as nice enough, and Drowningtown seems a place for layabouts, cutthroats, and all manner of curs. A useful place to visit, should the need arise. Always wise to keep a watchful eye on the lower places. Newchurch and its namesake bring a brief glower to the knight's face, but his composure is nearly impeccable, and he has once more a lazy sort of nobleman's smile by the time anyone looks his way, certainly by the time the group reaches the Crisp Morning.
"I can't say with certainty," Havelyn says, and nods to Jack. "My companion has the right of it, though I fear I know not the length of our errand. Naught comes of thinking too far forward, when such matters are at hand. But I shouldn't trouble a good workman like yourself with my own travails. A goldpiece for your guidance, I insist." He hands another coin to the dockhand and inclines his head. "May you be blessed in your travels, sirrah, and welladay to you."
With that, Lord Havelyn approaches the door of the inn, but turns as Jack makes to leave. "Don't stray far, sir," he says, one hand straying to his belt--although he catches it on the thick leather, rather than the hilt of a weapon. "It is ill becoming to venture far alone when in company, and even more so when work is to be done. Though I trust your judgment and your arm, there is ever danger lurking."
Letting out a sigh and turning to follow Jack, "No sense anyone wandering around alone."
Nate clings to Lord Havelyn like a wounded soldier, hobbling along wherever the knight goes.
Farholde
Auld’Irey
Grumble and Morana head back to Auld’Irey to discover the location of the "base" of the Lost Knot. The crowds are thick with people involved in commerce though there is certainly something else in the air.
With so many people coming and going in a city like this, even with the name Aiden Kael it's hard to find someone who knew of this elf...
---
Crisp Morning
Stepping through the doors of the Inn, a bright light shines in from a set of stained glass windows along the dome of the foyer. The light is a bit of a surprise from the dingy entrances that greet most who enter such places. The light cannot be natural and you suspect it is not.
The stained glass depicts the triumphs of Mitra and his minions over evil, stories that Havelyn knows all too well as some of these stories are his own.
Passing through the next set of double doors the place becomes more familiar, a large common room though with a smaller than average bar sits on the far side form the entrance. Two grand staircases with brass banisters bring visitors to their rooms. Behind a podium is a man and a woman and they discuss plans for the day while several patrons sit down to meals. An acolyte in the corner gives a quiet sermon on the virtue of chastity.
The woman behind the podium looks up at your group, "A Blessed Morning to you all, what can we do for you?" The man's glance up shows a bit of concern for the condition of Nate though he does not verbalize it.
Grumble's plan, as much as it was, to go to every Inn in the city and ask about an elf named Aiden Kael. He largely ignored everything else.
"A blessed morning, indeed," Havelyn replies. The man does his best to maintain a proper posture and demeanor, but with Nate clinging to his side, it isn't quite so easy. "My companions and I seek comfort to refresh us from our travels. I'm told your establishment may be all that we seek and more. Clean baths and warm water?"
"Water...water...to drink or to anoint? To soothe or to hurt? Always the question..." Nate mumbles.
Moving back to the surly Jack and looping her arm though his. Tugging him towards their new destination, "He is not gonna be here. Drowningtown is our next goal."
As they walk, "Apparently people are talking about war in the east. Though it is only spoken of in murmurs and whispers from what I could tell."
Jack grunted out a small laugh. "Good."
Farholde
Drowingtown - Sir Jack Balin & Morana Soto
The soggy march through the mud to this section of the city is miserable for Morana but home to the likes of Grumble. The temporary structures and smell of water logged wood fill your nostrils as dirty children flit back and forth underfoot playing as if the condition of this place is normal and not a living hell compared to the rest of this city.
Even Grumble can sense the danger inherent in this place. Men with ill intent watch passers-by as they zig zag through the maze-like shantytown. No doubt the darkness hides bare blades they would enjoy using against those too weak to hold onto their own coin. As the sun is still in the sky it seems these cut throats are content to wait for the cover of darkness to play their trade in blood.
Prostitutes though are much less shameless, they blow kisses to Grumble, some even to Morana promising all manner of sinful pleasure for a price that seems far too low to sell oneself, if there were a right price for such intimacy.
