(fail)
(fail)
Zendara pulls the boy out of the building, but thinks about what he is saying while she does it, and when they are outside she responds, staying quiet so as to not distract the guards from Yukarii.
My name is Zendara, and we have a plan to get you off the island, and we've already talked to your mother, and she is on board... but maybe leaving Eloise in danger isn't what you want? Will she be okay, and if not, do you know where she is? If we can get her out too, then I'm willing to try, but the only other solution I can think of is to kill whoever is after you, and I don't know if that is possible, since I hear that he runs this whole place. I'm not going to take you away against your will, but if you have a better idea, then talk fast, because one of my friends is up there risking her life for you, and if you aren't coming with us, I need to know that now. Whatever we do, it has to be fast.
It's clear that while Zendara is normally charming, she is a little stressed at this moment, and so might not be making the most favorable impression.
Edwin told Zendara and Elliot, "Those runes don't match any religion that I know. They might just be for show, to intimidate those who don't know better.
"I better create a diversion so Yukarii can escape. Take Elliot to safety!"
He sneaked up the stairs and used the power of his antique compass to summon a small air elemental, telling it,
He whispered to Yukarii, "Objective achieved; incoming diversion!"
Those nearby can hear these messages with a DC 25 Perception check.
Elliot gulped, "Ma's with you? Ok ok..." He thought for a moment, "Eloise's Da will kill her when he finds out about this. He'll wait until things calm down but she'll soon have a 'tragic' accident, a fall from a horse or a climbing mishap, that sort of thing."
He takes a simple signet ring off his hand and passed it to Zendara, "Please if you can find her, give her this ring. Tell her a mutual friend sent you and not to ask questions. She'll will be early and dressed for mourning, likely she's got a booth in Araq's. Only problem is her uncle Elgard will be chaperoning her, guy's got a weakness for spirits but he'll be on his best behaviour and likely won't be deep into his cups till later"
Above more coarse laughter echoes down along with a bawdy song about a nun and a randy rooster... Edwin's message was lost in the noise, although Yukaari was sure to have heard. Meanwhile his summoned elemental silently gilded up the level above.
Yukaari was enjoying herself a very great deal up above while the others freed the prisoner. She danced one of her most erotic dances and knew her plan was working when one of the men smacked her ass drawing a cry of delight from her. When she heard the message from Edwin the spirit felt disappointed, she had wanted to be taken by all of these men but it wasn't going to happen now.
Instead Yukarii was put back in control and she prepared to make a break for it. In the midst of her dance the elemental zipped through a window and strafed between her legs drawing a, "YIIII! What was that!!!!!" as her skirt flared up to show what she wasn't wearing beneath. In the sudden chaos that followed Yukarii made her way towards the exit and attempted to slip downstairs without being seen.
Zendara runs with Elliot to a place where he won't be immediately recaptured, then explains to him how to get to the ship in case he gets separated from the group, but tells him probably best to run and hide, and watch for Edwin and Yukarii when they come out, so they can distract people from him as they go.
Then she looks at Xindyra...
Want to come with me to try to get the girl, or escort him back to the ship?
I'm going to try for her, but if you guys need to take off to save the ship, do. That is way more important.
Whether anyone else is able to go with her or not, Zendara accepts the ring and sets off immediately for Araq's. Time was of the essence.
If there is a place she can get a cheap cloak on the way, she gets one... it might help if the girl agrees to go with her. Someone in mourning would draw eyes, but maybe a cloak would help with that.
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Xindyra's eye glimmer with mischief.
"I trust the boy is safe with Edwin. I'm coming with you."
Edwin's elemental was virtually invisible unless it wanted to coalesce enough to be seen. It brushed past Yukaari and jostled into Slim.
"What did you see that?!" cried Slim in alarm.
Drooling, Fatty replied "Ohh yeah man. I saw everything! You were right, Gurrez is best boss ever."
"Oi where's she going?" demanded Thug.
Happily Bully added, "We got us a chase lands, one where we get to dip our wicks! C'me on!'
