Shi scrunches her nose a bit but then a wide grin forms and she shrugs "I suppose that's not a horrible idea. At least if we were running things here we could ensure that the somewhat less than legal activities fell in line with what benefited the city. Plus, as you said would give us another place to setup shop, especially as if Magda noted, we aren't on as good of terms with the guard anymore."
Krovax’s head snaps around. He had apparently missed something. ”What happened with the guard,” he asked as he leered at Magda, his voice taking a sinister chill once again.
Magda frowned, anger coming up at the memory "We went to her for help first and it was all 'I misjudged you', 'Working relationship over', 'Weeks to get them out, broken', and 'I am busy, leave'... I told her exactly what I thought of that b%~+!+*#, and left."
"Vera managed to squeeze some mercy out of the hag, our halfing friend was it, basically."
Kali is overjoyed to be free and alive, but saddened by Magda's telling of how things unfolded. "First, thank you and everyone else for saving us, Magda and Vera, we owe you our lives." She walks over and embraces her with a soft hug, standing there for several seconds longer than necessary.
Pulling back, she continues "Second, perhaps this was just a big misunderstanding with Kroft and we can patch things up. I hope so, at least. I've been told that I'm supposed to report to her and continue to work to her, and this doesn't seem like the appropriate time to leave the marines."
Vera stiffens as Kaliyah comes over to hug her. "It's nothing, really. You should thank Magpie." It's only when Kaliyah keeps at it for a while that Vera seems to hesitantly return the hug. It seems clear that Vera still didn't know what to make of these soldiers and mercenaries.
"Well, Miss Kroft was just annoyed, I think. She thought of us as another mess she'd have to clean up. But when she finds out that we cleaned up one of her messes, I think she'll warm right back up! By the way, I'm sure you'll want to see Falcor--he managed to escape with the two of us."
Marcus snorts. "We finished him off and no one in the criminal world is any wiser of the guard's involvement. It took longer than expected but the job is done."
Vencarlo shakes his head at Shi's doubts, "Maybe it wasn't elegantly put together, but from the reputation Barvasi had in Old Korvosa, he was cold and ruthless man. Any number of folks have disappeared who crossed him, or if the families couldn't pay. He ran a crooked gambling ring, and made most of the shiver in the city with his damnable spiders. And he has connections to some of the worst... look, Korvosa is better off without him. Don't doubt that. You all did the city a great service." He smiles at her.
He shakes his head, "and Marcus is right, the guard's hands are clean, and so are yours. He surely knew the risks of locating his base on the ship." He grins, and scrapes a little bit more putty off of his nose. "well, I'll leave you to all of it. Speak with Cressida as soon as possible. Explain what happened, and be honest with her, and it'll smooth things over." He shakes everyone's hands warmly, though with Kaliyah he responds with a crisp and practiced salute.
"I may be busy for the next few weeks, but you can call on me if there's a dire emergency. I might be able to help. Stay safe, and may Korvosa ever thrive."
He and Belzer turn to head towards the heart of Old Korvosa.
Shi considers Vencarlo's words for a moment and offers a smile in return as he walks away she notes "Thanks again!"
Turning back to the others she scrunches her nose "Guess we need to go talk to Kroft then... We can figure out what to do with the boat afterwards I suppose."
Unless otherwise held up she will turn and start walking toward the citadel.
"See you all later!" chimes Vera as Vencarlo and Belzer depart.
She nods in agreement with the fox lady. "Okay, let's go then!" Vera starts to magically clean off some of the grime on her newly-freed allies so they are more presentable. "Taking over the boats is a pretty good idea. Better than letting whoever's next in line take control. Maybe there's a way Kroft can make it all official and such! Need to do the same for my mom's old house."
Marcus was taking a shine to that old bird, despite his general crankiness. "Come on, let's talk to our handler. Get this over with." He growls unhappily.
The party bids good evening, and makes their way diagonally southeast across the expansive city-state, weaving it's way through the streets, and moving as slowly as their slowest. They're walking by the posh inn, Tenna's, when out stumbles a slovenly, distressed-looking man who stumbles out, after hearing shouting coming from the inn to the effect of "... get out of here you drunken..." before the door slammed in the man's face. The man gestures towards the door rudely, cursing quietly, and saying "yeah, well, your inn isn't fit to serve a wharf rat!" He reeks of stale sweat and ale, appears to not have shaved for days, and is wearing what appears to be a Korvosan guard uniform. He seems to have barely kept standing.
