Konstiantina smiles wryly to Raesilia as she takes up another biscuit, but makes no attempt to join the conversation yet; instead she contents herself with listening closely, awaiting Cincia's answers to the latest round of questions, turning the biscuit over and over in her blunt-tipped fingers.
Konstiantina does not feel anything untowards as she examines the museum curator.
Cincia puts a finger to her lips thoughtfully. "Ah, so you've heard about that... unfortunate event. It may well be that the Earl is keen to avoid a similar fate, and thus attempts to endear himself to the local populace. As for the source or extent of his wealth, I really couldn't say. Taxes here are not particularly high." She shrugs. "What else? Ah, the magical properties of the artefacts... I'm afraid that the extent of my magical talent and knowledge is quite limited. The only thing I managed to discern about them was their auras - the helm had a faint aura of conjuration, while the scabbard had a stronger aura, transmutation if I recall correctly. I was..."
Cincia is interrupted by a loud knock at the museum's front door, which echoes throughout the space. She jumps a little, then navigates her way towards the exit of her office. "Please excuse me." She hurries towards the entrance, and you hear muted conversation, then after a few moments Cincia leans through the doorway. "Master Kalbio is here, he's been commissioned to create a tapestry for the museum. I'm afraid that I have to attend to him for a little while, but you are free to explore the rest of the museum."
Outside the office, in one of the side rooms there is a human man in his late twenties to early thirties, his face tanned and freckled. His simple craftsman attire and rough hands indicate humble origins. He whistles off-key as he examines a blank patch of wall, every now and then leaning back with one arm extended, thumb sticking out, and squeezing one eye shut. Cincia is hovering near him, looking from the man to the blank patch of wall, a small notebook in one hand and the other clutching a pen and poised to take notes.
Stepping away slightly to let Cincia work, Marius turns to his new companions. "Well done, Lady Stavian, the game is afoot. Shall we begin with Magistrate Joleana Tantriano? It seems likely that we'll find Patrician Neffery Adimare and Rasvelg in the same general area, so they'll keep."
Cocking his head curiously at the tapestry artist, the nobleman feels a suspicion grip him. "Cincia--I hope you don't mind if I call you that--may I inquire who commissioned the tapestry? And its subject?"
Rising from her own chair, Rose nods and walks back over to Marius. "Pray lead on, Lord Erallan. After all, you are our local expert here. I'd imagine your background as a navy man would carry favor among our 'list of appointments'."
On the way out of the museum, she offers her one arm to Marius again and quickly eats the remainder of her cinnamon biscuit with the other. She grimaces a a bit as she does. "Definitely Qadiran. You know how Cinnamon is made from the innermost layer of the respective tree's bark? You can taste the pollution of outer layer clear as day. More slave labor than the Osirion counterpart, most likely. Distasteful, but to not eat it would do a greater disservice to their sacrifice, I imagine."
Getting used to following along behind their employer, Adriel leans over to whisper to Lotti.
"Don't you think that Rose here is rather taken by Marius? I'm not sure it's just an act you know."
Finally away from the curator, Mirann clicks her tongue and starts pacing, thinking aloud. "This Earl is immensely insecure and anal about his lineage, even for a noble. But there's little here to link him to these river pirates."
She watches Kalbio take measurements from afar, appreciating another artist's process. "Maybe we'll get lucky and the pirates will have the missing pieces from the collection?"
When Marius tries to regain Cincia's attention, she puts in her own request. "How would you describe the missing pieces? I would love an idea of how the collection was intended to be displayed."
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”Falling for someone she just met? She wouldn’t be the first,” Lotti answers Adriel as she finishes stacking the teacups and saucers in neat piles. With a flick of her wrist, the servant conjures a small flurry of bubbles that descend on the dishes. As each one pops against the china, it removes the brown stains and crumbs left behind from impromptu tea service. ”There we go - poor dear looks rather overworked,” Lotti whispers with satisfaction. ”Now, where did they get off to...” Catching sight of Rose’s retreating form, she hurries along afterwards.
