"Out back." Jasper replies, giving Nicoleta just as much of a glare as she's giving him. His twin nudges him and the muscular teen steps aside - even a few months of regular food and hearty exercise have left both orphans much better built than they were. You couldn't mistake them for ghosts any more.
In the yard outside the shop Nicoleta finds Iolaire at her forge. The red-head looks somewhat less pretty than she did - a red line mars the right hand side of her face and she is clearly favoring one leg as she wields the hammer.
"How did it go? Your mission?" Iolaire asks, before turning around to thrust the heated bar of metal into a trough of water. As she does so Nicoleta can see through her thin shirt that the elf has a new tattoo. An elaborate array of swirling lines covers most of her back, spreading down both arms and right down her spine. "Did you get what you needed? I've been doing what I can but things here are getting nasty - the Maidens have lost all restraint and it's been all Ven and I can do to keep them out of here. Korvosa won't survive if this goes on much longer."
"We got the sword," Nicoleta says as she takes in the changes to the elf. "We're going to take a day to recover and then we're gonna see Kroft to work out what to do next."
The dhampir lets the silence stretch for a bit, broken only by the sound of the elf's labors.
"She misses you," she says finally.
"And I miss her." Iolaire replies, her tone sad. "But Vox wasn't wrong. What she did was, and I've made sure she'll never do it again, but I can't just forget. Or forgive."
Her metal goes back in the coals with a hiss and Iolaire stands, backlight by the flames. "So, how did your pet assassin do? Is Aurelia still turning her mind into jelly?"
"Nice deflection attempt," Nicoleta says with a chuckle lacking any mirth. "But you'll be happy to know that in spite Roz's mistake being in the name of her goddess, that same goddess, like some red-haired elf I know, has entirely abandoned her to face the result alone."
She shrugs. "Well, not entirely alone. Her friends are still standing by her side."
Taking a deep breath, she takes off her broad hat for a moment to wipe at the sweat that's formed from the heat of the forge. Settling it back on her head, she crosses her arms.
"So is there a reason I'm here? Don't get me wrong; reminiscing about old times gets me wet and all, but there are things I should be doing. Important things."
"Mostly to tell you that Vox won't be coming after any of you any more." Iolaire says, letting the jab about friends slide by without reaction. "I've... She's... what she did was too much. Unforgivable. Anyway, Vox isn't a person any more. I am Vox, but in the same sense that Vencarlo is Blackjack. So she won't be hurting anyone again. I was going to offer my help, if you want it."
She turns around to look at the dhampir. "And none of that in my forge thank you. I work here."
"I apologize that my crudity offended your delicate sensibilities, Miss," Nicoleta replies with a mock curtsey.
"We'll probably need all the help we can get," she continues without the sarcasm. "But if you're going to continue to treat Roz like a leper then I think we'll get by without you. She's going through enough s*+% right now and I'm not going to dump another shovel-full on top of that."
"There are a number of things about you that could offend." Iolaire replies. "The smell being not least among them."
Nicoleta's assessment of the situation has her nodding however. "You're right. This isn't something any of us can handle alone. Ven and I could barely protect one district..." She frowns. "I'm not going to do that Nicoleta. I still care about her, so don't worry your little head about it. We won't be getting back together but I have no desire to break her heart. I'm better than that."
"There are a number of things about you that could offend." Iolaire replies. "The smell being not least among them."
Without a change in her expression or stance, Nicoleta passes gas quite loudly.
"We won't be getting back together but I have no desire to break her heart. I'm better than that."
The dhampir holds Iolaire's eyes for at least a minute before tipping her head in the elf's direction. "I'll bring it up to them and see what the others say," she says. "And it's not roses that you smell like, either," she says with a smirk as she turns to leave.
~~~~~
Once she's cleaned up and rested, Nicoleta gathers the others to reveal that she's talked to Iolaire.
