"So, we need to feign some reason for asking about the whereabouts and status of Quintus that will not draw attention and lead it back to the Senator. Perhaps we should visit the Tea Room without asking any questions at first, to see what we can pick up. If we can get even the faintest idea of what the boy has got himself into, I suspect we will have the material for a much better cover than any we might invent at the moment."
Cornel sips from his wine. "But if we lead off with a poor cover, I fear we may not be able to recover from the damage it might cause to our investigation."
"I agree, Cornel. Intelligence often means the difference between victory and defeat. We can all keep our eyes and ears open in there."
"So, we just drink and observe?"[b] Lazverinus nods. [b]"Sounds good to me." He leaves for some minutes after asking for permission, and comes back with another round of drinks and some ordinary clothes. "This is in case you want to change attires to done a bit more... bland."
"That is a good idea. While I wash them quite often, these are my only clothes."
He pauses.
"I can also leave the symbol of Hunri behind. It runs greater risk of someone unwittingly provoking me, but it will draw far less attention."
Having set a course of action, the group makes their way towards the Tea Room.
It is evening by the point that the group has settled their plans, and as they walk through the Wards to get to Fifth Ward, they can see that the daytime industry of the city is closing down, and those things done best in darkness are beginning.
It is that magic time where anything is possible, and an epic adventure is in the next bar...
As the group approaches the gate to fifth ward, one of the guards starts to give you a spiel about how this is a dangerous part of town at night, then his partner stops him after eyeing your group.
From the gate, it is a half-dozen paces to the entrace of the Tea Room, the Shingle of which has a half-naked woman laughing while sitting inside a tea cup.
There are a crowd of young, rich men standing outside, clearly trying to show how tough they are, accompanied by attractive young women who have not yet been run down by the lifestyle they find themselves in.
As your group stands in front of the place taking in the scene, you each notice something that stands out to you:
Your alchemical training has given you a great deal of practical knowledge of the tell-tale signs of people high on a variety of different substances. While most of these young men are on some sort of mood enhancer, there are a couple of men who are sizing up both Lysimachos and Lazverinus and psyching themselves up for a fight.
They are also chewing Hunri's Blessing, a leaf that is known to grant the imbiber a limited madness similar to what those who have been "blessed" by Hunri have. It makes them stronger and faster, and they can ignore even lethal wounds while on it.
Neither is currently picking a fight or showing violent tendancies, however.
Sweeping your gaze across the assembled group of youngsters, you match eyes with the bouncer, and you recognize him from your time in the legions.
Looking at the building itself, you can tell that something inside it has an almost palpable historical aura about it. It sings to you, in a way, but you know that you'll have to actually interact with the object in question in order to fully envision it's tale.
Cornel turns to face Lys and Lav so the crowd can't see his face and says quietly, "Be aware, two of these young men are chewing the leaf commonly known as Hunri's Blessing. It is possible they will be eager to pick a fight."
After Cornel gives his warning, Lysimachos speaks:
"I know not this leaf. But they certainly sound a risk to themselves and others. That bouncer over there is Caleil Romulus, who I recall from the legion as a gregarious sort. Good at spotting details and telling tales from them on the march. I intend to speak with him, I believe he has seen me already."
"There's something special here... though I still don't know what."
Lazverinus listens to his companions' advices, though he's still more interested in whatever they can find at the place.
You see someone in the open, café-style seating area in front of the Team Room that at first seems to fit in, but as your eyes meet, you realize there is an almost primal charisma about him. He is wearing a loose silk shirt, leather pants, and an unmistakable Holy Symbol of Gakaroki.
As his eyes meet yours you get the distinct impression that this is a dangerous man.
Then, someone at his table says something and he turns back to the conversation.
"Oh! What a lovely evening it is, isn't it?" Cornel says warmly as he moves closer, making a beeline for the front entrance to the Tea Room. "Gentlemen, ladies--are you all having a good time this evening? I can't get enough of the atmosphere around here, it is just...exhilarating! Pardon me as I pass by here, thank you very much."
