Alessandra has some minor tools on her that could 'function' as medical.
"I can take a look. Like Draco said, it'd be a bad look if we came with a barely alive prisoner."
If there is a need for Cauterization, she can apply that too.
"It seem like Cimri has a little trouble adjusting her temperament to our newfound roles and responsibilities. While a little extra discipline may be called for on occasion, it does present some problematic optics if our prisoner here spends his day in the stocks with a fresh stab wound acquired while in our care. Here, this should remedy the situation."
Lucien raises his holy symbol, utters some infernal phases and lays a hand on their captive, temporarily granting him a devil's accelerated healing. Within a minute, only a faint trace of the injury remains.
"Well, if she crosses the line, she could end up in a cell herself."
Alessandra muses out loud.
Cimri looks on at the situation and her admonishment with disdain though she doesn't meet anyone's eyes and holds her tongue. Something seems to be bothering her but whatever it is she either see's no need to voice it now or won't do so in front of your prisoner.
Bolgart for his part has a mountain of words to say now that he's rested and has had time to mull over his punishment. "Of course, can't send an injured prisoner to his torture. How would that look to the other people you're putting under your filthy boot?"
"Right you are." Draco says, not actually arguing with the man. "Can't be much of an example if you're dead. Where would the point of that be?" The large man works to put him in the pillory for all to see, locking him up tightly before slapping his hands together like a job well done.
Jerax silently assists Draco in securing the tavernkeeper.
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Leaning in closely to the restrained barkeep, Lucien puts a hand on the injury he just healed and says in a perfectly calm and civil tone:
”Of course, mr. Bolgart. The terms of your punishment were quite specific and did not say anything about inflicting any bleeding wounds on your person. You are simply to be confined to the stocks as a reminder to all the law-abiding citizens of Longacre to respect their leige lord. “
The cleric pauses, moves as if to turn away, then looks Bolgart straight in the eyes.
”However, the Archbaron left the lenght of your sentence entirely up to our discretion. So, every time you feel another one of your colorful comments coming along, think very hard if it is worth the extra hour before uttering it out loud.”
He grumbles under his breath as you put him in the stocks which are just high enough that getting on his knees would be almost as uncomfortable as standing up. A few passerbys look on with puzzled espressions. Given the excitement of the night before the whole event seems relatively uneventful.
"Well", Jerax said slapping clean his hands. "Anyone for breakfast?"
"Sounds delicious to me." Draco says merrily, patting the man on the back. "Cimri, know anywhere to eat?"
Cimri looks up as if shaken out of a deep thought before automatically answering, "The Arch and Lark is the only place probably open right now. Check your wine if you order any though stuck up crow that owns it cuts the drinks and charges full."
"Arch and Lark it is", Jerax yawned. "It's been ages since I been in there. I'm sure they'll be happy to know their biggest competitor will be closed temporarily."
Boggart displays an impressive talent when he snorts up and impressive ball of mucuous and spirs it it with decent accuracy directly on the tieflings boot at his last remark.
After the consequences of that last bit of the tavern owners aggravation plays out you make your way down the hill and towards the arch and lark. As you move you feel the entire atmosphere of the town has changed from the past few days you've been here. Where most might just ignore Draco, avoid being in the path of Alessandra or Lucien, or look at Jerax with disdain, the townsfolk seem to be more wary around you, and only those not paying attention give you a wide berth. Cimri is positively beaming at the amount of intimidation your presence holds, even if any notion of anonymity died in the midnight raid.
Where the last stand did nothing but embrace the retired soldier motif with exacting cleanliness and care to the point of angering the tavern owner over a minor indiscretion on your part, the arch and lark is what a small town tavern owner believes a big city tavern that caters to noble clientelle should be. It's clean to the point of obsessiveness, the decorations are flowy curtains, gilded roses, paintings of famous scenes. However for the more cosmopolitan of you their's a distinct cheapness to it. The curtains are linen rather than silk, the roses clearly painted brass, the paintings mere knock offs or cheap discards of dissatisfied or mediocre painters. For all of Caggan's faults his establishment and the care he puts into it feel honest. But stepping into the candle dim lighting of the arch and lark speaks more of hopeful ideals and the search for a certain kind of heavy purse.