"She said that Vox isn't coming back," she concludes, her skepticism obvious. Her eyes turn to Roz. "She's offering to help us, but she says that she has no intention of getting back together with you." She reaches out to take Roz's hand. "It's entirely up to you. If that's too much then I have no problems telling her to get f!!~ed - we can do this without her."
Roz squeezes Nicoleta's hand. "It's okay. I wasn't expecting her forgiveness. We need her skills to save the city, but... but I don't need her if she don't want me. We'll kick the queen's ass and then we'll figure our the rest of our s*%$. Tell her to meet us at the rebel HQ. I'm ready to finish what we started."
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The next day, you all meet up in the Dead Warrens to meet with your allies and plan the final liberation of Korvosa. There, you are reunited with Cressida Kroft, Neolandus Kalepopolis, Trinia Sabor, and Vencarlo Orisini. Cressida greets you with a thankful expression. She is a bit more ragged and rough-looking than before but no less friendly and supportive.
Roz meets Iolaire's eyes from across the room. The oracle's belly is noticeably rounded now, her condition obvious to onlookers. Her expression is neutral, but her eyes are full of pain and regret. She quickly looks away from the elf.
"I am glad you have returned to us," Cressida eventually says. "Let's get down to business. Things are rapidly approaching a critical point in Korvosa, and if the move against the queen is to happen, it must happen before she and her forces are too entrenched. The relatively minor victories we have had earlier against the Red Mantis and Gray Maidens have helped, but now the remaining assassins and Gray Maidens have retreated into Castle Korvosa, where they are free to plot with impunity.
"We have one final legal gambit available to us. I intend to publicly reveal that seneschal Neolandus yet lives, and that Queen Ileosa attempted to have him assassinated. With him still alive, Korvosa’s nobles and other government agencies beyond the queen have a legal option beyond open rebellion to depose Ileosa. I hope that this will rally the noble houses, arbiters, and magistrates, but I also fear that doing so will spur Ileosa to step up the violence to even greater levels.
"Therefore, before we can take to the streets and seek out the support of the city, we need someone to take the initiative against the monarchy. At first, this means that we need intelligence from the castle. I have heard numerous rumors about what has been going on inside Castle Korvosa: that the Gray Maidens have withdrawn into the keep with their remaining leaders, that devils and a dragon dwell within, that the Red Mantis are now secretly in control of the building, and that Ileosa has transformed into a monster. I need you to infiltrate Castle Korvosa to not only find out what exactly we're all up against, but also to do your best to undermine and defeat Ileosa and her minions. Leadership is the key to control, and without it, Ileosa can’t remain in power.
"I have prepared a list of tasks for you to accomplish. I'm hesitant to make our move with Neolandus to reclaim control until the majority of these tasks are accomplished, but I'll defer to your judgment as to when you think it is safe to do so."
1. A new “hero of the people” has been fighting rebels in the streets. These rebels are false; they’re not my people, and I suspect that this hero, a man named Trifaccia, is false as well. Find out who or what he is.
2. I have it on good authority that the rumors of a black dragon taking nest in Castle Korvosa are legitimate. If the rumors prove true, the dragon must be defeated.
3. The role of castle seneschal is currently held by a bloated wizard named Togomor. If you can defeat him or secure his surrender, we’ll avoid a long legal complication over the revelation that Neolandus still lives.
4. Our friend Ishani Dhatri, Abadaran priest and vocal opponent of his church’s public endorsement of Ileosa, has vanished. My initial investigations indicate that he was last seen approaching the castle. Perhaps some clues to his fate lie hidden within?
5. Rumor holds that a new group of Red Mantis assassins, along with a more powerful leader, have taken up residence in the castle after you besieged their previous den. If you can find proof that Ileosa is the reason the Red Mantis has come to Korvosa in the first place, this will go a long way toward undermining the queen’s position in the city.