Master Kalbio notices you and turns away from his wall, attempting a hurried and rather clumsy bow. He gives Cincia a wide-eyed glance and stammers out, "Your Lorships and Ladyships, this, ah, this was commissioned by 'is Lordship Baron Okerra, it was. Great patron of the arts, 'e is, a-and of the common people. 'e wanted a depiction of the final battle in the Crusade, Your Lordships and Ladyships. A-and Your Catship." The last is added as Wobblekins approaches to give his legs a sniff. "You know, the one where Gen'ral Arnisant sacrificed 'imself to defeat the Great Evil One." He makes a small warding sign.
Cincia beams at him and nods in confirmation as she turns to answer Mirann's question. "The scabbard was about the length of a longsword, inscribed with a golden sunburst, and the helm was open-faced with cheek guards and a crest down the middle."
Marius acknowledges Kalbio's bow with a friendly nod. "A splendid subject, I approve!" he exclaims without sarcasm, and offers Cincia a small bow. "Thank you for the tour, Cincia, and I hope your work here goes well." Making a mental note to suggest a donation to the museum from House Erallan to his parents, Marius offers Rose his arm.
"Definitely Qadiran. You know how Cinnamon is made from the innermost layer of the respective tree's bark? You can taste the pollution of outer layer clear as day. More slave labor than the Osirion counterpart, most likely. Distasteful, but to not eat it would do a greater disservice to their sacrifice, I imagine."
"I defer to your superior knowledge of cinnamon, my lady, though I'm not certain eating the product of a slave's labor aids them in any way," Marius responds with a small shrug as they walk away. The mention of slavery has clearly dampened his mood.
Marius feels very strongly about the subject of slavery and abolition, but doesn't want to be boorish by ranting or lecturing at someone he thinks already agrees.
"This Earl is immensely insecure and anal about his lineage, even for a noble. But there's little here to link him to these river pirates."
Once a safe distance from Cincia and Kalbio the noble bites the inside of his lip, thinking hard. His lips quirk in a suppresed smile at Mirann's choice of words. "You're not wrong there, Miss Zalar. Earl Vernisant raiding the museum's pieces is distasteful, even loutish--but it's a far cry from bankrolling piracy. Perhaps one of these others will turn something up."
"I wonder why Lady Lotheed directed us to the museum," says Konstiantina, bringing up the rear of the group. "The references we acquired are tangential at best. Unless Martella knew that Cincia would send us to speak with Tantriano, Adomare, or Rasvelg? It all seems..." She pauses, searching for the right word. "Circuitous at best? Why not simply send us to speak to the right person from the beginning?"
It's clear she doesn't expect an answer, but simply resumes following the others, hands linked behind her back, brow furrowed in thought.
Just as Adriel finishes her conversation with Lotti, Rose looks back over her shoulder and gives her a mysterious wink with an accompanying small grin. She immediately falls back into character when master Kalbio comes into view and is introduced. "Oh, please don't concern yourself on our behalf. I think a portrait of General Arnisant in his final deed of valor would be an excellent addition to the museum. Perhaps more so than, ah, shall we say, some other recently commissioned yet perhaps rather inaccurate pieces of history? Well-crafted as they no doubt are, it has to be said!"
She waits a moment for Marius and Mirann to ask their questions, smiling politely, and thanks Cincia for her answers. "And another thanks for your gracious hospitality, dear madam Cincia, for such an impromptu visit. Yet, I believe it is time for us to leave and go to our next 'appointments'. We will return should we learn more about the matters we discussed."
Noticing Marcus' change in demeanor on the way out, even if slight, she blushes a bit and looks away. "Ah, I apologize. That was rather thoughtless of me. I imagine you would have fought slavers and the like often in your time in the military. It doesn't help their victims either way since it was already purchased. But come; shall we focus on the injustice right in front of us first?"
Back outside and at a safe distance from those not in the group, she listens to Mirann's speculation. "Nothing concrete, no. But his acts could be interpreted as those of someone with a guilty conscience, to start. The source of wealth he uses to endear the public to him might also be his cut from the loot taken from the raided ships. Furthermore, it is odd that the artefacts were taken almost exactly one year apart, though I'm not sure what that means. I orgininally thought he had some recurring payment date to meet and wanted to pay with stolen artefacts, but that doesn't match with his seemingly great wealth. Throwing repetative feasts for an entire city is an extremely expensive affair."
