Cica nods in agreement, and buys a bottle of rum to bring along before following him out.
Cheiton lives in a two-story house close to the Shrunken Head tavern. The retired miner welcomes them in, and has them sit around a table in the main room, big enough to seat a large group.
He nods to Cica. "Now where were we? As for resupply, that's mainly what I'm here for. The Guard has instructed me to ensure you have everything you need while in Kalabuto. I have set up a tab for you at the Shrunken Head, you can eat and drink there for free. If you need a place a to stay while you are here, I have three guest rooms here which you can use. Otherwise, I should be able to procure any supplies you need for your expedition starting in the morning."
"Now, I don't know exactly where you are going, and I'm not meant to, so that's fine. Following the Screaming River isn't gonna be easy though. This is pretty much the last bastion of civilization, if you can call it that." He chuckles ironically. "You must be wary of foreign tribes once you've crossed the Appolonian border. Besides the cult-warriors of Mzali, there are also the cannibalistic fey Eloko of the screaming jungle, and the degenerate, demon worshiping apemen known as the charau-ka." Cheiton shakes his head ruefully, and pours himself a shot from Cica's bottle (which he paid for apparently). "Just thinking about going out there makes me thirsty!" he jokes, slamming down the liquor.
Ilistra tilts her head as if listening to something. She waves it away and then stands. "I'll go check on Alexandra and Athyra. You all can sort out who gets what room."
Ilistra tilts her head as if listening to something. She waves it away and then stands. "I'll go check on Alexandra and Athyra. You all can sort out who gets what room."
Alexandra and Athyra are with the other followers and hirelings in one of the city's caravanserais. They have arranged the wagons and animals into a small camp.
Alexandra is lounging with a bottle of something, idly stabbing her magical dagger into the sides of one of the wagons over and over.
Athyra and Jaji look weirded out by all the people and buildings and are basically hiding in one of the wagons, peeking out occasionally with suspicion.
Ilistra sits down next to Alexandra. The buzzing in her head intensifies and she smacks the side of her head a couple times. "We leave tomorrow. Big secret. Anyone acting suspicious?" she asks the former sailor in Ignan.
Alexandra sheathes her knife in a quick and easy way, and offers the clay jug to Ilistra for a drink. "Not yet. That girl that Darius bought the spider from was hanging around for a couple of minutes, but then she ran off to do whatever it is street rats do. Other than people trying to sell us stuff at first, no one has bothered us."
"We camping out here, then?"
"I will," Ilistra says after accepting a drink. "Imperials will sleep in the house." She unpacks one of the pallets and throws it on the ground near Alexandra's and Athyra's.
As she sits down, she draws her knees up to her chest and stares at the fire. "Lots of danger ahead. Mzali. Apemen. Eloko. You still want to come?"
"I will," Ilistra says after accepting a drink. "Imperials will sleep in the house." She unpacks one of the pallets and throws it on the ground near Alexandra's and Athyra's.
As she sits down, she draws her knees up to her chest and stares at the fire. "Lots of danger ahead. Mzali. Apemen. Eloko. You still want to come?"
Athyra shrugs. "It's okay. We are strong."
Alexandra looks uncomfortable. "Sounds like three good reasons to drink to me. But yes, even facing certain death at the hands of demon worshipers is better than sitting in my boat back at the docks in Apollonia."
Athyra shrugs. "It's okay. We are strong."
Alexandra looks uncomfortable. "Sounds like three good reasons to drink to me. But yes, even facing certain death at the hands of demon worshipers is better than sitting in my boat back at the docks in Apollonia."
Ilistra snatches the drink from Alexandra's hand and takes a gulp. "Sitting in your boat is way better than working in the kitchens." She smirks at her and passes the jug back.
"I assume that's true. I've never worked in the kitchens," she agrees. She looks at the bottle, and for once doesn't take another drink. "I'm actually drunk as a skunk already for once, being in town an all. I think I'll save some of this for later if that's okay?"
As they think about the path ahead, Cica glances again at the treasure map, trying to recall what she knows about the Lake of Vanishing and where it can be found.
"I assume that's true. I've never worked in the kitchens," she agrees. She looks at the bottle, and for once doesn't take another drink. "I'm actually drunk as a skunk already for once, being in town an all. I think I'll save some of this for later if that's okay?"
Ilistra takes the jug back. "I'll buy more before we go."
She leans back against one of the wagons. "Where did you get your ship?"
She leans back against one of the wagons. "Where did you get your ship?"
