"Yes. Entrails cause split ends." She says while holding some of her own hair up to her eyes.
Once back at the barracks, Kendrick reported to his commander to debrief his leaders on the delay in their Crown-sanctioned and ordered skullduggery. He hated that they weren't able to complete that mission and get it off the books. Kendrick found it distasteful.
"Report to the medic on duty about those wounds, cadet," was all the CO said in response to his tale of rampaging otyughs.
Before undressing and climbing into his bunk, Kendrick used his newest spell to clean and press his uniform (and himself). He folded it neatly and laid in his cot, looking at the perfectly creased and laundered garment. I'm starting to wonder if I even deserve a commission. And I wonder if Nuriel can find balance with her recent career path change.
He thought about Dax, and how the Hellknight took those beasts on. Well, she seems to be in the right place at the right time. At least one of us is.
Field Marshal Kroft looks up as you are ushered into her tent once again. Before you can get a word out, she asks "what is that smell? Nevermind, I don't think I want to know. Clean yourselves off and then come back and tell me how the meeting with Devargo went, and what you found out about Ambassador Amprei."
She looks at each of you warily. "You may want to burn those clothes" she says, one hand covering her nose.
"Guards" she calls out, and two soldiers enter. "Escort these soldiers to the barracks and fetch them a tub. Make sure they are undisturbed until they no longer stink. And don't get too close to them."
"You have two hours until I expect your report. May as well grab a bite after you're clean. I wouldn't recommend doing it beforehand. Now get out. I have other matters to deal with in the mean time."
Back at the barracks Nuriel notices that others are avoiding the trio. Just before being taken to the Field Marshal it finally dawns on her that the trio is quite odorous. In fact they stink. Obviously she has gone somewhat nose blind.
Everytime she is about to speak up the Field Marshal cuts her off. Then banishes them to the barracks for a bath. When the Field Marshal mentions she will want their mission report. Nuriel finally resigns herself that her decision to engage the Otyughs may have been in error. She whispers, practicing her report speech all the way to the barracks.
Once there, She begins to remove her soiled armor. Raising her hand to cast prestidigitation. She suddenly stops and looks perplexed. ”I’ve only got one use of the cleaning spell today. I’ll have to use it on the armor. Then take a bath and wash my clothing. I’ll never finish in two hours.”
She casts the spell upon her armor, cleaning it spotless and removing the odor. Then she heads to the tub dropping her soiled and smelly clothing into a nearby bucket.
All the while she continues to practice her report speech.
Dax drops her halberd on the floor and begins to undue her clothes on the way to the bath. "We can't smell that bad . . right?" Dax says as she takes a wiff of her hair and quickly turning her head in disgust. "Maybe we do."
She then proceeds to clean herself thoughly and grab a change of clothes.
Kendrick uses his magic to clean and press his uniform and his armor and gear in very little time. He prefers soaking in the tub to doing maintenance, and uses his time like a soldier who knows it's value when orders could come down at any moment.
He gives almost no thought at all to his report, writing it as he lounges in the slowly cooling, soapy, filthy water. Primary mission interrupted by an immediate threat to public safety. We had to pivot to address the new threat, which required heading into the sewer system. Advise sending armed teams along with public works staff to assess the damage and verify no further threats are coming. Yeah, that's...pretty much it.
Once in front of Marshall Kroft he says exactly that, relying on Nuriel's tendency to focus on details to fill in any gaps.
On final look in the mirror and a few minor adjustments to her uniform, Nuriel nods. Then pivoting she exits the barracks grabbing her report pages on the way out.
Arriving back at the Field Marshal’s tent with 8 minutes to spare. When ushered in, she salutes. Then steps forward and places the report scrolls on the desk, all 10 pages!
Standing at attention she begins.
”On or about the 16th day of Desnus approximately one quarter hour after mid morning bells. And just to be clear. As noted in addendum A-1 all times are approximated. Therefore the use of the term ‘On or about’ is the most accurate designation to indicate when a specific event occurred. As I stated on or about…
Several minutes and 3 addendums later.
”It was at this point ‘This' Agent of the Crown, noted several panicked citizens fleeing in my direction. As always and as mentioned previously and noted in addendum E2. Agent of the Crown is used as an inclusive description of my status in relation to this report..”
A minute or so and only one addendum this time, later.
”I observed an Otyugh. I must bring your attention to addendum G1 concerning the use of the term Otyugh…”
Some time later and oh who knows how many addendums.
”It was at this point. With the wounded Otyugh retreating back into the cratered hole in the street, the decision was made to follow and destroy the creature…
Yep, a bit well a bit more than a bit later.