She considers the whearabouts of the artefacts for a moment. "I don't think we'll find them with the pirates. I am no expert at this, but the scabbard had an aura of transmutation. Lotti, you would know more, wouldn't you? Isn't that school of magic used to enhance one's abilities in some way? Such as by making a person much more charismatic than they would normally be?"
Finally, when Konstiantina brings up the matter of why they were sent here first, she replies: "Perhaps to further underline that we have the moral high ground in this investigation. Or to arm us with knowledge regarding the count's character before meeting him. And who is to say that Madam Cincia herself isn't our patron's contact, and is simply judging our methods for her? Regardless, I agree that we should move on to the other local contacts to find out more."
The courthouse is only a short walk away from the museum, on one of the main thoroughfares that originates in the central square. The group attracts a few looks on your way there, but no-one dares to bother you. The courthouse itself is a large building of grey stone and severe lines, with life size statues of various deities dealing with law, judgement and justice decorating its façade, flanked by thick columns. The wide steps that lead to three separate double doors are crowded with advocates, petitioners, clients and members of the public coming and going, most of them talking animatedly or arguing.
After a bit of searching you manage to flag down a clerk who directs you to the senior magistrate's office, although you have to wait a little in the antechamber for her to return from judging a case. When she finally arrives, Magistrate Joleana Tantriano is a human woman in her sixties, displaying the symbol of Iomedae on the half-cloak that denotes her judicial role. Her white hair is kept somewhat short and carefully coiffed and styled in a wave that frames her wry features.
She stops as she enters and notices you, then half-smiles as she closes the door behind her and greets you. "Ah, visitors! Today is rather an exciting day. And to what do I owe the pleasure of having such distinguished guests?"
After a short, hurried conference prior to entering Marius steps into the magistrate's office, smiling as disarmingly as he can at her greeting. "Surely not so exciting merely on our account, is there something happening today?"
The magistrate replies as she strides through the antechamber, opening the door to her office and holding it for you as she gestures invitingly. "Oh, something is always happening somewhere, I'm sure. But I don't get visits everyday from..." She pauses as she appraises each of you with a sharp gaze.
"You're the younger Erallan, aren't you? And such a colourful entourage with you. Step into my office, please, we can discuss whatever it is that brings you here."
Adriel's eyes widen with the magistrate's formality and her face sets with a grimace. Last time I stepped into an office, I was told I was going to be investigated and maybe excluded from University. This better go well this time.
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Marius grins a trifle sheepishly--anyone of import in Ridonport who could recognize him on sight would doubtless have heard of his misadventures in the Navy--but sketches a polite bow. "I am House Erallan's youngest, yes. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice. Had I been thinking I've have sent word ahead."
Marius introduces each of his companions--calling Raesilia simply 'Rose' and moving briskly along--and gets right to the pitch. "We're actually just off the boat from Oppara yesterday; I met all these remarkable women in the capitol, where to my chagrin was introduced to some unflattering rumors about my hometown."
The young man does his best impression of righteous indignation. It comes easily to him. "Magistrate Tantriano, rumors have even reached Oppara about river bandits plaguing our area, and it makes Riddonport look provincial, even incompetent! As though we are incapable of safeguarding our people and commerce. Such a disgrace reflects as poorly upon House Erallan as any other--and more than most, for it's a noble's duty to safeguard their charges." He sweeps a hand to include the whole party. "Myself and those accompanying me are here in the hopes of setting this matter aright, and eliminating the scourge of these criminals from our lands. However, we have only just arrived back and need the most up-to-date information available. It is my hope that you might be able to assist us here, as much as you are able. Is there truth to these rumors, and if so can you provide any insights into the matter?"
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Konstiantina inclines her head graciously when she is invited into the office, moving with the dignity and decorum of one born to court and at ease in such officious settings.
When Marius speaks his piece, she moves forward a half-step, her shoulders squared, her chin raised, her manner dignified and calm.