The air elemental buffeted Slim again and he yelped, "Stop thinking with your #@$%s! What the heck was that?!"
"Don't be a downer, we're all gonna dip out wicks..." snarled Fatty.
"No seriously shut the #*&$ up and pay attention!" retorted Slim, "There's a freaking poltergeist or something here, I say she's drawn it's attention with her wanton ways. She must be some kind of witch or something!"
"Eh? You what, either way I'm having a piece o' her!" cried Bully who launched down the stairs after Yukaari.
The air elemental tried to move to block the man pursuing Yukarii, and slammed into him. As commanded, it tried to stop anyone from chasing the woman.
Edwin drew out a smoke stick, and readied to cover Yukarii's escape.
Hot on Yukaari's heels Bully rushed after crying, "Come hither my sweet it's time to dip my whip!"
The air elemental suddenly slammed into him and he careened into wall and skinned his left arm which stated oozing blood. Casting about with a murderous glance, he drew his sword, wobbled on his feet and fell onto and through the elemental.
His sword seemed to sever some part of its essence which boiled off.
<--- HIT
Slim also drew his sword and stabbed with more enthusiasm than training, hollering "GET IT!"
<--- MISS
Fatso was a much better fencer or maybe he was just lucky, either way his sword whistled through the air, bisecting the elemental which dissipated with a shriek of tortured air.
<--- HIT (elementals are immune to crits)
"Let's go!", Edwin whispered to Yukarii. "Elliot's already free!" He reactivated his boots for another burst of speed, and raced out the door towards the waiting carriage.
Had Yukaari still been in charge she might have turned back at those crude words the men were spewing. Fortunately Yukarii was controlling things now and she plunged through the smoke quiet and holding her breath as she did. She didn't hesitate to get through the door and head for the lane as fast as she could. They had places to be and they couldn't indulge her pursuers just then.
On his way out the door, Edwin stopped to jam the lock.
At full sprint Yukaari bust through the windmill's door and Edwin slammed it shut behind her before jamming a lockpick into the keyway and twisting it. Moments later there was a bellow and the door jumped in its frame as one of the men inside, probably fatso, slammed into it. The door shivered but held, for now.
Edwin sacrificed a lockpick, leaving it jamming the door lock. He raced back to the waiting carriage, verifying that Elliot was with them. He whispered, "Yukaari, perhaps the cab driver could be distracted so he doesn't notice the identity of the extra passenger?"
Yukarii nodded and hopped up into the seat next to the driver of the carriage when they reached it. "I have always liked carriage drivers," she batted her eye and their driver, "Would you teach me how drive?" She was intentionally mangling her common to give the impression of being more of a foreign girl than she truly was at this point.
So, if that's the plan, can we backtrack to where Xindyra and I broke off before you guys got out and have us just run for it... we'll get that cloak I mentioned and then get a coach in front of that shop, and proceed to where the girl is. That isn't as fast as taking the coach ourselves, but it keeps Elliot safe with you guys, and we still have at least a small headstart on the guards.
The party split up into two carriages, Yukarii and Elliot bundled into one and Zendara and Xindrya in the other.
Yukarii's distraction seemed to work, the young man happily chatted about the mechanics of running a cab. He explained it was all about nudging the team of horse down one direction or another with the reins. Yes he had a crop but rarely needed to use it, they were trained to respond to basic noises. He even let her drive part of the way and before long they'd arrived at the airship.
The other cab made good time into the centre of town and before long they where in Ranovelli Square where the execution was scheduled. The square itself was more of an oblong shape and at the far end there was a large stake sunk into the ground around which was a wide rope cordon. A number of piles of rocks had been collected for the crowd to throw. All in all this was a particularly cruel method of execution, the crowds liked to make sport of things and typically a prisoner would end up with every major bone broken and be fully conscious for at least ten sometimes fifteen minutes and usually died of shock and blood loss.
As you got off the cab driver explained "We're not supposed to stop round here, this place will be heaving later. If you want me to wait I'll have to park in Giuseppe street which is over that way..."
