Swing swong swang!
The confused, disgusting, and angry creature seems to be heading back into the sewers when Marcus' greatsword efficiently and neatly splits the top of the thing's head open. The creature twitches for a moment as Marcus' greatsword finds purchase in it's nervous system and the last gasps of sapience shudder through the creature's body. Its mouth opens and closes, and the body shudders as Marcus withdraws the greatsword with a flourish. It flops down onto the cobbles, and various goos spreads over the street, draining back into the ruins of sluice and between the cobbles.
It will take quite some time to clean up this street.
Marcus nudged the goo with his boot to make sure it was dead, then snorted in distaste. "Come on, this was no more than a distraction." He was ready to continue onward with their mission.
Vera applies a bit of magic to start cleaning the creature's goop off of the group. "That was horrible! Is everyone okay? How is it a beast like this can be found on our city's streets?"
After Vera expeditiously cleans the stench from everyone, the party departs the street. As they go, they watch as the nearby korvosans attach hooks to the creature’s flesh and drag it to the hole in the street. A shopkeeper passed a few silver and a note to an urchin, who nods and runs towards the city’s administrative buildings.
It seems more likely than not that they’re running to get someone who might repair the street or at least tell someone what happened.
The creature’s emergence seems to have broken up the riots in the immediate vicinity, but as the party approaches the purported residence of the accused killer, the crowding gets worse. Roving mobs seem to be searching as they go, accosting people that fit the vague description, though thankfully it seems that such folks retire to their homes before too long.
After a while, and a few intimidating and/or diplomatic gestures, the party reaches 42 Moon St. They find the address in a densely built section of the city, a place where, at ground level, direct sunlight is a rarity. Above, jury-rigged catwalks, overhanging roofs, lines of laundry, and homemade bridges of rope and boards create a cluttered tangle, a multi-level mess of gutters, upper floors, and rooftops. The area above is known as “The Shingles” and it is almost it’s own district, separate from all the others. It spreads over much of the city, and is the home of the famous house drakes and their nemeses, the imps.
Standing near a lamppost near the building stands one of the city’s lamplighters, an auxiliary squad of the guard that monitors and lights the street lamps of the city during the patrols.
The woman appears to be of higher rank than a typical lamplighter, with a sergeant’s badge and uniform quite apparent. She has tightly braided wavy black hair and darker skin than is typical of a chelaxian, though there is some chelaxian heritage apparent. She holds a fine and cheery-looking lantern staff, and is obviously waiting for something.
Magda doesn't seem concerned about the layer of filth all over her, but gives Vera a grin and a thank you anyway when she is cleaned. "I wonder why it wasn't getting enough food, plenty of gunk and gross in the sewers. No reason to rip up the street for that." seeing the kid run off to get someone she nods sagely "Good someone will fix the road, can't have any old hole left to rot and fester, pride in your bit of the city is warming, ain't it?"
---
"What's that lot doing here, don't seem right just standing around here looking all shiny and new? Maybe our Tails got here before us?"
Marcus followed the street urchin with a frown for a moment, but Magda's assessment alleviated his concerns.
Marcus leads the rest of the way to 42 Moon St. He makes judicious use of harsh glares, and with the rowdier members simply pushes them out of the way to forge a path for his allies. Luckily the few ones that seemed angry enough to get violent saw his massive frame and thought twice.
As they reach their destination Marcus is glad to see it's not overly crowded, but the lamplighter does catch his attention. Before they get close enough to be easily overheard, he signals for the others to stop, turning and lowering his voice. "A lamplighter, and a high ranking one by the look of that uniform. If things go badly with her we will attract attention from the guard. I doubt we will be able to get in and out without her seeing us. But we can overpower a single guard and get the target out before support arrives if we must. Direct approach?" He asks the others.
Meira leans against the lamppost, doing her best to project 'nothing to see here, move along' in the general direction of any passing mobs. Fortunately none of them have thought to accost her, not that it was likely they would. That was, after all, the whole reason she'd been sent.