"I am Konstiantina Mokei, paladin of Sarenrae and advocate of peace, compassion, and progress. I've accompanied Lord Erallan in the hopes of learning the truth of this matter, and swear to you in the Dawnflower's name that we seek to bring justice to these brigands and make Riddonport safe for trade once more. Any assistance you can provide would be most appreciated."
The magistrate raises an eyebrow at Marius mentioning unflattering rumours, but then her expression becomes serious as he talks of river bandits. "It is commendable that you are so keen on fulfilling your duty as a noble and maintain the community's stability." She inclines her head to Konstiantina, her right hand moving to briefly touch her own symbol of Iomedae. "And paladins are always welcome in these halls as agents of law."
She leans back in her chair behind her desk, elbows on the armrests, steepling her fingers together in front of her as she gives you a long, searching look. "It is truly heartwarming to see so many noble personages, and from the capital no less, travel to our humble city in pursuit of justice, order and the safety of trade." A corner of her mouth quirks up. "I'm no spring chicken, and I've been around enough to know that such benevolent impulses are more often than not motivated by politics." She raises one hand to forestall any protestations. "And I think I know which politics, in this particular case. I have heard those rumours you mention, Lord Erallan, and more. I need not name any names, but you are surely aware, smart cookies that you are, that I cannot build a case based on hearsay." She leans forward, palms down on her desk, growing serious once more. "If someone were to bring me evidence, that would naturally change. Now, if you're interested in bringing outlaws to justice, I can sign papers that would deputize you for a week, authorizing you to hunt and collect bounties on pirates in the Tandak canals." She watches you all expectantly.
Rose suppressed a chuckle during Marius' introduction, reflecting how strange a group they would appear to the judge. So he happened to meet four seperate gorgeous young women in the capital city and decided to come back to his home town to hunt pirates with them afterwards? Accompanied, of course, only by a venerably-aged servant and a cat.
No doubt the best and most credible pirate hunting crew ever!
Instead, she nods here and there to support her more straight-laced allies in their respective speeches, merely smiling softly. Konstiantina lived up to her earlier reputation of wordsmith as well as could have been expected, and Marius definitely wasn't a slouch either. She had to admit that listening to the two of them talk, it sprung a vague feeling of hope that victory could be achieved by completely legitimate means rather than 'cheating'.
"I wonder if either of them have experience as officers? I never got around to asking..."
Her smile grows wider at the Judge's implications. This was a woman straight to her own heart. And no names required, either? Almost too good to be true!
"Thank you, your honor. That is a priviledge we will take most seriously," she says, nodding earnestly."I assume this deputizement would also grant us the right to search suspect premises, should we find leads on the pirates in question?"
Mirann beams as the judge finishes. Finding evidence, getting deputized, actually hunting pirates; life is finally opening up, becoming more Romantic and fantastic every second.
"Everything is political, Magistrate Tantriano," Marius answers with another easy smile. "Our politics are informed by the sort of world we hope to make--and we would gladly accept a deputization."
Adriel grins with the chance for such an adventure, its just what she needs to get her mind off everything back home. She stays quiet to allow Marius and Konstiantina to work out the terms and any more information they might need.
Magistrate Tantriano smiles thinly at Marius. "That tells me precisely nothing, Erallan the Youngest. But we shall see how you acquit yourselves of this responsibility. And no, Miss Rose, this does not give you the right to search any premises. You are free to talk to anyone in Ridonport to acquire information, and, should you catch any pirates in the act, you are entitled to arrest them and bring them in for questioning and trial." She prepares the papers as she speaks, taking them out of a desk drawer and squinting a little at them before signing and stamping them with her seal of office.
"We do have a few suspects, although no one's manage to catch them yet. Three local boys from villages on the Tandak plains were
ejected from the navy a few months ago for theft. Around the same time, a midshipman by the name of Gayleigh Knar went on leave and never reported back. Knar was well known locally for her affinity for animals, and they say she had just brought back some fanged beast she purchased while at port in Osirion."
