"Yes, so obviously at least one of you is not actually Vencarlo, so it'd be best to drop the act. I have my suspicions, but these things are always messy. If we have to subdue and restrain both of you and sort it out later, that's fine with me, but it doesn't have to be that way."
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The second Vencarlo's form reshapes into that of an attractive woman. "Fine. You've got one of Sivit's blades, so you're clearly highly-skilled fighters, and my magic isn't meant for fighting multiple opponents. I'm guessing that's why my brother sent you down here: he's been trying to kill me for years."
"See?! That wasn't so bad." Torsten said. "I take it that ye brother be the same fooker who send all of us down here to die. Anyways, I'm Torsten. What's your name, and why did the son of a-, eh, why'd ye brother want to kill ye so bad?"
Slightly less annoyed, Ril says "I'd wager she already knew our names, Torsten, since I think she must've read our minds. I'll ask nicely one time that you keep out. And as for your brother, isn't years kind of a long time to be trying to kill someone?"
The woman nods politely at Torsten. "I'm Glorio's sister, Melyia. He wants me dead so he can have full control of the family fortune. He can't do it himself, of course - that would look suspicious. It's almost a game at this point. 'A couple of trigger-happy mercenaries accidentally killed my poor sister while fighting a terrible monster that infiltrated my labyrinth. Such a terrible tragedy.' Or something like that, anyway."
Yhrrilka nods. "Sure, what is it they call that, plausible deniability, right? Okay, so you and your brother want to play your little murder games with each other; if I'm being honest, right now I don't care. Torsten and I just want to collect these two clowns and get out of here," she cocks her head at Vencarlo and Neolandus, then looks back to Torsten. "Right?"
Assuming he affirms that, Ril turns back to Melyia. "Is there a way to make our interests align here?"
Melyia nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps.... I have no particular desire to keep them, so you're welcome to take them and go. I suspect my brother won't like that very much. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he prevents you from leaving. Things may even get violent." She widens her eyes in mock fear.
Ril nods thoughtfully. "Yes, I'll bet it might." And if we manage to off him, she wonders to herself, We've helped you turn the tables and you pick up the pieces of your brother's rackets, right?
"Two things. First, our real priority is getting these two out of here," Ril again nods at Vencarlo and Neolandus. "Torsten and I are rarely that lucky these days, but on the slim chance we get out having eluded your brother, we're getting them out here, not going back to hit him. Okay?"
"But like I said, our luck isn't running like that, so I'm assuming it'll come to blows. Anything we should know about your brother? How tough a fight is he, say relative to her?" Ril gestures at Three-Face.
"Much more powerful. He's a real beast in combat, to be honest. Prefers to fight weaponless - like your dwarven friend."
Yhrrilka grimaces at that assessment. "Well that's not great to hear, but we'll deal with that if and when it happens, hmm? So, what's our best way out of here, Melyia?" Yhrrilka sported a disconcerted frown, the woman's depiction of her brother sounded pretty daunting, and it sounded like there would be no avoiding him, especially since Ril was quite sure Melyia would lead them to him to further her own interests.
"Aye. First thing first, find a way out. And if your brother tries to stop us? Well. Been awhile since I met someone who fights with their hands. If nothing else, it should be a good workout." Torsten said.
With a nod, Meliya leads all of you back up the stairs until you're back in the garden by the elephant statue.
As they walk through the garden, Yhrrilka asks, "Was your brother watching down in the maze, like scrying or something? Torsten assumed he'd want to watch for his own amusement." So close to the front doors, her hackles start rising, I can't be this easy...
”Don’t feel any life nearby…for now. Maybe he wants to avoid a dangerous fight?” Torsten said.
As you approach the exit, Torsten begins to sense life, and a few seconds later, Glorio strolls around the corner. "Ah, you've found the exit. Excellent! I was beginning to worry. Did Melyia show you the way?"
”Oh, aye. She was most helpful. Though I must say, that made? Quite a surprise. Why, I didn’t expect to get such a workout. Or so much blood on me hands. Though they go hand in hand, aye? It was an h forgettable experience. Anyways, she be coming with us. Our turn for hospitality, ye know?” aye said. He didn’t sense anything else living around, but that didn’t mean they were alone. Whatever the thing before them was, he was sure that it was confident either in unseen backup or it’s own ability. He wasn’t sure which was more worrisome.
