Norveg nods. "Roit. An' Oi advisess gittin' some shutoi." He stretches and yawns and looks sadly at his empty mug. "Grog's alroit, but Oi'm done. Gittin' old."
The crew all retreat to their individual beds. They awake the next morning to a sunny tropical day. The humidity is kept down by an onshore breeze and they awake refreshed. The morning prayer callers’ chants echo above the tiled roofs
“Quetzalcoatl awaits,
Come! Rise and celebrate the day!
The Serpent of Light has made this world,
Do not waste his precious gift to you!
Pray! Pray! Lighten your soul,
Enjoy the sun before Mictlan’s darkness!”
Before retiring the party had agreed to rendezvous at the Opal Explorer’s Guild, where they were supposed to find Jakun. He had had to head off for personal reasons, but had promised to meet them this morning.
They arrive at the guild, and find a table in the Common Room. They notice outside several broadsheets have been put up
A 1,000 Falcon reward is offered for any information leading to the apprehension of the murderer or murderers of Keltar Islaran, Chief Harbormaster. Contact the city watch if you have any information
The Common Room kitchen is busy making a traditional Opalline breakfast of fish curry, fried plantains, and rice. The savory smell permeates the seating area, mixing with the smoke of various cigarillos.
The Minotaur enters the Common Room and scans the tables looking for his allies, finding them he snorts in satisfaction and takes a seat at the table. The chair creaks beneath his size and weight.
"I apologize again for my absence my friends, I am ready once more to take an active role".
"Hm. Looks like our next job may await - and with a suitably hefty prize," Tragon says, looking clean, if a little weary from the previous night's revels.
"Should we see to our employer for the last job, before moving on to the next?"
"Probably a good idea.” Nahuatl ti replies as she sips a steaming mug of frothed chocolatl, her hair still wet from a morning swim. ”Especially since they’re likely connected to each other.”
Looking up as Jakun enters and makes his way to the table, she gives a nod of greeting. ”Welcome back.”
Taishe enters the room and joins the others. He clambers up onto the 'normal-sized' humanoid chair.
"Welcome friend Jakun. You misssed the excitement. And the swimming."
The kobold hisses softly in what his companions know now is probably the draconian equivalent of chuckling.
Taishe settles himself, nodding at the conversation.
"One advisess hasste. Meeting may provide enlightenment. But target will not be idle." the kobold advises.
13 Spider speaks up
“We should probably warn Lavinia about her brother first off. I fear for her life with such as he coveting her inheritance “
Norveg holds up 1 finger to a server, jerking his head towards the table where his comrades sit. Arriving just as 13 Spider speaks, he hits his head with the heel of his palm. "Roit y'are, and we shudda gon las' noit. Wot was we finkin'? We kin run roit over immejutly -- after brekkie."
"Indeed." Taishe agrees with Norveg.
There may be a hint of a draconian smile on the kobold's face. Hard to tell.
"Solid plan."
The Minotaur nods in assent, "On the way, please fill me in on what has transpired since I last accompanied you fine folk".
"Roit, well..."..Norveg takes a gigantic bite of his breakfast..."mmf grmm Nixie wif crmf aboard an' took 'er." He swallows with difficulty.
"Vark.." Norveg draws his hook across his throat. "Oopsie, loik. Foun' tha shiny an combo. 'Er Nibs set a crew aboard."
"Wen' to 'er fancy vault, got 'em open - empty as a sailor's pockets. 'Er bruvver'd bin in an' cleared it out."
Norveg takes nother bite. "Wen' artr Vanth... er... tha bro, tricked us inta caves, got shut uv' em the 'ard way. Quoit an 'aul, fo, moit 'ave spent some coin foolish-loik. Now we gotta git to 'Er Nibs an' warn 'er about 'er kin. 'E's a bad un - in wif Lotus Dragons an' the loik. Moit come arter 'er."