"I see. That is helpful to know. But, if you would, your honor, there are a few things I'd also like to clarify," Rose asks, fiddling with her shawl. "You heavily imply that you have heard these rumors before. Yet, if these rumors have remained as mere rumors, then should I assume the cargo of the ships just 'vanished', without the crews ever knowing how it happened? No ship was ever attacked in the open, and no missing crew members were ever reported from ships passing through the town's vicinity?"
She looks over the others to see if they have any more questions of their own."Regarding these convicted suspects, have they ever given testimony on as to why they committed the thefts? And does the date of their disappearance correlate to the start of these rumors?"
Konstantiana bows her head gravely as the magistrate offers to deputize them.
"This allows us to work for and within the bounds of the law. Many thanks, Magistrate Tantriano."
Joleana dips her chin and looks at Rose, as if regarding her over the top of invisible spectacles. "Ships were not attacked. These incidents concern the disappearance of cargo from canal barges coming from upriver. And allow me to correct you on your terminology there - a suspect is someone who has not been tried yet, and is merely thought to be potentially guilty of a crime. As such, these people are neither convicted, not have they ever given testimony. Their officers found them stealing and booted them out of the Navy. That is all that we know."
She gestures with a hand. "Canal piracy is an old problem in Tandak, and indeed in all of Taldor. Local nobles either lack the funds, or they lack the will to maintain lawfulness and order inside their domains. And like all of the Empire's infrastructure, all but the most well-traveled canals are falling into disrepair, which does not help the issue." She sighs, passing a hand over her face. "It pains me to admit it, but it is better to look at problems with a clear eye rather than try to pretend they don't exist and that Taldor is still at the peak of its glory." She raises her hands, palm up. "That is the long answer to your question. There is one specific rumour that is more recent, however, and that concerns a specific noble being targeted by piracy. He has made complaints to Earl Vernisant, but I don't think that any action has been taken on that yet."
"Could you please tell us the specific complaint made to Earl Vernidant? Perhaps it would help if we knew everything before we start?" Adriel pipes up, unable to keep quiet much longer.
"That he is... 'unusually negligent' towards the safety of his canals, I'd imagine. Or 'selectively negligent', depending on the strength of the accusation. Am I close?" Rose muses.
Realising she might have overstepped a boundry, she looks away. "Ah, I apologize, your honor. I suppose it shames me that a seasoned judge as yourself is forced to conclude the only reason something is really done about the banditry issue is because of elsewhere politics, and it shames me doubly that it is hard to refute. Some members of Taldan's nobility have fallen far from their noblesse oblige. It's a good thing people like lady Mokei and Lord Erallan are willing to step up in their place, though I won't name anyone, of course."
The magistrate nods at Rose. "You are quite right, on all counts. Now, it is quite encouraging that you have such inquisitive minds and I would love nothing more than to help you practice your questioning skills, but I haven't had lunch yet."
Konstiantina inclines her head politely, and at the magistrates dismissal heads out the door into the hallway beyond.
"That went well. Now that we've been formally deputized, we can press our questions more forcibly if needed. Shall we make our way to the docks to seek out Rasvelg, the head of the shipwright’s guild? He might be able to help us find these suspects, or know someone who can."
Taking the hint, Marius bows and makes his excuses before leaving the magistrate's office.
"That...went far better than it had any right to! Well done, Lady Mokei! I daresay she nearly swooned at your steely-eyed here-for-justice look, and me along with her!"
The nobleman's expression turns thoughtful. "That still leaves our two contacts at the dock, but Magistrate Tantriano was quite right about lunch. Shall we?"
"That sounds like a plan Marius. Do you know anywhere local that we could enjoy? I'm famished!" Adriel says, her mind being guided by her stomach rather than anything else.
"Perhaps we can all discuss our next set of questions for the contacts at the dock before we wade in head first?"
There are several teahouses and eateries nearby, many of them catering to those working in the courthouse, and the sight of clients celebrating the winning of a case, or barristers decrying the loss of one is not uncommon. The menus displayed outside feature fish and seafood quite heavily, as well as several local specialties such as gull omelette and seaweed salad. Most of the lunch crowd has thinned by this point, so finding a place that can accommodate your group is not difficult.
