"Aye laddie, that ye did." replied the Dwarf gruffly. Looking Yukarii in the eye he explains, "That was until that blasted harbor master saw fit to serve me a notice requiring me ship to have a complete overhaul for metal fatigue. Bah! Never heard such tripe, there's no metal fatigue on my ship! It's less than eighteen months old fer Elodin's Sake! Pardon my language miss. Anyway if you could speak some sense inta tha man I'd be much obliged. Aye that I would."
"You could be right... Still attempted murder seems like it's taking things a bit far, what will the government say about this?"
"Aye The Kez are normally more professional than this, I think perhaps there's more going on than meets the eye. As for our government , well can expect a lot of hot air. They will condemn and posture and do nothing."
Yukarii gave the the dwarf a bow and said, "A pleasure to meet you Braena-sama." She then looked to the Professor and bowed to him as well as she said, "Thank you Sensei." She took the seat and listened to the problem in more detail carefully. She looked to the dwarf after the explanation and said, "It is obvious that man who claims this is lying, I know of no dwarf who would allow such a thing to occur, it is..." she hesitated as though looking for the word and finally said, "kangaerarenai."
Yukarii began to contemplate the problem and what she would need to know to tackle it. She decided to start with the basics and asked, "Who is the person who has made this claim and where could I find him? Also is there no higher authority outside of the courts to appeal to?"
Ferian takes in the additional information, determining to inform his companions when they're all back together again. For now, he stays where's he seated and tries not to look too conspicuous.
Unable to get the proprietor's attention, Zendara settles into a seat and sips a water.
Xindyra's eyes grow curious, and she turns to Ferian.
"You heard that? A highly lethal disease?
This could have problematic consequences for the campus."
She then turns her head again to listen further to the two men's discussion.
The subterranean bar proved to be rather quiet, so Edwin returned upstairs. He rejoined his new friends and said, "Not much happening downstairs. Anyone else have more luck?"
Just as Zendara gives up the bar manager, a harried looking middle aged mad with slender arms and the beginning of a paunch finally gets round to talking to her. "So you want to sing something? I guess we can give you a try, there's a stage in the downstairs taproom. Will you need announcing? Or can you handle that yourself? I'm afraid we can't offer you payment not until we know if the crowd like you, but you're welcome to keep any tips. Oh one thing, I'm sure you're not the type but we've had problems before, nothing lewd ok? This is a respectable establishment."
There has been a steady stream of people arriving and Downstairs is packed, there must be two hundred people here drinking and chatting. Well shouting really it's loud. At the far end of the cellar bar is a little raised stage. There's an arc light style spot light which the manager promises to turn on when you're ready.
Ferian catches Edwin up on the details of the conversation he and Xindyra have overhead. Then he speculates, "If it is poison, it seems someone is determined to ruin our University's chances of success on this expedition, or perhaps to just sabotage the school as a whole. If this trip ever gets underway, we will need to be very careful indeed."
Edwin replied to Ferian, "It's a remarkable coincidence that the poisoning coincided with Ambassador Skarbek's visit, don't you think?"
Zendara tries out several songs to gauge what will go over best with the crowd. She tries something soothing (think Enya)
And some people like it, but she knows she hasn't hit the sweet spot yet.
She tries something that might appeal to the older crowd which is a little more upbeat (think Barry Manilow), and gets a better reception.
Then she tries a ballad (think maybe Suzanne Vega or Tracy Chapman), and seems to have hit the sweet spot for the crowd.
… And while it was fun to sing and to find out how to play the crowd, all the time she was watching the interactions in the room to see if she could tell who the major players were... who was he concentrating on? Who was concentrating on him?
...She really hoped that they could find out what was going on before leaving on the expedition, so at least they knew where to look for danger.
After three songs, she collected any tips she had gotten and went to find her friends to compare notes on anything she had noticed, or if she hadn't, to see what they had discovered.
"Who is the person who has made this claim and where could I find him? Also is there no higher authority outside of the courts to appeal to?"
Braenar nodded, "I'm not a lawyer see but as far as I know the courts out rank him and will almost certainly quash his order, but justice is slow. It could easily take six months, more if delaying tactics are used. On the other hand if he was shown to be unfit for office, that would likely speed things up... Something about this whole thing stinks, might be good to sniff around and see what's what."
Yukarii considered the information she was given. It wasn't much to go on but it was quite likely they knew nothing more about the harbormaster and found it was lacking in a bit of information. "What is this harbormaster's name?"
"Korrin Torvalds, that fat little weazel." replied Braenar with distaste, "He oversees the Southend Docks, been in his post for years and years. Always been grumbles about the man but nothing ever seems to come of it."
