The group walks down the street, soon approaching Talienda’s townhouse. Outside, in the garden, they see a pale servant frantically gesticulating and talking to two members of the Post Guard, the district watch. Before they announce themselves, Sekla, Talienda and Rissi are able to point out where they had last seen the figure : the roof of the three-storied neighbouring house. It seems there is no one there now.
All the Shining Falcon can think of at the moment is a rumour that was doing the rounds in the Puddles. On the night of the fire, a strange creature of small stature was seen prowling around The Lucky Harpy — some claimed it was a ghost, others that it was a mad halfling, a drunken dwarf or even an adorably short fire-breathing demon.
"Alina, Thank goodness you aren't hurt, and you brought the watch. Very good. Talib is here. We were going to enter the house and search to determine if the intruder had left anything dangerous...."
Sekla examines the rooftops as they go, but the lack of any menacing figure frustrates her further.
"Perhaps it's gone invisible," she growls as Rissi moves to speak with the other human serving girl. Leaving the others to deal with the guardsmen, Sekla draws her battle-ax and marches back into the home, her whole manner having turned predatory.
"Or it was trying to drive us out to get at something of value in this house..."
Alina’s face lightens up when she sees Rissi with Talienda by her side. “Oh, I am so happy to see you both safe, Mistress Talienda, Lady Than! I was going nuts trying to explain what happened, but…I saw so little…”
One of the guards, a Zenj man on his early forties, takes a step forward and bows his head. “Good morning, ladies. I am Gyld Stjern, sergeant of the Post Guard. You have a very loyal servant, I must say. She came to us almost crying and would not move until we followed her. What seems to be the problem? She mentioned something about someone threatening you?”
The other guard, a young woman who is perhaps no more than a cadet, tries to stop Sekla, but changes her mind and remains just behind her superior. Inside the house, everything seems to be thoroughly unchanged, at least as far as the hobgoblin could see.
He adds his voice when Talid suggests searching the roof. "I may be of assistance there," he says, his way of speaking direct but not presumptuous. "I'm at home on the rooftops, and maybe my sharp eyes can pick up on some traces this assailant left behind."
Seeing the watch in the yard, Talib nods his assent. "That might be a good idea. Meet us inside once you are done."
One of the guards, a Zenj man on his early forties, takes a step forward and bows his head. “Good morning, ladies. I am Gyld Stjern, sergeant of the Post Guard. You have a very loyal servant, I must say. She came to us almost crying and would not move until we followed her. What seems to be the problem? She mentioned something about someone threatening you?”
Talib mutters a short prayer, and then approaches the guard. Holding up his gilded holy symbol, he assumes the general attitude of professional amiability. Although cooperation with the local authorities is something Talib does quite frequently, the utility of patrol officers in an investigation such as this is rather limited.
"Abadar's prosperity to you," he says in a genial tone. "I am a collector of the Vault, and a friend of Sargeant Tal'at Min-Naamat. The situation is under control—these people are under witness protection, and someone was caught paying a suspicious amount of attention on the residence. I can handle things from here. However, it might be a good idea to leave a few guards to look over the property, for the ladies' peace of mind. Would you not agree?"
Rissi moves up beside Talib, watching and listening. When he offers some instruction to the guards she smiles and nods. "Excellent idea. We can verify that there are no deadly traps within if a couple of guards could watch the area and be sure the stranger doesn't return."
The Shining Falcon nods once he has Talib's assent. "Very well." He's turns back after two paces, not wanting to alarm anyone further. "Let them know that if they see anyone on the roof shortly, it will be me."
He leaves the group swiftly and goes off to find the easiest way up to the rooftops. Before he makes the ascent, he puts both of his hands lightly on the sides of his mask and concentrates. "Grant me focus and the vision of the falcon, that I might protect these people from their unknown assailant."
The sergeant furrows his brow. “Greetings, Collector. Are you sure about this? The servant was extremely worried for her mistress’s safety.” After Rissi speaks he looks at Alina. “Would your mistress be satisfied with this?” She darts a glance at Talienda, then at Talib, swallows hard and nods, clearly lost on what would be the best answer. Gyld shrugs.
