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""sure my friend, I will help combat this disease if possible. As I don't need as much sleep as most people do, it's easy for me stay up this night," Koredrel answers the Petite Chenille. To his friends he turns: "Perhaps you can discuss our stay and our trip with her father while we look after his daughter."
The Petite Chenille starts treating the dwarven woman, who Yuleg explains is called Vurna. He diagnoses her with an advanced stage of filth fever. You think that if untreated, she could fall in a coma tomorrow, and the day after she could die from it. You halt the disease from getting worse, at the very least, but it's too early to tell if she'll recover anytime soon.
Yuleg is thankful for Petite Chenille taking care of her, and takes you all downstairs to a common room. He collapses into a comfortable-looking plush chair and lights a pipe. "Ah, pardon my rudeness, but with I've been with Vurna since this morning, I haven't had time for myself. Please allow me some rest before attending to you. By the way, why are you here? There's enough inns around that aren't closed, so you're not here just for a bed, I presume?"
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"Pardon our intrusion good sir, while your daughter is recovering perhaps we could have a private word.
Chen takes in his surroundings and continues :
"We are your escort out of this city, we are the team that Guaril has arranged. Hopefully you and your daughter will be recovered when we come to extract you. Yes ?
Yuleg looks conflicted when you mention getting out of the city.
"Lad, I'm thankful you've come, but I'll be honest with you: my daughter's in no state to travel right now, and she means the world to me. If she's not better soon, I'm afraid I'll have to stay with her. Guaril can keep his advance payment, but I'd rather stay imprisoned with my daughter than to be free without her."
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"A wise and just decision, my associates and myself are doing what we can so that your daughter recovers as quickly as possible".
"We will come and pick you up in 3 days, you are free to decide then.
We are most grateful for your offer of lodging here.
In the morning we must follow up on our list of contacts."
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"Aye, sir Dwarf, I root for ye daughter to make it through this disease, And Petite usually knows what he is doing. In the worst case we can at least make her stable enough for travelling."
Ulfar strikes his beard while taking in his surroundings.
"Ye own the Inn, right? All sort of folks comes through... Have ye ever heard of the individual called 'Garrla'. Seems to be on the same list as ye, but we know shite about that person. And the whole story smells fishy. Have ye have some rumors to share?"
"Thank you for your understanding. I am glad you came to help. As for Garrla... I have no clue who that is. This city holds eleven thousand people, and while innkeepers do see a lot of people, I don't know them all by name, I'm afraid."
Yuleg fixes several rooms for you to stay in. The next morning, Vurna looks much better and even leaves the bed for bathroom breaks and to stretch her legs. Yuleg is ecstatic.
"Thank you, a million times! If Vurna's fever is receding, that means we can leave Xin-Edasseril! Leave Vurna to me, we can manage on our own now, I'm sure you have lots of preparation to do and other clients to meet. Oh, that reminds me, I have some equipment I don't need, perhaps you can use it for our extraction?"
Yuleg leads you to the inn's garden and stables. He shows you several barrels full of pickled fish, and a mule and wagon.
"Don't need the fish if we're leaving this all behind, so I thought maybe you could use it as a disguise of some sorts? I'm not sure if it's at all helpful, but I thought I'd mention it."
After a good breakfast, courtesy of Yuleg, you head out to find Themolin. You arrive at the Ministry of Tithes.
Well-dressed bureaucrats tend to the paperwork piled upon the dozens of desks, which are arranged in orderly fashion around a prominent stone likeness of Belimarius. Within the shadow of the statue, a neatly dressed woman sits a reception desk. Next to her stands a well-manicured man, also in fine attire, who is leaning over her. The two appear to be engaged in animate conversation.
From a distance, you can see the man is trying to flirt with the receptionist. He casts a spell and a flower hovers over from a desk to the man, who gives it to the woman. She doesn't look impressed.
"Congratulations Barralbus, I see you've mastered the art of casting simple cantrips. I am truly amazed. I'm sure others will be just as impressed as I am. Why don't you go show them how good you are at moving things from a distance? Preferably as far away from here as possible."
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Lilly Ann starts giggling and skips up to the woman at the desk.
"You're funny! I like you."
She turns to look at the guy and lets out another giggle.