("We've figured out the last known address of the supposed killer." Kroft's face was strained. "But if I send any regular members of the guard, they're more likely to cause a riot than to successfully and safely arrest her. Not that I expect you to be able to do that either, but you're a lamplighter. People should recognize that and leave you alone." She massaged her forehead. "Just...go check it out. Keep an eye on things. If it looks like anyone unseemly is approaching the building, send me a message. I've got an idea of who I can send after Trinia; I just need some time to make the arrangements.")
'Unseemly' was a relative term, but so far no one had entered the building that didn't look like they belonged there. Meira has already patrolled up and down the street, double-checking that all the lamps were lit. (Something that gets her several nods of gratitude. Here in the Shingles the lamplight is necessary even during the day.) Now she just has to wait.
Speaking of which, it seems Kroft's group might have arrived. She eyes the ragtag bunch of individuals as they approach. Not a guard uniform in the bunch, but those commendations spoke volumes. She's heard rumors about this group. Apparently Kroft was using them as impartial agents to help out with tasks the regular guards were too busy, (or too noticable) to take on. Made sense that she would have sent them on this job too.
The Field Marshall hadn't explicitly said to meet up with them, so for now she stays where she is. She'll have to come to a quick decision about whether the assistance she could provide would be worth risking their anonymity by approaching.
It's true, Kali wasn't Guard, she represented Sable Company. Dressed in freshly cleaned black and reds, she wore her uniform in case some authoritarian figure might be needed in their mission. The five foot eight woman wore her uniform well, her strengthening routines having helped fill out her figure with more muscle than she was used to having. Long, dark hair such as hers would normally be tied back or moved out of the way, but the burn scars that covers more than half of her face provide some understanding of why she likely has it loosely hanging about as cover.
As Marcus whispers his opinion, she eyes the woman leaning against he lampost suspiciously. "Indeed. I'll take the lead. Stay nearby, but let me try to work it first." she whispers back, moving off in the lamplighter's direction with a purpose.
Closing the distance, the marine asks "Evening. Is there something you require assistance with?"
At six and a half feet tall with broad shoulders and a wide torso, and a set of nondescript full plate which makes him appear even larger , Marcus is a towering wall of a man that dwarves even most half-orcs. Despite that the giant moves with a surprising amount of grace, every move he makes looking fully intentional. He has close-cropped brown hair and hard brown eyes, and a frown that looks like it has been chiseled out of stone. Faint scars cross over his exposed skin, including a large one above his left eye.
The man is positively bristling with weapons. A large nondescript greatsword hangs from his belt, along with a morningstar and two daggers, as well as a dagger sheathed on his breastplate. Sticking above his shoulder is a heavy composite longbow, and dangling on the small of his back are half a dozen throwing chakrams.
His hard frown looms from behind the approaching Sable Company marine, not quite glowering but certainly not appearing pleasant in any way. He is clearly intently watching the interaction.
Well, that made the decision of whether or not to approach much easier. Meira straightens to her full height, (which is still an inch or so shorter than Kaliyah), and nods at the woman. "Greetings. I assume you're here on behalf of Field Marshal Kroft?"
Up close it's easier to see the faint scar running along her own cheek, as well as a nose that has obviously been broken at least once. While the lantern staff she's holding isn't a conventional weapon, she's clearly comfortable with it.
"These days the lamplighters are more likely to be left alone than the regular guard, so the Field Marshal sent me ahead to keep an eye on the situation." She carefully doesn't mention what the situation is, just in case these somehow aren't the people Kroft had mentioned. Her eyes flick over Kali's shoulder towards the looming Marcus, but she doesn't comment and quickly refocuses on the person doing the speaking.
As the lamplighter begins to talk, the young girl in colorful Varisian garb pulls out a wand and speaks a single arcane word. There's no obvious visible effect.