"Oh, what an excellent shirt you're wearing, sir! Is it a custom item from Alderman's Cape over in first ward? That clothier does such exquisite work!" Cornel's words and greetings come out in such a rush that no one in the crowd has a chance to get a word in in reply while the three men make their way through.
Lysimachos follows Cornel's lead, whether or not he can understand the Sartoriqan's words. The Intorian does his best to remain directly behind Cornel, silver dagger on his hip.
Lazverinus tries to capitalise from the people paying attention to Cornell. *Excuse me, sir. Excuse me. Yes, sorry."
As Cornel chooses and takes his angle of attack, most of the young men stand up, clearly expecting a fight. They don't however, know how to deal with his politeness. They are thrown off just long enough for the group to make their way inside. Lysimachos and Caliel eye each other for a moment, and then Caliel opens the door for the group, which gets surprised looks from the people sitting outside.
Inside the Tea Room, you find a large open area, with the far wall taken up entirely by the bar, and long couches taking up the walls to your left and right.
There is a stage set up on the same side of the building that you enter from, and there is currently a band playing some sort of loud, fast music, the lead singer singing in High Suffi.
in the middle area, a dueling area is set up, and a pair of young men are matching blades with an older man of mixed descent, who fights with a fluid, circular style that manages to fend off both attackers.
The item you felt before is the rapier that the older duelist is using in the center of the room.
Looking around, you can see that there are people sitting in couches on the sides, the bar is full, and there are people standing around, all of whom appear to be watching the duel, and it looks like there is a bet maker working the crowd.
You do not see Quint here.
Lysimachos gives Caliel a knowing look.
I would speak with him, but the situation is far from ideal for a chat.
Once inside and with Quint not in sight, he approaches the bet maker and addresses him in Intorian.
"Hello. What are the odds tonight?"
A soldier's life involves more than a little gambling - both of the literal and metaphorical varieties.
As Lysimachos approaches the bet maker, Cornel goes to the bar. He sits down if he can find a seat at the bar, or else finds an open spot to just lean on the bar, so he can settle in to chat with the bartender.
"Good evening! I'll have one of your darker spirits on the rocks please--something middle-of-the-road from your selection, rather than too high or low on price and quality, thank you." Cornel lays down payment with a nice (but not extravagant) tip as he asks, "So what's new around here?"
Lazverinus stands there for a while, watching the duel. Well, watching the rapier, to be more precise. He decides to put a bet on the old man , and wait for the aftermatch to try and have a word with him.
"The Odds are 5-to-1 in favor of Hurian, and 1-to-3 against the two boys. You'll wanna get your bets in quickly though, as I don't see this lasting much longer."
Lazverinus lays down a few copper on Hurian and observes the fight.
While Lysimachos ponders his bet, Cornel makes his way to the bar, using the distraction of the fight to his advantage. He manages to get close enough to get the bartender's attention and order his drink.
The bartender nods, then pours something from a bottle on the mid shelf and serves it over ice. "That'll be one Gold Crown please!' he says, raising his voice as a cheer goes up from the observers for a particularly exciting bit of tet'a'tet from the duel.
When he hears Cornel's question, the bartender says "If you're looking for information, you should speak to Mokwi." he indicates a Wildrunner sitting in one of the corner couches near the bar.
"Oh, is Mokwi the owner?" Cornel asks.
Lysimachos pops out a gold crown and says: "One on Hurian. There must be good business in bets when duels are on so often."
Fishing, but perhaps he'll bite.
In response to Cornel, the Bartender says "No, he's an information broker."
The bookmaker takes Lysimachos' gold, and both Lysimachos and Lazverinus observe the fight.
It looks like Hurian is wearing down the two men attacking him by focusing entirely on defense.
The two sides continue to trade blows, and things go back and forth for a few minutes before one of the two young man makes an obvious error and overextends, which Hurian makes him pay for by stepping inside his guard and breaking his sword arm with his free hand. This elicits gasps from the crowd and screams from the young man.