"She's right, you know: a child could do that. I'll prove it"
She then turns back to the woman, now completely ignoring the guy. She reaches out her hand, the sweetest of innocent smiles on her face.
"I'm Lilly Ann, nice to meet you! What's your name?"
The receptionist looks at Lilly Ann and says to the man, "Look, there are visitors. They probably have some private stuff they want taken care of."
She then turns to Lilly Ann, shakes her hand, and says with a warm smile, "Welcome to the Ministry of Tithes. My name is Anseoh Mvedeld, what can I help you with? No matter how complicated or time-consuming" she shoots the man a foul glance, "I'm glad to be of service."
The man, meanwhile, looks a bit sad at the flower that's been hurled against the wall, but doesn't seem inclined to leave.
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"Interesting name. I don't think I'll be able to remember that. I'll just call you 'Ansy', okay?"
Without waiting for a reply, Lilly Ann turns to the guy
"You know, it's pretty clear that she wants you to go. Even the stupidest person I know would've realised that by now. And I know some really weird, stupid people... It's very strange that you're still here."
She then turns around back to the group and shouts:
"Hey, come on! Lady Ansy says that she'll help us! We were looking for someone here, right?"
Lilly Ann waves the group over and gives Ansy a beaming grin.
Barralbus mutters a bit about children needed to be taught some manners, but eventually returns back to his work. Anseoh breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Lilly Ann. He's been bothering me for several weeks now, I"m glad you managed to get rid of him. You said you were looking for someone? Most of our tax auditors are pretty busy, but maybe I can make an exception because you helped me so nicely," she adds with a wink.
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The Petite Chenille watches the story of unrequited love play out, when Lilly Ann suddenly calls out for the party to join her at the front desk. He quickly walks over. "Greetings, milady! My name is the Petite Chenille, merchant from overseas. We have arrived at your fine ministry in hope of gaining an audience with the esteemed sir Themolin. We have heard of his capability, and wondered if we could get his view on some of our future trading agreements. "
He then looks at Barralbus walking away, and then looks back at her. "We as merchants are of course aware, that such a request requires A LOT of paperwork. And we certainly have the time to stay here, at THIS desk, to fill them ALL in. It will take a while, but such challenges have never discouraged merchants of our caliber."
The Petite Chenille looks around for something to use as a booster, so that he can see onto the desk when there will be paperwork. He then produces a quill for his uniform, ready to go.
Anseoh chuckles at Petite's comment. "I appreciate that you're willing to stay here to protect me, but I'll manage from here. Besides, this isn't a suitable place for business, this is just a reception. Let me see..." She leaves through a company dayplanner and finds what she's looking for. "You wanted to see Themolin, right? Well... Normally the first available time for an appointment would be in five days, but since you were so helpful in getting rid of Barralbus for me, I might 'accidentally' double-book him for his next appointment." Anseoh grabs a quill and crosses something out. "I'm sure mister Artenie's tax refund can wait a week, right?"
With a smile, Anseoh closes the book and stands up. She leads you to an open-plan office area where people are working in clusters of five. She asks you to wait for a moment as she walks towards a pod of accountants and announces you to Themolin. She comes back and with a smile says, "Here you are. Good luck with your meeting, and you're welcome to come back anytime in case you need anything else," before going back to her desk.
A portly man with thinning hair looks up from behind several stacks of papers, some nearly toppling from the heavy wooden desk upon which they are perched. “I-I understand that y-you’ve made an appointment to s-see me. H-how may I b-be of assistance?” he stammers as he hesitantly rises to his feet.
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Chen approaches the mans desk and bows.
"Greetings kind sir, we are a group representing a client that was contacted by your office... we would like to address a dispute with your office regarding a planned monetary transaction planned on an upcoming withdrawal fund.
Chen turns his head slightly left and right, indicating him being aware of his surroundings.
"Surely, to safeguard our clients rights, we would like some privacy in discussing the matter ? "
He bows again, deeper this time, almost touching his knees with his nose.
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Lilly Ann waves to Anseoh as she leaves
"Thank you, Lady Ansy! We'll say good bye on the way out!"
She then hurries along to join the group as they approach Themolin. When Chen asks for privacy she looks at him confused (as if she doesn't actually grasp the situation), then shrugs and starts sniffling.
"There's sniffle so many people gulp here. It makes me kinda... whimper ...nervous."
