Rose eyes grow wide at this absolute goldmine of information that pretty much could have broken the case open there and then. "I see. I suppose it's time someone did investigate that area, then. Thank you very much for your time, Master Rasvelg. And good luck with the repairs."
She nods her head very slightly in a show of respect, then leaves the shipwrighter to his work.
When they group is out of immediate hearing range, she shares her thoughts. "First we're told the Earl is stealing from a local museum, now we find out the smuggler's are very likely using the networks he claims to have sealed - and likely was in charge of. If this is true, the rope is tightening around his neck by the second."
Though she tries to remain professional, there is an edge of irritation in her voice when Rose discusses the Earl that she can't quite filter out.
She pauses along the bridge and looks over the water towards the sea. "So now what do we do? We have a location and a time to catch the culprits in the act, presumably. That might be all we need. Though it might be good to talk to the third contact anyway. If this turns into some kind of public confrontation, we need all the support we can get to discredit him."
"We have the entire afternoon before us," says Konstiantina pragmatically. "Might as well see what more information we can unearth before gearing up for a confrontation."
Marius gives Rasvelg a sharp smile. "That's very good to hear, I thank you for your help, Master Rasvelg. I wish you a swift victory against the barnacles."
Raesilia's enthusiastic reference to nooses draws a look of alarm from the nobleman, however. "A noose? For someone as powerful as the Earl? Rose, I'm afraid we should lower our expectations a few notches--you know as well as I do that people like Vernisant get to play by a different set of rules." He nods at Konstiantina's suggestion. "I agree, no reason to leave any stones unturned."
"It was a figure of speech, of course," Rose replies, gazing over the blue. She lowers her voice slightly as she continues. "I'd settle for seeing him stripped of rank and ran out of his own town in some humilitating fashion like his predecessor seven years ago. If you didn't know, Duke Bozbeyli was also torn to pieces by the commonfolk afterwards. 'Rules' nor laws could save him when the wrath of the people itself turned on him."
She pushes herself back from the railing glances around once more and then gestures to the grand statue of general Arnisant, towering over everything in the area. "I admire the resolve of the citizens of Tandak - standing up for yourselves. It takes a single nod to swallow someone's tyranny and fall in line, but everything to risk outing your liege and running afoul of our 'Lion'. I'd like to think a hero like General Arnisant himself would have approved. Were you involved with those events yourself, Marius?"
As the group walks off to the next target, Rose thinks to herself. 'A different set of rules, huh...'
Adriel hangs back with Lotti as Konstiantina, Marius and Rose discuss the situation so confidently. Her face is showing her emotion more than she usually lets off, the situation becoming more challenging as time goes on. This is not her comfort zone. Adriel is happy in Oppara, she knows how that works, she gets the people, sheet gets the place. Adriel knows exactly how to speak her mind and show her true self. Here, however, is a different story, she had no idea that somewhere so close to Oppara could be so different.
"So, Lotti, these three seem to be very sure of their actions. They must have so much experience out in this world. I'm not sure I'll be of much help here. This seemed like an exciting opportunity, but Im realising I didn't know as much as I thought I did before coming here." She confides in the woman, trusting the woman not to judge her.
Mirann watches the back and forth exchange with interest, writing down select passages and giggling to herself. She follows the group as they leave, dancing idly.
Hearing giggling from the side and turning to see Mirann write things down, Raesilia looks up from her inner ponderings. "Er, Mirann? Is everything all right? Don't you think it's best if there is no record of these coversations in case things go wrong?"
'She wouldn't be working for the other side, after all? Not that suspiciously... right?'
"It's just barnacle removal tips," she smiles and offers the notepad. "Worth remembering."
Rose takes the notepad, looks it over and laughs. "And here I was, worried I might have gone a bit too hard on him. Nice to see some good came of it. Are you into ships?" she asks, as they walk away.
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Mirann continues grinning, and replies "Not at all, milady. But every occasion where I witness a woman embarrass an entitled man is worth remembering. And this will remind me."
After a bit of walking around, you find the chandlery's main building a few hundred paces from a stretch of docks - a long, single story wooden building which seems to serve as a combination of administrative office, sales floor and watering hole for ships' officers. A shingle hanging by the front door displays a locathah hefting a barrel.