Ferian nods at Edwin's question, though he suspects it was more rhetorical than anything. "Yes, I think the issue goes well beyond a single expedition. Unless, that is, this expedition's scope is much greater than we were led to believe. If there is some world-shaking find we're meant to uncover, then perhaps the subterfuge and violence surrounding it makes a bit more sense."
It takes a while for the audience to warm up Zendara. They weren't in the mood for soothing of upbeat but the ballad hit the mark and there were shouts of "Encore!" when she finished!
Being on stage naturally gave Zendara an excellent vantage point and she could easily spot couples and cliques and those who were on the pull. The majority of this was mundane and not terribly relevant but she noticed several things:
1) In a corner booth opposite Dr Munroe's table is professor Dexter who seems to have drunk quite a lot. She's alternatively making eyes or scowling at Dr Munroe who is talking to a Dwarf and Yukarii and seems entirely oblivious.
2) Near the back are a pair of heavyset men who seem to be keeping themselves to themselves. Normally you wouldn't pay them any attention but they are wearing heavy coats despite the warmth of the crowd. They seem to be keeping tabs on Dr Munroe without being too obvious.
(fail)
(success)
When Zendara finds the rest of the group (individually or collectively depending on whether you guys are still engaged in something), she tells them about Professor Dexter keeping tabs on Doctor Munroe, and also about the heavyset men in coats, who she is sure are going to follow him when he leaves, and perhaps do him harm. She suggests that they stick around and follow the followers. :)
@All any particular actions or are you just going to wait and see?
Yularii considered what she'd been told about the man's identity. "Korrin Torvards," she said, then hesitated as she worked on sounding it out, "Korrin Torvalds," Nodding firmly now that she had the name down Yukarii said, "I will see if there is something I can do Sensei." With that Yukarii rose and began to go around and look for the others she came there with.
Edwin had a feeling the two burly men were going to follow Dr. Monroe when he left. He resolved to keep a watch on them, as he suspected they had sinister motives.
Not noticing anything that warrants immediate action, Ferian stays seated. He's careful to continue observing the situation in case things change rapidly.
If Zendara is done finding the rest of the party and passing on what she learned, then she will go approach Doctor Munroe and try to warn him about the burly types in overcoats without alerting them.
Just kind of a "Oh, I saw you when I was singing and I had to come and say hello" thing, and then whispering the information before backing off again.
Dr Munroe's eyes widen for a fraction of a second when Zendera draws his attention to the pair at the back. Whispering to you he says, "Don't look. The one on the left is a nasty piece of work called Krispian Mcconnel. Perhaps I was too quick to blame The Kez for yesterday, he's a consortium enforcer and if he's here openly like that there'll be at least another half dozen goons in the area. We might want to try and make a discrete exit through the manager's office which leads to the adjoining building. I know him so we can do it quietly."
(fail)
(pass)
Zendara doesn't look, but instead laughs, pretending that Doctor Munroe has just said something amusing.
Slipping out is a good idea, but the side entrance is fairly well known. Let's get some help first.
Zendara casts message, which she thinks is unlikely to be too unusual in a loud place like this, and she points quickly at Ferian, Edwin, and Xindyra, none of them for too long, so that watchers won't be able to single them out ahead of time.
She whispers, covering her mouth so that no one can read her lips:
Meet us at the side door exit. I'm bringing Doctor Munroe, but there are likely to be 6 or more goons in the area, all after him from some consortium, so we need backup.
She motions Yukarii over (she should be standing right here because she was talking with him previously), and explains the situation quietly, and then she asks Doctor Munroe if he knows anyone else close that might be able to help.
I know you and Professor Dexter have had a falling out, but is she good in a fight?
Still smiling, she links arms with Yukarii and Doctor Munroe (unless rebuffed of course), and starts to stroll towards the "secret" side entrance as though they were just enjoying the company and the evening.
Edwin wasn't sure which exit Zendara meant. He started following her and whispered, "Where's the side exit? I'm following you for the moment."
Ferian briefly tenses at Zendara's message, but forces himself to relax. Drawing more attention to himself won't do any good. He looks around slowly, trying to decide the best way to go.
Dr Munroe nods, "Miriam is a good hand to hand fighter and a better archer, I uh suppose she'll help but if we get her involved she'll try to take over."
"Take over?", Xindyra chuckles slightly, "It's your expedition, if any, i think she should be glad she is invited to participate. Though, if you fear this would happen, you could try smooth it by saying you might ask for advice, in situations she may have been in before, where you haven't yet been. If any, that is."
Ferian decides to head toward the STAFF door, walking with as much confidence as he can muster. If there's to be a conflict, he would rather have Zephyr by his side.