Muttering, he turns and spots the party, and perks up, his blurry eyes focusing on Magda. "Neffi! Neffi, it's been so long!" He approaches her smiling crookedly, and takes a swig from a small flask in his hand. "Oh Neffi, how have you been, I've... been not great..." He stumbles towards the party, and Magda, obviously completely plastered. The puffy dark rings under his eyes show that at least for the last few days, he hasn't slept well.
This is Grau Soldado, a well-liked watch sergeant in the Korvosan guard. He was friendly and popular, kind to most citizens, and popular with those under his command, though he always had a touch of melancholy about him.
This is Grau Soldado, a well-liked watch sergeant in the Korvosan guard. You knew him long ago, and you served as privates around the same time. He was promoted around the same time as you to sergeant, though he remained a watch sergeant while you advanced further, he was seemingly content with his lot. As far as you know, he had never left the guard. You weren't friends, but he was an amiable fellow the few times you spoke to him.
Magda's eyes go wide and she steps away from the man "No idea who you are, keep your hands to yourself"
"Wait is that... Serg Soldado?"
He makes a lopsided, stinky grin, slurring his words, ”Serge, what... no it’s Grau, Neffi. We grew up in Sandpoimt, rememmber?” He frowns a bit when ‘Neffi’ steps away. ”Whas wrong? C’mon...” He looks confused... his eyes blinking dully.
Shi looks at the drunken guard and then at Magda. When she tries to get away from the man Shi slides over to put herself between him and her "Grau is it? I think you might have my friend here mistaken for someone else. No disrespect sir but it appears you could do with a good nights rest."
She is trying to be friendly but is slightly disgusted at the way the man, especially a guard no less, is acting and it apparently shows.
"What's a sandpoimt? Is that part of the narrows, that jutting out lump of dirt and junk on the way to bridgefront? Never knew it had a name."
"But I ain't a Neffi. What's wrong, Sarg?" her voice grows concerned a bit, this one was always nice to the kids, never beat them away from crowds or nothing. Even gave little Eva a candy once, Lamm took it and hit her blue for talking to guard but still... nice thought.
"He's a guard, Sarge or something, Shi. One of the few good ones that seemed to care a bit." she whispers to the fox lady.
Shi looks back to Magda and her expression softens a bit before she turns back to the man "We are on our way back to the citadel if you would like to accompany us."
Grau shakes his head, ”wha? Nothing’s wrong Neffi - feelin’ great. Now that I got this!” He looks really sad as he takes a swig, and there are tears at the corners of his eyes, ”let’s go get a drink Neffi! Tear up the town like we did at the Hagfish that one time.” He looks confused when Shi approaches him.
”Wha? Back off! I’m protecting Neffi! Gonna buy her a drink, too! Can’t go back to the citadel anyway..” He glares at Shi, somehow picking up on the disdain. ”Got a problem with me? We can duel, I got a sword...” He grasps clumsily at the blade at his side, resting his hand on the hilt. Despite his drunken state, he carries himself as a competent fighter, seemingly with considerably more training than any single person in the party.
"Wait! No. No dueling, Shi is nice. You are nice. Both Nice..." Magda gets between the two "I'm not Neffi-whoever, Grau. Nothing about any hagfish, whatever that is, but..." Magda has no idea how to word things so just asks "Why can't you go to the guard place anymore?"
He didn't know who this guy was, but seeing the drunk guard reach for his sword makes Vera quite alarmed. She decides to play along with this nonsense game. "Grau, Grau, please. Listen to Neffi. You don't want to make Neffi upset, do you?"
.
Krovax recognizes the man, and wonders what despairs had befallen him to result in his fall. It seems to be a recurring theme among the city guard of late...
"Snap to Sergeant!" Krovax barks at the man, hoping a regimental tone will break him of his drunken stupor out of reflex.
Marcus simply huffs at the man in disdain. Yet another example of the poor regimen in the city guard.
Grau eases his hand off of his sword at Vera's words, and boggles, "no no, she's my friend, I missed her. Where we going to drink, Neffi?" He relaxes a bit, and seems to be following Magda, rather pleasantly now.
When Krovax calls him sergeant, he sniffs, and looks despondent, "probably not nowww, they won't take me back. Neffi lead me to a drink..." he gives a lopsided smile and approaches Magda, leaning on her. He smells even worse up close, but there's no more anger in his eyes, just sadness.