Several wooden steps ascend to a small porch facing south to the docks and to what seems to be the main entrance. Inside is rather quiet, with only a couple of tables currently occupied. At the one nearest to the bar sits a middle-age noble with auburn hair and carefully styled beards and moustache, wearing an olive-green coat with white fur trim over a snow-white ruffled shirt. His feet are propped up on the table, a drawing pad in his lap, and he seems currently in the process of sketching the other room's occupants - a Navy captain and his quartermaster, who are quietly discussing a scrap of paper, half-empty glasses of scotch at their elbow.
Adriel enters the bar with a confident air. Maybe a good drink is just what I need!
She approaches the bar and takes a seat a few feet away from the nobleman.
"Those two don't look like a gentleman's usual muse for a drawing. How far along are you?" She asks inquisitively about the drawing, peering her head to try and catch a glimpse.
"A glass of whisky please." She asks the bartender, and turns and pats the barstool next to her, encouraging some of her new acquaintances to join her.
The man starts to get up as Adriel takes a seat at the bar, leaving his unfinished sketch on the table. It's a decent rendition of the captain and the quartermaster - at least their poses and general outlines, as the faces, hands and most details haven't been filled in yet. Now behind the bar, he puts a glass on the countertop as he studies the elf.
"Welcome to Ridonport, milady, I don't think I've seen you here before. Which ship did you arrive on? I know most of them." He turns towards the shelves of liquor bottles behind the bar, addressing you over the shoulder. "Which whisky would you like? I have a couple of single malts, one is 5 years and the other 7. Or if you prefer grain, I have some of those as well. I'm afraid we're out of blended altogether."
His tone is friendly and inquisitive as he regards Adriel and the rest. "Oh, forgive my lapse in manners, I'm Neffery Adimare. I administer the chandlery, so if you need supplies just let me know."
He nods his chin at his unfinished drawing. "And you're right about muses, but it's what you get around here. The damned hands are always such a pain to draw too... oh, pardon my language!"
Giving the elf time to work her wiles upon the nobleman, Konstiantina moves slowly about the room, examining the decorations on the walls, her hands linked behind her back. She keeps an ear out for the conversation at the bar, but otherwise makes no move as of yet to join in.
Seeing no one else take the offer, Rose desides to sit down next to Adriel instead. "Oh, please don't worry on my behalf," she tells Neffery. "I find the honest tongue of craftsmen refreshing. Can I have a glass of a local red wine? Failing that, I think I will try a glass of this 'whiskey' once and trust the judgment of my friend. I don't have many opportunities such as these and your chandlery was highly recommended!"
Not entirely sure if the other woman had something specific in mind for how to approach this, and partly also curious to how she operated, Rose simply smiles at Adriel and toasts with her upon receiving their drinks. It might have just been a friendly invitation, too. "To good fortune and memorable 'debates' in the future?" she asks her, grinning.
Perhaps that was a slightly odd thing to toast to, but another part of her was dying to know whether Adriel recognized the real her or not. She was the only one who had met her real self, after all, though in rather drastically different circumstances. It had been quite a memorable ball that the children of Taldaris had 'invaded' that evening, and thinking about it still made her smile...
Neffery blinks at Rose, then chuckles. "Oh, I suppose I've been around sailors for too long then, to be mistaken for one of common birth." He is, indeed, rather too well dressed and groomed to be a craftsman. "I am afraid that there is no such thing as a local red, milady, the soil of Tandak hasn't nurtured much of anything that isn't a tree or a weed in some time. If you'd like to try the whisky, I have a triple-distilled single malt that's quite smooth. I have to warn you though, that it is rather stronger than wine."
He says the last with a smile as he reaches for a bottle on one of the higher shelves, one of thick brown glass with a black and red label.
Rose laughs. "Ah, the fault is mine then, indeed! My sincerest apologies. Hm, 'triple distilled' sounds a bit... 'intense' for an inexperienced lady such as myself. Perhaps you could make it a small glass? I'm afraid I still have something to see to later."
