Cimri had taken Jerax to a secluded spot shielded from the Ash House by a copse of trees. Afterwards, they returned to the house and what followed was an uneventful night’s sleep for all until, as before, Cimri seemed to have been the first to wake and went about rousing the others. ”He’s back and has more work.”
As the day before but this time before the sun has even risen, your respective abodes are visited again by the same messenger with the parchment sealed in black wax summoning you to the Ash House “as expediently as possible.”
The tiefling awoke with many pleasant aches. The antipaladin put his gear back on, feeling his neck where all the hickies and bite marks still presided. Jerax chuckled inwardly, he enjoyed when women lost control and whatever aches he had were pale by comparison with Cimri's.
The knight of Asmodeus waited at the bottom of the stairs until the other arrived.
In the long hour before sleep came Lily thought about the bar brawl. It was pretty typical someone started something and she finished it. But something nagged at her mind, it had to do with Veda right? She drank something, at the time she thougt nothing of it, people drink in bars, not usually during a brawl though. Normally Veda looked like she weighed 110 pounds soaking wet, but after the fight she looksed like she could hold her own. Lily resolved to ask her about it in the morning when they had time.
She headed to the boss's office and waited patiently.
Slenk suppresses a smile when he sees the summons. Freedom does suit me, and the money is more than I could have imagined just a short while ago.
The halfling makes all due haste to the Ash House, looking forward to the next activities.
Alixus makes his way over to the Ash House in the morning. Seeing Jerax he smiles slightly and says, "It seems you had a pleasant night." He turns to the assembled party, Cimri in particular, "So, has our mutual benefactor finally decided to make his appearance?"
With her expected summons comes, Ameliya readies herself to once again meet with Razelago and the others. As with yesterday, she dons her cloak disguise before setting out to the burned manor. When she arrives at the Ash House she waits by Razelago's door, being noticeably impatient for their meeting to occur.
Alixus makes his way over to the Ash House in the morning. Seeing Jerax he smiles slightly and says, "It seems you had a pleasant night."
The towering tiefling just grins down at the human cleric with a slight nod.
Cimri rolls her eyes slightly at the exchange between the Alixus and Jerax, then replies to the former, "Yes, and he seemed rather eager. Wouldn't talk to me alone. Madam Arvanxi also seems rather impatient, so if everyone is ready..." She waves a hand towards the stairs.
As they make their way up the stairs, she whispers to Jerax, "That was fun -- very fun -- but don't be a cad. I can cut more than a neck with these knives." She says it with a wink and a grin but also tapping the kukri at her chest. However, as she approaches Razelago's office, the significance of Ameliya's report last night weighs on her again and the playful humor fades.
On the table before the screen is a stack of rolled pieces of parchment along with one piece neatly folded. Gaurig waits again in the corner but, this time, sitting on her haunches, watching everyone enter.
Razelago silhouette plays against the screen and he grumbles, "Finally. The lot of you that insist on sleeping in town..." He wheezes a great sigh then says, "I have work for you but I gather there is something of great and dire importance that must be shared. Poor Gaurig was beside herself, having her nap disturbed. What is it?"
Cimri looks like she's about to say something, but then looks at Ameliya with an arched brow.
Cimri rolls her eyes slightly at the exchange between the Alixus and Jerax, then replies to the former, "Yes, and he seemed rather eager. Wouldn't talk to me alone. Madam Arvanxi also seems rather impatient, so if everyone is ready..." She waves a hand towards the stairs.
"I'd like to think I struck at the most opportune time for the desired result", Jerax spoke tactically.
As they make their way up the stairs, she whispers to Jerax, "That was fun -- very fun -- but don't be a cad. I can cut more than a neck with these knives." She says it with a wink and a grin but also tapping the kukri at her chest.
Jerax whispers back. "A cad?!! I've hardly said a thing. Besides my neck screams volumes", the tiefling pointed to his bite-ridden neck.
Lily coughs and says seeing no one else speak up, "The sheriff was botherin' madame Amy here 'bout Louslik. Sounds like she don't know nothin' tho." After thinking a moment, "Also got into a fist fight at a bar. Didn't throw the first punch."
Razelago listens to Lily in silence and, when she is done, continues to wait silently. After an awkward few seconds pass, Cimri chimes in, "Apparently, Louslik ain't talkin', but the sheriff still seems to think we had something to do with him getting roughed up."
Another awkward silence, then, "That's all?" What starts as a soft chuckle eventually grows into a cacophonous peel of screeching laughter. Eventually it subsides and he explains, "Surely Cimri explained to you that if you were caught you would be freed? You were acting as agents of the archbaron, even if you didn't know it at the time. It was all perfectly legal, particularly as I'm sure you acted in self-defense when Louslik resisted your lawful orders."