Zendara takes a little detour to Miriam Dexter's table and very quietly explains that they expect Doctor Munroe to be ambushed, describes the two men and explains that there are likely at least 6 more, and asks if she is willing to help. If she indicates that she is, Zendara brings her with (if she comes along willingly).
If Professor Dexter isn't willing to help, Zendara continues with the rest of the party to exit the building as unobtrusively as possible.
If Professor Dexter IS willing to help, but doesn't want to come along and instead starts a confrontation with the men, Zendara uses this as a convenient distraction and continues to work at getting Doctor Munroe out of harm's way.
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<--- NO
Ferian crosses the pantry and enters the corridor. He ignores the staff loo, several closets and a staircase leading upstairs. Perhaps the manager's office was up there but what caught his eye was the cask cellar at the end of the corridor. Instead which were many dozens of beer casks and a fair number of wine bottles all neatly labeled in racks. At the far end he can see the winch chains for a hand operated lift above which is a bolted trapdoor, presumably for beer deliveries. No doubt it opens onto a back street. This wasn't the exit Dr Munroe described but it might serve in a pinch.
Professor Dexter raise one eyebrow when Zandara approaches and the other when she explains about the suspected ambush. Professor Dexter takes a small compact out of her purse and seems to touch up her makeup but Zandara could tell she was really taking a look at the men.
"I think you might be right..." she replied with a soft cursed, "We need to get him out of here, there's far too many people who could get hurt. But got to do it smart, that lot are bad news and worse, the one one the left in particular is a savvy @%*&! I think we should wander over to Dr Munroe's table and make some noise about getting a private booth. They have some upstairs, and it will give us an excuse to move as a group without being too obvious."
Dr Munroe nodds to Xindyra, "Ah here she comes, maybe I'll give that a try... Marian so good of you to join us, I guess you've seen them?"
Sounds like a good plan says Zendara, because it is way better than her plan.
"Sound good," Edwin replied, as he headed over to Dr. Monroe's table.
Hearing the staff coming, Ferian hurriedly hides and waits for them to pass.
Then he moves over to the lift and begins raising himself to the trap door. He opens the bolt slowly, trying to avoid making excess noise. Then, once the door is open, he makes his way through as quick as possible before closing it behind him.
Hurrying around to the front of the building, Ferian whistles to Zephyr who squawks in reply. With Ferian on the street, and Zephyr along the roof, the pair make their way around to where they expect Dr. Munroe and the others to emerge.
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Having stumbled on Zendara so quickly Yukarii felt a wash of relief. She knew it might be hard to find them all here but it seemed she was in luck. Unfortunately it seemed that trouble was about to brew and said, "I wish I had time to manifest Yukaari, she would be helpful if it comes to a fight. Unfortunately this will have to do." She focused and quickly cast a spell on the professor and then herself to conjure invisible armor. "That should help if things get bad enough."
Ferian manages to exit the building via the barrel lift and call out to Zephyr. Before he could move however he noticed silhouettes of what appeared to be crossbowmen on the roofs around. They seemed to be waiting for somebody come out of the adjoining building, where he expected the staff entrance was. Suddenly making his way around seemed like a very bad idea.
Professor Dexter leads the group over to the bar and gets the attention of the barmaid, telling her, "We want to hire one of the private rooms upstairs, ok?"
The barmaid nods and after a small payment she leads you upstairs to the main bar and then ushers you into an oak panneled side room with a log fire and a long tressel table with enough plush chairs to seat everyone comfortably.
The goons from below followed at a discrete distance evidently happy to watch and wait. You lost sight of them when the door closed behind as you entered. The barmaid took a drinks order and then left leaving you time to discuss your next move.
Professor Dexter sighed, "Wish I had my hunting gear but people round here get twitchy with armed folks. We need to get back to the university, and yes Xavier I know the campus is wide open but a number of the labs have proper security and we'll be safe. The problem is getting there I'm thinking we can ask the staff to hail us a horse and carriage."
Dr Munroe didn't comment on Professor Dexter's plan but he didn't complain either. Instead he asked, "We need to get a count of the goons. It'll either be eight or sixteen depending on whether they've gone all in. Let's hope this is just a little intimidation rather than something more."
Zendara whispers to Ferian, explaining the situation there, and mentioning a possible horse and carriage.
Then she comments about Mariam's idea.
A carriage is a good idea. Do you think it will work, or will they just ambush us anyway?
Ferian receives Zendara's message, then relays one of his own, explaining about the crossbowmen and providing as many details as possible, including numbers, locations, appearances, etc.
Zendara relays to the rest of the group what Ferian saw outside.