"So, Lotti, these three seem to be very sure of their actions. They must have so much experience out in this world. I'm not sure I'll be of much help here. This seemed like an exciting opportunity, but Im realising I didn't know as much as I thought I did before coming here." She confides in the woman, trusting the woman not to judge her.
"It's all a show, dear," Lotti replies, patting the taller woman's hand gently. "Act like you belong somewhere and people will think twice about telling you to leave. Mind you, in my experience that tends to work a bit better when you've not made yourself the center of attention."
Though the distraction certainly makes getting other things done easier...
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Lotti clicks her tongue and shakes her head disapprovingly as she wrangles Wobblekins into standing still rather than climbing up onto that high shelf and knocking down all the gentleman's bottles. Speaking of tightening nooses, that young woman's setting herself up for a harsh fall in the future with this kind of carelessness. Though I suppose we all fall at one point or another. The question is if that fire's strong enough to get her back on her feet again afterwards... Seemingly lost in her musings and struggle, she keeps her mouth shut and ears open.
Mirann sits at the bar, idly humming to herself and waits for the bartender to notice her.
Waving away Rose's apology with a smile, Neffery pours her a shot of whisky. "Triple-distilled isn't any stronger than the other kinds, but if you find the experience too intense I can mix some milk and fruit juice to... Oh, hey there, kitty! You want some milk too? Here, I'll get you some."
From a chilled box comes a bottle of milk. Neffery hurriedly empties a bowl of salted peanutes into a mug, wipes the bowl, then pours some milk into it and sets it on the countertop for Wobblekins. "Ship's cat, eh? Not many captains bring theirs ashore, but we get a few now and then. Love the critters, myself." He looks at everyone else who doesn't have a drink yet. "And what shall I get you, my ladies and sir? And speaking of ships, I didn't catch the name of yours..."
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Lotti's best efforts cannot contain Wobblekins when there is fresh milk set out for him. With a triumphant yowl, he extricates himself and hops up on the counter to begin his fourth meal of the day.
"The Lion's Share," Mirann lies, waving the question away with a vague but believably patriotic name. "Do you let people sing or play their music at your establishment? I'm always looking to show off, make some coin."
"Ah, is that the new brig they were building in Cassomir? Maiden voyage, then. Does she sail well? I suppose you won't be needing much supplies in that case." He gestures with the bottle from which he had just been pouring Mirann a glass of red wine. "As you can see, milady, not a lot of audience at the moment, but we would be certainly be glad for a bit of refined entertainment."
At that moment, the other two in the room seem to be finished with their discussion, as they rise from their seats, drain their glasses and the captain heads out the door with a vague salute to Neffery and your group while the quartermaster stays behind long enough to slap a folded and sealed paper on the bartop while glaring at the patrician serving you drinks. Neffery pockets it quickly, responding with a somewhat strained smile before turning his attention back to you.
Adriel drinks her single malt with clear enjoyment; it's not often that she gets to partake of a fine drink such as this on a student budget, not unless she has persuaded someone else to buy it of course.
At Rose's toast, Adriel does an involuntary double-take at Rose, but says nothing to explain it. That was unusual, was she referencing something perhaps? Hang on, do I recognise her from somewhere? I surely do, but where would I have seen her before? Must've been Oppara. Please don't let her have been part of that crowd.
Turning back to the patrician, Adriel smiles and continues with the conversation as if she is a just a traveller passing through.
"It may well have been her Maiden voyage, Marius here will be able to tell you all about ships, he is a fountain of knowledge. My own opinion is that she doesn't sail all that well, but it was my first journey at sea so I guess I am biased." She says with a chuckle, trying to disarm the man and hopes that he, if he knows anything at all, will not feel too threatened to divulge any rumours.
"So as a patrician, you must know all the local goings-on right? I love a good gossip, and so far nothing looks very scandalous in this town." She says, starting to fish for information. "So, heard anything scandalous around here that might make me more inclined to enjoy my stay?" Adriel is clearly trying a little hard, leaning in at the bar, chin on her hand, her large eyes focussed on the publican, as he was the only man that existed in the Inner Sea. "I don't know how long I will be here, but I always like to know about the places I visit, I study journalism you see and need some salacious gossip to write about now and then."
Konstiantina moves to stand before a window and gazes out over the street, arms crossed over her chest.