More chuckling, then, "Besides, the good sheriff will soon be... less of a concern. And, as for the fight at the bar, yes, I'm aware. We'll be dealing with that, too."
The silhouette gestures towards the parchment on the table before the screen, and Razelago explains, "I want you to post these decrees at the notice post in the church square, the jail, the Last Stand Tavern, and the Castle Gate. And while you’re at the jail, stop by the sheriff’s office. The Archbaron has a second decree, more personal, for you to deliver.”
Razelago’s shadow tilts toward Cimri, who picks up a folded page from the table. “One that dismisses Rhona Staelish as the sheriff of Longacre.
“You have until noon today. Perform as reliably as you have in your last two tasks, and I’ll pay what we agreed upon for your first task. If this assignment goes smoothly, the Archbaron would like to meet with you. It sounds as though he might soon have some civil positions to fill.”
All Citizens of and Visitors to the Town of Longacre,
By Order of His Lordship Darellus Fex, Archbaron of Longacre, and in accordance with the wishes of Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, the following decrees are now in effect:
Longacre’s western gate, known as the Castle Gate, is closed until further notice. All travel into and out of Longacre must employ the north or south gates and be officially sanctioned. Only the archbaron’s agents, sanctioned local businesses, or those displaying a writ of passage bearing the seal of House Fex, will be granted passage. All others must obtain a writ from the Longacre notary or do business elsewhere.
Longacre citizens shall not congregate in groups numbering greater than six in private, or in numbers greater than twelve in public. Exceptions will be made only for families with more than six members or for individuals undertaking the natural course of their business. Gatherings for the purposes of celebration, education, or religion are not exempt from this order.
A curfew is now in effect. From the hour after dusk to the hour before dawn, no citizen of Longacre is allowed upon the town’s streets without a writ of exception bearing the seal of House Fex. The archbaron’s agents and sanctioned local businesses are exempt from this order. Those seeking a writ of exception may apply at the Longacre Notary.
Any persons found in violation of these mandates or any other laws and sanctions of Longacre will be considered seditious agents and are subject to questioning, imprisonment, and summary judgment by the Archbaron of Longacre and officials of the town government.
For the prosperity of Longacre, the protection of the Empire, and the glory of House Thrune,Darellus Fex,
Archbaron of Longacre
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Jerax stands, waiting to be dismissed.
"Might I suggest Lily and I to deliver the missive to the Sheriff? People tend to blame the authority figure rather than the bearer when a 'slip' delivers the bad news. We are typically just ignored and dismissed. It might be less likely to end in a brawl. Lily can be there as backup, perhaps with the rest of you waiting outside just in case?" The emphasis on slip seems to be ironic rather than bitter.
"Phenomenal idea, Slenk!" The tiefling said, amazed by the amount of good ideas and valuable skills this one halfing has. "And impeccable logic."
Lily shrugs, "Sure. Where to first?"
Ameliya reads the decree methodically, looking them over for any insight in regard to the Archbaron's mindset or possible plans. When she's done she concludes that Fex is, for better or worse, thoroughly done with using a 'light touch' when it came to managing his rabble-rousing peasants. "These decrees will not go down will with the townsfolk, I fear," she says clinically to the others. "Given the war and this Angel Knight I understand the need, but the Allamars will surely use them to drum up more support."
When Razelago begins to speak of replacing Rhona, Ameliya's eyes immediate flit towards Cimri. The girl was obviously disturbed by the idea of her aunt being removed in a more permanent fashion. It was a liability, and worse it was a personal weakness that could very well impair them all at a crucial moment.
With that in mind, Ameliya immediately asked Lily's question with, "The sheriff should be first. Her removal was inevitable really, and she's already looking into us. The faster she's deal with the better. And besides,"[/b] she begins pointedly looking toward Cimri. "With her gone to pasture there's less chance of us having to engage with her... violently."
Razelago seems content to let Ameliya speculate on the outcome of posting the notices and remains silent, the silhouette moving slightly as his head turns to listen to her and the others. He says nothing.
For her part, Cimri doesn't miss the pointed look. Normally almost as deferential to the madam as she is to the Reverend, this time her face screws up anger and she snaps, "Don't you worry about me! I'll do what I have to!"
That elicits a reaction from Razelago: a soft, sibilant, mocking laughter. Cimri's attention whipsaws to the screen, then she stomps out of the room and down the stairs.
Watching Cimri depart Slenk adds quietly, "Dealing with the Sheriff will likely go better without her in any case."