Shi leans in close to Magda as she whispers to her "He seems pretty drunk, let's just lead him back to the citadel so his people can take care of him."
With that she continues on her way back toward the citadel.
Magpie looks aggrieved, but follows along.
Vera will use a bit of magic to clean up Grau and his smell as long as he seems not to mind.
Grau and the party make their way to the citadel, and he starts to lean on Krovax for support, recognizing the gait of the guard as a sympathetic figure, though he still talks to Neffi as if she’s familiar. He tells his ‘friend’ about what he’s been doing since moving to Korvosa, and it’s hard to make out what he’s talking about, but the phrases that everyone catches are unmistakable, ”... and then Orsini... well, he seemed to...” and ”... I loved Sabina so much, how could he, how could they...” He finally muttered something about, ”... nothing we do helps, we couldn’t protect Korvosa...”
The party reaches the gatehouse guards stand at attention now, seemingly less exhausted and more regimented than the last time everyone saw them. It seems like not being on sixteen hour shifts and seeing your friends torn apart by angry mobs has done wonders for company morale. They recognize everyone, including Grau, and let the party into the citadel. The evening desk sergeant stands up when he sees the party leading Grau in, and nods at you. ”Hasn’t done this before... Grau is a good man...” Grau looks around and says, ”... there beer nearby? Or Whiskey?” but the desk sergeant leads him away. ”He’ll be better tomorrow... I’m sure.”
The party stands in front of the office of Cressida Kroft, Field Marshal of the Korvosan guard.
"This is as far as I go, sorry." she says as the sergeant leads her 'friend' away. "Hope it goes well, find me later okay? I'll keep close to Vera's house. Bye!" the gangly teenager waves then heads out.
Shi gives Magda a nod and then knocks on the door ready to see how bad things may be based off Magda's description of things.
"Do you know who Neffi is?" Vera calls out to the desk sergeant as Grau is being led away.
Regardless, Vera stands at attention as Shi knocks on the door.
The desk sergeant shrugs, "no idea... sorry miss." and leads Grau to sleep off his drink.
When Shi knocks on the door, a voice says "enter," and they find Cressida Kroft with rings under her eyes, working at her desk, as usual. The room is lit by a fire burning in a fireplace, and a few oil lamps set against the wall.
She looks up. When she sees the crew is back, packs loaded with stuff, her eyes widen. She rubs them, and leans back in her chair, putting down her pen neatly and gesturing for the party to enter. As they do, she folds her arms, and frowns, seemingly counting the people in the party. Her eyes shift to some of the paperwork she's been working on, and she sighs, and rips it up, putting the pieces into her waste bin.
[b]"Well - look at that. Vera, well done." She stands up and approaches the girl, embracing Vera in a smiling, uncharacteristic hug. She looks down at the Varisian, and says, "Magda's still mad, I should think? Or did something happen to her?"
Her face is troubled, and she returns to her desk. She nods at the adults in the party, and then leans forward, elbows on her desk, and speaks in a calm and clear voice.
"Well, you are back. This is good news, for a number of reasons. I am quite relieved that you are all safe," She gestures towards everyone, "I suppose you found yourselves free this very evening? Thank you for coming to see me... I have started to sleep now, you almost missed me turning in... I was working on some requests for your ransom, actually. Calling in favors to get money to pay the ransom." She smiles, "now the guard can save those favors, and I won't have to resort to what I was asked to do." A look of distaste flashes on her face, but she composes herself.
She sighs, "I don't wish to keep you long, if you'd all like to get some sleep - I'm sure it's been a pretty bad experience. I have three questions, anyone can answer: More importantly, could someone tell me how your original operation went south, did you learn anything from that experience, and is Barvasi... well, gone?" She ticks them off with her fingers. "oh, and this isn't really a question, but if you didn't use the potions, we'd like them back for the guard, if you have them."
Shi walks in expecting the worst but is somewhat pleasantly surprised when Kroft seems happy to see them. "Indeed we managed to escape with the brilliant work Vera and Magda did. Magda is ok, but yes she is upset with you. Honestly from what she said I was expecting you to be less happy to see us."