Glorio smiles warmly. "I'm glad you found it enjoyable. If there's anything else I can do for you in the future, don't hesitate to pay another visit."
Melyia gives Torsten an embarrassed titter. "I appreciate the offer, Master dwarf, but I'll have to take a 'rain check.' Is that the right term? I have a meeting with my estate manager soon and am unable to put it off. Perhaps I can visit your shop later. Is it still at Lancet Street?"
"It is, but the shop is closed for the immediate future, while we tend to business here," Yhrrilka says. "But when things settle, we'd be happy to have new clientele. Our thanks for the little adventure, and for taking care of our friends." Ril stands there, still waiting for the entire thing to go south.
Torsten nodded, and motioned for the others to follow him, so that they would leave with him in front, Ril holding the rear and their ward between them. It seemed like they’d be able to leave without further bloodshed, which is as too good to be true.
You leave without further incident, taking the seneschal with you. It isn't until you've gotten a fair distance from the Manor that you realize that Vencarlo has vanished. He definitely left with you, so hopefully he's safe?
”Fookin’ rude that was. All that trouble and he just said walks off.” Torsten grumbled.
Ril mutters under her breath, "Shto za chert...!" Turning to Neolandus, she asks the man, "Any idea where Vencarlo might have run off to?" She then pulls Torsten aside and says, "We need to find a place to catch our breath and figure out our next move. Ideally someplace that is not a smoldering ruin." She pauses a moment, then asks, "The fellow you were talking to at the fire, think he could put us up for at least a few hours?"
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Unfortunately, Neolandus didn't see Vencarlo leave, either. The man's simply vanished - as if by magic.
And if she can't think of anyplace good on her own, Ril's eyes roll back in her head for a minute, as she communes with the city to see if she can find a safe place to rest.
It's not ideal, but the "Emperor's Palace" is unlikely to have been claimed by anyone just yet. Eel's End is another potential safe haven.
As your magic searches for a place to rest, you suddenly get a *ping* from only a few blocks away. There's nothing noteworthy about the building ... except for the fact that Blackjack's inside!
Yhrrilka comes back to her senses with a start. Suddenly drawing in a sharp breath, she turns to face up the street. "This way, Torsten," she says. "We may get shelter, and if we're lucky, some answers as well."
”First the lad vanishes and then a masked vigilante appears. I’d ask if this day could get any weirded, but I’m afraid of the answer.” Torsten said as he followed.
The three of you quickly make your way to the building Yhrrilka saw. Inside, you discover a surprisingly well-equipped chamber. Weapons, gadgetry, and spare clothing line the walls. Blackjack sits in a chair in one corner, treating some recent-looking injuries. They don't appear too serious: bruises and welts similar to those from an unarmed fight. "Ah, good. You found my signal. I apologize for not leading you here personally - I needed to make sure there was nobody following. Thank you for finding Neolandus."
"Look...lad. I'll just out and say it. I don't trust people who don't show their face. I don't use made-up names with ye, now do I? If ye want to work with us, how about we just be open with each other. Who be ye?" Torsten said. After a very, very long day he was not in the mood for make-believe.
Blackjack chuckles. "My alter-ego is the least important thing about me, as I'm sure Miss Embersoul can attest. Blackjack is a symbol just as much as he's a man. While the stories about me have creative liberties taken, all are true. So, to answer your question, Master Torsten, I am Blackjack ... for the moment. We can continue that conversation after Neolandus is safely away from here. Between the Arkonas and the Queen, he's just become the most wanted person in the city."
Yhrrilka frowns at this turn of events. "We will discuss this in greater detail another time, including whatever you were up to, using Orisini as bait." Nodding at Neolandus, she asks, "Have you got a means to get him out of here? And for that matter, where can he be taken? Even if we get out of Old Korvosa, it's just a less hot part of the frying pan."
"If we can get to the river and wait until dark, I can get us away from the city. From what I know of your capabilities, you both have ways to ensure we don't get spotted. Once out of the city, I intend to travel to Harse. That's where we took Miss Sabor, if you recall. We should be safe there - and I'll be happy to tell you anything you'd like on the way."