Turning to Razelago he asks, "Are we considered within the purposes of the Writ to be agents of the Archbaron? Will there be a replacement for the office of Sheriff? If the current Sheriff refuses or resists, what would be the appropriate course of action in the eyes of the Archbaron?"
Watching Cimri go, the tiefling steps forward to gather the notices.
"Well, We should stop by the store to purchase some tacks and a hammer, if these notices are to stay."
Though she tried it hide under her anger, Ameliya sees the fear in Cimri's eyes as she storms out the Ash House. Nodding in agreement with Slenk she says, "Indeed. The girl puts on a brave face but she's scared. Better she deal with putting up these decrees while we confront with Rhona."
Ameliya sighed. Sometimes she wondered why people found it some difficult to deal with members of their own family. After all, she had murdered hers without much fuss.
The madam turned to Jerax and Veda, the two people of their group who seemed to know Cimri best. "Could one of you speak to her? Her lingering attachment to her aunt may become a problem and it would be in all of interests if Cimri was convinced of that fact before it does."
From behind the screen, Razelago offers, "Take her or not, Cimri will do what she must if she cares about her future, and if she doesn't... then you'll have to deal with that, too." Again, the soft laughter.
Then, "As for writs, your sashes are your authority as agents of the archbaron. After this, I do not expect you to be shackled with something as pedestrian with the duties of a sheriff, though the ultimate decision will be up the archbaron. And you can likely find a hammer and some old nails here around the house, but the general store will suffice as well if you wish."
"...If the current Sheriff refuses or resists, what would be the appropriate course of action in the eyes of the Archbaron?"
”You are not being sent as assassins. Thus far, the sheriff has been scrupulous in adhering to the law, though perhaps a bit too lenient in the enforcement of some aspects. She would surely quibble on that but, I digress. If she refuses, or worse, take the action you deem appropriate for the circumstances. It’s a lawful order from her liege. I expect she will comply, but if not, be prepared for a difficult fight.”
Alixus notices Cimri’s emotional state, he’d been able to get a good read on her at this point.
”Well, if the town teeters on the brink of rebellion, the power of rightful authority must be projected. If the sheriff does not comply, Slenk here may need more aid than just Lily. Though him delivering the missive seems a fine idea, it would be unfortunate for a slip with his talents to be sent to our Lord before his appointed time.”
He turn to Razelago, ”It would be my honor to carry out the will of the Archbaron.”
With the Reverend's pronouncement, Razelago dismisses you. You find Cimri has, indeed, collected a hammer and some bent nails from around the house, though is possessed of an utterly sour and uncommunicative mood.
About twenty minutes later, as the sun is starting to rise over Longacre, you arrive in front of the jail. With its unevenly mortared stones and barred windows, the squat structure looks like a miniature fortress. Despite the row of horseshoes hung beneath its sign, nothing can make the plain word “Jail” look welcoming. Two wooden pillories stand empty in front of the building.
Leaning down to cleric's shoulder, Jerax whispers, "As always, I'll have your back and follow your lead, Reverend."
Looking to the others, the tiefling gulps, "Oh, what a day today will be."
With a look of determination, the knight of Asmodeus walks up to the door and knocks.
Lily keeps her hand near her falchion, just in case, as she stands next to Jerax. She puts on her best mean face.
Alixus stands proudly in front of the door for a moment before stepping aside and motioning to Slenk to wait for whoever’s inside. He says quietly, ”Three people in there, conversing.”
After Jerax knocks, the conversation inside subsides and those close to the door hear a chair scraping against a floor and then a couple of footsteps before the door opens. A black-haired deputy built like a brick outhouse stands on the other side; a friendly smile quickly fades as he looks up at the tiefling and sees, past the towering hulk, the collection of folks wearing similar sashes... including Cimri. He ignores her and focus on the form occupying most of his gaze, "Aye. You have a problem?"
Behind him, three more deputies stand-up in the common room. Jerax and anyone else immediately next to the door see Rhona and another pair of deputies in her 'office' on the west side of the jail, separated from the main common room by a waist-high railing. The latter three remain seated by watch the exchange at the door curiously.
"No problem, sir. And good morning", Jerax begins. "Reverend Vade", the towering tiefling motions to the Asmodean cleric, "has some early morning business with Sherrif Staelish. May we come in?"
From the back, Jerax and anyone else near the door hears the sheriff's voice, "Let them in, Ashel." Begrudgingly, the deputy gives a gruff nod and steps back out of the door to let you enter.