She pauses a moment and then shrugs before she continues "In any case, I think the big issue with our earlier operation was simply a matter of getting our wires crossed on how we were proceeding and when things turned south... well some of our group maybe got a little carried away. In any case, yes it was a learning experience and something we as a group will need to discuss before working on anything else. As for Barvasi, yes he is gone, so are his pets and his men are dispersed. We actually had a question in regards to his ship. Our concern is that if we just leave it there someone just as bad or possibly worse may step in to take Barvasi's place. We thought about just burning it down or maybe claiming it for ourselves, but wanted to get your thoughts on the matter."
Taking a breath she finally notes "Regarding potions... I'm not sure what you are referring to..." she looks back to Vera to see if she knows what Kroft is talking about.
Marcus nods sharply to Shi's words. "Uncoordinated as s!$* sums it up. But second try went pretty well, surprisingly so. Makes me wonder which one was the fluke." He says. Clearly he's still pretty grumpy about the whole matter.
Kroft raises an eyebrow, "what made me unhappy or disappointed was the idea that I was going to have to pay the ransom for you all. He was asking for 5,000 gold pieces. 1250 per person. It didn't take long for him to figure out who some of you were - and I suppose he figured that we'd be good for it." She shakes her head, "I'm quite relieved that you... at least seem no worse for wear, and that we didn't have to spend the entire yearly salary for the guard on retrieving you."
She shakes her head, "I can't imagine... I think Magda wanted me to run into the ship, crossbows at the ready, and arrest... Barvasi? When we had no proof that he'd committed any crimes. When you walked up and started just assaulting his enforcers? His contact told me that they even offered you all the chance to leave... "
She cocks her head when Shi says that they're going to address the issue of 'wires being crossed.' "I should hope so. You're all in good standing with me, and I'd love to continue our work together. At the least, it sounds like you're learning to be adaptable and resourceful..."
She shakes her head, "apparently, he was very angry that you killed that man - his price was so high, his contact said, because of that. They said they could tie you all to the guard." She frowns, "and if I had to ransom you, well..." She pauses, "I like you all, but I can't put you all before the safety and livelihood of hundreds of people. Thousands of citizens. I have a duty to them first of all. If we had to spend that much getting you out, then I would have very politely ended our working relationship." She looks confused, "maybe Magda interpreted that as a threat?" She sighs, "I explained that to her, as well. She just got mad and stormed out. The poor girl." She looks sad.
At this, Kaliyah still standing at attention, coughs and interrupts, "actually, Sir, I'd like to adds something. It was... my fault, Sir. I tried to improvise a plan, and got flustered and... I started attacking. I - I'm not used to dealing with these criminal types, Sir. I thought... being a Marine was enough." She shakes slightly, looking down. "I understand if you wish to remove me from this assignment, and will accept any punishment the Sable Company requires." She stands up straight, looking at the wall.
Kroft watches her for a moment, "well..." She draws out the word. She then adds, "no, marine. We don't need to do this. But think long about what you did. The next time you... take charge and 'improvise', you and your companions, and these girls, could all die. You were incredibly lucky that Barvasi was greedier than he was smart, and that his enforcers... Well. They were out for blood after one of them died. I think if Vera and Magda hadn't sprung their plan tonight, Krovax would have been dead."
She looks back at Shi, and nods at Marcus, "the second seems like it had a plan, and the first seems like it had a few different plans, and Vera and Magda seem to be sharp as tacks and have a knack for this. My advice is to listen to them." She shrugs, and rubs her temples, though she seems much less stressed than when the party first entered.
"We actually had a question in regards to his ship. Our concern is that if we just leave it there someone just as bad or possibly worse may step in to take Barvasi's place. We thought about just burning it down or maybe claiming it for ourselves, but wanted to get your thoughts on the matter."
Kroft seems to have forgotten about this, but adds "well, certainly, do not burn the place down. The city has had enough trouble without an uncontrolled fire. We could let it sink if we cut out the supports. I doubt it is seaworthy any more." She looks thoughtful, "as for owning it, well, that might be difficult to do. The deed was in Barvasi's name, and I doubt he had any next of kin, so it reverts to city property in that case."
"My guess is that the city would they would simply condemn it, and allow the other businesses to continue on the pier, so long as they followed the laws as applicable." She thinks, "you'd have to find a way to claim it - I'm not certain how easy that would be. There may be a public auction at some point, if no relatives are found for the deed. I doubt many people would want a derelict ship." She looks at a small calendar on her desk, "but I think the property auctions aren't for another three weeks or so."
