An elegantly-styled 30-something woman sits behind an ornate desk, counting coins and writing notes in a ledger. Small cages behind her contain rare birds and lizards. When you speak, she glances up and her look of concentration turns into a scowl.
“You! Why would you harm such beautiful, expensive, majestic, and expensive creatures?”
She registers the surprise on Okoro's face and keeps going.
"Well, I don't know YOU," she says to him. "But the rest of you? You're the ones who killed my griffons. Don't deny it, I asked around after they went missing. I'm sure you are quite pleased with yourselves. I don't know what has brought you here unless it's to beg my forgiveness and pay me for damages, but knowing you and your school, you're probably here to bother and blame me. I'm Oba, so go on and tell me what you want. It's always something."
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Laesah retains her pleasant tone, even if the angle of her jaw tightens briefly.
"Oh, it is good to meet you. I am Laesah. This is Haunt, Okoro, and Much, my colleagues and fellow students. It's also good that you've heard about what happened to your griffons when they flew onto the Magaambya campus and began attacking students. When you say that they had gone missing, it makes me think that you have no idea how they would've flown to our school. I'd like to keep believing that." Laesah pauses to let her pleasantry to settle.
"I am curious if you could give us a clue as to what might have attracted griffons to the academy. You obviously have expertise and skill with them that we can not match."
At Laesah's calm response the anger in Madam Oba's expression changes to confusion, and then softens. When next she speaks her tone is still frosty, but free of rancor.
"I... appreciate that you seem to want to understand my position. Many at the school dislike me, and treat me like some sort of slaver. I know some of the more wild-hearted students would even go so far as to break into my cages in the dead of night like thieves, freeing my 'captives.' I think this episode proves why that is so unwise. Students hurt, beasts killed... letting such a creature go without training or proper restraints is an unprofitable, dangerous waste."
She seems slightly chagrined as she continues.
"I don't know how they got free, but I think I know why they were headed to the school. They were likely following the anadi. I fed the griffons spiders often, and they had a taste for them. If the students were in spider or hybrid forms, they must have seemed a meal sent from Elysium to the griffons."
Oba pauses, considering you all quietly, then gestures to a door in the back of the office.
"If you wish to investigate further, you can check the grounds. I haven't been back there often of late. It's all too depressing... But I have nothing to hide, and if you can find out who did this perhaps someone can be held accountable and I can recoup some of this loss."
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Suppressing the sharp urge inside her own anadi body to pummel the callous woman, Laesah says a brief prayer to Grandmother Spider for patience and grace as she takes a moment to look at her colleagues with a (forced) benevolent gaze. She turns back to Madame Oba.
"I am truly sorry for the loss of your griffons. I agree with you that they are majestic to behold but fearsome for sure."
She gestures to the door in the back of the office. "I think a look around your grounds would perhaps help give us a clue and thank you for your graciousness but please, are there any more fearsome creatures back there for which we should be wary?"
Laesah tastes blood in her mouth as she bites down hard on the inside of her cheek.
A thin smile plays across her lips, and her tone takes on a dramatic flair.
"Fearsome? Well, I should hope so, or this would not be Oba's Wondrous Creatures. All manner of beast is mine, but could be yours, for a price."
She drops most of the facade, but a little of the glint stays in her eye, happy to have gotten to do her familiar sales routine.
"Tigers, elephant birds, a basilisk, and my prized mpeshi. But worry not, I wouldn't have much of a business if I couldn't secure my beasts. The griffons getting loose was an aberration. I can't imagine it's happened again."
"The griffons getting loose was an aberration. I can't imagine it's happened again."
Much frowns inwardly at how unconvincing -and unintentionally ominous- Oba's appeal is.
She might as well say "Expect combat."Unwilling to interrupt the surprisingly natural banter Laesah has managed with the shopkeeper, Much turns her attention to the room around her.
Much doesn't see anything out of the ordinary in the office. A ledger, a small lockbox, some small animals in cages... All things you might expect from a small business that sells animals.
Haunt scratches absent-mindedly at his side (where one of the griffons had left him with three long scars) while the woman blathers on, but manages to keep his temper in check and tongue silent until they've moved into the next room.
"Did she say basilisks?!?"
"Did she say basilisks?!?"
Much nods in affirmation and shudders.