Entering into the tavern a dozen or so laborers quietly attend to their breakfasts while an exhausted looking middle aged woman attends to their drinks. A trio of merchants are the only ones to notice your arrival and they quickly go back to their hushed conversation over untouched mushrooms and toast.
"I guess we'll seat ourselves", Jerax said to the others. The towering tiefling found a table they could all sit around and sat down with his seat facing the entrance. The Knight of Asmodeus coughs deliberately.
"Nice place." Draco muttered, knocking the mud off of his boots as he makes his way over towards one of the tables alongside the large tiefling. Rufus pads over, curling up at the mercenary's feet as he settles into the seat and surveys the room. There was something enjoyable about having people not be willing to look at you. Maybe being part of the law wasn't so bad.
As the group moves to sit at an unoccupied table an old woman materializes from the background behind the bar and calls out to the group poi ting a shaking finger at Rufus. "Hey this is a class establishment! Leave your mutt outside or go somewhere else!"
When Jerax goes to sit down and clears his throat the tired looking qoman goes over to the table. "What can I get you this morning? We have some stew still warm from last night, fresh bread, bacon and eggs on order, and mushrooms and toast with any of it."
Jerax leans back in his chair so his knees don't poke the under table. "Bacon. With Eggs. Fried. With some mushroom and toast", the tiefling ordered. "And coffee if you have it, please?"
Alessandra, hands folded while leaning forward, looks up at the waitress.
"As well for me, miss, thank you kindly."
"The dog is a deputy. He stays where I go." Draco says with a low, irritated tone, staring down the older woman that threatened him to go. Rufus lowly rumbled underneath the table.
"Stew and bread sounds delicious. Some meat for the good boy, yeah?" Draco says to the waitress, trying to put on a pleasant smile.
Unimpressed by the mercenaries bluster the crowish woman sticka up her nose and looks down on him.
"I don't care if it's the Queen in disguise you can take the smelly thing outside or the both of you can get out."
The waitress chooses ambivalence and nods at the other two before looking toward Cimri and Lucien. Pulling away from the drama of man and dog she mutters "Same." before turning back. With that the waitress turns back to Lucien.
"Then. make. me." Draco says, tilting his head slightly. "And if I even think I find some spit or worse in my soup, you can join your competition out in the stocks. Yeah?" Draco says, folding his arms and putting his feet up onto the large hound.
Jerax folds his arms in irritation. "Heaven's Choir, Draco!" The tiefling spat. "We're gonna get some much damn spit in our food!"
Draco looks at Jerax for a few moments before the slightest shadow of a grin spreads across his face.
"I would love to see what you do if they spit in your food."
"Except he hasn't given her reason to, Draco.", Alessandra chimes in.
"Jerax treated her politely."
Definitely not in the mood for having her breakfast ruined by Draco's attitude, she looks back at the woman.
"Ma'am, would there be a corner or spot in here, where our stubborn colleague's dog can stay in his sight, yet out of sight of the other patrons?"
"Even if just this once, please."
Draco rolls his eyes, muttering softly about the fun of authority and not doing anything with it.
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The woman harumphs and seems ready to die on this doggy sized hill before she speaks again, "then he can sit in the back kitchen with his dog out the backdoor. He can eat his stew there where I wont have my front ruined by his stench and poor manners."
Lucien places his order but otherwise maintains his silence. Rufus lays his head on the floor a pool of foamy white drool laying on the floor occasionally emitting a low growl at his masters stress.
The waitress disappears into the back while the battle of the most petty continues.
"Fine." Draco mutters in a growl, rising up from the table and rolling his shoulders. "At the backdoor, yeah?" The tall, irritated man would drag a chair from the front with as much noise as he could all the way to the back, Rufus following beside loyally.
Visibly annoyed by the ongoing squabble, Lucien takes a deep breath and adopts a somewhat pleasant smile, then rises to address the departing woman.