6. The Gray Maidens are a menace, and they need to be disbanded. Kordaitra’s defeat at Longacre dealt them a blow, but the Maidens’ commander Sabina Merrin and their chief indoctrinator, a mysterious woman whose identity remains unknown outside of the organization, have likely retreated to the castle. If you can secure the defeat or
surrender of these two remaining leaders, the Gray Maidens will lose much of their command structure. It will throw the entire organization into chaos long enough for us to reclaim the streets from them.
7. Rumors of devils involved with the monarchy disturb me as well. If you can find proof that Ileosa is trafficking with devils, or that devils dwell within Castle Korvosa, that should significantly help our case against her in the eyes of the city’s government.
8. Ileosa must answer for her crimes. She hasn’t been seen publicly recently except for brief appearances on the castle walls. She’s in there, somewhere. If we can capture her, a lot of our work will be easier.
"I've heard of this Trifaccia." Iolaire says. "He's trying to build a reputation to displace Blackjack and Vox. It isn't working because he stays out of their territory, but I imagine there are people in the city looking to him. That should be a priority."
Examining the rest of the list the elf frowns. "So almost everything on here is within Castle Korvosa - we cannot simply march up to the front gate and demand entrance. If we take down Trifaccia then we'll need distractions, public demonstrations and the like to draw out their forces. The Bloatmage won't come out, but if we can draw the dragon or some devils into an open confrontation that will get them fighting on our terms and be obvious evidence of who is right and who is not."
Aurelia studies the list and agree. "I think we're going to need to find a way to get into the castle if we're going to accomplish the majority of these items. We may be able to take one or two outside, but most of them require our presence inside."
"Do we have any insights on how we can get into the castle without knocking on the front door?" she asks the group.
"Knock on the back door?" Nicoleta can't help but ask. She turns to Neolandus. "You've got the most experience with the castle. Are there any other ways in we could exploit?"
She gives her wife a shoulder nudge. "Since she doesn't like using the back door," she can't help but add with an entirely straight face.
Aurelia laughs, "Why? It just takes some wine and relaxation and... oh. Right. Why don't we let them answer?" she says with a wink aimed at Nicoleta.
”I can provide you with a detailed map of the castle,” Neolandus confirms. ”There are many ways in and out, but the best way in would likely be the secret entrance to the armory from the castle’s postern.”
"So, deal with Trifaccia, make it noisy and big if possible to try and draw out other forces." Iolaire says, looking around the group although her eyes flick rather quickly across Roz. "Then infiltrate the castle by the secret entrance to take the fight to them."
Nicoleta nods. "Shall we move in first and see if there's anything else we can learn about this fake vigilante?" she asks.
Aurelia nods as well. "Sounds like a plan then, let's get to it, ladies!"
To Iolaire, she says with a smile "Welcome back, it's good to have you along again."
Moving up to Nicoleta, she hooks her arm with the monk's and moves her ahead as they walk in front of the others.
You hit the streets to ask about the new vigilante. Those who claim to have seen Trifaccia describe him as wearing a golden face mask and flowing red robes. They say that he shows up to protect the common folk from alleged "rebels" who move into a region and cause trouble—robbing citizens, beating them, and worse. Just when things are about to pass the point of no return, Trifaccia swoops in to save the commoners from the violent rebels, then hands out small bags of gold and silver to help them recover from these “trying times.”
After a few rounds of questioning Iolaire makes a show of looking up at the sun. "I'd best be getting back, can't leave the children alone too long. Best of luck girls."
Soon afterwards the three women hear a familiar tune being whistled and a white haired elf appears in the nearby shadows. She nods to them and then scales a nearby wall with ease before appearing on the rooftop - backlight by the sun and with the wind blowing her dark cape dramatically behind her.
"Hear me Korvosa!" She calls. "Trifaccia is no friend of yours! He is an agent of the forces that threaten our city, sent to distract you and and keep you quiet as his allies prey upon us. Well I say, no more! You hear that Trifaccia, you fake? Do you hear the people sing?"
Aurelia folds her arms at the appearance of Vox, rolling her eyes and shaking her head side to side with a sigh.