"Of course, we'll hold it against you forever if you pick the wrong place, Marius. Pretending to be a lady is exhausting work, after all," Rose adds to Adriel's plan, grinning merrily.
Then, she looks around the thinning crowd and hesitates. "I'm not sure we should discuss 'interrogation topics' over lunch in a public place like a restaurant. If it were busyhour and there was a lot of noise, then maybe, so that it'd be hard to overhear us. But it appears we've missed that opportunity. At least out here, we can make our own distance and are constantly on the move."
Alas, at that exact moment, her stomach growled in a most ruthless and unladylike manner. "I... um, suppose we could do so discreetly, perhaps?" she continues, blushing slightly as she follows the rest to an available venue.
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Chuckling to himself, Marius takes the group to a trendy seafood café--The Walrus and the Carpenter--and gets a balcony table on the second floor.
"I suppose it bears asking 'what are we looking for'? We've got a name and our first clues, are we hoping the harbormaster will have a lead that hasn't already been run down by the Magistrate's agents? To be honest I think we're going to have to move amongst a rougher crown to track down Ms. Knar or her possible accomplices."
Rose, who'd taken a moment to enjoy the view over the sea - and to make sure no one was listening in on them from below - turns around and sits down between Adriel and Mirann. "Interesting," she responds to Marcus' suggestion. "You mean to imply you already know where to find these people, hinting at extensive illicit contacts of your own? Oh, you should have told us earlier!"
Her smile fades as she overthinks the problem. "All jokes aside, that would be one way to do it. But we also already know one certain person's ships are preferred targets. So it seems to me that we could also just find out when the next one would come along, and set a trap for them? Make them come to us, instead. Both our other contacts have some connection to the harbor and the navy, right? Perhaps either could supply this information."
Konstiantina eats with surprising gusto; she puts away a bowl of seafood soup with relish, combining the manners of the court with the appetite of a caravan guard.
The bowl finished, she moves it delicately aside to move a plate of gull omelette with grilled sausages before her.
"It feels as if we're still within the initial, fact-finding portion of our mission," she says, voice pitched low to discourage eavesdroppers. "But an hour ago we didn't know of Ms. Knar. Who knows what else the shipwright or harbormaster can reveal?"
She slices a sausage in twain, clear juices spilling out across the plate. "Though I agree. Inevitably we'll have to get more directly involved. And Lady Rose, your idea of trapping the bandits by boarding a target vessel is an excellent one. If we don't track down the location of these bandits directly, I'm all in favor of your proposal."
With which she smiles warmly at Raesilia, and gets to work on her second plate.
Lotti takes another tray of plates from the table and carries them over to the dumbwaiter. They’re all very eager to spend the night out in the mud staking out a barge, she thinks to herself, ignoring Wobblekins’s pitiful cries for food. Or getting themselves abducted after falling asleep on a barge. And if they don’t hide themselves well, any smart pirates would just let them slip on past rather than deal with all this... She pauses to smile, ”youthful energy”.
Finishing your late lunch, you head back to the wharf. After asking around for a bit, one of the dockworkers directs you to a dry dock where a ship is currently housed for maintenance and being inspected by a tall, broad man in his early thirties which someone points out to you as being Rasvelg Coalbraid, the head of Ridonport's shipwright guild. Despite his position, he is dressed quite simply, in a plain shirt, vest and sturdy trousers. His clear blue eyes hint at his Ulfen heritage, in case that wasn't already obvious from his name.
As he sees you approach, he runs a hand through the mop of thick, dark hair on his head and sighs. "What now? I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to fix this carrack without just building a whole new ship. These captains don't come to me until the only thing that's fixed is their budget. I don't suppose you're here to offer your services as carpenters, though."
The ship is not looking in good shape, her hull sporting large clusters of barnacles and quite a few places where the planks no longer fit well together and got patched up with caulking.
"Unfortunately not. Are you Ravselg? We are here looking for some information. Adriel says in short, dismissing his questions regarding ships - or is it a boat?
Sensing the nature of the man, Konstiantina subtly nudges for Marius to move forward.
"Think he'd appreciate a nautical man who speaks his language," she whispers.