Lilly Ann looks up at Themolin with big, tear-filled eyes.
"Can we maybe sniffle talk somewhere else, please, sir?"
She rubs both her eyes, then clenches her hands together on her chest and cocks her head to the side questioningly, lower lip still lightly trembling.
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The Petite Chenille gives an appreciative nod to Anseoh, and follows her to Themolin. Then at the desk, as he Tao Lin Chen request for a more private meeting together with Lilly Ann (who may be overacting a little).
The Petite Chenille quickly tries to cover for Lilly Ann's attempt.
"Aaah, please allow me to apologize for my companion's behavior, this city is quite overwhelming for those not originally from here, you see. But rest assured, sir Themolin, for there is no need to worry or for nervousness. We are here because we heard from other merchants about your wonderful expertise when it comes to international trade. We arrived here by boat with the intention of selling and buying. Of course, when we buy things, we need to export them. And that's where your services come in, good sir. We need you to check our exporting business. It would be perfect if you could do that personally."
Themolin looks warily at Tao Lin Chen's deep bow, and even more warily at Lilly Ann's sudden outburst. He stammers some words, "P-please stop crying, I'm not s-sure what you want. I don't h-have any candy, I'm afraid..."
He calms down a bit when Petite Chenille starts talking about business, but looks confused. "I'm n-not all that good with international trade, Adamu is m-much more learned in that, but if you want privacy, I guess you can come by my w-warehouse this evening. There isn't m-much privacy around here, s-sorry. but I promise you, all my colleagues are completely t-trustworthy, if that's you worry."
You get a time and address for the meeting. The meeting will take place one hour before end of curfew, effectively eating up your fourth visit of the day.
Themolin himself is clearly nervous about something. He's stammering, scratching his throat a lot, and looks like he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
You look over Themolin's desk, and it's covered in different stacks of paper. Your eyes fall on a particular slip of paper that says a customs officer named Ellvard bought a forged painting and sold it on to Belimarius herself as an authentic piece. This might be of use to get the Emerald Guard off your case should you get caught...
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Chen gives Lilly Ann a quick glance, he looks at her and then at the document that she spotted too. He nudges his head to the side, indicating to her that she should grab it.
"Very well, I shall delay the information to our client. I hope he will find the proposed terms agreeable"
After Lilly Ann made her move, he adds :
And please, don't make the child cry again !
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After Lilly Ann spots the document she starts to open her mouth, then catches Chen's hint. She shrugs, carefully positions herself to the side of Themolin's field of vision, takes a notebook out of her pocket, and, while idly riffling through it, puts the document in question between the pages and then puts the notebook back.
Themolin sees Lilly Ann grabbing the paper and snatches it out of her hand. "H-hey! That's mine, okay? If you want something to doodle on, go ask at the reception! These are important documents, you know! I handle m-more money every day than you see in a single year!" One misplaced piece of paper could cost someone their livelihood!"
He's so angry, his stutter disappears. He folds the piece of paper and tucks it into his breast pocket. Several other accountants look at you to see what the commotion is about.
Themolin looks relieved when Lilly Ann is guided back to the reception.
"Phew. You know, some parents should raise their children better. Just grabbing papers without asking is just bad manners. Anyway, you mentioned international trade. Where are you intending to ship to, and what's the product? Just so I can prepare myself for the meeting tonight, you see."
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As Toa Lin Chen is dragging Lilly Ann out of the office, the Petite Chenille turns to Themolin. "Yeeesss... Apologies for her behavior. You can clearly see why we take her along, instead of leaving her unsupervised." The Petite Chenille gives a nervous laugh, hoping Lilly Ann did not hear anything of that.
"Well, anyway, we were planning to buy a statue here and sell it on the continent over. You know how people are; this looks like historical art, we'll pay more for it now. But because we're planning to export such statues by boat, we need the correct paperwork. Well that... and not stepping on someone's toes...."
You confirm the appointment with Themolin this evening and say goodbye to him. Lilly Ann is chatting happily with Anseoh and Anseoh gives her some hard candy for on the road.
You all make your way towards the Emerald Guard's headquarters, the Emerald Guardhouse. This is where the Emerald Guard is stationed and trained, like a combination of a boot camp and barracks. You are thoroughly searched at the gate and you have to leave your weapons behind, with the promise that they'll be returned once you leave.
