It is always raining in Havengul. In the city proper, brick buildings and cobblestone streets keep everything clean and civilized, but outside the walls nearer to the land, where the farms are, everything is constantly mired in mud. The city is famous for a few things: Its dockyard, where ships that dare to brave the kraken-infested seas bring goods from faraway continents is one. The city's university, high on a cliff overlooking the sea, features gardens, aquariums, and libraries that are the envy of Innistrad.
Havengul is also known for its criminal underbelly. The city's extensive sewers are at once a vital piece of sanitary infrastructure and a haven for smugglers, mad scientists, corpse traders, runaway skaabs, and nonhumans. It is said even that a lich lives in the sewers, and steals the power from those who suffer the misfortune of crossing his path. Havengul does not have much in the way of town authorities, though a small number of Avacynian zealots do operate out of a small abbey in the town (even after their patroness' death) and hunt monsters that grow too public. The city's governing body is a simple merchants' consortium, who concern themselves much more with import taxes than with the murder of a peasant at the hands of a zombie now and again.
Outside of the city's walls, the county of Nephalia spreads. The short distance inland to the borders of Gavony and Stensia is mostly swamp, farmland, and the occasional hermit dwelling, while the bulk of Nephalia is made up of rocky, clifflike beaches that glitter in the moonlight, the banks of the Nephalia River that leads inland, and the three towns: Havengul, Drunau, and Selhoff. The towns are linked by a fortified road network, but outside of the towns and their roads, the wilds are dangerous and dirty. The swamps are haunted by ghastly undead, as well as strange and terrible beasts, and the creatures of the ocean are hostile to human life. As a result, the people of Nephalia are almost entirely urbane and civil.
Today, it is a Friday. It is getting close to sunset. The markets, located near the docks, are starting to close up as the merchants haul their goods back into the dockside warehouses. Urchins paid pennies by the merchants' consortium run through the cobbled streets with matches and oil, lighting up the streetlights, while the bars start to play their music. The nighttime professions begin to be seen. Ever since Emrakul was defeated, things in Havengul seem to be... almost normal. Aside from the occasional mutated creature that crawls out of the swamp from time to time, the only threats have been regular and mundane for some time. Today is a fairly average day. There is a light rain, and it has been cloudy all day.
One would assume gliding through a sea of fog would be scary. It arguably was less scary than being on the ground. In the air, Eliana didn't have to worry about anyone else. No riders or carriages racing down the streets. No feeling of things constantly looming just out of sight. In the air, she knew there was nothing else. The world was below her, and she didn't have to worry about any of it. So, she flew through a sea of fog, the light rain sliding off her heavy cloak.
While she simply enjoyed the feeling of flight, Moonwing did his duty. His eyes were peeled on the ground below him, the rain-drenched city of Hanvegul. It was normal for him now. He had to serve as her eyes now. Banking slowly, he might appear like a geist from below, a silver figure flying through the cloudy grey sky. Another circle of the city, then they could land. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had been seen.
She moved through the fog, her pray shifting tack after heading down side streets. Feeling he had not been spotted he started to head to the bigger streets. No doubt thinking the dark and the fog would let him blend in. The man was large, his cloak hiding the true bulk of his frame. But Isabela knows it, she had watched it over a number of days. He worked hauling cargo off the ships that came to the city. To look at him a simple dockworker, well by day. But at night this. This man took in the dark. And he had taken tonight. Three children were taken, each at night and each found days later with odd and evil marking carved into their dead flesh. She had been called in after the second, and by the third had a number of suspects. Passing them for a while she skimmed over each and everyone's mind. Sad places to live most of them but this brute, well his thoughts and feelings were as dark as the night he now walked in. All she had to do was catch him in the act. So she had followed and kept her distance. Watched him shank a window open and slipping into a small house. He was good for all his bolk he moved without a sound. And soon after he had reimaged but now he was carrying something wrapped in a blanket. Something small and bendy. Then she had started her hunt. But here was the rub, how to take him and yet keep the child he had taken. She knows a child was in the torp cloth he had slung over his shoulder. Because she could feel its mind, bound tight, gagged its mental screams for help and fear were defining to those like her. Those that can hear minds. Taking him would not be a simple task at all.
She was good but she knew her limits. While thinking on this the Huge man suddenly stopped and looked up, then ducked into a doorway. Something had spooked him. She joined him in the act of looking up, and from her vantage point. Overhead. A large winged beast passed.