You walk about to get a lay of the land and conclude that there is only one possible structure that an operator like Aiden Kael could have stayed at, Lord Drownington’s Manor. This place is the only permanent structure here built on what appears to be a giant slab of rock set about a half a foot above the rest of this sunken town.
---
Crisp Morning
"I am Vigo Chasterain the Seneschal of this fine establishment, we can certainly provide you with what it is you need. Perhaps I can ask Brother Thurmond to step away from his sermon and tend to your friend?
How many rooms will you need?"
---
Aurex - the Caer Bryr
"Heh, heh...brother...but he's not brother to no one no one sir..." Nate's head swivels loosely.
Aurex crouches low to the ground upon hearing the crashing through the woods. When he sees the immense creature he snarls. I would get severely injured if I attempted to fight that. Not a good idea with Nate not around. Although... Staying low, the spiky dragon sneaks closer to the hunt.
"I doubt my companion requires such effort, though I thank you for the offer," Havelyn says with a smile. "Merely weary from our travels, I believe. We've spent some time afloat, and a warm bath and sturdy land should do him well." He pats Nate's shoulder and shifts his weight slightly.
"As for rooms, I'm uncertain of our accommodations in your fair city. We have audience with the Baron this eve, and I'm told the Garrison may seek to allow our stay. For now, a bath for my companions and myself each should do nicely."
Jack gave Morana a sidelong look as they approached the run down inn. "You wanna do the talking, or me?"
I recommend you, Raaven encouraged Morana. The little demon was in serpent form, invisible, and coiled around Jack's wrist beneath his new magic sleeves.
Alice follows Havelyn into the inn.
Alice gives Nate a few pats on the shoulder. "Yes. I'm afraid our friend here had a quite a bad time on the boat. Lack of sleep and dehydration I fear. Getting him in a bed and some broth will do much for his condition."
Looking at at the false face of Sir Jack Balin. Is it an illusion? Shrugging, "I think a joint effort would work best."
Is that wise? He is a violent monster. He needs to learn.
Jack nodded and headed inside.
"A bath?...a bath a bath a bath....heh, let's see who comes out to play this time..." Nate gives an unnerving chuckle, clutching onto Havelyn.
Farholde -
"Sir Jack" pushes open teh door so that Morana can step inside. Immediately the cat calls ring out until Sir Jack steps in, they stop and someone form the balcony calls out, "Is that a proper Knight of the realm? What happened Ser Soggy Bottom, get lost disembarking from yer ship!?"
The crowd bursts out in laughter at the joke. The smell of smoke and drink is heavy in this place, this is no doubt a dangerous situation as you are surrounded by citizens who believe that they can relax but with alcohol comes lack of inhibition and those present do not lack for deadly weapons within easy reach.
Farholde -
Vigo responds, "So be it". He gives orders to draw a bath in a room and provide you all with some lunch.
About twenty minutes later the food arrives and a handmaiden retrieves Nate for that bath. The droning of the Mitran has by now given you all a headache except Havelyn who is so used to hearing these that it is mere background noise now.
The handmaiden smiles at Nate, "Do you wish to have your broth first Brother?"
Before he can respond the Mitran steps over "Brother Thurmond my friends. A blessed day, can I ask all of your names that I may know to whom I speak?"
Alice smiles. "Blessed to meet you Brother Thurmond. I am Alice. My friend here is Nate, although I am afraid our journey here left him in quite a state."
Alice looks at Havelyn, unsure as who or what to intruduce him as.
"Sir Thomas Havelyn," the lord greets the Mitran with a nod. "An honor to meet you, Brother, and to hear such a fine sermon. Chastity unto purity, as the scripture says." He gives a false smile that comes easily from years of courtly life. "Brother Thurmond is your name, yes? Do you regularly proselytize here?"
"Splish splash plip plop...is the broth for me or from me?...Heh heh...."
"Is that a proper Knight of the realm? What happened Ser Soggy Bottom, get lost disembarking from yer ship!?"
"Heh. You're funny." the knight said without a drop of mirth in his voice.
He casually swung his massive hammer off his shoulder and leaned it against one of the supports. The whole room trembled slightly as the weight of the hammer knocked gently against the beam.