Ril was on the verge of starting an argument about exactly who constituted the "we" that got Miss Sabor out to Harse, but thought better of it in the moment between opening her mouth and the words coming out, so she was left standing there, looking a little foolish with her mouth agape. Yhrrilka was still blaming herself for having gotten the young artist captured in the first place, and would be just as happy to not relive the incident in any detail.
"Yes, boats, what a lovely plan," she says, without much enthusiasm. "Boats, and a ride to Harse, and an explanation of why poor old man Orisini had to have his school and his home burned down..."
"Been a long day. But it can be a bit longer. Anything ye need before we set out?" He asked, mollified by the man's answers thus far.
"Everything I need is here, but I can wait if either of you needs to get things from your home. That's no longer an option for me, unfortunately."
Ril nods as Blackjack says he can't go home. "Can't call the astral ship here?"
Blackjack chuckles. "The astral ship is one of those 'creative liberties,' I'm afraid. My vessel is much less impressive."
Yhrrilka's disappointment is practically a physical presence in the room, emanating off her in waves. "You're kidding me. What else isn't - wait, no, I don't want to know." She sighs dejectedly and shakes her head. "OK, let's wait it out and get to your plain old boat when the time is right." She goes back to keeping watch.
If the trophy room with the dinosaur and the giant pinch in it isn't real either, I'm gonna be so pissed...
Yhrrilka asks Blackjack, "So this boat of yours, where is it?" Assuming he gives her a location, when they're closer to 'go time', she tries to divine the safest route there.
"Eel's End. My boat's concealed near the Goldenhawk."
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Based on the glimpses the city provides Yhrrilka, the route to Eel's End is safe from the eyes of the Queen. There is currently no Gray Maiden presence is Old Korvosa due to the quarantine. However, getting to Eel's End requires passing through the territory of the former "Emperor of Old Korvosa." With his death, several blocks have devolved into chaos as people attempt to fill the power vacuum. It will take a fair bit of stealth to avoid getting caught up.
"Wonderful," Yhrrilka mutters to no one in particular. "Okay. So, Neolandus," she turns to the man over whom they've gone to so much trouble. "We're gonna try and get you out of here, okay? Keep your eyes on me, walk where I walk, do your absolute best to be quiet, please. It's gonna be okay, trust us." She gives a reassuring smile. And in the worst case, Torsten and I will get to say we horrified Blackjack as we butchered half of Old Korvosa.
She then says to Torsten and Blackjack, "Whenever you're ready, eyes up and let's move." A small voice in her head wonders why she's not more excited to be teamed up with Blackjack, Because this is serious s*%+ and I don't have time for distractions, silly girl, she chides herself.
By some small miracle, Torsten managed to move quietly. Being stealthy was far more than just not wearing armor, and it was clear that he had never been trained in the art. But with Ril's help, he managed to do it. Either that, or some friendly Gods were smiling down upon them as they made their way out of the city.
The four of you creep silently through the alleys and streets of Old Korvosa. You're forced to stop and take cover several times as Torsten senses someone nearby, but nobody seeks out your hiding places. As you pass the "Emperor's Palace," you see that it's in flames. It seems the power vacuum is causing even more chaos than usual. Still, you manage to reach the Goldenhawk without being spotted.
Once you've reached the described location, Blackjack tells you to wait there. He smoothly dives into the water, and you see him swim under the ship's hull. About a minute later, he surfaces, and shortly thereafter, a rowboat slowly rises from the depths, pulled up by a number of alchemical devices. It's just big enough for the four of you. "She's no astral ship, but the Nightwing has served me well on more than one occasion. Don't worry; she's faster than she looks."
It's no understatement to say Yhrrilka can't believe her eyes. "You travel in that? You're braver than I thought." Mother's Mercy, she thinks to herself, This makes the boat we used to dive the wreck of the Direption look big! Ril's thoughts briefly flash to Anton. I hope he came through the plague okay, he was good people.
Doing her best to conceal her trepidation at being in the water, Ril says, "Whenever you're ready, Blackjack." A small smile crosses her face at saying that out loud, and not in a daydream.