"Oh yeah? Unless that information has to do with building or fixing ships, I'm a busy man." Rasvelg replies to Rose.
He doesn't seem cowed or impressed in the least by the presence of nobles in your entourage.
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Rose calmly looks at the hull. "Well, to start, you could try moistering the barnacles more before removing them. They've been dried out, which strengthens their bond to the hull. After scraping them off, the remaining husks on the hull are made of an alchemical substance named 'calcium' which you can remove by powdering clams and mixing it with common alcohol. You could probably sell a new waxing job to whoever owns this boat for a higher price if you show him the damage before removing it, I'd wager."
As if to demonstrate, she points at the round coloured spots where the previously removed barnacles used to be, then looks up at the carpentry up close. "As for the planks, it's fairly obvious the owner skimped on costs by ordering second-rate *pinewood* and *tin* nails. Replacing such is the only fix, unless he or she wants it to sink somewhere in the next six months. For an enterprising carpenter and shipwright such as yourself, replacing parts of a ship shouldn't be a problem, right? And perhaps I even have some contacts which can supply the materials at a more reasonable rate to improve the profit margin."
She smiles pleasantly at the man and produces her papers as a deputee investigator. "But now that I have your attention, perhaps you *would* be willing to assist us? We're investigating local canal piracy issues and I can't imagine that Ridonport having an unsafe reputation is good for your business."
Giving Konstiantina a small nod, Marius takes a breath to speak but Rose beats him to the punch with a surprisingly detailed analysis of the ship. Marius blinks a few times at Raesilia before he remembers to close his mouth. "You're a deep well, Lady Stavian."
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Rose walks back to Marius' side and responds to him by whispering:
"I had a good education, and he asked for it."
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Rasvelg opens and closes his mouth a few times as Rose holds a veritable lecture on ship maintenance and repair. Finally, he crosses his arms as he looks straight at her with a new appreciation in his eyes. "Well, I'll be. Didn't figure you for someone who actually knows anything worth a damn, milady. Happy to be proven wrong. However, that doesn't change the fact that I need to do all of these things as well, so unless you fancy picking up a scraper and getting your pretty hands dirty, I still ain't got a lot of time to flap my jaw with strangers."
He uncrosses his arms and hooks his thumbs in his belt, cocking his head to one side as he regards Rose and the rest.
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"I shall make a mental note to never ask for it," Marius suppresses a grin before turning back to Rasvelg.
"I don't service the ships, but I served with the folk that sail them. Marius Erallan, former Navy brat, pleased to meet you. We don't intend to waste your time, Master Rasvelg but the matter is indeed about piracy along the canals. Right now our main suspects area trio of sailors who were caught stealing and drummed out. We were hoping that you could shed a little bit more light on the situation. Then we'll be on our way and you can work in peace."
Konstiantina inclines her head gravely. "As Lady Rose said, we have been deputized by Magistrate Tantriano to investigate this matter, and do so with the blessings of the Riddonport legal courts. Five minutes of your time could lead to an improvement of the waterways far beyond what we could accomplish with a scraper."
Rose nods towards Konstiantina and smiles. "Not to mention, I've been told that the judge is a very influential figure in town. I am sure that if we favorably mention your role in this investigation to her, only good things can come of it for you."
Rasvelg nods at Marius. "Ah, so I make 'em, you break 'em. Yeah, I know all about you 'navy brats'." But his grin belies his words as he extends an arm for Marius to clasp in a greeting more substantial than a simple handshake.
"Yeah, the pirates are a pest. I had a few shipments arrive with a fraction of the materials I'd ordered. Fortunately they don't steal timber as much, but I had to scramble a few times to replace a block of resin, or a drum of good rope." He raises an eyebrow at Konstiantina's mention of the judge. "Official investigation, eh? About time, I'd say. All these nobles and judges and whatnot like to talk big about stopping crime and piracy. Vernisant is bragging that he drove crime out of Ridonport by sealing up the old smuggler tunnels, but he didn't get them all. There's one that opens up underneath the Saint Lymirin Street bridge over the main canal. Late at night there's barges with their lamps dark that stop underneath the bridge. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where your pirates are conducting their business."