”Therefore any further discussion of the status of and or recommendations to the city maintenance ministry on the sewer system is beyond the scope of this report. But I will as other duties require, make myself available to answer questions of that department…
Who knows how long later, it seems Nuriel wrote on both sides of scroll pages afterall. The candle on the desk is visibly much shorter than when she began speaking. If that is any indication.
”...Then Hellknight Daxori Albinus struck the final and fatal blow to the last remaining Otyugh…”
More time, not too much more but much more than it would seem necessary. Although the information provided is concise and very detailed. Later.
”At which point this Agent of the Crown entered the Field Marshals tent to present her report.”
Kendrick finds himself nodding off as he stands there silently several times. At one point he half-hears something Nuriel says and wonders, Did she just describe the approximate weight of viscera she dug out of her butt crack? No way, I didn't hear that right. Oh, I think she is almost done, I better start paying attention. Oh, no, not yet. I'll just rest my eyes some...
Meeting the other two at the Field Marshall's tent, Dax stands at the ready when Nuriel begins to speaks. She stands there, in awe at Nuriel's gift of the gab.
I wish I could speak like that. she thinks to herself as she nodds her head, trying to keep up with the report Nuriel is giving.
Not long into Nuriel's report, Field Marshal Kroft leans back in her chair and locks her fingers behind her head. Not long later, she lifts her feet to rest on her desk. Shortly thereafter, her head tilts back more and her eyes close. At one point, you could swore she began to snore, but seconds later her feet slip off the desk, throwing her forward and she almost leaps to her feet.
"Yes, well, thank you for such a detailed report, but you must return to your mission...now. I will dispatch a unit to follow up on the otyughs, but remember, your mission is more important than a few escaped sewer rats. All of Korvosa could be in danger if the Ambassador's plan succeeds." She shakes her head. "I fear we have already lost precious time. Now get out of here and don't come back until your mission is complete...or don't come back at all. Is that clear enough for you Maiden?"
She then looks at Kendrick. "And you, marine?"
Finally her gaze lands on Daxori. "What about you, knight?"
It wasn't being chewed out that bothered Kendrick. He had been chewed out by his superiors before. But he had never been chewed out by someone of such high rank. "Understood, Field Marshal!" he replies standing at full attention.
Dax bows her head, trying to avoid eye contact before uttering a "Yes, Field Marshal." She then eagerly stands at attention, wishing this moment would end.
Snapping to attention and giving a precise salute.
”Yes, Field Marshal. I will complete the mission forthwith. And return with another report.”
She pivots and exits the tent. Once outside she looks at the others
”I think that went well. Although I do believe the Field Marshal found my report not concise enough. I will have to do better next time.”
A sprawl of light and sound marks this pier of Old Korvosa. Glowing lanterns in the shape of dream spiders and coiled eels hang from pilings or lampposts, flickering through what remains of the daylight.
The pier itself is 70 feet long, although its last 30 feet widen into a large square platform on the water. A ship and four smaller vessels are moored to the pier. Four men, dressed similarly, and armed, stand about on the square platform watching those coming and going.
The sound of carousing booms from the elegantly painted barges moored to this long pier. Large signs painted in several languages are nailed to pilings and hang from ropes slung between barges. The closest barge to the east bears a sign that says "The Twin Tigers-Take the Tiger by the Tail and Try Your Luck!" Opposite that, to the west, a boat's sign says "Welcome to the Goldenhawk-No Safer Stay in Old Korvosa!" Further to the southeast is "Dragon's Breath Corridor-Dream the Dragon's Dreams at Affordable Prices!", while opposite that is the "House of Clouds-The Caress of Our Lovelies Will Take You Straight to Heaven!" Only the largest vessel, an old warship to the south, bears no signage at all. Short rope bridges or gangplanks provide access to the decks of these ships from the pier and from the decks of other ships.
Standing near the edge of Eel's End, Kendrick addresses the other two. "So, look. We have a crime lord that may have information on this Chelish ambassador, the question is how should we play it? Part of me thinks we just come out and make a proposition directly. You know, offer him a future favor from one of us in exchange for the dirt on Amprei. If that doesn't pan out, Nuriel goes ahead with her surprisingly intimidating tax officer talk, and if that fails, Dax beats what we need out of him. Anyone have a better idea?"
He scans the crowd, looking for hidden dangers and alert for fellow Sable Company who might draw attention to Kendrick.
Kendrick doesn't recognize any faces in the immediate crowds, but he also notices a lack of any uniforms overall. If there are any city officials present, they are not advertising themselves.