She makes her way over to a couple of wooden pallets nearby and climbs up on top of them. She calls out "Trifaccia is nothing more than a child's tale. He is a lie, a phony a cheat and a fake. I challenge him to appear before me and prove me wrong!"
Nicoleta chuckles to herself. "So Vox is dead. Long live Vox," she mutters.
Cracking her neck, first to the left and then to the right, the dhampir begins to watch the passersby from under her broad hat for any peculiar behavior.
Not long after you begin calling out, a group of about a dozen rough-looking ruffians move to surround you. They flash weapons and begin shouting taunts back. "Get out of here! You claim to be this city's heroes, but you left to go adventuring in the wilds when we needed you the most!" one shouts.
"Yeah," says another man. "I wish you'd go to Hell!"
Aurelia feels a tingling of magic around her...
Nicoleta and Vox spot a red-robed figure lurking in a nearby alley, watching the proceedings...
"I don't claim s#&$," Nicoleta says, stepping forward, cracking her knuckles. "But, yes, we left the city to find a solution to its problem. After nearly dying more than once, we found one and came back." She steps closer to the initial speaker, getting right into their personal space. "And what do we find on our return? Con artists attempting to false-flag those that are trying to do the right thing."
She reaches out and gives a not-so-gentle push to the speaker.
"What have you been doing, D&&++ead?"
The man stumbles back away from Nicoleta. It's clear that he is shaken by the monk's harsh words, and his sword wavers in his hand. "W-we've been helping the oppressed masses! They need protection, and we're here to provide it. You know, I wish you looked more like the ungrateful pig you are!"
Nicoleta feels a tingling of magic around her...
The dhampir's eyes snap to the red-robed figure that's been watching, assuming him to be the source of the magic she feels about her. "So you want to play with me s%+*-for-brains?" Let's play!"
Without even the flash of an eye, one moment Nicoleta is facing off against the bully and the next she's standing next to the red-robed lurker. And the next moment she's sweeping his legs out from under him.
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While all the attention has been on Nicoleta squaring off with the thug Vox disappeared...
Aurelia fights of the spell to send her to hell and grows enraged. "Cast a spell on me, will you? You're going to regret that. I know a thing or two about casting spells as well."
She stares at the creature and says "Become the idiot that you were born to be."
The robed man leaps over Nicoleta's leg, avoiding her attempt to trip him. Vox's preternatural senses allow her to react quickly. She activates her ring and disappears.
The man laughs as he steps away from Nicoleta and into the light. He is a slender man, his features obscured by a mask with stylized features, including frowning brows, sharp cheekbones, and a goatee. His mocking laughter is strong and clear as he draws a golden scimitar that flickers with fire. The ruffians around you cry out in panic and flee into the city with cries of, "It's Trifaccia! Let's get out of here!"
As they flee, Trifaccia addresses you. "Greetings, heroes of yesterday! Are you lacking in honor, that you would attack me without provocation? Or will you deign to parley with me first?"
Vox, it seems, values honor far less than the element of surprise and the 'vigilante' suddenly resembles a badly singed pincushion.
Before he even realizes what is happening, several arrows thunk deep into Trifaccia's body. He gurgles blood and falls to his knees, and his body shifts and changes as he grows into the form of a red-skinned efreeti! The genie only manages to let out a final pained gasp before immediately collapsing to the street!
"Hmmph." Aurelia says looking down at the genie's body while picking at her nails before bending over to inspect his gear.
"Well then. To the castle?"
"You already f~%+ed honor sideways when you decided to try to sneak a spell in on me, a*##!%+*!" Nicoleta snarls. But the man falls to Vox's arrows before she gets a chance to punch him.
Not to be dissuaded by the fact that he's already dead, the dhampir steps close and directs a few vicious kicks to his still form.
"Behold!" Vox declares, still dramatically backlit on her roof. "Trifaccia was an imposter! A genie sent to deceive you! The Grey Maidens are not your allies, the Queen does not have your best interests at heart! The only way Korvosa gets through this is by standing together! Be good to each other and do not trust those who seek to win you with honeyed words and coin. Trust in actions Korvosa - that is how you know who truly cares for you!"