"It's more of a small boat really, Dear, but I bought it. When I left home and came to Apollonia, I needed a place to stay, and a way to earn money now and then."
The Thirteenth spend the rest of the afternoon in the markets around town, selling the spoils of their adventures so far, and buying anything they might need for the road ahead.
During the time when everyone is shopping or relaxing, Darius pulls a Darius and disappears. Come sundown, he is still nowhere to be found. Ilistra doesn't come back to Cheiton's house either, but when Placidus goes to look for her he finds her camping with the followers and hirelings at the caravansarai.
Cheiton assures the group that rations for themselves, as well as feed for the mounts and pack animals will be ready for them by morning, packed in the wagon. He provides a dinner of rice and lentils, fried okra and a flaming hot guinea fowl curry, with a dish of flat breads to sop it all up.
After conversing with Placidus, Garland decided to purchase another Wand of Cure Light Wounds plus some antitoxins and antiplagues . He was quite unamused to discover Darius' disappearance, but the masked man kept said thoughts to himself. When Ilistra appeared to be missing as well, both Garland and Luna immediately joined the search for her. Both were incredibly relieved to discover that their friend was okay.
Otherwise, Garland was content to enjoy the day relaxing at Cheiton's house. Naturally, he thanked his host for his hospitality. In particular, Garland very much enjoyed the dinner, which was probably the best meal he had since joining the military!
Placidus also purchases a wand of Cure Light Wounds from Mnogo's Healstick Emporium, a favorite of travelers in the dangerous region.
He is content to spend the day not in a vulture saddle for once, and sits around with Garland, relaxing and smoking his pipe. He takes some time to do an exercise routine and practice some fighting forms.
He checks on Ilistra and the others at least three times throughout the day, clearly uncomfortable with having his flock split into two locations. He makes the excuse of being there to take care of his vulture, Jelani, but Ilistra can tell he's also concerned for her.
Jelani and Jaji seem to have become friends. The dinosaur and the giant bird spend much of the day playing around and lounging in the sun of the caravansarai.
Otherwise, Garland was content to enjoy the day relaxing at Cheiton's house. Naturally, he thanked his host for his hospitality. In particular, Garland very much enjoyed the dinner, which was probably the best meal he had since joining the military!
At dinner, Placidus addresses the Darius issue. "I can't believe he ran off again. This has to be the last time we allow this nonsense, assuming he's not actually kidnapped by Yarzoth or our rivals. If it were anyone else I would be out there looking for him right now, but the boy can only cry wolf so many times..."
"Still, I feel guilty. If he's not here in the morning, what should we do?"
Ilistra spends her time hanging out with Athyra or Alexandra or exploring the markets near the caravansarai. When she's told about Darius' disappearance, she keeps an eye out for him wherever she is as she tries to decide if there is something wrong or if it's just another of the pretty Narinar's antics.
When morning comes and Darius isn't anywhere to be found, Cica spits with frustration.
She looks around a bit while shopping, but to no avail.
At Placidus's dinner comment, she nods. "If it was someone responsible, like you, I'd have been out hunting this morning.
"Given it was Darius...well, I spose he could really be in trouble. I'm not as good at tracking in a city as I am in the jungle, and the trail isn't exactly fresh, but we can poke around some in the morning. After that though--we've got to get a move on. We can't let anyone else--"She glances at Cheiton"--beat us to our destination."
When morning comes and Darius isn't anywhere to be found, Cica spits with frustration.
"Alright, that sounds good. We will spend some little time looking for him in the morning if he hasn't returned by then."
"Ilistra, do you plan to sleep with the hirelings?"
Ilistra had been wiping the last of the sauce on her plate with her fingers when she heard her name. She looks up in sudden anger, her eyes flashing. "That is none of your business!!"
Placidus blinks several times at her strong reaction. "Eh?"
"I was just wondering if we should all sleep in the same place, in case Yarzoth or someone tries something. Then again, it would be good to have one of us legionnaires with the supplies and followers too, in case they are attacked."
Ilistra sits back, her cheeks coloring. "Oh. Just sleeping. Then... yes. I'll stay with the supplies."
"Okay. Since we are planning to leave in the morning anyway, what if we had everyone camp out in the alley behind Cheiton's here? We can pack up most things tonight, and they won't be blocking traffic overnight. If we clear out early, I doubt anyone will have a problem with it, Kalabuto doesn't seem to be big on law and order."