The other young man, seeking what he thinks is an opportunity, attempts to stab Hurian in the back, only to have his blade go straight into the broken arm of his partner. Hurian then releases the first man and throws an elbow smash into the face of the second while pulling his sword arm to really emphasize the strike. There is a rather sickening crunch, and the spray of blood indicates that the second man has had his nose broken.
Hurian then calmly pulls the second man's blade out of the first man's broken arm and asks for both to yield. Realizing they are outclassed, both men nod.
The friends of the young men rush in to pull them off to the side, congratulating them on a job well done and offering them healing potions, which they readily accept while the crowd bursts into applause. Their blades are also returned to them.
Once the applause dies down, Hurian will offer out a challenge to the rest of the bar: "Anyone Else?"
Lysimachos is tempted. Sorely tempted.
I cannot risk unleashing the Curse in the middle of a crowded room, on a whim!
He turns to the bet maker.
"I believe there is coin owed. Do you think anyone else will face Hurian tonight?"
As the fight draws to a close, the bookmaker sets up a line to settle up accounts. about 1/3rd of the crowd that was watching do not get in line, either because they made no bets, or because they bet on the losing side.
Lysimachos makes 20 sp, and Laverinus makes 1 copper, and both are paid promptly.
As Lysimachos asks his question, the bookmaker says "Probably not after that display. You and your friends should be careful though; there is an unofficial rule that you must accept any challenge your first night here, and I don't recognize any of you."
Lazverinus tries by all means to approach the veteran fighter, offering him to buy a drink or pay for dinner. "I won't bother you for long, sir, I swear." While talking, he keeps his eyes locked on the sword, trying to discern what arcane knowledge is hidden in it.
Lysimachos pockets the coin while saying:
"Many pass through then? A lot of new faces?"
Thinking at first that Laverinus is a new challenger, Hurian's face gets excited, but when Lazverinus starts talking to him, his eyes go flat and he abruptly says "What do ya want?"
In response to Lysimacho's question, the bookmaker says "A few every night. I usually give them the same warning."
Lazverinus notices the man doesn't like talking. He will need an incentive, maybe.
"Sir, I will gladly pay your daily wage for tonight if you're willing to spend some time telling me about this sword of yours and let me test it's balance. You can put the drinks on me also."
"Thank you, good sir."
Cornel walks over to where the bartender indicated to find the information broker. "Hello, Mokwi. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of a man I saw out front--he is wearing a Holy Symbol of Gakaroki."
Lysimachos gives a knowing look.
"Many young bravos? I can imagine Intorians queueing up to try their hand against him. Any last longer than those two?"
Hurian chuckles and says "Well now, you must really be rich to want to just hold my sword. Okay then, cash up front."
He opens up a sack and is clearly waiting for you to pour more gold into it.
------------
"I would be happy to sell you that sort of information Mr. Lazar. Now, now, don't fret; Information is my trade, after all. Besides, I saw one of the live exibits you put on a few years ago. Very stirring; almost made me want to hit the open road again."
Mokwi chuckles at his own joke then continues "My price is negotiable depending on what specific information you want on him. Just his name will be a gold; His name and any organizational affiliations he has will be more; Who he's sleeping with, more still; but I digress. I believe that you get the gist. What specific information are you looking for besides his name?"
------------
"There's always some rich young man looking to make himself richer. He has a pot, you see, that he keeps for the winner. At this point, it has to be up to seven or eight thousand crowns. And no, to answer your other question, he never loses."
The crowd begins to push you at this point, clearly wanting to collect their winnings and continue their evening.
"My thanks.", says Lysimachos as he withdraws from the bet maker and the crowd jostling him.
Lysimachos continues wandering the venue, keeping an eye out for Intorians.
"Well, how much are we talking about?"
As Lysimachos looks around for Intorians, he sees an interesting mix of natives of Sartorique who are descended from Intorians, and a few people who are clearly not Intorians dressed in their style.