"You know, if you wish your establishment to reflect a certain level of class, we are the exact crowd you want to attract. As the Baron's sworn deputies, our patronage is a reflection of his good standing. On the other hand, you have only to look outside the prison to see the result of disrespect towards his Lordship and his servants."
Draco makes his way to the back with as much malicious compliance as necessary to get his point across. After a brief pause Cimri delicately picks herself up from the table and follows after him, "I need to make sure he doesnt piss in everyone else's food. Beside's I just remembered why I don't come here."
When both leave the old woman behind the bar softens abit, "Apologies to yourself sir, I merely wish to maintain standards worthy of your station. I promise that if he returns with manners worthy of his own that I will treat him every bit as favorably as you sirs and madame. Please bear with us momentarily while the cook prepares your orders."
With attitudes more or less mullified a few moments pass before Kels, the bard from rhe night before walks into the tavern. Putting on his best smile he approaches the woman at the bar. Speaking quietly to her briefly herfrown returns before she shakes her head and poi tedly waves him off, "No. I need your service like I need a pack of gremlins in the kitchen. Pay for your food like everyone else or see yourself outside."
Somewhat downtrodden the bard makes past your table seeming not to have noticed you yet before settling at a quiet table pulling out some worn papers from his jacket and straightwning them out on the table. Muttering to himself quietly his eyes never leave the table as you take note of his presence.
With the two of the group leaving, Alessandra slightly relaxes in her seat. The tension was lifted, if momentarily.
The appearance of the bard was a surprise, and when he was at the bar, she softly taps the table to draw the attention of the others.
"Of all chances, that bard shows up right here. I am curious what his business is, to be honest. He took a hike last night, but by what the lady said to him, he's a potential trouble maker."
She tries getting a glance at the papers. Were they letters, maps, blueprints?
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The large, and somewhat simple, mercenary sits in the chair with Rufus sitting right outside the door. A look of displeasure is on his face as he taps his foot with irritation, arms folded, waiting for two bowls of stew. No reason that he wouldn't get the bestest boy a bowl as well; the canine was well-trained, groomed, and more trustworthy than any person he had ever met. He barely takes in Cimri as she makes her way to the back, a gruff scoff leaving him as his arms fold up.
"You hear to keep an eye on me, make sure I don't take the hag's head?" The man growls, shaking his head lightly. "I don't need a nanny, I'm not a fool after all." Draco grunts, frowning all the while as his stomach grumbles a bit.
The appearance of the bard was a surprise, and when he was at the bar, she softly taps the table to draw the attention of the others.
"Of all chances, that bard shows up right here. I am curious what his business is, to be honest. He took a hike last night, but by what the lady said to him, he's a potential trouble maker."
Jerax gives a casual glance at the bard and his papers.
The red-hued tiefling gives a consolatory shrug. "Maybe. But this IS a very small town, and Caggan's actions took away his room, board and earning potential, by the sounds of it. But, his is one of the 'scattering rats' from last night. If he's willing to break curfew, I wonder what else he's capable of doing."Still looking at Alessandra, Jerax gives another knowing shrug toward the exiting Cimri with a slight smirk. "Still...", the knight of Asmodeus left that statement hang in the air.
Cimri chuckles softly before responding, "No, I came to detain you for petty theft."
Before Draco can respond something soft, warm, and sweet smelling is pressed into his hands. The cranberry muffin is fresh enough to almost be too hot to handle. Cimri leans avainst the doorframe pointedly looking down at you with a mischievous glint in jer eyes.
"Look at that, an agent of the throne sneaking out the back with pilfered sweet rolls. It'll be the gallows for sure."
Without breaking eye contact Cimri lifts her own muffin to her mouth and takes a large bite from it.
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"Worst crimes to go down for. A muffin thief though? Inexcusable behavior here in Longacre." He says with a dry laugh, biting into the muffin. A soft sound of enjoyment leaves him, eyes closing for a second before he laughs to himself. "Muffins must thrive on spite, this is delicious." He looks around for a moment, seeing that no one else has come to join them, before rubbing at his eyes and leaning back in the nice seat he had.