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Marcus snorts. "Shouldn't have bothered, if we failed that badly we weren't worth the bounty." He pauses, taking a breath. "Flame tempers steel. We performed better under pressure, after we stopped being overconfident. More tempering needs to be done, much more, but I think there's promise. And if this little expedition is any kind of example, it shows we can handle the rotten parts of the city that the guard is too-...that the guard finds hard to." Despite himself, Kroft's transparent explanation of everything that was going on has helped him empathize with her position and the guard more.
Vera takes out the extra supplies Kroft had given her for the mission and sets them on the desk. "That was really generous of you. We really appreciate it. Dokren was a great help too."
The talk of deeds reminds Vera of her own situation. "So my mom who passed away had a home, one that's sitting empty right now. Is there a way I can claim it? It really does belong to me now."
Kroft nods, "yeah, he's a nice guy, Dokren. Doesn't make friends easily, on account of how spooked he gets. I'm surprised he agreed to go with you, he had to take it on faith that it'd be worthwhile. I hope he got something out of it, too." She smiles and takes back the supplies, putting them into a cabinet.
Kroft looks sadly at Vera, "Oh... I'm so sorry, thats..." then she looks away, "Your mother may have had a will, and it may even have been filed in the clerk's office. If she does, the deed would pass to you, except if the taxes weren't paid for long enough... then it would revert to city property and go for auction, like the ship. I don't know much about that..." She shudders, "for a price, the asmodeans will track down just about any document - though, many do not like the price they find they must pay." She thinks, "though you need some way to prove you're related to her, too. I'm sure you have that, though."
Krovax had remained at attention during the discussion, remaining quiet to let the others begin to try and build a rapport with the guard captain.
At the mention of Vera’s mother, Krovax clenches his jaws but continues to remain silent.
”Field Marshall,” he finally speaks up, ”I shall see this company out and to some beds. They could use a night’s R and R after the task they endured. With your permission, we shall proceed to the next task on the ‘morrow...” he says stoically.
Cressida nods, "certainly, if you wish. You're all honorary members, and if you keep up the service, you'll gain standing as well, and be able to draw on more resources, at least for whatever official or near-official duties you have. Magda too, if she wants to. There's no reason for her to sleep on the street any more." She looks down sadly, "I'm glad you all understand my position, and I'm proud that you got out of that trouble. We may have something for you all, but I'm not certain yet. You should deal with whatever 'spoils' you have, quickly."
She looks at her calendar, and circles something "the 14th of Arastus - I shall expect you all at 7:00 am. And Magda as well, she shouldn't hear the briefings secondhand." She nods, "is there anything else you need from me? I intend to sleep soon."
Magda finds a nook here or a cranny there, in relative viewing distance of the house in question. Her cat curls up in her lap, getting continuous rubbing around her ears in thanks for the companionship. Settling back against the wall, she listens to the whispers of the city and waits.
Marcus shakes his head with a nasal exhale. He had work to do with the group.
But first they needed to find Magda, as well as sell off their loot.
Shi nods the whole thing having been exhausting, it will be nice to get a good nights rest. She offers Kroft a smile "Well, thank you for what you were able to do to help and I'm glad things weren't as bad as Magda made it out to be. I will speak with her tomorrow once we track her down. In any case, good night."
With that she turns to leave but waits outside the room for the others, when they are all gathered she notes "Let's get some rest, regroup in the morning. Sell off our stuff and find Magda, then we should all talk."
Before leaving, Vera asks Cressida one last question. "What happened with the information we got from Devargo? Did it solve the problem with the Chelish ambassador?"
* * *
In the evening or the morning--whenever the others are gathered again--Vera begins to lay out the harrow cards that hold the spirit of her mother, consulting them for some future insight.
Kroft blinks, and then chuckles, "oh yes, they have less leverage now to impose their restrictions. It buys us more time, perhaps for something the seneschal can come up with. Time will tell of course. Good on you for asking, Vera. I will let you go, if you wish. See you in two days, and thank you." She dismisses the party with a nod, and they file out.
The party heads towards Vera's house to meet up with Magda and tell her about the new schedule. They are not attacked on the way, but there seem to be, from time to time, troubling signs of unrest again. From time to time faint shouting in the far distance can be heard.
Vera is especially quiet, spending the evening consulting her harrow deck. There seems to be something particular on her mind.
.
Magda is happy to see everyone still in one piece. "So are all of you still employed?" she asks hopefully. Her eyebrow will raise at Vera's obvious distraction.