“Very well. Since the situation seems to have been taken care of…Rose!” The other guard immediately snaps into attention. “You are to get more details on this household, as well as an accurate description of the suspect. Report back when you’re done and speak to Min-Naamat about having a few more patrols in this area for the next couple of days.” With a short bow, the man takes his leave.
From inside the house, Sekla’s blood freezes as she sees a shadow jumping on the roof adjacent to the drawing room, but quickly realises it is the mysterious masked man who Talib presented simply as “a friend.”
Outside, atop the roof, the Shining Falcon sees nothing unusual at first. As he draws nearer Talienda’s house, he notices a small puddle of a silvery and translucent gooey substance. It seems to be quickly vanishing, as if it were evaporating.
Talienda, too afraid then too relieved to trust her voice spends much of the next few moments in silence as she regains her composure.
"Thank you, sir. I would appreciate that. And I trust Talib here with my life, you can trust him," she says before managing a smile as she pats Alina on the shoulder. "And I have indeed been blessed to have Alina with me. She's very clever and brave," she adds.
She then gives Cadet Rose all of the detail that she could want. Once the inside has been cleared, Talienda enters with a sigh of relief. Then, once out sight of the public, she gives Alina a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank Shelyn and Desna that they didn't hurt you," she tells Alina before letting go and giving her a smile. "Rissi," she adds with a mock glower towards the ratfolk, "nearly had me sick worrying about you being alone."
Seeing Talib and Sekla, she pulls Alina along to get the introductions over with.
"Talib, this is Alina. I think Sekla has already met her. Alina, Sekla is to be my bodyguard, so please make sure she's taken care of. Talib, this is Alina, who's been a big help with getting this house in order and dotes on me just a bit too much."
The Shining Falcon looks down at the people in the streets. Oblivious to what's going on around them. As it should be. Enough worries in an everyday life, for anyone. He looks across the street, to the noblewoman's house, trying to figure out where the robed assailant must have been standing. He spots the hobgoblin woman - Sekla, he rehearses her name - and puts two fingers to the corner of his eye in a silent greeting.
He then notes the silvery substance and acts quickly. Could be residue of the magic that this dwarf-figure performed? He draws his dagger and prods it in the gooey substance. If it lingers long enough, he'll retrieve a vial from his healer's kit and try to trap the substance within. What kind of magic could create this, or is a reagent used in casting a specific spell?
Sekla moves methodically through the house, opening closets, entering every room, crouching to examine spaces that would defy the casual eye. She listens intently as she goes, trying to catch some hint of someone moving ahead of her, or seeking to circumvent her approach.
Nothing.
Pauses at a window to study the strange, hawk-masked man, her heart rate spiking for a moment before settling.
We all wear masks, she thinks to herself, before nodding grimly back to his salute and continuing her search.
Eventually she steps back outside into the sunshine, expression dour, her frustration obvious.
"Makes no sense, casting a spell on me like that only to disappear," she rumbles, moving to Talienda's side.
She studies Alina, her expression grim, and nods when introduced. Her mind is too preoccupied with the events at hand however to bother with any comments of her own.
“Very well. Since the situation seems to have been taken care of…Rose!” The other guard immediately snaps into attention. “You are to get more details on this household, as well as an accurate description of the suspect. Report back when you’re done and speak to Min-Naamat about having a few more patrols in this area for the next couple of days.” With a short bow, the man takes his leave.
Seeing Talib and Sekla, she pulls Alina along to get the introductions over with.
"Talib, this is Alina. I think Sekla has already met her. Alina, Sekla is to be my bodyguard, so please make sure she's taken care of. Talib, this is Alina, who's been a big help with getting this house in order and dotes on me just a bit too much."
Talib has a brief conversation with Cadet Rose, mentioning that a "colleague" of his is taking a look at the roof, and will be over shortly. After the introductions, he stares Alina down for a moment before nodding. "Better to be too careful, than too careless."
Eventually she steps back outside into the sunshine, expression dour, her frustration obvious.
"Makes no sense, casting a spell on me like that only to disappear," she rumbles, moving to Talienda's side.
Talib strokes his beard and looks thoughtfully up at the opposite building. "There is always a reason. From what you have told me, I posit that either A) the suspect was here to spy on the house, and resorted to magic after being caught; or B) they were here precisely to terrorise you—to make you feel unsafe."