When the sheriff sees it is Jerax and the others from the church square, she purposefully leans back in her chair, affecting a posture of repose and calm. "Now this is an interesting way to start the day." The two deputies sitting with her at her desk are making ready to stand up, clearly expecting trouble, when she waves a hand directing them to stay in their seats.
"To what do I owe the honor of having a knight of Asmodeus and his company cross my threshold?" Her flat tone isn't 'mocking', not exactly, but it's pretty clear she sees no honor in this at all.
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As she walks to the Ash House the next morning Veda resolves to do things differently today. Cimri is busy with other people, so she'll not think about her at all.
She can do whatever she likes, none of my business. I won't care about any of that anymore. I've got my own things to worry about."
Veda decides she should try to branch out herself, today she'll talk to the other people instead of Cimri. The Asmodeans don't suit her well. They're way to satisfied with themselves, pompous and oily in their in their eagerness to leg-hump their way up that chain of command. Madam Ameliya seems okay in some ways, but she's too intimidating. Veda can only imagine the Lady laughing at someone like her as soon as her back was turned.
The halfling seems alright, and Lily. I'll hang around with them today."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Veda is surprised by the notices only in that they make some big moves very quickly. Razelago's connection to the Archbaron was already the more likely of the two possibilities concerning him Veda had settled on. If he wasn't doing the Archbaron's bidding, he could only be an agent provocateur for the rebellion. But it didn't seem their way, and Razelago just didn't seem their guy.
During the discussion of posting the fliers and delivering the letter to the Sheriff, Veda can feel some undercurrents but can't put her finger on what exactly is shifting. She can read Cimri well enough to know she's less comfortable today than yesterday in her dealings with Razelago, but that could just be about the move against the Sheriff. It is a deeply personal subject to her after all.
Veda's inclination is to follow after Cimri when she leaves the room early. But, she stands firm, adhering to her earlier vow. She's glad she did. Razelago's comments about Cimri are really something to chew on. Maybe there will be a reason to talk to Cimri later after all.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Veda really preferred the idea of splitting up, with some people posting fliers and some delivering the letter. She's rather be nailing up fliers. But she settles for staying at the back of the crowd when they all go to the Sheriff's office together. She keeps her mouth shut to compensate for her height not letting her hide very well by staying in back.
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The halfling bows deeply, with practiced deference and addresses the Sheriff. "Good day, Sheriff. I have been dispatched with an urgent notice for you from the Archbaron. I had specific instructions to deliver it to you only, and to return with any reply you saw fit to provide. It was stated that no written reply is required, however."
With that, Slenk holds forth the document with the air of a respectful servant.
The elder Staelish watches Slenk bow then sits forward as he approaches and presents the letter. She accepts it with an arched brow, glancing between the parchment and the halfling, then turns to her desk, unfolds the letter and reads it. Two or three minutes pass as she reads and re-reads the missive during which her deputies become increasingly anxious. "Sheriff, what is it?"
Rhona's jaw clenches and her lips purse in muted fury, but after a minute she folds the letter back up, stands, and places it in a pocket. "It seems the Archbaron no longer requires my services, and he's too much of a coward to deliver the news himself." She fixes Slenk with a stare but it lasts only a second before drifting up to Jerax, Vade and the others. This time she notices Cimri in the corner, but aside from a brief flicker of recognition between the two, the sheriff ignores her niece.
Silently, she opens a cabinet behind her, removes an ebon-handled longsword which she places on the desk. She also removes her black vest embroidered with the symbol of Cheliax and lays it atop the sword. She then collects a crossbow and a few personal effects from the desk. As she does so, the deputies grow increasingly agitated, whispering between themselves or glowering at the archbaron's agents.
Having collected her things, Rhona Staelish, formerly the sheriff of Longacre, moves to leave the jail -- never speaking to or looking at Cimri again.
The knight of Asmodeus stands aside, allowing the elder Staelish a free exit out. Words of thanks for years of service would sound hallow at this point. In a way, the tiefling respected the former sheriff; leaving her office with dignity and respect for The Law.
Alixus nods at the sheriff as she leaves. He felt little for the dismissal. Proper procedure was followed, and the sheriff took her dismissal almost as a devoted follower of the law would.
From across the town street Ameliya smiled as she saw a now unemployed Rhona walk away from her former place of work with what little dignity one could muster when they've unceremoniously been given the can.
"A pretty sight, is it not? Incompetence being rewarded with dismissal. Such a rare thing, too. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky for having seen it." she says mockingly, seemingly indifferent to the fact that Rhona's niece was right beside her.