With that done, she begins staring intently at him, as if she were studying something.
.
As she does, a snake slithers out from her blouse momentarily, its tongue flickering in warning at this new stranger. She was certainly suspicious. By Kroft's telling, there were good guards and bad guards, and she wasn't sure which one this was.
"We're here on our own behalf," she says. "But Field Marshal Kroft is a friend. If you've been keeping an eye here, would you mind sharing what you've seen?"
Kaliyah was not anticipating Meira's response. She opened her mouth to speak when Vera stepped up and said something before she could. She tries to not look visibly irritated, but fails. Without moving her head to look at Vera, she looks upward at some invisible object and blows out a brief breath of exasperation.
What part of let me try to work it first was unclear.
Nodding to Vera's words, she adds helpfully like she's been instructed numerous times "We thank you for your cooperation in this manner."
"Oh Great, She sent you." the half-orc teenager grumbled from her toothy maw. Magda is still growing but is already equal to Kaliyah in height, with a wiry build under her leathers. With just a touch on the side of green-skinned with a slight point to her ears, she could pass for Varisan human, if she would keep her mouth shut.
Besides a longspear being used as a walking stick, she's armed with a whip and a dagger, a cat that looks upon all with disdain, and a backpack containing just about everything (including a beartrap).
"Nothing getting any calmer here, don't you all think we should see to it."
Kali picks up on Magdas's inflection on her words and turns to face her, holding a hand as she gestures It's alright., trying to stay the shaman from saying anything she might regret.
"It's alright Mags, we were just doing our due diligence is all. Let's stay focused."
She waits for Meira to explain what's found before deciding whether they should move onward. When they do, she suggests "Why don't you stay towards the front of the group." So I can keep both eyes on you since I trust you about as much as I can spit. she doesn't add.
Magda's open mouth shuts at Kiliyah alright hand, and she relents.
"Mhmm." Marcus gives a soft hum of acknowledgement when the lamplighter says the Field Marshal sent her. He slowly changes his position, placing one ear towards the conversation happening and turning himself to watch up and down the street.
Magda falls toward the back, away from the 'Kroftian' and does as Marcus does, keeping an eye out.
Meira can't help but raise an eyebrow at the rather eclectic group. "Look. Did Field Marshal Kroft send you or no? Because it sounds like you're saying she didn't, although you claim her as a friend," (she gestures vaguely towards Vera). "While you seem upset at the idea that she might have sent me." (Another gesture, this time towards Magda.)
She folds her arms. "The Field Marshal told me she planned to send a group of people who could handle the situation. I thought you were the group in question, given those commendations and the rumors I've heard about your activites on behalf of the guard. If I was mistaken, I apologize."
Finally. Marcus detaches himself from the wall, striding over to loom behind the others. "Kroft sent us, not legally, to handle this problem before it becomes a complete s@~@show. We're here to bring her in, alive." He pauses, then takes a sharp inhale and flares his nostrils. "Come on, let's get this done before anybody else shows up who can f@%+ this up."
Keira’s shoulders tense for a moment as Marcus walks forward, then relax as he starts to speak. ”Thank you.” She studies his face while she contemplates the phrase ‘not legally,’ then mentally shrugs. He’s confirmed that Kroft sent them, that they know Trinia is here, and that they plan to bring her in alive. For now, that’s enough.
”Like I said, I was sent to keep an eye on things until the Field Marshal could find a group capable of arresting the woman without it turning into, as you put it, a s+$%show. As for what I’ve seen, not much. A few people who look like they don’t belong have been poking around. They’re pretty recognizable. Long coats, shifty attitudes, spend a little too much time contemplating where everything is. It seems no one here has told them anything though; they chat with people on the ground floor and get turned away. They also seem to be working individually. Or at least I haven’t seen them approach anyone as a group.”