He turns back to the others, producing his notebook and a piece of sharpened charcoal. "How would you describe the suspect's behaviour and composure? Did they appear to be hiding, or were they intentionally making themselves known to you?"
Though the Falcon is far from a specialist in arcane matters, he feels fairly certain the substance wasn’t a component of a spell — the spell caster would have to been very careless indeed to waste so much of it, if that were the case. It also does not seem like any spell byproduct he knows. Instead, as he tries to collect some of the goo inside a vial, he cannot avoid the feeling it is almost alive: what looked silvery from afar was more like a clear translucent mass that changed colour periodically, as if it were breathing. Its disappearance seems to be slowed down once it is sealed inside the vial, but it probably won’t last the day at this rate.
Rose eagerly takes notes of everything that is reported and nods repeatedly at Talib’s comment regarding the friend on the roof. “Very well, thank you…sir! I will do a quick sweep of the area and than will leave to talk to the Sergeant, Collector, sir!”
Inside the house, Alina is flustered by Talienda’s affection and hides in the kitchen as soon as she has the chance. She returns after a few minutes with some refreshments for the group and, overhearing the discussion, risks a shy comment. “Perhaps that person was just scary to look at, like Miss Sekla…? No offence meant, miss…”
"there are spells that can make something false seem real, why not the same with emotions," Talienda says as she does one better and draws the figure as she first saw him,
"I didn't watch him long. As soon as I mentioned it to Sekla, she told me to get away from the windows, so I did. I did get a good enough look at him to remember what he looks like," she says.
Glad that the danger appears to be gone Rissi moves over by Sekla. Hearing her muttered concern she shakes her head. "Distraction to get away after being noticed I would assume. And you were chosen because you look to be the most dangerous. Of the four of us the rogue was most concerned about getting away from you. I'd say that shows a bit of respect for you, as it should be...."
Rissi responds to Talienda's "mock glower" with a grin, "Well, while I didn't want to cause concern I did want to be sure Alina was safe. Especially since we all seemed to be!"
The Shining Falcon stowes his discovery and quickly makes his way downstairs to show it before it's disappeared completely. He's about to explain his presence to the cadet posted at the front door, but finds that Talib has already explained the situation. Very prudent, he is.
Seeing Rissi and Sekla, he comments "I found something. I'll show it to Talib," because he doesn't presume to show them first. Rather, he goes inside to locate Talib, finding the Abadaran in conversation with the young noblewoman. "My Lady," He acknowledges her with a nod of his head and a slight bow. He sees the drawing she's made and makes a mental note to ask for a copy later. I might show this around the Puddles, to see if it was the same figure people saw when the Harpy burned down.
He then turns to Talib, but explicitly includes any others into the explanation. They are at least as closely connected to the incident, after all. "Here's what I found on the roof," he says as he produces the bottle. "I've never seen this before. Formless and shifting color. If I didn't know better, I thought it was alive. It was disappearing rapidly. I managed to slow this slightly by trapping the substance in the bottle." His description is factual and while it makes it clear that he's not the most learned man, he is careful and methodical in his way of thinking and talking.
"Fair enough, but how about we try making sure we're all safe," Talienda says with a grin of her own.
"Talienda is fine. I'm not much for formality, much to my tutors' chagrin. Rissi may know of it, or someone that could find out if Talib cannot."
As the Falcon returns and Talienda introduces herself, Talib skips through the rest of the courtesies with a few quick words and gestures. "These are Miss Rissi Than, a bard, and Sekla Torgut, Miss Blackhorn's—Talienda's—new bodyguard. And this is, hum... the Shining Falcon."
The staid inquisitor is plainly uncomfortable with the moniker, based on the awkward manner in which it exits his mouth. He allows the vigilante to explain himself, rather than guessing what he would want to divulge. As the masked man reports his findings, however, there is no more doubt in his demeanour.
"How intriguing," he muses as he examines the vial. "This is a good find. It might be productive to have an alchemist examine the sample, unless Miss Than possesses contradictory information on the subject."
Unsure where to begin, Talib utters a few select prayers to pry into the different auras that might surround the unknown substance.
Rissi looks on while Talib examines the container. "I have no training in alchemy. Strange that you mention thoughts on it being 'alive'? Perhaps the person watching was a shapeshifter of some sort? And that was something he lost?"