"I would feel more comfortable if the whole contumbernium and the others were all within easy shouting distance right outside, not to mention Jask and his notes. If there is trouble and you are four or five blocks away we'll never know until it's too late."
But...bed...
Cica sighs, knowing that this is the last chance to sleep in a bed for Gods know how long. But Placidus has a point.
"I won't lie. I was really looking forward to that bed. That said...Darius has disappeared. There's a chance he's been captured by our rivals...or worse, sold us out to them. Either way, I s'pose we better stick together tonight. All of us, including Jask and the hirelings. Civilization can be at least as treacherous as the jungle."
"Oh, I'm sleeping in here, I assure you. By everyone, I meant Jask, Alexandra, Nkechi, Athyra, et. all. If they are right outside and anything happens, we will be close enough to help - and we get beds," Placidus says with a grin.
Cica chuckles. "Well then, it's a plan!"
"I like the sound of that idea, Placidus!" Garland said, a smile obvious in his voice.
Once a plan is agreed on, the rest of the expedition moves into an open space next to Cheiton's house. They get some looks from the neighbors walking through the tightly packed and chaotic streets of the area, but no one says anything to the large well-armed group.
The rooms in Cheiton's house are comfortable, if not luxurious. Once everyone is settled into a room, he retires to his own bed.
Some time in the middle of the night, Cica, Garland and Placidus are awakened suddenly by the sounds of their windows shattering, as dark shrouded figures wielding short blades explode into their rooms through the glass!
Outside, Ilistra wakes up when she hears the sound of glass breaking from the direction of Cheiton's house. Looking up, she can see the second floor windows are shattered. Athyra and Jaji perk up as well, looking around, but the others appear to be obliviously asleep.
(+2 in jungle)
Placidus 23
??? 22
???? 17
Garland 12
Cica 9
Ilistra 8
Placidus sits up, immediately wishing he had slept in his armor.
Before the assassin can recover from their entrance through the window pane, the Warrior is casting a spell on himself, encasing his flesh in a shield of faith.
He launches forward off the bed, attempting to ram his head into the assailant's gut, but he stumbles and barely retains his balance on the shifting matress. he roars.
The three assassins waste no time in slashing at Placidus, Garland and Cica.
Hit, miss
Hit, hit
hit, crit
Garland and Cica are both caught unawares, and suffer for it. A short sword and katar both plunge into the legionnaires' flesh. Garland feels some fell poison burning in the wounds, and suddenly finds his limbs are no longer responding to his desires.
Ilistra's skin grows hot as she moves toward the broken window, then leaps inside with a jet of flame to carry her through.
Ilistra leaps, and holds down her hands to rocket up through the window, but instead of a jet of flame, she gets a guttering spurt that merely launches her to the height of a man before she lands back on the ground.
Gaaaauuugh!
Cica gasps with shock as she's stabbed before she can get out of bed. Only a thin, summery sleep-robe covers Cica's sandstone skin.
She calls on the strength of the bull as she grabs for her greatsword and attempts to slash her attacker's hand. Assuming she succeeds, she flips back with a cut right into their torso.
Seeing her friend in great peril, Luna growled angrily at the assassin and then rammed her head into his gut!
In Garland's room, the assassin strikes out at Luna as she pushes him out the window!
Cica sends her assailant's short sword flying before she chops into them, opening a brutal wound.
Ilistra leaps, and holds down her hands to rocket up through the window, but instead of a jet of flame, she gets a guttering spurt that merely launches her to the height of a man before she lands back on the ground.
================================
Placidus kicks at the person attacking him, splashing them with acid and inflicting a fractured rib.
The intruder attacks back, slashing and stabbing at Placidus with her blades.
Cica catches a punching dagger in the thigh as she struggles in her room.
As she gets her bearings, Cica takes a moment to size up the assassin, looking for weaknesses. Then she throws all her heft into a single swing of her greatsword, aiming to cleave the assassin at the waist.
If the assassin drops, Cica runs out into the hallway (blood welling at three stab-points on her white nightshirt) to check on her companions.
"Garland? Placidus? Are you OK?"
Through the power of heroism, Garland willed limbs to move once again! Upon hearing Cica's voice, he took a few seconds to make sure that his mask was secure and covered his face. Once ensuring that it was, Garland cast a spell.
"I am fine, Cica! Luna pushed the assassin out the window! However, it sounds like Placidus could use a little help..." Garland replied.
Cica cleaves into her opponent, dropping them instantly from massive internal damage.