Well well, If I am not mistaken that's Moonwing.
A plane formed in her mind. Help in taking this brute and saving the child would be most useful.
Taking Hextwin her psicytal she thrust him up into the air 55' There he glowed, instructed to inform Moonwing master that if she would be so kind and to land and help her with a situation she can not handle on her own. And to warn her that the individual she is following has a child kidnapped and is most dangerous.
Isabela will wait and see if Eliana does indeed come to her aid.
Any others around I think would see her actions and may come to investigate.
1:Far Hand
2:Conceal Thoughts
3:Internal Armor
4:Everyman
Taime enters through the gates at the bottom of the hill. Down there, the streets are muddy and filled mostly with farmers returning to their homes in the fields outside the city. Tired old men and the occasional young teenager push half-empty carts with half hearts through the gate and past Taime. A few shoot her suspicious glances -- strangers were generally not to be trusted, after all, and a stranger who spoke to her cat was even more suspicious. Still, a woman hurriedly taking in the hanging laundry before it got too soaked tells Taime that the Sotos house is near the docks, on the end of a rocky promontory. No one has been seen coming or going from the house in awhile, she says.
The house is a ten-minute walk away through the city streets, which are generally filled with drunks, urchin children, broken glass, and the sounds of raucous celebration from the inside of taverns. The Sotos home is a large two-story affair. It isn't fenced in, but the windows are all shuttered and the doors are locked. A knock at the door brings no response.
Isabela follows a man through the streets. Suspecting that this man is a child-kidnapper, she waits until he enters a new house and takes a child. While she asks for help from the skies, she hears the metal scraping sound of a manhole open up and looks back down just in time to see the kidnapper drop into the sewers.
Eliana cruises through the night skies peacefully. Nothing so obvious is happening on the streets, but a lit crystal suddenly appears in the sky. If she flies within thirty feet of it, it transmits a mental message to her: 'Isabela de Romano requires assistance. A large man has kidnapped a child.'
Karthan awoke with a start knocking the empty bottles on his desk to their side some of which took that as their cue to roll off and shatter on the stone floor. Cursing he readjusted his hat and searched the cellar for a broom. Nursing a headache that made his vision blurry and his thoughts muted he swept up the glass into a corner and glanced down at his desk to remind himself what he was doing before he dozed off. Letters beseeching him to marry soppy eyed maidens less than half his age to satisfy some merchants or another's desires for alliance, reports from Deckard about the mere pennies they were making for their limited efforts on the outskirts of the city, letters to and from widows, some cursing, some blessing, and others just acknowledging their loved ones death with the same formality as he sent off those letters. Nothing. Absolutely nothing worth his time and attention. At least he can claim the sheer banality of this was enough to put him to sleep rather than the truth. Grabbing his cloak and his sword he decided that the conditions of the cellar were not conducive to anything productive.
Leaving out of the cellar and into the kitchen proper the cooks and servants smiled warmly and greeted him as he emerged from his fortress of potatoes and aged liquor. He smiled and greeted in return pushing any dark thoughts into the back of his mind and walked with a poise that belied his headache and aching limbs.
Entering into the commons and heading towards the door he waded through a sea of hats and laughter as the evenings ne'er do wells, scoundrels, and honest dock workers came in to begin the evenings dealings of gambling, drinking, and getting hurled into the street for being too handsy with the ladies working their. Some recognized him as he walked by and tipped their hats in respect. Which he did so in return. His aunt was working the bar as she did most evenings and if she noticed him leaving she kept her own peace about it. Stepping into the street proper he noted the sun setting and felt an odd comfort in that. The glare of the sun would make his headache worse. There was something else as well. Part suicidal, part boredom, things often found those who walked alone at night stinking of alcohol easy targets to slake whatever dark lusts compelled them. Karthan welcomed them. Either through the sweet release of oblivion or the catharsis brought upon by cutting down another soulless abomination. Wrapping his heavy scarf around his shoulders he made his way down the street considering what he should do with himself for the evening his cutlass swashed back and forth across the buckler hanging on his hip a feeding bell and a warning.
Eliana doesn't notice the crystal in the sky. Moonwing however, spots it. Letting out a chirping noise to get Eliana's attention, she tilts her head as he banks, beginning a spiraling descent to get close to the crystal. As they glided past and she heard the voice in her head, she extended a hand to catch the crystal. Staring down at it, she frowned softly. Despite the threats they face, sometimes humanity's just as monstrous. "Moonwing, please find Isabela and bring us down. She requires aid."