The conversation has strayed far beyond the realms of Sekla's understanding, so she ceases to pay attention and instead looks about them once more, scanning the surroundings.
Talib’s efforts go largely unrewarded as the contents of the vial do not seem to have any detectable magic aura nor did it seem to be closely connected to concepts of law, chaos, good or evil. Likewise, though he was not sure it would be safe to touch the substance, it did not seem to be poisonous per se.
After examining the goo for a few minutes, Rissi feels her initial hunch might be at least somewhat close to the truth: she has no grounds to corroborate or refute it being the by-product of a shapeshifter’s transformation, but it did look more like an eldtrich being’s secretions than anything else that came to her mind.
Sekla, meanwhile, sees nothing out of the ordinary. Her new employer’s rendition of the robed figure was very accurate and life-like, but it did not seem to have returned so far.
"Talienda it is," he says with another nod of his head.
The masked figure seems to share Talib's discomfort as he himself is being introduced. His eyes shift down. "I do apologize for the lack of a proper name, and for the mask." He hesitates for a bit. "I've seen crime on the rise in the city, and wanted to take action. But it felt wrong to do so as... me." He glances away, possibly embarrassed. "The mask gives me focus, as I explained to Talib earlier. And it protects me from retribution in my personal life." He holds a hand up to Talienda in apology, for she just suffered exactly that. "The moniker is... what I aspire to be, a beacon and example for the people of the Puddles. Please just call me Falcon, if that is all right with you."
"Could be," the Shining Falcon answers to Rissi when she suggests a shapechanger. "I know little of such matters. Stated what my association was at first encountering it. The way it shifts colour, seemed to breathe. Not sentient perhaps, but alive nonetheless."
As the other talk, Talienda half-way observes as she makes a couple more copies of her sketch, then starts drawing Sekla's face in profile as she looks out on the grounds, mostly to ease her own nerves, but also because it helped her find that features that made Sekla, well, Sekla.
Sekla studies the masked man, her gaze flat and cold.
"Don't apologize," she says, tone gruff. "Whatever you do, own it. You wish to hide behind a mask? Then hide. Your reasons are your own, and only you can know if they are good. All that matters is if you are effective. If you accomplish your goals. If you feel satisfaction when you gaze at your reflection when you are alone."
Then, suddenly feeling self-conscious for having spoken to much, she scowls and turns away. "Regardless. This disappearing dwarf is sign enough that Lady Blackhorn is in danger. But if they bring magic with them, then we are in much deeper trouble than I expected."
She turns to study her ward, only realizing now what the young girl is doing. Her expression becomes complex for a moment - surprise, anger, doubt - and then smooths away to a professional, hard demeanor. "Either way, your living here is now known. We will have to be more careful. Do you have funds to place bars on the windows? How good are the locks on your doors? Would you be willing to invest in a half-dozen guard dogs?"
Alina returns from the kitchen once again and tries to catch Talienda’s attention as inconspicuously as possible, but eventually gives up and bows next to the young lady of the house. “Mistress, will your guests be staying for long? Should I go to the market and arrange a more proper meal? Perhaps a stew with honey and spices?”
"I think we will need to plan for more at supper, Alina," managing to find her voice after getting caught sketching Sekla's likeness. "Just... be careful, please," Talienda says, putting on a smile for the young maid's sake that collapses into a soft groan as soon as she's out of earshot.
"There's coin enough in the coffers to turn this place into a fortress, Sekla," she says, sounding defeated. She'd been so happy making this her home, her place of refuge after learning of what her father had been, and now she was about to turn it into a prison.
"Talib, I don't want Alina getting hurt just because she works for me. Do you, Sekla, or your masked friend know and trust anyone that we could hire to help keep her safe? It was all I could do not to say we'd all go, but I feel that Sekla would have knocked me out cold for doing something so foolish at time like this."
She covers her face with her hand and mutters a bit more loudly than she intended to, "just when this was feeling like home to me, now I have to bar myself in again."
Those with keen eyes can see tears rimming her eyes, but held in check for the moment. She gives herself a moment to mourn what she had hope to make of this place then looks up, once again putting on the mask of a young noblewoman.