You believed him, already there where loads of people in the Ranovelli Square and there was something of a party atmosphere, undercut with a distinct tension.
Zendara says
Thank you, driver. Yes, please wait for us on Giuseppe street, and we'll be there as soon as possible.
She doesn't see any shop where they can get a cloak, so she reluctantly takes off her own Sleeves of Many Garments so that she can put them on the girl if they find her, and armed with that and the signet ring, she moves quickly towards Araq's.
When she notices Zendara take off her magic accessoires, she motions for her to hold that.
"There's a shop called Isabella's, not far from here. She sells clothing and extras, such as shawls."
Oh, good. Let's run over there.
Xindrya leads Zendara down a bustling ally lined with many shops to Isabella's. The shop itself is of middling size and perhaps a bit more upscale (aka pricy) than was strictly necessary but it made up for this in closeness. Inside there was the heady smell of leather from the range of purses and riding boots along with the much more subtle smells of fabric and dried flowers from the window display. Racks contained a kaleidoscope of garments of all shapes. sizes and colors. Finding exactly what they wanted could take time...
As they walked in an elegant woman with grey hair and a ready smile welcomed them, "Good morning Ladies, anything you're looking for in particular?"
We want a cloak or a shawl that someone can use to cover up. Whatever you have. We are in a great hurry. 20 gold if I can be out that door in less than a minute.
*is impressed*
"Posh...."
The conversation's quick pace leaves her just to make a mental note to perhaps one day visit again, or write down the address.
Perhaps they'd ship packaged orders?
Yukarii kept the driver distracted on the ride to the airship and made sure that Elliot was able to get aboard the ship without being spotted. Once the young man was safe Yukarii smiled at the driver and said, "Thank you for good time, I learn much." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then hopped down and giggled as she made her way to the airship.
Once aboard she went to find the professor and captain so she could speak with them about Tasha and Yulia. She felt bad about not asking permission before inviting them along but she couldn't have simply left them behind either. When she found them she said, "Monroe-sensei, Cloudchaser-dono, I apologize for offering Yulia-san and Tasha-chan a place on the ship without permission," Yukarii bowed deeply as she spoke to them and held it for several seconds before rising again, "I could not leave them behind with their loss, it would have been as good as killing them. I will take responsibility if they become a problem and they have agreed to make themselves useful and brought what they could of their food stores to contribute to our stores."
Once she had finished her explanation of Tasha and Yulia, Yukarii said, "We have rescued Elliot and slowed his pursuers. The others are getting the woman he loves and bringing her to us so that she will not be killed by her family." She looked to the Captain and added, "I believe we should be ready to go as soon as everyone is aboard. I did lead the guards to think that I was a local floozy and we locked them when we left and jammed the lock, they should take longer to connect us to his escape but I would not want to chance it."
Edwin gave Adrian a generous tip and explained that he had other business to attend to, and was swapping cabs with Yukarii. He joined Xindyra and Zendara, explaining that Yukarii was going to keep the driver's attention off of the other passenger.
On the way to Ranovelli Square, he got up to speed on the meeting with Yulia, and that the woman wad on her way to the ship with her daughter. When the carriage arrived near the square, he went along to Isabella's, regretting that the shop didn't seem to carry anything suitable for him, focused as it was on ladies fashion.
The woman gave Zendara a curious look and after a pregnant pause she replied primly, "Molto bene bella donna, I believe I have just the thing." Moving with surprising speed she bustled over to one of the racks and started zipping through the contents before selecting a fine looking over cloak with a hood and a clasp.
Demonstrating the outfit she explained, "It's reversible, this side is dark blue and oiled to ward against rain, the other side is fur as white as snow..."
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Dr Munroe gave Yukarii a long suffering sigh, "You seem to be collecting something of a menagerie: Tasha, Yulia and Mrs Harris... They all seem like lovely people but this isn't a charity, fortunately both Mrs Hariss and Yulia have offered to help with the cleaning and needlework. The planters with the herbs is a welcome addition although we'll have to make sure those chickens don't eat them."