He let out another chirp of understanding at the request. He turned his eyes to the streets, spotting the vampire nearby. Spreading his wings out, the pair came in for a landing. Talon and claw scraped on stone for a moment as Moonwing bled off speed. Turning her milky grey eyes to Isabela, she stared at her for a moment before speaking. "Where is the man, and where is the child?"
Taime investigates the house of her client. She searches in nearby plant pots and under the mat for a key before making the rounds around the outside of the house. When she reaches the back of the house, she can see a key-ring...hanging from a hook inside of a mud-room. The back door is locked just as surely as the front, though.
Sinri flies up and around the second floor. The second floor windows are shuttered as well, but the familiar locates two potential routes into the house. The first is a single exposed pane of glass on a stairwell window. With enough strength, Sinri could shatter the pane and squeeze into the stairwell through the resulting hole.
The second is the chimney. Though it is small -- it looks like a mouse could climb down easily -- Sinri may be able to get down. It would likely lead all the way to the lower floor and the kitchen.
- - - - -
Karthan walks out into the street, armed, armored and smelling of liquor. The glances from the people he sees walking are a mixed bag of reactions. Some give him a respectful nod with a tip of their hat, but even those do not stop to speak to him. Others gossip about him in hushed voices to their loved ones, usually in response to a question posed by a child. The service of Karthan's family members acquits him well, but his more recent breakdowns have caused the citizenry to lose full confidence in him.
The gray sky and quiet night are interrupted when a pair of men spill out into the street from a nearby pub. The door is smashed up against the walls of the pub. Both men are stumbling from drink. One is bald, fat, and tall. He wears leather overalls, thick boots, and thick gloves. He seems to be some sort of metalworker. The other is bearded and brown-haired like Karthan, wearing a flannel and carrying a knife, evidently some sort of dockworker. The bald man sports a bloody mouth and a loose tooth while the bearded man has a gash on his chin. Both men pick themselves up from the ground and, shouting, launch themselves at one another.
As they came down Isabela was torn go after the child killer or wait, But when Eliana ask she said. She pulls her psicytal back. When they land.
"Where is the man, and where is the child?"
"Eliana good to see you, I'm afraid he spotted you coming down. The suspected child-kidnapper just bolted into the sewers. I'm going in after him now. Do you want to come with me?"
With that, she makes her way to the Sewer entrance.
The gray sky and quiet night are interrupted when a pair of men spill out into the street from a nearby pub. The door is smashed up against the walls of the pub. Both men are stumbling from drink. One is bald, fat, and tall. He wears leather overalls, thick boots, and thick gloves. He seems to be some sort of metalworker. The other is bearded and brown-haired like Karthan, wearing a flannel and carrying a knife, evidently some sort of...
Karthan stops at the noise and simply observes the combatants as they tear into each other. His duelist instincts gave the initial advantage to the metalworker. Thick gloves and suited clothing meant the dagger would find it difficult at best to stab anywhere vital. If the gloved man kept his distance and lunged in only to snatch the dagger and control it the other man could easily pummel him into submission. But, with the way they opted to wrestle than keep their distance the man with the dagger could cut and stick far more easily under the apron or into limbs. Deciding that he wasn't in the mood to witness a murder Karthan opted to simply be louder than the violence.
Back straight hand on his scabbard he addresses them with all the fury of a drill sergeant shocking cadets into compliance. If nothing else the extra attention on the men would bring them to their senses and have them continue their duel in more private settings.
As they came down Isabela was torn go after the child killer or wait, But when Eliana ask she said. She pulls her psicytal back. When they land.
"Where is the man, and where is the child?""Eliana good to see you, I'm afraid he spotted you coming down. The suspected child-kidnapper just bolted into the sewers. I'm going in after him now. Do you want to come with me?"
With that, she makes her way to the Sewer entrance.
She blinked at that and climbed down off her mount, speaking quietly to Moonwing as she did so. "Take to the sky, and keep an eye out for me and Isabella. I know you want to go with me, but you cannot fit down the hole. I'll be okay." She patted the beasts flank as it let out a small chirping noise, giving her a frustrated look before taking to the air again. Looking back at Eliana heading down to the sewer entrance, she jogged to catch up.
"I'm the one with the armor, I shall go first." With those words, she begins her descent into the sewers. Something she's regrettably familiar with in this city.