With that she leaps down and vanishes from sight. Nicoleta can be trusted to never let valuables out of her grasp.
"Girl's still got it," Roz remarks, a trace of wistfulness in her voice. The crowd of gawkers that has gathered around quickly disperse to spread the tale of Trifaccia the impostor and undo the damage he has done to your reputations.
Only ten or fifteen minutes pass after Trifaccia's defeat before panic grips the streets. People run for the safety of their homes or businesses, shouting that a dragon has taken to the skies above Korvosa! And indeed, you catch a glimpse of a huge, black-scaled dragon circling around the castle, with an armored rider astride it...
Nicoleta squints as her eyes seek out the flying figure in the sunlit sky, calculating the distance.
Vox, who has invisibly rejoined the group, eyes up the distance.
"I'll need to be quite a bit closer before shooting it." She murmurs. "Can anyone get me to a closer rooftop?"
"Other than trying to throw you, no," Nicoleta says without taking her eyes off the beast. "Myself, on the other hand ... I could land right on the back of the bloody thing." She looks as if she's seriously considering that before shaking her head. "Do we have any other way of drawing the beast closer?"
She shakes her arms out and then cups her hands around her mouth, Nicoleta shouts out, "HEY YOU! YOU FLYING PIECE OF DOG S#&%! WHY DON'T YOU COME DOWN HERE AND SEE WHAT WE DID TO YOUR LACKEY!"
The dragon lets loose a mighty roar as it whirls on Nicoleta. It flaps its leathery wings and soars towards the monk. As it draws near, you can make out the ornate Gray Maiden armor on the rider, identifying her as the queen’s own bodyguard, Sabina Merrin!
"S#@!'s getting real," Nicoleta grumbles and takes a step ... and vanishes to reappear behind the dragon's mount. "Come join the party on the ground!" she snarls as she shoves at the woman in an attempt to unseat her with her own weight.
Vox, hidden from view in the shadow of a building, draws a bead and fires at the approaching dragon.
Aurelia targets the rider, trying to hold her in place.
Nicoleta teleports on top of the dragon, right behind Sabina. The armored woman turns about and starts to say, "No, wait--" but it turns into a scream as the monk shoves her out of her saddle, sending her crashing to the ground. Aurelia paralyzes Sabina before she can do anything else.
Roz tries to dispel the dragon's protective magic, to no avail. Vox's arrows plink harmlessly off of the wyrm's mage armor and shield.
The dragon dives down after Nicoleta, snapping at her with its jaws! Aurelia triggers her mesmeric mirror, saving her wife from what might have been a critical strike!
Nicoleta rolls into the fall and is up in almost an instant. Seeing Sabina freeze in place, she directs her attacks against the woman's mount. With a simple mantra, sparks travel along her fists as she begins punching and kicking the huge creature.
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With the dragon exceedingly well protected Vox vanishes once again, hoping that Roz can strip away some of the protective magics.
This time, Roz succeeds at dispelling the dragon's magical wards. Aurelia gives her wife a grand destiny as the monk attacks, landing just one hit.
The dragon manages to bite Nicoleta this time, but its other attacks destroy two of her three remaining mirror images.
Sabina breaks free of the paralysis. She stands up and moves in beside Nicoleta. "We need to kill this beast fast, before it realizes it has an entire city at hand to destroy!" she cries, making her intentions to aid you against the dragon clear!
Assuming that her wife has, again, taken a pet of some sort, Nicoleta doesn't even question the knight's motives.
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Vox, now that the dragon has lost her, starts shooting again.
The vast majority of her arrows plink harmlessly from the dragons scales.
Aurelia really doesn't want to do anything nice for Vox at all. She turns to her and casts a spell, wondering if her ego would force her to cast Feeblemind on the the archer instead of something beneficial. Closing her eyes, she fights back the urge and instead instill a grand destiny in her.