"We know what we need, more secure windows and locks, more guards, and hounds to aid them, the question is who do we trust to provide those things," she asks the others as she leans against the window sill and looks out of it. "If my father wasn't dead, I might want to kill him for putting me in this mess."
Falcon meets the hobgoblin's stern gaze. As she speaks he cocks his head slightly, wondering. He has his own thoughts on the matter, but isn't going to argue the point; That's not in his nature. "Perhaps you are right. And I can only hope my aid will be effective." My reflection? I suppose it depends on who I see watching back at me.
He sympathizes with the plight of the young noblewoman, who seems to feel locked in. Again? "I am sorry for your predicament, Miss. - Talienda. Let us hope any measures made are only temporary. And let they strengthen our resolve to get to the bottom of what is happening, so that we may live as we please, without fear of retribution." He holds up his hands in apology at having little solid aid to give. "I hail from the Puddles. Many are fine folk, but they might not be at home here. They would surely stand out."
Seeing Talienda's distress, Rissi moves up close and quietly asks, "Perhaps I should go to the market with Alina? Neither of us seems to be a direct target, but I think it would be better if she doesn't go alone. And I can help her carry some.... ??"
Moments after Rissi offers herself for the servant’s protection, they hear Alina leaving the house in a hurry, heading in the market’s direction. Almost at the same time, they hear the district’s crier ringing his bell, announcing that it is now noon.
"Talib, I don't want Alina getting hurt just because she works for me. Do you, Sekla, or your masked friend know and trust anyone that we could hire to help keep her safe? It was all I could do not to say we'd all go, but I feel that Sekla would have knocked me out cold for doing something so foolish at time like this."
Talib shakes his head slowly. "You are free to hire bodyguards for your retainers if you wish, but I would deem it an unwise investment. The only way to keep Alina safe is letting her go and hiring more robust help. Loyalty such as hers is impossible to buy, of course, but getting too attached makes her a potential pawn for anyone who might seek to use her against you."
"There's coin enough in the coffers to turn this place into a fortress, Sekla," she says, sounding defeated. She'd been so happy making this her home, her place of refuge after learning of what her father had been, and now she was about to turn it into a prison.
[...]
"We know what we need, more secure windows and locks, more guards, and hounds to aid them, the question is who do we trust to provide those things," she asks the others as she leans against the window sill and looks out of it. "If my father wasn't dead, I might want to kill him for putting me in this mess."
The inquisitor ponders on the issue for a moment. Paranoia is not constructive, and falling into it might play right into the enemy's hand. However, doing nothing in response signals weakness. Perhaps it is time to do something unexpected...
"There is no sense in overt entrenchment," he finally says, his tone resolute. "Walls are meant to keep out thieves of opportunity, not professionals set on a task. If they—whoever 'they' are—know you are here, they will get to you eventually. At the current rate, this investigation might take us weeks, or months—plenty of time for multiple attempts. We need to go on the offensive."
Talib rises from his seat and moves to loom over the young noblewoman. "Miss... no, Talienda. You are not some helpless damsel. Sekla is here to defend you bodily, not because I think you are utterly incapable of protecting yourself, but due to practical reasons associated with sorcery in a close-quarters skirmish. You would not stand idly by and let her fight alone, would you?"
"I have a lead that could get us closer to a resolution," he exclaims to everyone gathered. "There is a girl named Cornela Lupei, a runner for the Shades. Wherever she is, there will be gangsters. Once we have one to question, we can track them to their primary hideout. There, we might discover further evidence—and even if not, there would be one less threat to worry about."
The gaunt Keleshite pauses for a moment, taking in the group's reactions. He nods to himself, as if his inspection had confirmed some half-formed hypothesis he had been mulling over. "I had planned to recruit a small group of mercenaries for the raid, but it seems I have more than enough capable help right here."
"Would you mind," Talienda asks, looking a little sheepish at Rissi's offer, but grateful for it nonetheless. That finished, she looks up at the masked Falcon.
"Unfortunately, blending in seems to be off the table. And as strange as it may sound, I do empathize with them about feeling out of place here," she says with a sigh. "I was thinking more someone that could be with Alina without looking like she's there to be a bodyguard. After what happened the night Rissi, Talib, and I met, I don't know if I could take having her die because of me."
With acknowledgement from Talienda Rissi runs after Alina, calling to the lady once she is within reasonable range.