Eliana leads the way into the sewers, clambering loudly and half-blind down into that smelly, wet tunnel. Isabela follows behind, more lithe and quick. Together the women enter the sewer in pursuit of the kidnapper, who can at first be seen down at the end of the tunnel. When he sees the pair drop down, he hurriedly ducks away down a side tunnel. You can hear splashing from his feet as he jogs.
Mid-grumble and shake, the two men turn towards Karthan. Immediately they take their hands off of one another (giving each other a little shove in the process) and turn completely to face him. The ironworker points his finger in Karthan's face and sneers, shouting, "And just who do you think you are, marching in here all high and mighty, tellin' us what to do and threatenin' lashes?"
The dockworker slaps him on the chest in agreement, nodding. "Yeah, who does he think he is, the sheriff or something?"
Sinri transforms into mist and flies into the chimney, which is easy to navigate as a non-solid object. It is quite cobwebbed and Sinri flies through at least one rat, but eventually emerges from a stove inside of a kitchen. Oddly, as she flies through the stove she notices that it is filled with a fresh stack of wood.
The kitchen is large and luxurious, with two such wood-fired stoves and a massive island in the center. The island is a mostly clear counter, with a pair of large chef's knives, a pile of soft and decomposing root vegetables, and several rotting fish fillets sitting on top of it. Otherwise the kitchen contains cupboards and storage for cooking supplies and dry goods and a door that leads to a larder. There is no one in the kitchen.
Two other doors are in the kitchen. One is beautiful, wood-paneled and varnished, with a shiny metal handle. That door is shut. The other door is white plaster and a rusty knob. That door is open. Beyond that door a dimly-lit hallway with several other doors can be seen.
Mid-grumble and shake, the two men turn towards Karthan. Immediately they take their hands off of one another (giving each other a little shove in the process) and turn completely to face him. The ironworker points his finger in Karthan's face and sneers, shouting, "And just who do you think you are, marching in here all high and mighty, tellin' us what to do and threatenin' lashes?"
The dockworker slaps him on the chest in agreement, nodding. "Yeah, who does he think he is, the sheriff or something?"
They stopped trying to murder each other. That's a start.
Running through a number of options Karthan just settles on honesty.
"Oh god you've stopped trying to knife each other in the gods damned street." Not backing up or showing any sign of concern Karthan pats at his pockets and frowns. "Left my damned hip flask at the other bar. No, good man I don't think I'm anyone. I do think that you should get your alibi or your bribes straight as constables tend to be attracted to the sounds of drunk men yelling and trying to kill each other. Perhaps we should part here with our pride and kidneys intact and meet again on more amiable terms and fuller cups yes?"
Diplomacy
"I'm the one with the armor, I shall go first." With those words, she begins her descent into the sewers. Something she's regrettably familiar with within this city.
Isabela nods and follows, she knows to trust Eliana instincts.
Then in the dark and muck when they see the child mapper run, she says
"Let's follow him, he may have other taken children"
"Let's follow him, he may have other taken children"
She didn't say a word, simply nodding her head as she began to try and follow the man down the sewer tunnels. Tracking was not her forte, but she was right. There may be other children that needed saving. So she just focused on the ground, and hoped he left a visible trail.
Realizing that all Karthan did was break up their fight and suggest the use of more alcohol, the two men slowly start to chuckle and then smile. Both of them clap Karthan by his shoulders and start to drag him back into the bar that they just burst out from. "Oh no, friend, you should come back in here! Join us for the next round. Nine Hells, join us for the next fight!"
Sinri creeps through the open door, being the obvious path. From there he finds himself in a small hallway that affords access to multiple servant-adjacent rooms. One door leads to a small dormitory. The door is wide open, and beyond Sinri can see piles of scattered bedding on three cramped bunk beds with a very small card table in the center of the room. There is barely enough room to step from the door into one of the beds, but it seems that six people sleep here.
The second door is tightly closed. It doesn't seem to have a lock, so it must be barred. The third door is a back door into the staircase, which provides the next way forward. The staircase is connected to a foyer-like room that circles all the way around the ground floor of the manor. Once Sinri has reached the foyer, it is an easy enough matter to go around, enter the mudroom, and locate the key-ring.