"I get paid 100 gold nightly to come here and kick the crap outta some spoiled nobs." says the man.
"Oh, you viewed one of my exhibits! I do hope you enjoyed it. I must say that I have loved the lands that I have seen abroad in the Benthali territories."
"His name and organizational affiliations will do, I think. Of course, I do hope I won't be paying you simply to tell me that he is affiliated with the church of Gakaroki," Cornel replies with a chuckle. "So, one gold crown for his name," he says as he slides one across the table, "And how much for the rest?"
"A hundred? Okay, okay, let's not go all crazy with this... A hundred! Let's make it this way: I'll give you fifty and I'll pay your dinner. Deal?"
"Master Lazar, I would be happy to tell you not just his name, but the whole sorted story of his former allegiance with the church of Gakoraki and where he has been operating since he has...severed relations with them. For the rather artistic price of 30 gold."
Hurian eyes Lazverinus for a moment, then spits in his hand and extends it, saying "Done!" After you give him the money, he unbuckles his sheathed blade and hands it to you.
As you draw the blade Laverinus, you see
You are standing on a battlefield. As you look around, there is a vast army of winged soldiers, each bearing a blade similar to the one that you hold in your hands.
The sound of a tearing Thud booms overhead, and meteorites begin falling to the earth. Each impact smashes a crater into the ground, out of which emits an ominous black light.
Turning, Fenharelle grabs your arm and says "The devourer comes!" as a massive meteor, one larger than the entire battlefield, looms above. All pretense of battle is lost; you can see some of the Host beginning to scramble, trying to escape to freedom. You, however, embrace your fate, knowing that you will be remembered in the annals of history...
and then you see Hurian shaking you, saying "you okay son?"
"Eh, yes... yes. Where did you say you got that sword?" he asks, trying to recover while searching his bag for the coins.
Lysimachos will approach a Intorian descendent.
The non-Intorians may not speak the language.
In Intorian, he will ask:
"Hello. Some solid swordplay up there.", nodding to the stage.
In response to his sputtered question, Hurian says "I won it in a dice game. It's been a good blade so far." Lazverinus gets the sense that he's probably doesn't understand the significance of the weapon he carries.
As Lysimachos approaches the group of Intorians sitting at one of the rounded end couches, they mutter to themselves while looking at him. When he mentions the swordplay, a couple of their eyes light up and the one who is likely the leader of the group says "Not too bad, but I bet you could do much better."
You definitely get the feeling that as soon as he is done interacting with you, he's likely going to send someone to the priest of Gakoraki and sell him information about you and your investigation into him.
Turn about, apparently, is fair play in the world of information barter.
As Cornel considers his options, Mowki says "Let's do this: you give me as much money as you think is fair and let me know the information you want, and I'll give you everything that you've paid for. Sound reasonable?"
Lysimachos does his best to downplay any talk of himself fighting, while trying to focus the conversation on Hurian.
"So what is Hurian's story? Does anyone know where he came in from?"
Cornels mulls it all over for another a moment or two, then replies, "Very well, Mokwi, you do seem a reasonable man. I'd like to know his name and any recent activities of his which your good judgement determines would be of interest to an adventurous man like myself." With that, Cornel lays ten gold pieces on the table.
Laz weighs the information the man is giving him. "Well..." What else to say? This moron is in possession of such a valued item without even knowing how it came to be. But he's here for some other things...
"Very well, sir. As agreed, here is my part of the deal." He deposits the coins and then asks any of the waiters that the gladiator's dinner is on him. "Have a good and profitable evening!"
He then has a look around to find his companions.
"He works here, I believe. I doubt he'd kill anyone he dueled with, as he focuses entirely on defense. Were you in the legions?" the Intorian talking to Lysimachos then proceeds to ask about his time there: who his commander was, when he mustered out, that sort of thing.