The Falcon and Talib quickly exchange information on the Grindle Street Shades, narrowing down two relevant spots on their search for Cornela.
The first is a watering hole at the edge of the Puddles which has become the Shades’ latest favourite place for drinks. The Greasy Half-Elf is owned by a half-insane former sailor named Vicente Obradors and was somewhat infamous for its violent brawls even before the gang took a liking to it.
The second is the jokingly-named Goldtooth Manor — Manor, for short — a two-storied rickety building whose ground floor and basement are used for goblin wrestling matches that are part comedy and part unbridled brutality. The upper floor, instead, provides lodgings which are often used by members of the Grindle Street Shades.
Halfway through the discussion, Rissi returns and is quickly brought up to date by Talienda. The sounds and smells of cooking come from the kitchen, where Alina seems to have started working.
Talienda almost snaps at Talib as her anger flare, but she realizes that he's right. Alina could be used as a tool against her. Any of the people here or her father's manor, or just under her employ could. Even with the riches piled away in Abadarian vaults by her father, she would soon bankrupt herself if she tried to protect them all like that.
"Well, I must confess that I've been learning a few tricks from Rissi," she says after cooling her ire. "I'm willing to help, Talib. I just need to know what you need from me."
Coming in on the tail end of the discussion Rissi glances at Talienda and Talib. "We've both been working, trying to find ways to be more useful if we have encounters like in the courthouse again. Hopefully not exactly like that of course...."
"The best defense is to cut their throats," says Sekla pragmatically. "If Miss Blackhorn wills it, then I'm willing to hunt down this girl."
The Falcon and Talib quickly exchange information on the Grindle Street Shades, narrowing down two relevant spots on their search for Cornela.
Talib considers both options, swiftly correlating the scenarios with both present knowledge and past experience.
"The Greasy Half-Elf is not worth the risk," he argues. "A large group of newcomers would be conspicuous, and going in fewer numbers would be too dangerous. The Manor should be easier to infiltrate: the matches draw attention from us, while simultaneously giving us a credible reason to enter."
Talienda almost snaps at Talib as her anger flares [...]
"I'm willing to help, Talib. I just need to know what you need from me."
The inquisitor looks on with his usual stoicism as different emotions flash across Talienda's face, and nods approvingly once she calms herself. Although the ordeal at the courthouse was undoubtedly traumatic, it had also matured her. While he certainly does not wish the girl to take after her father, Talib knows she is unlikely to survive Absalom—the real Absalom—unless she sheds the rest of her youthful sentimentality. All the more reason to stop sheltering the budding sorceress.
"You need a disguise, a false identity, and money in coinage," he lists on his fingers. "You will be a bored noblewoman, there to bet on the fights. I believe they call it 'slumming.' Rissi can guide you through the... etiquette, as necessary. The rest of us should be able to pass of as your bodyguards, save perhaps for the Falcon. He can scale the building from the outside, and see if the girl is upstairs. Assuming she is, he can signal us to proceed with the extraction."
"Maybe we can provide an additional distraction," he turns to Sekla, recalling the hobgoblin's prowess in the Irorium. ”Do you wrestle?”
"Wouldn't me disguising myself as a noblewoman be too obvious," Talienda asks. "I would have thought something less conspicuous would be your preference. Rissi has taught me that there are some that just fade into background, waifs, beggars, serving girls, and the like. Maybe I should be something like that and maybe someone else be the noble if we need someone to fill that role."
Rissi giggles as Talib suggests a disguise, and Talienda disagrees slightly. "But Talib is right lady. We could easily make your appearance to match a serving girl or beggar. But we don't have the time to truly transform your walk, or your stance to that of a beggar. Besides, a beggar wouldn't be with us and you're already a lady."
"Better to just keep your disguise simple, and you can do most of it yourself. Use your magic to change your hair, blond or maybe a reddish color. And smooth out the curls! Maybe add a few stray grey hairs, and pad your clothing a bit to make you look slightly overweight. So, just everything that you normally would never do! Do you have any gaudy jewelry? Low value but pretentious looking?" She grins widely at the last question, perhaps remembering something....
The Shining Falcon agrees with Sekla's sentiment on their course of actio, even though he chooses different words. "Indeed, digging in won't move us forward. I would suggest staying mobile and facing the problem head-on."