Eliana and Isabela opt for the slow and stalking approach. They creep into the sewer after the fleeing man, relying on the splashing noises that are made by his feet. Eventually though, the splashing recedes until it is silence. When the ambient splashing noises finally make themselves clear, both women realize that any sound from any direction could or could not be the kidnapper. The two stand at a crossroads -- a four-way tunnel in the sewers, through which black sludge sedately flows. In order to find the man, they must find some subtler clue of his passage.
Li'Omrut grabbed the man's lapels and swung him into the building wall, letting him fall roughly to the brick-lined alley ground just as the mailed feet of two Avacynians turn into the alley. "Demon!" one of them hissed as the "associate" of Li'Omrut's employer scrabbled on his back away from demon and zealot both.
Li'Omrut quickly assessed the two holy men drawing their swords while righteous hatred burned in their eyes and determined that if it came down to it, he could take them. They were young, they didn't have the room to come at him more than one at a time in this narrow alley, and they were scared.
Their fear turned to confusion when the demon in front of them did the unexpected and leaned against the nearby building wall and crossed his arms with an unconcerned, smug smile on his face.
"Gentlemen, is there a problem?" Li'Omrut's current employer, a hefty man with an oiled beard and robes denoting him as a successful merchant stepped forward to address the two swordsmen.
"Stand aside, sir! We need to put this filth down!"
"You'll do no such thing," the merchant replied. "This 'filth' is under lawful contract by the Havengul Livestock Consortium to assist in the collection of debts and interest due, a process duly defined and legitimate as laid out in the City's Mercantile by laws. Preventing this due process could lead to you and your little abbey suffering hefty fines and penalties."
Catching something out of the corner of his eye, Li'Omrut spied the man he slammed into the wall just a few seconds ago trying to creep out the other end of the alley. The demon snapped his fingers to get the man's attention. "Nuh-uh," he growls at the man wile pointing downward to indicate he should stay put.
Eliana and Isabela opt for the slow and stalking approach. They creep into the sewer after the fleeing man, relying on the splashing noises that are made by his feet. Eventually though, the splashing recedes until it is silence. When the ambient splashing noises finally make themselves clear, both women realize that any sound from any direction could or could not be the kidnapper. The two stand at a crossroads -- a four-way tunnel in the sewers, through which black sludge sedately flows. In order to find the man, they must find some subtler clue of his passage.
Eliana looked one way, and then the other. They couldn't risk losing him. Not now. There was too much at stake. Bringing a hand to her chest, she muttered a prayer under her breath. "My mind is sharp and my eyes are keen, as long as my faith is strong." A faint silver halo of light formed around her head, shining in her eyes as she inspected the crossroads before her. She had to find which way was the correct one.
Thankful for the light, Isabela aids in the search for a clue
Realizing that all Karthan did was break up their fight and suggest the use of more alcohol, the two men slowly start to chuckle and then smile. Both of them clap Karthan by his shoulders and start to drag him back into the bar that they just burst out from. "Oh no, friend, you should come back in here! Join us for the next round. Nine Hells, join us for the next fight!"
With invitations like that it was hard for Karthan not to be pulled into the bar. Harder still not to drink more. The advantage to drinking was that it was easy to simply not think. The disadvantage is once you start thinking it was impossible to keep it quiet and nearly as hard to stop. Karthan resolved to only stay for a round or two and excuse himself for a very important appointment with a bed and a lot of water.
Isabela and Eliana venture deeper into the sewers in pursuit of the elusive child-kidnapper. Unfortunately, neither of them is trained in tracking people over distances. Though both women can find the occasional trace of a person's presence, following the traces through the twisting sewers turns out to be too much. Eventually the women are forced to give up and return to the surface.
Taime heads back into town rather than continue into the manor house alone and unsupervised. Walking around the town, she would find that all of the official city buildings, such as the City Hall, were closed for the evening. There is no city jail and no city garrison -- the closest thing that Havengul has is the Elgaud Grounds. A few ex-Avacynians sweep and clean up around the fortified monastery, and there doesn't seem to be any armed presence.
Karthan gets sucked into the bar, where he is subjected to beers, arm-wrestling matches, lewd conversation about women not present, bawdy sailors' shanties, and silver on the table over card games. If Karthan would try to excuse himself early, the sailors would object but not actually force him to stay.
Li'omrut's violence against debtors is not in keeping with local laws, but the ex-Avacynian initiates don't have the force necessary to actually enforce anything. They let the demon and his merchant employer off with a stern talking-to about the evils of pointless violence before coming up with an excuse and marching off. Satisfied, the merchant and Li'omrut cart off the debtor down the street for a "conversation" about "obligations".