She looks towards Kali again. Kroft hadn’t actually asked her to join this group, but she’s both intrigued and a little concerned. ”Sure, I can take lead if you prefer. I’m not the most charismatic person, but people around here appreciate us lamplighters. But first things first...” She extends her hand. ”Meira Silanus. Nice to meet you. And if we’re going to be working together, I’d like your names as well. If for no other reason than because ‘Hey you!’ gets very confusing, very quickly.”
"Don't worry. If someone needs sweet-talking, either Vera can do it or I'll shoot them." she says in a dead-pan voice. "Or Marcus will punch them in the mouth." she says, motioning to the large man. She makes no motion of Mags and what she would do. No. No reason to scare the poor thing.
Kaliyah looks down at Meira's outstretched hand for a moment before deciding she's going to take it. Reaching out, she grips it with a solid firm shake like the marines had taught her to do. "My friends call me Kali. You can call me Kaliyah." she says with a shake before stepping back and motioning forward to let this stranger take the lead.
"Marcus, the Dog." Marcus is already moving towards the front door. He glances at the windows, checks if the door is locked, then opens it and takes point.
The half-orc girl gets a kick from the city "shhs, okay, okay" she gives a slight wave when the light lady's gaze rests on her and tells her "Magda... the Magpie" she mimics Marcus with the nickname.
At the description of the shady people, Magda will ask the city about them.
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Meira resists the urge to rub her forehead. "I do hope you're joking about shooting people, at least without them trying to shoot you first. I don't want to have to try and arrest you." Not that she would. She's not that suicidal.
No, worst case scenario she'll run away and hope she lives long enough to let Kroft know she's hired a bunch of psychopaths.
She really, really, hopes it doesn't come to that.
She shakes Kaliyah's hand and goes to follow Marcus into the building. It probably says something that right now she's far more comfortable with him than anyone else. Sure, he's threatening and could probably break her in half if he wanted, but she's dealt with muscle before. At least he seems sane.
What have I gotten myself into?
"I'm Vera, fortuneteller extraordinaire!" says the young girl enthusiastically. "Don't worry, Kali shoots the bad people. And Marcus just cut a crazed garbage monster in half, probably saved a lot of good citizens in the process. It's dangerous on these streets, you know."
She follows as they enter the building. "I hope you know a little about how to be sneaky, Meira. We might not want to tip off our target that we're after her."
Magda pauses to ask the light lady "Did you check already if there was a back door?"
Magda can confirm what Meira has said. The people in long coats are not recognizable as being especially Korvosan. They have a squirrelly and furtive look about them. If they’re working for any of the “good” authorities, you’d eat your hat.
The party muscles into the entryway of the tenement, three floors high and containing two dozen flats, many of which are homes to artists, singers, students, and artisans.
As everyone enters, it’s clear that there’s no way to know where the accused killer might live. The size and noise of Marcus and Krovax seemingly have precluded any stealth, so doors creak open here and there flanking the first floor hallway. They look at the party suspiciously . Only one keeps the door open. An older woman peers out, and gruffly calls over, ”Oy, what do you lot want here?” She has paint on her fingertips and is looking skeptically towards everyone.
"I do hope you're joking about shooting people, at least without them trying to shoot you first. I don't want to have to try and arrest you."
"Excuse me?" Kali says, her face containing every last drop of emotion of how taken aback she is by that comment. She's about to press further when Vera's cheeriness interupts and Kaliyah closes her trap. She scowls at the lamplighter though, muttering to Mags behind her. "If an arrow flies stray, it is not my fault. I don't want to have to shoot her."
When the older woman asks what they want, Kali opens her mouth to respond right before Krovax steps on her foot. She groans in pain and turns to look at him as he gives her the look of DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH THIS TIME.
She closes her mouth and waits for the lamplighter or Vera to do some talking.
"okay, if you shoot her, you didn't mean to, even though you are telling me you are thinking about it." Magda repeat mutters back to be sure she is clear.