Apparently feeling that he had given a full and detailed explanation, Norveg goes back to serious work on his grub and morning grog.
Jakun nods solemnly, "Is our thought to protect her or go after him or are the two not mutually exclusive?"
Norveg shrugs. 'Er's the cap'n. We tell 'er wut its about 'n' gits our orders. Roit orders, we follas. Wrong orders, we does as wut's roit." Norveg grins up at the enormous minotaur.
The group has a sturdy meal, and once well-ballasted with curry, they head off to the Old City Quarter. They arrive at the Vellasca mansion, and head up the crushed oyster shell drive. They knock on the mahogany door with its sea lion knocker. The Parakeet Islander woman Kora answers the door, her wizened nut-brown face staring up at them from her four foot perspective
“Ah, yer back then. Mistis Lavina is having breakfast. Please wait here”
Kora ushers you all into the large foyer, and disappears back towards the dining area. She soon returns along with Lavinia. She is dressed in well-made plantation clothing - stout leather trousers, silk tunic, tooled leather boots and a wide-brimmed hat. The clothes are all some exotic dino leather, with bright green patterns in the grain. She looks at the group and smiles
“Good morning! I hope that you have had some luck tracking down my brother?”
Before they answer she starts and puts a hand up
“I almost forgot!”
She moves to a small table, the tooled-leather boots clicking on the marble floor of the foyer. She scoops up a box and brings it over. It is a cigar box, which she opens in front of you. Inside are a dozen Sword Circle brooches done in the shape of a coiling sea lion. This has the head of a lion and a fish tail, almost like a lion mermaid. They are well done in green and gold enameled silver.
“Since you are now in my employ, I thought I would give you these to mark your affiliation “
After she hands them out she steps back
“Pray continue with your report”.
Norveg looks up from admiring his new badge and fastening it onto his clothinig to see that nobody has escaped the lure of the new pretties yet. He pulls himself to a rather sloppy attention.
"Yis, mum. We asked about fer news or information 'bout yer bruvver. Heard 'e was runnin' wif Lotus Dragons an' gettin' cozy wif sum artist name o' Brissa. One gent 'pproached us an' offered ta take us ta Vanthus. Went wif 'im ta Parrot Oiland in th' Black Stones. Cloimed down a chute ta some tunnels, an' 'ere comes the goide, tumblin' down arter us, shivved i' th' back, an' our rope right arter. Voice abuv calls 'serves ya roit messin' wif me sister' an closes th 'atch."
"We gits froo vem tunnels, killin' zombie fings, got back ta' our skiff, 'n gets a noit's rest. Come 'ere first fing ta warn ya, mum."
Taishe winces slightly during Norveg's recitation of the most recent adventure, but does not interrupt.
"MAsster Norveg iss blunt, but accurate Ma'am. One regretss to inform you that your brother doess not have your besst interesstss at heart. We have gathered information that One believess will lead uss to where he iss hiding out. If we act rapidly." Taishe adds, bowing his head.
"Oi, Taishe, tell 'er 'bout ve 'Arbormaster's slaughter, loik" Norveg punches Taishe's... arm? Foreleg?
"Yes. It appears that the Harbormaster was murdered last night as well, and there seems a good chance Vanthus might be responsible.” Nahuatl ti says as she turns the Sword Circle brooch over admiringly, before pinning it at her waist.
”There seems to be a lot of interest in that matter,” Tragon says. ”Looks like a hefty reward on offer to track down the one responsible for the harbormaster’s demise.”
Tragon is grateful for the previous night’s meal and rest. While he eats a hearty portion of breakfast, he manages to do so without resembling a ravenous beast in the process.
Taishe does not noticeably react to Norveg's 'punch'.
"Ah. Apologiess. One haz allowed emotionss to disstract from factss. It makess logical retelling of eventss difficult."
The kobold closes his eyes and takes a breath. He opens his eyes once more.