Frowning at the whistles and lewd jokes. But the frown quickly changes when the surprisingly well behaved Jack chimes in.
Farholde -
The Brother nods, "Pleased to meet your acquaintance Lord Havelyn, I am afraid I've not heard of you.
Indeed I like to ensure that travelers have their daily dose of the Good Word. Those on business cannot always find time to attend a Sermon at the Cathedral.
Well, if you or your friends need me I will be here once again tomorrow and at the Cathedral at any other times".
Thurmond takes his leave. Nate takes a bath. The rest of you settle in for "Jack" and Morana to return.
Farholde -
The laughing settles down as the room shakes with the weight of Grumble's weapon.
The patrons return to what they were doing and the carousing drowns your hearing out like a wave.
One of the roguish fellows approaches a short thin man, greasy hair, "G'afternoon Lord and Lady, I get the sense yer not here slummin'. I'd wager yer here for something, yes? I am a man who knows a great deal about a great many somethings, if you take my meaning".
As you climb the beast pauses to watch you fly clearly intent on following.
"We're looking for an elf named Aiden Kael." Jack said. "He might have stayed here a few weeks ago."
Farholde -
The man places his hand on his chin thoughtfully, "The name does ring a bell but for some reason I cannot quite remember..."
Jack grunted and walked away from the weaselly little man to find the building's proprietor.
He wants money. Or some other incentive. Raaven's mind voice whispered in Grumble's mind.
Jack slowly turned back around and leaned down to speak quietly to the little man. "You tell me what I want to know, you get rewarded. I find out you know something and aren't talking, I'll pull your tongue out."
I do not remember that from any tales of shining knights. A definite improvement.
Farholde -
The rogue grins but you've definitely intimidated him so it's probably a facade, "Tell you what, you pay me good coin of the Realm Sir Knight and I won't just tell you what I know, I'll show you".
He does not listen well, does he?
Digging into one of the pouches on her hip and holding out a few gold coins, "You seem to be rather hard of hearing so you have better not be lying."
Tilting her head towards Jack, "He will take your tounge but I have not fondness for that muscle."
Putting the coins back in her pocket but still handing him one after returning the rest, "No games. Take us to him."
If Nate seems embarrassed, or even aware, that he's being undressed by a woman he's spent the last few months with, he certainly doesn't show it. As he's put into the bath he trembles, like it is too hot or too cold, but Alice finds that it's a fine temperature. He slips down under the water and Alice has to hold him up. He lightly sputters as he returns to air. "Doesn't work above the water, now down you go down you go down you go..." He looks at Alice, which seems like the first time he's made eye contact in the last few hours. "Pfff, you're not one of them, but you'd probably fight right in. Heh, heh heh heh..." He chuckles, going to slip back under the water.
"Oh no, up you stay. You need to breathe Neal. That is important. Lets just get you clean and comfortable all right?"
"How will it reach my head than? Heh, just cause more hurt an-" He suddenly stops, reaching up to touch the shaved sides of his head with burn scars. "Important! Oh it's so important, so so important." He looks directly at Alice, eyes turning bleary as if he's on the edge of crying. "Please tell me why it's important. Please, I don't understand. Hadzi please..."
Farholde -
"I like my tongue where it is Ser. Follow me and you'll see that what I have to show you is worth more than just this single coin".
He leads you from the taproom and out of Drownington entirely, "You see the man had enough coin to stay out of these slums. He was staying in Newchurch! Fancy".
He heads back to Auld'Irey. As you both arrive at the gates he reaches into his nags for a new pair of non-muddy boots, throwing the ones he owns to the side of the wall. "Won't do to look all messy".
The guards allow the three of you to pas though they frown at the mud on the boots of Sir Jack and Morana as you were both clearly slumming it there. The long walk back through the city and into the portion of the city the rest of your party is staying in is a bit frustrating but if this man is not lying, that will be a coup of a discovery on day one.
He leads you to an Inn, the Wandering Friar. The Innkeeper stops the rogue as he hits the stairs, "Where do you think yer goin' Davey?"
You rest and await word from Nate and his minions.