- - - -
She claims out the sewers angry with herself, that once more she had lest the sent of the Child-mapper. Helping Eliana out as well she said.
"I'm sorry Eliana, I lost him again. That best of a man is far more cunning and slippery than I suspected. I found iron bars that had been bent at the site of one kidnapping. He is far more than a normal person In speed and strength and it now seems stealth."
She starts to clean herself off as best she can.
"Well, I shall start anew and see if..."
Looking up she had spotted something and it was not Moonbeam.
"Now I wonder what that is.."
She points out A flying creature with wide feathery white wings dipping below the clouds overhead to small to be moonbeam, more angle like.
"I suggest you and moonbeam investigate, what say you old friends"
She seemed to be trying to make light of a bad night.
For a moment, things were good. Alcohol flowed and laughs were had. As an officer fraternizing with men and singing wild sea shanties into the night was frowned upon. But these weren't his men, and here he wasn't an officer.
With his head swimming and his balance approaching something untenable, Karthan said his goodbyes made some slurred platitudes and apologies and thanked them earnestly for the warm invitation and welcome. Walking as stiff backed and careful as ever he marched with a precision that came with decades of drills and practice.
And then he got around the corner where it all fell apart.
Bent over double the night's misadventures vacated itself onto the cobblestones between muttered verses of song. Stumbling, breathing heavily, and pushing himself off the wall, Karthan tried to regain his composure through sheer force of will alone. Stopping for a second to question the contents of his stomach on the ground he took in a deep breath and straightened up. Removing a handkerchief from his coat pocket he cleaned his face as best he could and switched from sea shanties to something a bit deeper to maintain his focus. The constant lessons from his uncle each line bringing him a step further towards somewhere.
"Never command what you can't do. Never do what you can command."
Step.
"Drill boy. Drill until you can hold your forms in your sleep."
Step.
"Men obey orders but follow leaders."
Step.
Bit by bit he made it further down the street but with progress came a loss of energy on its own. Stopping to lean on a lamp post he considered the ground for a moment. The cobblestones never seemed more warm and inviting the puddle with the large moon gleaming in its center was never a softer pillow. Near collapsing he smiled idiotically as he fell to his knees ready to simply sleep right there. Then he caught something reflected in the puddle. Something that would bring sobriety instantly to any human in Havengul. Looking up tears and shame came to his eyes as he spotted her silhouetted against the clouds above.
In a whisper filled with guilt he swore to the heavens, "Dammit all."
Her lips pursed as they lost track of the man in the sewers. She should have just used magic to speed herself up and give proper chase... They were going to need to bring in more help to deal with him. "Either you or I need to contact a proper tracker. Our skills are insufficient in this instance, that much is plain to see."
Clambering up and out of the sewer, she glanced down at the filth covering her white attire and sighed. That was going to be a pain to get out. Her eyes turned over towards Isabela, only to blink as she pointed to the sky. A deadpan expression fell over her face as she just stared at her. "I may have forgotten, but I can only see to sixty feet now. But Moonwing might have."
At that moment, the griffon swooped down, wings flaring out as he bled speed. Coming to a stop before the pair, he let out a few chirps as he looked Eliana over. She let out a small chuckle and rubbed his head, walking over towards his saddle. "I am fine. Never got into a fight, he gave us the slip." He let out a sound similar to a growl and she shushed him. "Yes yes, I know, we'll have to track him down later with some help. You saw what was in the sky?"
He nodded his avian head and she nodded back, climbing into the saddle as she did so. Something else she'd have to clean later. "Good, because we are going to investigate it. Very few other creatures can fly in Havengul, so it is something we shouldn't ignore. Isabela, I'll stop by your home and inform you of whatever it is later. If you get the chance, I'd recommend looking into a tracker to aid us in our mission."
With that, she squeezed patted Moonwing's neck. Rushing forward, his wings spread out and he was in the air. Her cloak flapped behind her, as the two went to figure out what exactly was flying over the city. If only her sight was what it once was...
Isabela, just as filthy nodded.
"Yes your right, I know a few trackers I'll see who's available."
but in her mind, something felt odd about the figure in the sky. She had long ago learned to trust her odd feeling. Changing direction she headed to where she suspected it was heading.
"Eliana, look I have an odd feeling about that flying being. Would you mind giving me a tow?"