He nods at Rissi's arguments concerning Talienda's disguise and adds his own thoughts, speaking from experience. "Donning a disguise isn't as simple as putting on some beggar's clothes, or dying one's hair. Those are only the tools that you use to essentially become someone else. For the time being, of course," he adds, forestalling the thought that they have to change who they are completely.
Coming round to Talib's plan, the Falcon nods again. "I would suggest I might go as a wrestler as well - they are prone to theatrics and costumes - but I believe you're right that we're dealing with wrestling matches performed by goblins, not just organized by them. Sekla might be allowed to enter, as a 'special appearance'?" He shrugs apologetically. "I might be able to find my own way in, as you said."
Sekla frowns as she listens intently to Talib. "I am willing to fight. That would not be the cause for my objection. But the fights that take place in the manor are farcical, and meant to be as brutal as they are comedic. I would surely kill anyone set against me in moments, and the organizers would no doubt realize it. I doubt they would allow me in the ring, especially as I am known in fighting circles after my victory at the Irorium."
She reaches under her armor to scratch. "May i suggest we paint Lady Blackhorn as a crude noblewoman in search of blood and lowlife diversion? My being her bodyguard would help fit the image, and the benefit would be my staying close to her for real protection."
Sekla frowns as she listens intently to Talib. "I am willing to fight. That would not be the cause for my objection. But the fights that take place in the manor are farcical, and meant to be as brutal as they are comedic. I would surely kill anyone set against me in moments, and the organizers would no doubt realize it. I doubt they would allow me in the ring, especially as I am known in fighting circles after my victory at the Irorium."
Talib nods slowly. He thinks for a moment about how to phrase his reply, but opts for the bluntest possible terms. Although the hobgoblin is far more worldly than a sheltered girl like Talienda, some intricacies of Absalom's underworld appear to elude her.
"You could kill anyone set against you," the inquisitor stresses firmly. "That does not mean you should. We need to keep everyone's eyes on the ring during the extraction, and the proprietor is unlikely to have any scruples about rigging a match. The question is, do you?"
He adds, in a more conciliatory tone, "This is assuming the Falcon locates the girl. Otherwise, there is no need for such a distraction."
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Sekla's frown deepens. "Rig the match? As in, have me lose on purpose to a few unskilled goblins?"
The very thought causes a new intensity to fall upon the hobgoblin; her shoulders hunch subtly, causing the edges of her paldrons to grate where they press against her cuirass and backplate. Her hands curl into fists, the metal and leather creaking.
Rissi chuckles at Sekla's suggestion, wondering if Talienda could truly play the part of anyone 'crude'. "I can add to the distraction, deliberately singing off key and banging a tambor for emphasis at the wrong times.... And Lady, feel free to knock the instrument out of my hands and stomp on it. I'll be casting magic to summon it so when it is destroyed it won't matter. A shrill word or two and I'll stop, for a few moments at least!"
"I'll need to dirty up my cloths and make a few cosmetic changes as well. But most people think all ratfolk look alike anyway!"
Sekla's frown deepens. "Rig the match? As in, have me lose on purpose to a few unskilled goblins?"
The very thought causes a new intensity to fall upon the hobgoblin; her shoulders hunch subtly, causing the edges of her paldrons to grate where they press against her cuirass and backplate. Her hands curl into fists, the metal and leather creaking.
Talib raises an eyebrow. "Does she really think they would think less of her for losing? Or is this a matter of pride...?"
"As in," he says calmly, "have you throw said goblins around the ring for a while—preferably in an entertaining manner—before ultimately winning. We might have to bribe the proprietor to facilitate a show match, but I can handle the negotiations as needed."
Whether this was the inquisitor's original plan, or a conciliatory alteration to it, is hard to judge from his near-uniformly inexpressive mien.
After discussing the rest of the plan over a quick and light meal prepared by Alina, the group sets off to the Goldtooth Manor, first by hopping on a bench-wagon and then continuing by foot. With some guidance from the Falcon and locals, they finally reach their destination at around 14:00 – 15:00.