With the bargain struck, Mowki's companions leave the couch and Mowki gestures for Cornel to join him. Mowki's companions, move to take up positions as guards, keeping away anyone who seems too interested in approaching the couch.
Once Cornel joins him, Mowki begins telling a story. As he reaches various points in the story, he picks up one of the coins on the table, clearly indicating that you have reached that crown's worth of information.
"Not even I know what that man's name is before he took his vows in the service of Gakoraki, but once he was ordained, he chose the name Terminus, which is Intorian for 'The Last' or 'The Final Stop'. It is said that he believed at the time that he would enter the Pit of Kaurnag alone and return victorious."
Mowki then picks up a coin before continuing, "That was over two decades ago, but the he seems to confirm the information that I have heard about the priests of Gakoraki: they do not age as us mere mortals do. At any rate, Terminus was recently declared a heretic by the local head priest of Gakoraki, for (it is said) his practice of forced indoctrination into the service of Gakoraki."
Mowki picks up a pair of the coins, before continuing, "As I understand it, Terminus called the head priest a fool, or some such, and the two men came to blows, each drawing upon the gifts that their god had bestowed upon them. What makes this story tragic is that, prior to this very moment, both Terminus had considered the man his father, and the head priest, who's name I can't give you, considered Terminus to be his son. What makes the story interesting, however, is the outcome: Terminus beat his 'father'; although their fight was not lethal, I understand that he left the older man with some terrible scars."
Mowki again picks up two of the coins before continuing "When he left, he caused a schizm in the church: those who either believed that Terminus was correct or that as he had beaten the previous head priest in combat and thusly became the new head priest, and those who believed that Terminus' reach has exceeded his grasp and that his act of warfare was one of betrayal. Fortunately for us all, only a handful of the previous Gakorakian priests chose to side with Terminus."
Mowki picks up a single coin before continuing "It would appear that the, for lack of a better term, rebel faction has set up a new shrine in Ward Ten and even now his flock resides at the temple, where they initiate new members and conduct their rituals to Gakoraki. I have been told that the morning is the best time to attempt to visit, but even that would be problematic, as they are becoming increasingly territorial and aggressive, as one would expect an animal defending it's home to be."
Mowki then scoops up three more of the coins before looking from the last coin to your face and saying "Unfortunately, our story has reached the limits of it's funding. I do know a bit more that YOU would find of particular interest, but unfortunately that information would not be as inexpensive as what has been provided already. "
Mowki picks up the last coin and spins it on the table before allowing it to fall. He then flips it to the 'heads' side and says "Let us say that to fund this expedition into the battlefield of knowledge, this man is a Centurion. While he is mighty indeed on his own, it is that with his Century he is truly complete."
sliding the coin along the table to sit in front of you, he says "So, shall the centurion lead the charge into battle, or shall he remain at home and protect the homefront."
Nodding at one of the servers floating through the establishment, Hurian jerks a thumb to a table that sits in the corner near the stage where the band continues to play and then guides Lazverinus to that table. It is marked 'reserved for champion' with a sign that Hurian sets to the edge and then gets comfortable before making small talk.
As Lazverinus and Hurian talk, Lazverinus gets the impression that Hurian is expecting him to ask something specific. Looking around, Lazverinus can easily see Lysimachos talking to a group of young people, one of whom is clearly excited about something.
Likewise, he can just make out the form of Cornel taking to someone on a couch more or less on the opposite end of the bar from Lysimachos then sitting down after pulling out some money and setting it in front of the man.
Cornel takes it all in. And it is an interesting tale, to be sure. So, this Terminus leads a heretical and fanatical sect of their religion...and he is known to recruit new adherents forcibly... Perhaps we should be searching for signs of the boy in the tenth ward.
He looks again at Mokwi. "Not carelessly does a commander dispatch such a force... I think our transaction this evening has reached its end. I thank you for your services, good sir."
Mowki nods and then says "Of course. Please don't forget to take your valiant centurion with you when you go; unless you have another avenue of inquiry?"