[ooc] Powers up defy-gravity[ooc]
She lifted off the ground a little.
"Like this I can be pulled behind you with little resitance. Want to go see if my feeling is right?"
"Like this I can be pulled behind you with little resitance. Want to go see if my feeling is right?"
Eliana glances back at Isabela, and just nods. Of course, her instincts also let the man get away, but... Probably best to bring her along all the same. So before Moonwing set off to chase the shape in the clouds, he cirled around once and grabbed Isabela in his talons. Holding her tight, he took advantage of the lack of weight to carry her along in his search for the mysterious figure.
Li'Omrut is very focused on terrorizing the debtor and keeping threats away from his employer. He may not like the man, but he does like his own reputation.
After extolling several pleading promises that his employer will be paid in full in three days' time, Li'Omrut lets the man go and escorts the merchant back to his residence. Then the demon heads to his own residence: his sensei's estate.
Isabela and Eliana take off into the sky in pursuit of the winged figure. With Isabela hanging from Moonwing's talons, the pair soar higher and higher into the sky, nearly reaching the clouds. As they fly, the clouds begin to part and the rain slows before stopping. All the while, the winged creature gets closer and closer.
To both the women flying in the air and observers on the ground, it becomes clear that the thing flying towards Havengul is nothing less than a lone angel. Eliana and Isabela get close enough to make out specific and individual features -- the woman (all angels are female) has a fierce scowl, is fully armored from head to toe, and her characteristic halo burns with righteous flame. When she notices the Gryff rider flying to meet her, she pulls up, her powerful wings arresting her movement and holding her upright in the air.
She fixes a burning gaze on Eliana first, silently observing and judging her. Then she switches to Isabela, studying the vampire for any imperfections or faults.
Then she speaks, her voice musical and beautiful. "I have heard that a demon lives here, among the people of Havengul. If you are free from corruption, you will help me locate it."
Eliana stared at the Angel as soon as it came within range of her sight. Her mind was cast back, to Avacyn's madness. The flapping of angel's wings as they descended, the frantic aerial battle she and her compatriots fought. Watching as angels, gryffs, and riders alike tumbled from the sky, ragdolls in the wind. The stench of blood, the horrors inflicted by the beings they once loved... This one hadn't attacked them though. She hadn't even threatened it. She was simply on the hunt.
After a moment, she reached down and ran a calming hand through Moonwing's feathers, letting out a small shushing noise. His hackles fell and he became calm, flapping in mid-air to hold them mostly in place. Then, she spoke, staring at the Angel across from her. "Do you speak of the beast the Merchants have bound to serve as a debt collector? Or something in the dark places of Havengul? For if you speak of the second, we have seen signs of it."
The angel curiously meets Eliana's gaze when she speaks, and hesitates a few moments before she responds. "You know of a demon bound by the merchants of this town to serve as a debt collector? And a second demon besides, it would seem. You will prove to be useful. Tell me of these dark places when we arrive in Havengul. You will lead me to these demons you speak of." Then she spreads her wings and swoops forward, flying down to the ground outside of the city walls. Once she lands, she looks up and waits for Moonwing to descend. She has already given her instructions, and expects them to be followed.
The hesitation calmed her. She was not some infallible beacon of purity. That had been proven back during the war. While they expected their orders to be followed, it was going to be possible to go against them if need be. For now however, there was no real reason to not follow along. Clicking her tongue, she motioned for Moonwing to bring them down. He glided down after the angel, dropping Isabela before landing himself. Directing the griffon to pad over to the angel, she decided to speak up."May you share your name with us? I am Eliana Carlova, Local Captain of the Order of Saint Traft. My companion is Moonwing."
She let moonwing drop her she floated down and landed.
While being carried throw a rainstorm had washed off most of the rank foulness from the trip underground, She was now soaking wet. Isabela took off her jacket and suck it. trying to get most of the water off it.
Before slipping it back on. She looked at the Angel.
"Sorry, where are my manners. Lady Isabela Calista De Romano at your service, As for work, well I act as a consulting detective with the city militia and other governance groups."
She took out from a pocket a small somewhat water-soddened notebook.
"A Demon you say, well, I have some skills in finding subjects who need to be found. How did you come to hear of this demon?"
Pencil ready she waits for a reply then stops and looks around as the Tiame introduces herself. Isabela studies Tiame,
"Arr mow I remember, the healer, or as some would have it, witch. I was told one was about."