Rose, not really sure what to make of Adriel's reaction, just maintains a friendly smile as the other girl turns her attention to the barman. Well, bending over that far was certainly one way to put one's... 'assests' on display! Probably a classic for a reason. It was a miracle he hadn't asked to sketch her yet. Adriel probably had this in the bag.
Somewhat lost in thought, she then absently takes a sip of her triple distilled whiskey.
...And decides to just casually swallow it all at once. Hm. Not as bad as expected? A bit on the fiery side, but fruity. Pretty good, actually! She nods approvingly.
Neffery, having poured everyone their drinks, purses his lips thoughtfully as he considers Adriel's request. "Well, I cannot say that a lot of scandalous things happen here, I think Oppara would be a far better avenue for that. Besides, Ridonport is the birthplace of heroes! I'd hate to darken its reputation by speaking ill of anyone." However, the idea that he's all-knowledgeable about the local gossip seems to thaw his reticence a little.
"Have you seen General Arnisant's statue yet? Hard to miss that one, I suppose. Oh, there's the museum as well, they have a wonderful collection there. And if you're staying for a few days you'll catch the new celebration that Earl Vernisant is planning."
He collects the bowl that Wobblekins has licked clean. "And well, we get some rumours now and then, from ships passing through. A couple of weeks ago we had a merchant from Numeria with schematics he was planning to sell to Duke Centimus. I hear that since his accident he's been quite interested in applied mechanics."
Watching the small gathering at the bar in the reflection on the window pane, Konstiantina doesn't miss Neffrey's expression. Pursing her lips, she scans him for a sense of his virtues and vices , nods slightly to herself, then refocuses her eyes to consider the street once more.
Not really catching anything off but still willing to get down to business, she glances around the party members to see if anyone else feels compelled to start mentioning the investigation, or Earl Vernisant's dubious connections to smugglers and theft from the museum.
Noticing that he is not one of the Earl's fans, Adriel tries to latch onto the fact to help her.
"Oh really?" She asks, then lowers her voice to a stage whisper. "I heard that the Earl was a bit of a stuck up pompous fool so didn't think that the celebration was worth attending." She whispers conspiratorily.
Sitting back up straight again, she continues to sip her drink. "I think one of the sailors also mentioned some pretty bad smuggling or pirating going on? Is that true? I'm worried that when I get back on our ship, that we might become the subject of interest for one of these. Do you think its safe out there?" She asks in a round-about way. When he turns around at the next available opportunity, Adriel signals to Rose next to her, leaning in close to whisper so that he cannot hear; "How much should I say?"
'Did she notice something I didn't? That was rather direct. But I have to admit, she's working him quite well! Guess I'll play along?'
"You're doing great," Rose replies under her breath, grinning. "Yes... Earl Versinant," she continues to Neffery, as if forced to swallow a particularly sour cherry. "It seems wherever we go, we hear ill rumors surrounding him. Something about him stealing relics from the local museum, and one rather important person implied he was directly aiding the piracy issue. Makes one wonder how all these parties he throws for the common folk are really financed, doesn't it?"
She throws Neffery a meaningful and expectant look.
Neffery is visibly uncomfortable with the topic and keeps glancing away at Adriel and Rose's line of inquiry. "Ah, um, those are some very ill rumours indeed, but I cannot really comment, the Earl is a pillar of the community after all, he has a lot of sway around here."
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"The Lion's Share," Mirann lies,
Marius' eyes flicker quickly to the dancer, confused by the falsehood. Shrugging internally, he pulls a seat next to Konstiantina and lets the Adriel and Rose work their magic on Neffery. Reaching over the bar, Marius retrieves two glasses and a bottle of bourbon. "Do you drink, Lady Mokei?" he asks the paladin, giving the second glass a small shake. When Rose tosses back her glass the nobleman raises an eyebrow. "I cannot get a read on our good Rose there," he says with a shake of his head. "Best guess right now? Lion Blade trainee--or con artist."
"It may well have been her Maiden voyage, Marius here will be able to tell you all about ships, he is a fountain of knowledge. My own opinion is that she doesn't sail all that well, but it was my first journey at sea so I guess I am biased."