The manor is a peculiar work of vernacular architecture, an agglomeration of wooden walls that grew out of the remnants of a bunkhouse that caved in many years ago. The story goes that all survivors of the minor disaster had been goblins who immediately began fighting over the possessions of their deceased neighbours and that a passing entrepreneur, upon finding the scene, started taking bets on the winner. From that, walls, bleachers, tents and roofs were erected around the initial hole where the tragicomical fights continue to rage to this day. An upper floor was eventually built with a few rooms and bunks which were offered to the champions and survivors of the matches, as well as anyone else interested in cheap and uncomfortable accommodation.
The main entrance is guarded by two burly human males who seem mostly content to stand around and intimidate any patrons who might be inclined to cause problems. Concentrated around the path leading to this entrance there are a few tents selling cheap toys, divination services and alcohol, all of which seem to have no shortage of clients even at this early hour.
Walking around the vaguely rectangular building, the group spots a back entrance, likely used by members of the staff, which also happens to be the sturdiest looking part of the whole building.
After a few years functioning independently, the Manor caught the interest of the Grindle Street Shades. They allowed the operations to continue mostly untouched in exchange for a “protection fee” and free usage of the upper floor.
Both guards sport the same monogrammed tattoo. One bears it on his shoulder and the other on his neck.
Talienda opens her mouth to protest, but she realizes that this probably has a better chance of working.
"Alright, one bratty gaud-fest coming up."
After the light supper she borrows Rissi for some help with the disguise. Putting it together proves more difficult than either of them had imagined. the hair was easy enough, and her skin's tone was ruddied up thanks to some rouge, but the padding and clothing to make her look, well, too plump, proved a hassle, and by the end, she looked like an over stuffed, gaudy sausage.
"I hope this works. I can barely move in this," she tells Rissi before they join the others for the carriage ride.
===
Seeing the Manor for the first time is an experience that Talienda will never forget. Not because of anything she sees, hears, or smells, but because of the nearly paralyzing fear that churns in her stomach. She shoves it down and puts on the mask. She isn't Talienda Blackhorn anymore. She is Lady Black Rose, a spoiled noblewoman or merchant's daughter that's read through Priscilla Evergloom's novels a few dozen times too many.
Now, if she can only keep up the haughty tone without apologizing for it ever few seconds.
"Well, you promised me some excitement in this morose malaise that is the constant malady of life in these grey days," she says in a shrill tone that sounds like someone aiming for sultry, and landing on obnoxious.
Rissi chuckles at the results of Talienda's disguise attempt. She tries to help, but can't seem to get the padding right any more than Talienda could. "Maybe we're making it too thick? If you can't move you'll look like zombie stumping around there!" She backs off and reconsiders the thing. "Forget the 'fat suit'. Do you have some old clothing that would look nice, but that you wouldn't wear because they are way out of style?"
Once Talienda dons her mask, Rissi speaks a word of magic to summon a pair of maracas, which she immediately uses incorrectly to bang on things to make noise. "M'Lady Black Rose needs a clear view of the contests. Clear the way for the Lady" She then promptly gets in Talienda's way so 'the Lady' can knock the things out of her hands.... "So sorry m'Lady. An I'm so clumsy.... So sorry!"
Taliendia turns to Rissi with a shrug after pulling herself free of the makeshift fat-suit.
"Er, not really. Father would always send my old clothes off after buying the latest fashions. I think he found it odd I never really cared much about that," she admits as she helps Rissi put together something that was out of fashion from what she has. After getting dressed, again, she casts a spell to change her hair and another to clean off the makeup she had put on to clean the slate for something gaudy.
Right on cue, Talienda slaps the maracas from Rissi's hands and kicks them away with all of her inconsiderable might.
"Fool! A thousand curses on you! You've thrown my aura out of balance with your buffoonery!"
Oh, Rissi. I'm so sorry! I hope I didn't hurt your hands.
The Shining Falcon watches the interaction between Talienda and Rissi without interfering, cocking his head slightly as he watches. Curious. I'm not sure if it will actually allow them to blend in, or will only draw attention. But either way, we'll have to improvise.
He stays near the group on the approach, so that they can put the finishing touches on their plan. He halts when they are within sight of the entrance, but not within hearing range. "This is the place all right," he says. "Note the tattoos on the two bouncers." He looks up at the second floor. "I'll break off from the group, circle around and see if I can find an entrance to the second floor. The back door will most likely be guarded, so I'll stay clear of that."