It was a test, of course, a way to see whether Cimri gave away a more signs of conflicted loyalists. Ameliya's vivid blue eyes subtly moved toward the other women, checking for more weakness.
Rhona does not return Vade's nod but simply walks out with a stony expression. As she steps outside, her gaze briefly pauses on the small contingent across the street and Cimri in particular. But it quickly moves on and she departs down the street, saying nothing.
Cimri watches her aunt leave, passively hearing Ameliya's assessment. When the Staelishs' gazes meet, Cimri didn't flinch or look away, but neither did she do anything that could be considered gloating or mocking. After a moment, watching the dust kicked up in the former sheriff's wake, Cimri just shrugs, "I don't know about pretty. It's a job." It's a little hard to tell whether she's speaking about the sheriff's position, the team's collective task in removing Rhona, or both.
Usually an astute judge of others' feelings, at the moment Ameliya finds Cimri hard to read, unless she really is as unbothered as her affect suggests.
There is an odd silence as Rhona steps out the door and you hear her footsteps cross the front porch and then transition to dirt and withdraw down the street. The deputies are seething but silent until one of them, in the sheriff's bullpen, grabs a crossbow and says, "This ain’t right. You can’t just throw out this town’s only justice. It ain’t right!”
"Aye, that's right! We won't let you do this," says a second, with a scar on his cheek.
Ashel, who you first spoke with, adds, "This ain't your town to take..."
”You are deputies of the law, are you not? We answer to the law of this land, under direct instruction from the Archbaron himself. So I ask you, will you serve your master and your country, or will your dismissal carry with it a steeper price than Rhona’s? Consider that carefully.”
Lily looks like she's about to say something but then the preacher starts preachin'. She defers to him and draws her falchion only adding, "You drew first." She doesn't make any other move, yet.
Slenk backs away deferentially and while removing a pinch of sand from his pouch.
Jerax moves to stand in front of the cleric. "Reverend Vade speaks sense. Everyone put your weapons down."
From her place outside Veda watches Rhona leave without comment. She doesn't really care one way or another about how Rhona feels, but she sees some value in letting things move onward as smoothly and quietly as possible.
That's why she dislikes Ameliya's comment. Nobody in town seriously believes Rhona wasn't good at her job. Ameliya's words to the contrary make the whole thing seem political which isn't helpful. Veda gets that the mice are always glad to see the cat go, but theres always another cat.
She presumes there will be another sheriff soon enough, and the reason for the new sheriff is they'll take a hard line on any hint of sympathy for the rebellion. That's what the pairing of Rhona's removal and the notices they're to nail up suggest. Fair enough, but Cimri's feeling about Rhona aside, the new sheriff could still be a disadvantage to them simply because the person is an unknown factor. Rhona could be handled, who knows about he new sheriff?
Besides, if this political motive is laid bare the people of Longacre are less likely to see some 'business as usual' reasons for removing Rhona. They will be more agitated in many cases. It's something that might motivate people, possibly strengthen support for the rebellion.
Veda thinks it's hard to say one way or another, but if Longacre's citizenry feels wounded by Rhona's removal, there's no reason to poke the wound with a stick for petty personal satisfaction.
Veda fails to notice the trouble brewing inside the sheriff's office.
Slenk moves to leave the office and will rejoin his companions unless hindered. "Sirs, I am not doing anything but delivering a missive from the Archbaron. The Sheriff has accepted it. If you wish, perhaps you can apply to the Archbaron for the now open of Sheriff."
"APPLY FOR THE..." one of them sputters, but another puts a hand on her colleagues shoulder.
"Calm down, Saster. The sheriff wouldn't want us fighting with them." She looks at Slenk and continues, "Moving up in the world, slip. From Fistantus to Fex. But I won't be serving him. Not any longer." She takes off her embroidered vest, drops it to the floor, and walks out. One by one, the other deputies follow suit, leaving a stack of six vests in the middle of the jail.
Those outside see the slow parade of a half-dozen former deputies leaving the jail and walking down the street towards the town center.
When Ameliya finds it frustratingly difficult to gauge Cimri's mental state, her eyes move to watch the jailhouse, somewhat concerned that the rest of their party hasn't returned yet.
Once all the former deputies left, Jerax begins searching for the keys to the jail so they can lock up and go to their next site.
Slenk breaths a significant sigh of relief, and returns the find sand to his spell component pouch. Walking out to join the group he says, "We will likely have to deal with the former deputies and Sheriff down the road, it is good that no blood was shed today. The orderly transfer of offices is a hallmark of an orderly society."
Looking up and down the street he adds, "As close as that was to bloodshed, it might be worth staying as a group to nail up the remaining notices."