"As Norveg told, we went to meet Vanthus, and were trapped in old undead-infessted cavess by him. Venturing to esscape, we came across body and lasst note revealing Vanthuss trapped him there to die az well. Upon returning, we heard of harbormasster'ss murder. Logic dictates Vanthuss iss mosst likely ssusspect."
The kobold bows his head towards their employer.
"One iss ssorry to be bearer of bad news. Az One hass mentioned, we have found clue to where Vanthuss may be hiding. We have opportunity to sstop him from doing further ill. And mayhap, obtain hiss side of sstory." Taishe adds after a moment.
The kobold shrugs.
"It iss possible, however unlikely, there iss ssome missundersstanding? Although, az One wass there when Vanthuss trapped uss in cavess, and taunted uss as he did sso, One findss it highly unlikely at thiss time."
Jakun remains quiet as his allies relay the tale, he after all, missed this part of the excursion.
He does though take a brooch and slide it into his pocket.
"Ta be fair, mum, Oi nevah saw Vanthus at th' top o' the shaft abuv us. Oi just 'eard a voice talkin' loik it was 'im," Norveg admits. "And no ev-dense ta' show it was him what killed th' 'Arbormaster."
Taishe nods.
"Correct friend Norveg. One should not jump to conclussionss without obtaining all factss firsst."
"Ummm... ain't loik we're fussed 'bout vat re-ward, neither. We're in yer service, Mum."
Lavinia looks horrified at this news
"I had known that Vanthus was involved in unsavory business, but still ..."
She collects herself
"While I still would hope that perhaps Vanthus can be turned from this path, I understand that if this is not possible that you convince him to surrender that you ... make his ending as quick and painless as possible"
Lavinia's eyes fill with tears
"I'm truly sorry if it comes to that." Nahuatl ti says softly, resting her hand gently on Lavinia's shoulder. " But if it does, it will be quick. I promise."
Jakun raises his eyebrows at the implications but says nothing.
"Such is the way with my people, the dishonorable must pay".
Narl listens intently to the conversation of his employer and his team. He has taken the new brooch and pinned it on the inside of his lapel making for easy access but hidden from view.
At Lavinia's request, the kobold bows his head.
"It shall be azz you wish. One hopes that logic will prevail over greed. But if not,..." Taishe bows his head again solemnly.
Lavinia composes herself
"I assume you will be searching for him among these 'Lotus Dragon' ruffians? If you should find him, I would be very interested if he has any of my family fortune left."
She looks the group over
"Do you have any notion where these people lair?"
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"We actually do," Nahuatl ti says, producing the scroll tube, and withdrawing the papyrus with Penkus' final thoughts, handing it to Lavinia.
"If we find any items from your family fortune we of course will return it to you. I think we might want to find what we can about these Lotus Dragons and perhaps do some reconnaissance of the area. Any thoughts team on best plans?"
TAishe bows his head briefly to Lavinia.
"Of coursse. We are in your employ. And honor-bound to defend what iss yourss."
The kobold strokes his whisker-tendrils as he ponders Narl's question.
"Scouting would be wisse. One can be stealthy if required to be sso. For up-closse gathering of detailss. Observation from a disstance is alsso excellent tool for gathering information."
Lavinia looks at the papyrus and sighs, handing it back to Nahuatl
"I know the Taxidermists Hall is located in the Shambles District. My father and grandfather utilized them before."
She gestures to a large stuffed Raptor that perches in the far corner of the foyer
"My familiar with his own stealth and my magic may also be of use.
I am a bit too conspicuous to scout on my own..."
"Good thinking Jakun. We could both send along our familiars to check things out. Caldratti is a good eye in the sky to give us a look from above which might have some use for us. Perhaps Taishe you might be able to get a closer look for us? Norveg do you think your abilities might help with some scouting of the building as well?