He didn't seem angry more worried about the practicalities, "All this excitement reminds me of my youth but you can't make a habit of this. Right now everyone has their own cabin and there's only three spare so some of new arrivals are going to have to share."
Hearing the conversation, a sweaty looking Braenar wandered over and added, "Who boy that was quite the job! Well we've got everything stowed at last and we can go basically whenever. About that, I hear the locals are likely to be none too happy and are expected to give chase... Now the Dawntreader's pretty fast but did you know she's ex-military?"
He leant in close and whispered conspiratorially "There's a limiter to cap us at 50 knots, she can do over 80 without and leave everything they've got in the dust. Bit tricky to remove it but perhaps you can help?"
Zendara gives the woman a bright smile, thankful that the woman was quick and intelligent, and maybe just a little bit greedy. Perfect for her purposes.
Thank you, this is perfect.
She gives her 25 gold, takes the reversible overcloak, and then leaves, headed for Araq's at the fastest pace that won't attract undue attention.
Edwin followed Zedara, struggling to keep up with his short legs.
Yukarii nodded once sharply at the Professor's words and said, "I understand Monroe-sensei. I do not believe we will have the chance to pick up more passengers after this anyway." She considered the rooming and then added, "I am sure Yulia-san and Tasha-chan will share a room, and Elliot-san and his girlfriend likely will as well. If needed I can speak with Marek-kun about moving in with him to free up a cabin." She left unspoken the fact she practically lived in his room as it was since everyone already knew that already.
Yukarii looked to Breanar as he spoke and said, "I did not know this Cloudchaser-dono, it is good to know. I would help you with this limiter if I knew how. It is not a skill I have so it would be best to find someone who does." She remembered then that she had some things from Yulia's in her pack and said, "I have some items that Yulia sent with me in my pack. Where should I put them?"
Xindyra is excited, hearing their vessel has untapped potential.
[B]"That sounds very interesting, indeed. I'd certainly like to have a look at it."[/dice]
Now, let's see. I recall reading that aeronautical encyclopedia in the library. Perhaps there are sufficient similarities.
"Ciao bella!" called the called the lady as Zendara and Xindara left with the cloak in hand. Brushing past a throng of people they made their way back to the square which was really beginning to fill up with those ghoulish enough to want to witnesses or even take part in the execution.
"This isn't right George, do we really have t do this?!"
"I don't want to be here anymore then you Tariq but you know what the Cappa is like, if you're not with him you're against him... We gotta be seen to throw stone, doesn't mean we have to hit, know what I mean?"
The crowd was thinner near Araq's, the better view was at the other end of the square. The sign outside the place looked new although the steps down and the cellar bar's brickwork looked ancient. The powerfully built doorman barely looked at you as he waved you through. Inside the temperature was much cooler and floor was covered in straw and sawdust which smelt of stale beer, stale sweat and smoke. Like most cellar bars the brickwork roof was arched and the room was longer than it was wide. At the far end was a bar and a pair of doors leading to the jacks. A series of six booths per side lined the room and in the centre where a number of tables and chairs.
There was only a dozen or so people inside, most of them older men playing cards in one of the booths. The young barman at the far end looked bored as did the somewhat older barmaid who was busying herself by polishing the tables. A single heavy set, grumpy looking man in his fifties was sitting with crossed arms pointedly not facing a booth behind him. From the entrance you can't see whose within but you notice a row of empty shot glasses, all upside down.
As they approached the square Edwin cast his Message spell on Xindyra and Zendara, so they could whisper to each other at a distance.
Edwin whispered to his companions, "I heard I couple of young guys talking. One said that they have to be seen throwing stones, even if they purposefully miss, to avoid angering the Cappa." When it was safe to continue he whispered, "It seems they haven't heard of the change of schedule." Elliot won't be showing up for his stoning.
He motioned to the grumpy looking man with his back to the nearby booth, "Could that be Eloise's uncle over there?" Somehow we'll need to distract him."