"And nice to meet you as well Miss Tiame, it looks like we are hunting a demon. I do hope your not one"
The angel holds up a hand for quiet. "Too much talking," she says, her voice still trilling with musical notes. "I have no interest in your profession," she says to Isabela. "If any one of you can lead me to the demon, you may begin to do so. Otherwise, I will seek the creature on my own." Then she walks into the city with purpose, her flaming sword still burning and casting flickering light all over the nearby buildings. She leaves the others to follow or -- if they choose speedily -- lead.
Spending a long time watching the distant figure of the angel Karthan is curious to see other figures join her in the sky. Nosy mages probably. Though given past events caution was not un due.
Still, he could not bring himself as a man of Innistrad to oppose angels let alone interrupt them in their duties.
Looking around he decided a night in the gutter was just not in the cards. Grasping a nearby wall he dragged himself to his feet and made his way back to the inn. He did not wish to tarnish the sight any further with his wretched display.
The angel holds up a hand for quiet. "Too much talking," she says, her voice still trilling with musical notes. "I have no interest in your profession," she says to Isabela. "If any one of you can lead me to the demon, you may begin to do so. Otherwise, I will seek the creature on my own." Then she walks into the city with purpose, her flaming sword still burning and casting flickering light all over the nearby buildings. She leaves the others to follow or -- if they choose speedily -- lead.
She blinks a bit, watching as the angel turned around and started to walk away. One hand came up to her face once she was sure she wasn't looking, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Once upon a time, she'd be horrified that she felt this way about an angel. Now though, she couldn't help but see the angel as some commander from her time as a regular Cathar, considering themselves above the rest of the troops and ignoring the people for what they were. People. At least the angel likely had better reason, considering her age and likely level of power.
Her eyes flicked over to the newly arrived Tiame, snorting a bit. "When you're an immortal being who's likely lived through generation after generation, you'll be less likely to want to listen to us prattle." Turning her eyes to Isabela, she made a gesture towards the city. "I suggest you go find us a tracker, we still have to get that man. I'll be following after the angel, and ensuring that nothing... bad happens." Wouldn't be the first time I had to fight an angel.
Moonwing caught her meaning and bounded off, intending to quickly catch up to the Angel. From that point on, Eliana was acting as a guide, pointing the holy being in the right direction. This wasn't going to turn out well, she could feel it in her gut. An angel wanting to find a demon usually meant a fight of some kind, even if the demon was bound and meant to be used in a civilized way. Part of her wished she'd done more research into it, but it was never considered a serious issue...
After Eliana had flown off, Isabela walked over to Tiame. As she did she put her notebook away.
"Sorin told me a lot about angels, I would say that one is very atypical of the design. Single-minded to the point of near stupidity."
She looked at Tiame familiar.
"Eliana is right I do need to find a tracker, is he any good at tracking? if so I have a kidnapped child to find and an evil kidnapper to catch."
Karthan eventually manages to stumble back to the tavern and passes out unceremoniously into his bed.
She takes a moment to clean herself, her skin slowing for a moment.
"Well that is a shame. But still talking to Bats may get us what we need. As for the winged apocalypse, knowing the people of this city. They will not put up with that kind of thing for long. She would not be the 1st angelic one to come to an end here."
She offers her now clean hand.
"I do so like you companion, a checky fellow is he not"
She follows the chatter between the two with a chuckle.
Then when asked about her craft. Her expression changed to deep thoughtfulness.
"Normally I would have little difficulty following someone, I have err,,, gifts that let me track down the minds of others."
She shakes her head from side to side in frustration.
"But this child killer is a void to me, there is no mind there to grasp with my gifts, also this being has such speed and stealth. It's as if it knows when it's being observed. In all my years I have never come across a being like this."
When she says years you get the feeling she is a LOT older than she looks
She huffs in plain exasperation
"I had it today, but I looked away for a moment and it was gone, down into the undertown and away so fast.
Then she looks once more at Sinri.
"Is that not right Hextwin?"
Then the Spiker like Crystal Broch on her jacket best suddenly sprouted legs and climbed up to her shoulder where it fixed itself into the fabric once more.
::"Yes Misstress it did, I tried to follow it but it seemed very at home there"::
The telepathic speech seemed male and very formal. It seems to be coming from the Crystal spider.
::"May I suggest you take our new friend and finding some to have a drink, Mam. I do believe its getting cold and you know how much you hate the chill"::