Norveg lays his splayed paw above his heart. "Oi've bin typecast!" Getting serious, he shakes his head at Narl. "Naw, ain't sneaky. Oi'd go wif, vo. Keep 'im company."
"I know the Shambles well. Home turf, so to speak," Tragon says with a grin.
The kobold smiles.
it is slightly disturbing. Like a reptile watching a rodent. And anticipating how tasty it will be.
"One believess we have a plan. Brave Tragon azz guide, Narl and Jakun's honorable companionss to do sscouting unlikely to be sseen, and One will do humble besst to procure closse-up information."
Taishe turns his head to look his fellow short-folk in the eye, and winks.
"With Noble Norveg as company, what could go wrong?" he hisses in amusement.
"Excellent ... seems we have a plan at least. If no one has any reservations then perhaps we should get to the scouting and see what awaits us in the Dragon Lair?"
He will head out with Jakun and attempt to use his familiar to scout this base of operations and see what intel can be gained.
Not exceptionally suited to reconnaissance, at least on land, Nahuatl ti simply nods in agreement to the plan.
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"Not sure Oi exac'ly need to go, wif all sorts o' sneaky volk goin'," Norveg backpedals uneasily. "Let's get goin', anyways."
Taishe claps Norveg on the general vicinity of the ratfolk's shoulder.
"Not to worry friend Norveg. One will feel ssafer knowing that you are behind him. Even if it is far behind him." The kobold gives a brief, hissing chuckle as the group moves out.
The group heads out into the bright sunshine of the Opal morning. The wind off Turquoise Bay keeps the worst of the humidity off, especially here in Highwatch in the old city. The group shambles off towards the Opal River, angling towards the fabled Bridge of Skulls.
The Bridge of Skulls is a vestige of the ancient Xoltec city that forms the foundation of Opal. It spans the river, a red-veined black granite span supported by columns whose feet are deep within the wide river’s bed. Grotesque and beautiful carvings cover the rock - skulls, bats, skeletons, butterflies, dinosaurs and many other creatures cavort its length. The party joins the throngs of pedestrians walking across towards the Leaper Gate.
Dodging huge piles of dinosaur dung, the party picks its way past the Leaper Gate and out of the Old City Walls. The Eastfaring District is a working class area with a mixture of row houses and factories lining the narrow streets. In the distance the party can see the unfinished stones of the New Walls, an ambitious project to enclose the current borders of Opal in walls as secure as those that circle the Old City. Although it might take a while.
Eastfaring is home to many immigrant neighborhoods , and the tounges of many Dragoran nations can be heard, as well as Theranan, Fimbulian, and Senginese. Tea and coffee shops do a brisk business as merchants try to squeeze every bit of time before the heat of noon brings on the Riposa.
The Shambles lines the eastern bank of the Opal. Like the Driftwood District, it services the hundreds of vessels coming to Opal. Most of the ships deal in industrial goods - tin, iron, coal, and the like. The rough splintery docks swarm with tattooed stevedores loading and unloading all sorts of goods.
The party sees a busy coffee/ale shop called the Rusty Rooster. Outdoor tables shaded with bright umbrellas line the sidewalk.
Taishe stops as he notices the Rusty Rooster.
"One ponderss, perhapss a cup of tea? One can wait here for familiar friendss to do preliminary sscouting. Much more believable than sstanding idly on sstreet corner. Then One will go and take a closser look."
The kobold looks to his companions for their thoughts on his idea.
"Makes sense. It would be less obvious than all of us going, especially those not suited to stealth." Nahuatl ti agrees.
"Capital idea friend. "
With that he whispers something into the ear of his raven who then flys off towards the location that they talked about.
Looking back at the group he smiles. "Perhaps some sherry? I do hate tea."
Jakun frees his Compsognathus companion, Kossel, from his protective pouch.
Follow the raven, buy foot be swift and inconspicuous my friend".
The Minotaur shakes his head, "I do not like the taste of tea but that sherry sounds ideal Narl".