Speaking through Message, Zendara turns to a booth near the door with the others and whispers
Okay, how does this sound? I go into the restroom, and then come out invisible so I can get into the booth. Xindyra, you come with me so that it doesn't seem like the door opens on its own. I'll try to get the girl to go in there, then we cover her with the cloak, and make her clothes look like me. Edwin, you sit here in our booth and order something for all of us so we look legit... you've got Mr. Grumpy if he becomes a problem, but hopefully we'll be out of here before he panics. Also, when you leave, tip well so we only have the one guy mad at us. Sound good?
Edwin nodded, "Sounds good!" He looked for a discreet spot where he could cast a spell to give himself some magical protection, just in case things went wrong.
The trio all decided to visit the jacks before doing anything else. The bar staff didn't bat an eyelid at this, it was apparently quite common for folk to use the facilities. At this time of day there was no queue and Edwin and Zendara where able to cast their spells without anyone being the wiser.
Edwin returned to the booth and the bored looking barmaid made her way over and asked, "What'll it be?" She took their order and wandered over to the bar to get what they'd asked for.
On Xindara's way back to the booth, Zendara followed on her heels through the door and peeled off to take a look at the booth they suspected Eloise was in.
Quiet as a ghost, Zendara slipped past the grump who was muttering to himself, "Of all the ^%$#ty jobs, making her watch. It's enough to give a man a thirst..." Suddenly he turned round and Zendara's heart missed a beat but he wasn't looking at her. Instead he called to the barmaid, "Meghan, get me a beer. No make that a beer and a chaser."
The barmaid gave him a dubious look, "You sure that's a good idea Elgard?"
"I'm sure." was the inevitable reply.
She sighed and went off to fetch his order.
Taking advantage of this distraction the invisible Zendara snuck into the booth. There where ten upturned shot glasses and a half empty bottle of Abverg Whisky.
A miserable looking young woman was staring into the amber liquid of full shot glass, her eyes bloodshot from tears with mascara lines running down her face. Her clothing was the formal mourning black of a widow, complete with a veil. Zendara figured in better circumstances she'd be considered pretty but here she looked defeated, pathetic.
Edwin considered ordering a glass of wine, but decided that the grumpy uncle was more likely to be a beer drinker, "I'll have a lager, please." He tried to observe the uncle without being obvious about it, and get an idea of his mood (which is body language suggested was dark).
Zendara places the signet ring on the table in front of the girl saying softly
Shh, don't react too strongly or you'll attract too much attention. Do you know whose that is?
From Eloise's point of view a signet ring, Elliot's signet ring appeared on her table. Confused she stared at it before some part of her drink addled brain registered that somebody had spoken. She looked around wildly and seeing nobody she then looked askance at the bottle of Abverg.
A moment past and suddenly she looked terribly afraid and demanded in a whisper, "Whose there? Did father put you up to this? Is this another damn test?..."
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Speaking softly she said
It isn't a test. The owner of the ring gave it to me because he didn't think you would believe a message without it. I'm the redheaded Aasimar that walked in here just a bit ago with the Tiefling that is sitting over there. We rescued your friend earlier and he didn't want to leave without you... said you were in danger if you stayed. We're prepared to try to get you out, but it has to be fast.
... If that walking scumbag Cappa has been toying with you and giving you loyalty tests, then I guess I can understand why you might not believe me, but we can't wait around a long time for your response either, I'm sorry. You have to decide now, before the guards arrive and let everyone know Ell... the owner of the ring is missing, or we are risking our ship leaving without us and obviously the wrath of every Cappa toady in the city. ... Also, my invisibility won't last forever either, and I can't cast it again.
If you want our help, get up and go to the restroom, and hold the door open a little longer than you normally would when you go in, so I can get in without someone noticing anything is off. Then I'll give you a cloak and some bracers that will make your clothes look like mine and we'll just walk out, leaving Edwin to pay the bill.
Zendara picks up the ring again, putting it in her pocket, and waits to see what the girl will do.