"Nice to get away. Lucien, Alessandra, and Jerax are...nice enough but I can only stand being in their religious three-way for so long. Folks don't realize that when you're in power, you need to enjoy it a little bit. All too often, its fleeting." Draco says with a sigh in his voice, staring out the back and into the area surrounding Longacre itself. His attention turns back to Cimri though, a small smirk coming to his lips. "How are you enjoying your new position, deputy?"
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Cimri clams up as the tired waitress from before comes over and apologetically serves the two bowls of stew to Draco. If she noticed the mostly eaten muffin in his hands she wisely says nothing and turns to Cimri to let her know her own order will be a bit later who in turn nods and waves her
"Well, that is fair. We're agents of violence, we're supposed to kick the hornets' nest and then run. If we live, great. If we die, they know where the nest is." Draco said with a shrug, taking the bowl of stew and placing it before Rufus before sitting back down. He lifted his spoon and watched his faithful pup. The canine watched him with big eyes, perfectly still, waiting for the command. With a click of his tongue and a nod, Rufus eagerly began to devour the bowl while Draco ate slowly.
"It is about balance Cimri. I know you've been in this business for awhile but these religious folks, you got to learn to work with them. We give them a foundation, an outlook not found in dogma or some shit. Sticking someone and leaving them with a gut wound? Unacceptable because he didn't come in that way. Beat him all you want though, bruises and broken lips are far more treatable and a welcome threat." He slurps up another spoonful of soup, nodding at its taste as the waitress comes back.
"When they're done eating, we'll make a plan of where we'll strike yeah? Get back to work." Draco said as he looked to the waitress and offered a smile. [b]"Excuse me, miss? The stew is great and your service, spectacular. Here." He hands over two gold pieces. "One for you, one for the cook. Another one for you tomorrow if you don't clean this up."
"Cimri, you mind stepping to the side?" He said as he scooted back on his chair to have a clear line of sight down the hallway towards the main dining room.
In the main dining room, things would be calm and collected since Draco left. Yet a moment later, a large bowl half-full of stew came sailing out from the hall he had brought the chair down before smashing against the wall. Potatoes, meat sauce, beef, and carrots went everywhere as the tacky, decorative bowl shattered underneath his strength.
"Apologies for the mess." Draco said, standing up and using his foot to kick the chair over. He paid the waitress what was owed for the meal and made his way out the backdoor, Rufus eagerly following as he licked his chops.
In the main dining room, things would be calm and collected since Draco left. Yet a moment later, a large bowl half-full of stew came sailing out from the hall he had brought the chair down before smashing against the wall. Potatoes, meat sauce, beef, and carrots went everywhere as the tacky, decorative bowl shattered underneath his strength.
"Apologies for the mess." Draco said, standing up and using his foot to kick the chair over. He paid the waitress what was owed for the meal and made his way out the backdoor, Rufus eagerly following as he licked his chops.
Jerax witnessed the commotion, crossing his arms in contemplation. "You know. It's difficult to say if Cimri might be a disrupting influence on the cavalier, or if it's the other way around", the tiefling commented in an inquisitive tone. The knight of Asmodeous won't address the issue of the tantrum unless forced to.
The mostly empty bowl makes minimal mess as it collides with a table leg and careens deeper onto the floor. Cimri's own shocked laughter is quickly drowned out by the slamming of a door and the enraged screaming of the tavern owner. Though by the time she makes it to the back Cimri and Draco have already fled the scene.
It's a momentary distraction, and some interested patrons crane their necks to listen in on the entertainment. The bard refuses the distraction and looking a little flustered continues his furious scribblings as a small bowl of steaming porridge is placed in front of him.
Draco ignores the screaming tavern owner, a wide grin on his face as he walks beside Cimri outside in the warmth. Rufus trotted alongside him happily as the big man gave a grin towards Cimri.
"Well, I'm sure the others will come scold me in time. What should we do first? We need to start poking our noses where they don't belong if we're going to chase out the baron's enemies." Draco mentions, eyeing the territory around them.