"She sailed well enough, her crew just needs a bit more seasoning is all," he says a bit off-handedly, not wanting to appear rude but also not wanting to interfere with Adriel's methods. She's lovely, no doubt about it, but laying it on a trifle thick.
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Konstiantina drifts over to sit beside Marius, her posture perfect on the stool, her hands resting on the bevel of the bar.
"I've nothing against drinking," she says, voice low. She raises the glass and inhales the bourbon's rich, pungent scent. Takes the slightest of sips - just enough to wet her lips - then sets the glass back down. "But I simply prefer water."
An apologetic smile, a soft gleam of amusement entering her eyes. "Fortunately I don't think my dour predilection will prevent you from enjoying."
She swirls the bourbon about within the glass, enjoying the way the light refracts through the caramel liquor and dances upon the heavily waxed wood.
She doesn't respond to Marius' musings immediately, however, but instead looks past him to where Rose sits, and studies the young woman. Seeks for some sign of her being martially trained, whether it be strong wrists, callused fingertips, a subtle swell to her shoulder muscles or faded training scars that might fleck her features.
”A good thing you’ve been appointed by the magistrate herself to investigate these rumors then, isn’t it?” Lotti asks Adriel innocently. ”Even the Earl himself would hesitate to tell her to cease pursuing a line of investigation.” Climbing up on a barstool to grab Wobblekins before the cat can follow the now-empty bowl, she pauses to whisper conspiratorially at the patrician. ”I’d wager she’s got a handful of grandchildren with how well she’s perfected that stern glance - make even the Grand Prince himself quake in his boots.”
Neffery's eyes go wide at Lotti's words and he shifts his gaze at Adriel again, clearly reassessing her. "Is that so, milady? Well, I am rather relieved to hear it." He throws some more cautious glances around, but as none of the passers-by venture inside, he continues, his tone a little bitter. "This chandlery has been in my family for generations, and we have always been proud to do our part in supplying the navy. That's how we got our title, back in the 4500's, you know. And now it's gone, and I'm afraid that it is my fault, for - for trusting Vernisant."
He sighs and pours himself a glass from the bottle of bourbon in front of Marius and Konstiantina, gazing into the depths of the amber liquid as he swirls it. "When Vernisant took over for his father as the new earl a few years back, he approached me about a 'silent partnership' in the chandlery. As an earl, he outranks me by quite a bit, and I should have been more cautious." He takes a large swallow of his drink, then starts rubbing at an invisible blemish on the countertop.
"And at first it sounded like Vernisant wanted to invest for patriotic reason, which was what attracted me about the idea. Of course, before I knew it I was sunk deep in debt to him, and he'd transformed my father's favourite business into a private club for navy officers. They get liquored up enough when they're tromping through here that they barely notice how much the earl's hiked the prices - it's the people paying the tab, not the officers, so what should they care?" He absent-mindedly touches his top pocket, where he had tucked away the paper from the quartermaster.
She doesn't respond to Marius' musings immediately, however, but instead looks past him to where Rose sits, and studies the young woman. Seeks for some sign of her being martially trained, whether it be strong wrists, callused fingertips, a subtle swell to her shoulder muscles or faded training scars that might fleck her features.
From this distance, it's too hard to get a good look at Rose's fingertips, and you can't see or recall her having visible scars. Her visible naked forearms and wrists are slender - which makes sense as the wrists themselves contain mostly tendons and not muscles. They do not appear to have an unusual profile either way.
Her long neck is equally slender and well-profiled. It's possible that her back is slightly more muscular than that of the average person, but in a somewhat loose-fitting dress, this is hard to judge. it could be that she's simply in good shape. You think back to your first meeting with her and realize that Rose always wore fairly loose fitting clothing, which seems a bit at odds with her slender figure, as if she's deliberately dressing herself down despite being obviously stunning.
Regarding other signs of potential martial training, you do notice that her movements seem very controlled, precise and graceful - near but not quite at Adriel's level, who is an elf. There's also a very slight bulge near the hip region of the dress which might indicate she carries a concealed weapon, though the signs are so subtle that you figure the average person would never see it unless looking at her from the back and explicitely looking for irregularities.