Columns of this wide building are carved in the likeness of Runelord Belimarius. Its wide courtyard is filled with practice dummies and other evidence of martial training. Guards are beginning and ending their shifts. A short line has formed outside the door of a recruiting area, where a guard stands stationed.
The Guard looks at Koredrel, unimpressed. "Garrla? Never heard of before."
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Chen is taking in the scenery, feeling right at home. Not being bothered the slightest by being unarmed, he confidently strides around the courtyard his arms folded behind his back.
Perhaps someone is willing to spar, he does not start conversations but gives all the people he encounters the courtesy of a nod.
There are definitely several sparring sessions going on right now, but they all seem to be between people of the Emerald Guard themselves. There are several groups practicing with different disciplines: swords, dagger, bare-knuckle fighting, sticks of various lengths, and so on. Several people of their own discipline challenge people from a different discipline. There is no actual instructing going on, though several superior ranking officers are standing by and taking notes. It seems like it is general practice right now.
Lilly Ann joins the queue behind a teenage boy nearing adulthood. He's of average build, but doesn't look particularly strong at first blush. He looks at Lilly Ann and says, "I'm signing up to become an Emerald Guard. They're always recruiting, and I figured it can't hurt to be one of them, right?"
He hesitates, but doesn't take the flower. "Sorry, it's pretty, but I'm not sure what to do with it. They'll probably laugh at me when I sign up with a flower in my hand. I appreciate it, though." He gives a shy smile.
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The Petite Chenille takes time to take in this new surrounding. He then starts skulking around, trying to find anyone that could even look like a Garrla.
Inner Monologue"Right in the middle of enemy territory, we find the breeding ground of the rat-pack. Luckily, our group infiltrated with great finesse, like a righteous mole burrowing through the treacherous lawn of evil. As long as we do not stick out, we can evade the spade of villainy and ruin there entire backyard."
The Petite Chenille stands still for a moment and then dives between two nearby buildings. "That was close... I shouldn't get caught of guard, nor act like a mole. If I want to pick up useful information, I must act like the common housefly and stick to the walls. Villains as they are, they will eventually monologue their entire plan. Villains love the sound of their own voice, and I'll be right here, a little light of good hiding in the shadows of dark tyranny. I'll pick up on all their vile secrets. One will talk... It is only a matter of time"
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Ulfar walks around with a slight excitement in his eyes. Growing up in a village were fighting and brawls is just part of growing up, he clearly enjoy the view of a fight
He comes to the nearest officer, and nods to the closest brawl.
"Oi, officer, looks like your people are well-prepared! Do you mind me trying me-self in a sparring with one of ye troops? I used to serve with a military before settling in with a caravan life. Ye lads and gals could use some foreign style diversity in their trainings, right?"
Ulfar crossing his hands on his chest, tries his best to make a good fitness impression
"The one of ye troops challenged me a day ago in one of the local taverns...what was the name...Gidle? Garple?..."
He strokes his beard in an imitation of thought process...
"Garrla! That's it!...eh, was to drunk to even remember the name, thanks god the fight did not happened that day, hehe.."
The mention of Garrla brings no recognition to the crowd or the officers, but the offer of a fight does elicit some response from the troops. A few yells and "Ooohhh"s from trainees are quickly silenced by a bark from a nearby officer.
"Quiet! So you think you can freely beat up an Emerald Guardsman, right? Okay, I'll humour you. But don't come crying to me when you're out of your depth."
He whistles and several people of the Guard line up in front of him.
"These are from my division, ranked in experience from six months to four years. Go ahead, pick one you'd like to have a fight with and let's get started. Do you want to warm up first, or are you cocky enough to challenge my men cold?"
You sense a sadistic glee coming from this officer. It's not often people volunteer to get beaten up, it seems.
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Ulfar sizing the line that formed in front of the officer, looking for the visual clues of experience and battle readiness. Trying visually to asses if there is a single one in that line that he can potentially win, or at least not to loose too much face.
"Well, I did not say I can beat them outright, but I can try to show off what I know, and maybe learn some in the process...as they say, what's not gonna kill ye, will make ye stronger..."
With a wide grin and sinister intent, Ulfar points at the one at the very start of the line.
"I would rather start it slow here, lets get started with the youngling.."