Jerax sighed. "So. Reverend? Ms. Venici? Do we have any other pressing matters this morning? If not, perhaps we should plan our next move." The tiefling looks to the others at the table.
Cimri steps closely beside Draco much more lively since thw chastising from this morning.
"We can check the docks by the river. Doubt the bard will be there but nothin that happens in this town doesn't go through the docks at least once."
So. Reverend? Ms. Venici? Do we have any other pressing matters this morning? If not, perhaps we should plan our next move.
"None for me at current times."
Cimri steps closely beside Draco much more lively since thw chastising from this morning.
Alessandra throws a casual, if observing glance at Cimri and Draco.
At mention of docks;
"This is true. Taverns and docks are sure find places for information."
Looking displeased at all the ruckus, Lucien responds to Jerax.
"Our main priority is still to hunt down this Angel Knight and any accomplices. Gathering information around the docks and taverns sounds like a reasonable approach.
He rises and straightens his robes.
"We should also keep a close watch on the unruly occupant of the stocks. Attempting to free Bolgart from his punishment would be just the sort of anti-authoritarian activity that these rebellious sorts might engage in. And while we're at it, I'm curious to learn what sort of tune that minstrel is so furiously scribbling over there. Perhaps we can persuade him to give us a private performance prior to any public premiere."
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"That is fair, that is fair. Good idea, Cimri." Draco says, turning his head towards the others as they begin to come out and join them. The party was assembled again and despite the earlier displeasure, Draco's mood looks significantly uplifted.
If Cimri is displeased by the sudden appearance of the other three making their way out of the tavern to join them she does a good job of not showing. The weather is clear today with the mud underneath your boots giving way to sun baked dust, yet as you make your way out of town and down hill to the whispering river up north. To call it a docks might be generous, as a single but sizable dock juts out into the river, a rickety shack with a block and tackle being the only means to unload larger goods. No boats are currently being unloaded or loaded so their are no workers here save the master himself a wiry black haired man that gives you the impression of a ship rat only greasier. A pile of goods sits at the end of the dock awaiting pickup and you see the man carefully picking over them muttering to himself as he carefully inspects one box or another.
Seeing you he drops what he is holding his thin mustache stretching in a distressing way as he smiles broadly.
"Cimri! It's been ages!" His smile flickers for but an instant as his eyes dart around the large, well armed, group paying special note to the sashes you wear. "I see you've, er, made some friends. I can assure you that these docks are meeting the strictest standards set forth by my baron and as to be expected our taxes are paid in full and on time. So what service might I provide to you and your company this fine morning?"
Cimri returns the smile an edge coming to her voice, "Funny, last we spoke you were telling my aunt all about how concerned you were to see me sneak aboard that boat to Westcrown, you know, the one I paid you passage for?"
Like a true professional the man shakes his head practicing the flat denial trademarked by politicians and liars everywhere, "I've no idea what you're talking about! I simply didn't want the sheriff to be concerned for her young niece! How could you imply I would aid such reckless behavior from a thirteen year old girl!"
Cimri laughs though there is nothing resembling mirth in it's tone. "Don't worry I'm not here to settle old grievances today. I'm here to introduce you to my friends," she gestures broadly at the man the same way one might point out a fly in ones cup, "This is Ingoe, he's what passes for a dockmaster here. He has the worst luck, he keeps losing freight at inconvenient times. Don't you Ingoe."
Ingoe shakes his head again."More baseless claims. So many things happen in transit I cannot be held responsible for every bauble taken by greedy rivermen, or unfortunate accidents."
The towering tiefling towers over Ingoe as he steps forward to extend his hand.
"Greetings, Ingoe. I am Jerax Hellfire, knight of Asmodeus and former resident of Longacre. I've known of you for several years, but never got introduced."
"Now, as for your service, we were wondering if you have any news concerning The Angel Knight, apart from the tales told at the Iomedan forum a few nights ago? Any helpful information to the Angel Knight's whereabouts will return to the Archbaron's ear."