As they enter the place, Magda slips past the others, while the wall is stomping on Kali's foot.
"Hello, kindly mother of moon street" Magda gives a respectful nods and smile "There are shady folk looking for a young girl here, dark coats, not 'good' and not of our city, I believe she is in danger. The city does not need more misery, more shattered young people. Please help us."
The older woman cocks her head, then nods, saying, ”nice girl like that, and you. Ain’t gonna say nothing to you, but also nobody. Count yourselves lucky, I had an assistant like you once, long ago. Be about yer business.” She closes the door without providing any information, but doesn’t shout anything to anyone, which is a blessing on its own.
When the door closes, Kali says "You handedly that remarkably well, Mags. Well done."
While Magda speaks earnestly to one old lady, Vera begins to search the flat looking for signs of this Trinia girl. An older man steps out to confront her. "Hey, scram. We don't welcome loiterers around here,"
Vera "Sorry sir, I promise I'm here to help. I work at the Castle and I know Poor Miss Trinia's been framed for something she didn't do. We need to stop this! Don't you agree? I've figured out how to get her out of town before some horrible ruffian, thug, or Hellknight"--she shudders at the thought--"gets their hands on her. We can't let them know what's happened. Please, can you keep quiet about this?" She puts a finger to her pursed lips, half pouting, half a gesture of silence as she looks pleadingly with her little girl eyes.
And the man nods and lets them along. Variations of this little act seems to do the trick for most of the residents. They are clearly close when a young man comes out, hands crossed. "Hold on, girl. I know her well, and I've never heard of her talk about anyone like you at the castle. What's your name?"
"Lily," replies the fortune-teller without skipping a beat. "I'm one of the scullery maids, working for the King. Or used to, until he . . . he . . ." her lip quivers with sadness at the thought, a tear forming in the corner of her eye, which she dabs with her sleeve. "Miss Trinia never looked down on me, you know? She has a good heart, and I couldn't live with myself if she died too." She clutches the frills of her dress as if she could imagine no worse agony.
Magpies eyes go wide in awe and wonder at Vera's weaving of lies. Heck she even finds herself wanting to believe the stories.
She whispers to Kali in amazed jest "she could have told us she knew this girl, would have made this easier, yes?"
Meira's about to step forward and say something to the old woman, (probably along the lines of 'Don't worry, we're here to help' or something similarly inane), when Magda smoothly takes care of the situation. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Vera cast a spell.
Glibness? From a girl that young?
She watches in awe, jaw nearly dropping, as Vera neatly charms every other neighbor in the building. She watched her cast the spell, knows the truth of the situation, and still almost believes that she's just Trinia's friend from the castle.
"Impressive. Very impressive." Maybe Kroft hadn't been completely insane when she started hiring children. Sarenrae might not approve of deception, but Meira wasn't so religious as to not admire an obvious master of the craft.
Vera easily charms the remainder of the mistrusting inhabitants. She finds out that Trinia Sabor’s flat is on the third floor in the Southwest corner without raising any kind of alarm. The party approaches the door, which is closed.
Magda quickly moves to the door, quiet as a mouse, presses her ear to the door to see if she hears another, then gives the door itself a quick inspection to see if it is trapped and/or locked.
After nodding to an unheard voice telling her it is pkay, she steps back gesturing to the walls to do there thing.
As the party approaches the door to the flat, Vera leans in and whispers.
"If someone wants, I can make them invisible for a few seconds. Long enough to maybe get the jump on Trinia."
Marcus walks up to the door, glances back to make sure the others are all prepared, then checks if the door is unlocked.
Marcus turns the knob, and finds that it isn't locked. However, it flexex within the frame slightly without giving way. It seems like there's something (or things) pushed against the other side of the door. It would require more exertion to get through.
Marcus steels himself, them motions for Krovax to help him shove the door.
Kali turns around and places her back against Marcus's, pushing into him to push the door.