Konstiantina draws her gaze away and back down to her glass of bourbon.
"There may be something to your speculations," she says quietly, waiting for an exchange down the bar to cover her words. "I'd guess not a Lion's Blade, though I'd wager our Lady Rose knows how to handle herself in a fight."
"What a rude man," Mirann tuts dismissively at the mention of more of the Earl's sins and sips her wine.
"And do you get paid what you deserve, or does he find his way into your caches as well?"
Concern floods Adriel's face, whether real or not, and she makes sympathetic sounds as he explains the fall of his family business.
Adding to Mirann's questions, Adriel also asks; "Have you heard anything about any rumours of his other mis-deeds? The Piracy issue in particular?"
Neffery draws himself up a little at Mirann's question. "I receive a share of the profits, if that is what you are asking, but those seem to be ever-diminishing, although the Earl charges the Navy more for everything. And I do have other sources of income, but in the beginning I invested a lot in this joint venture... come to think of it, I was the only one doing the investing. Now I'm not even allowed in the back office."
The patrician looks at Adriel, head slightly tilted to one side. "Piracy? As much as I'm salty over being cheated out of my family's business, I don't think the Earl would lower himself to that. I have heard some rumours, yes, but I do not give them credence." He fiddles with his cravat for a moment before visibly gathering his courage and gazing pleadingly at Adriel. "If you are really here to investigate the Earl, there's... there's a hidden wall safe I had installed. If Vernisant is hiding something, that might be a good place to look for evidence." He nods his head towards a door visible behind the bar, to your left.
Mirann stands and moves to the indicated door and wall safe. "Mind if I give it a whirl?"
Marius doesn't even glance towards the office. "Who's in there right now?"
Rose beams and produces her deputee papers just in case. "My, master Neffery. Are you implying that you haven't seen this place in quite some time, and that it might well be in need of repairs? Oh, what an excellent venture partner you are to the earl, looking after the state of his property in his absense!"
She waves her arm towards Adriel and Mirann. "As luck would have it, at least one of my companions just happen to be an expert locksmith. Shall we consider this visit an investment in our future cooperation and set the bill to the cost of our drinks, just this once?"
Neffery's eyes go wide and he shushes you. "The office is guarded, and I certainly didn't mean you should go in there right now! I could get in very serious trouble if the Earl should think I've been instigating strangers at breaking into his office!" He rubs a hand across his forehead. "No, this must be done discreetly, if you are to attempt it."
Rose blinked in momentary surprise. Why would he even mention the safe in the office so openly and in normal converstional tone if there were guards nearby?
"I see. My mistake. Perhaps we'd best be on then, for now."
She looks around to see if anyone else whishes to ask anything more, but given the now clear message it was perhaps better to return after closing time.
Konstiantina decides at last to rise from her stool and move down the bar to where the others are gathered.
She pauses before Neffery and smiles, the expression warm yet touched with a hint of reserve. "Let me introduce myself, Master Neffery. I am Konstiantina Mokei, paladin of Sarenrae, and similarly deputized by Magistrate Tantriano to investigate these matters. Thank you for your candor and trust. We seek to bring justice where there has hitherto been only corruption, and if in the process you find a means to reclaim the integrity of your business - well."
Her eyes glitter with something akin to complicity. "Then I would rejoice in your turn of fortune. If you could be so kind, when do you believe it would be best for us to return and attempt this discreet entry?"
Only Wobblekins can feel Lotti’s fingers stiffen as Miraan and Rose suggest breaking into the office in broad daylight. Are they that foolish? she thinks furiously. Even if this noble is on their side - which he very well might not be - they can’t just break in in front of him! He’s got to at least have plausible deniability when the earl holds his feet to the fire, or we’ll have two very angry nobles on our backsides. She keep a wary eye on the door, hoping nobody outside was close enough to overhear.
The patrician's tension eases a fraction, and he gives Konstiantina a small bow. "A pleasure, my lady. And thank you for good intentions." He glances again at the door to the office as he continues in a lowered voice. "The chandlery closes after supper. Rusmonya is the night guard. She's... been with my family for a long time, so I would prefer it if no harm came to her, or to the building itself." The firmness of his tone indicates that this is a strong preference indeed.