"Singular, but still. And what is a mpeshi?? Whatever she says, let's move forward with care."
Laesah doesn't remember much about the details of a mpeshi... Just that it's a cross between a goat and a crocodile and has lightning in its horns.
While he’s thinking about mpeshi, Haunt also wonders about what he’s heard about basilisks .
Haunt doesn't know much more than Laesah on this one. He knows that basilisks have something with paralysis or turning things to stone or whatever, but he really doesn't know how it works.
Okoro speaks up from the back. "Hey, I actually know a bit about those creatures."
"The mpeshi is amazing. Half crocodile and half goat, it's almost like a lightning elemental. It has a close field of electricity and anyone hurt in there will also spark some damage to anyone standing next to them. We shouldn't bunch up if we need to fight it."
"As for the basilisk..." Okoro gulps nervously. "Everyone knows what that thing can do. Turn you to stone forever if it looks at you and your fortitude isn't up for the challenge. The only real weakness I know is that it is slow for a lizard. Bad reflexes."
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”I mean, we’re not going to need to fight it, right Oakie?”
"Hopefully not, but better safe than sorry. I'm sure you agree, Oakie?"
Much jiggles her ears at Haunt before stepping into the next area of the store.
It's not the easiest thing to see, but Okoro - Oakie - blushes. "Yeah, for sure. We don't want to fight anything, but if we do..."
Madame Oba joins in, "I should HOPE you don't find it necessary to murder more of my property."
Okoro raises his hands and looks chagrined. "Yes, Madame - maybe we should head out there and see what's going on?"
He's clearly looking to get out of this conversation and is willing to face dangerous beasts instead.
As the group moves through the small show they quickly find themselves on a path leading about thirty feet past the shop, through a sturdy gate, and into an expansive, fenced area filled with trees, cages, and sheds.
A few wide paths lead through the area, and the smell of animals is unmistakable. A large hemispherical cage to the north stands empty. Boards have been pulled away from a nearby shed. From the east come
the sounds of several animals squawking.
Much readies her weapon, and begins to sniff the air. Her eyes scan the bushes and doors of the populated cages.
Laesah and Much scan the area and make some notes.
The large open cage bears a wooden sign reading, “Tigers: 3.” A wooden shed to the southwest has several boards torn from it, and bits of chewed leather harnesses and collars are strewn about. A canvas tent to the northwest is torn open, with several large chunks of meat spilling from it.
The meat reeks of rot.
Much's investigation allows her to notice that the lock to the door is open, but not broken. It was opened with a key or lockpick. She also notices that the canvas tent is cut, rather than torn. Edged weapons were used, rather than the claws of a beast.
Laesah's understanding of animals makes her realize that the meat was likely rotting, but edible, before it was dragged into the sun from the ruined tent, which would have quickly made it no good for tigers.
Wherever they are, those tigers are probably pretty hungry, she thinks to herself.
As if on her mental cue, she barely spots the tigers in the brush near the party, stalking their way over looking to pounce.
Much sets her stone rope spinning over her head and squares up to the tigers.
"Run for the gates, I'll close them behind us!"
You all head out the door and slam it shut. Okoro does so with a yelp of fear.
The tigers growl hungrily and throw themselves against the door to try and get after you.
Much struggles to hold the stone rope, keep the tiger's jaws from catching her fingers, and close the gate.
As the gate begins to slide open, she strains to somehow buy a moment for her compatriots to throw their weight against the gate.
The tigers slam into the gate, knocking Much back a step. She snarls back at the beasts, sets her heals and digs in, pushing back against the giant cats. Slowly she makes progress, and with a CLICK the gate latches shut.
The tigers take another shove at the gate. It rattles but holds. They then back away looking for other ways through or over the fence.
Drawn by the noise, Oba runs up behind you. She looks distraught, and her cool composure is shattered.
"More of my animals are free! Why must misfortune plague me?" She wails, hands pressed to her head. "Please recover them alive, I beg of you. These animals are fierce, but they’re also expensive. I’ll reward you for subduing them and putting them back in their cages."
She hands Haunt a ring of keys, her eyes pleading.
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"Excellent work, Much."
Laesah turns to look at Oba. "We will help you, but you've got to suggest to us some reason why your dangerous animals seem to be able to get free."
A thought hits Laesah.
"Gremlins! We've had a plague of them at the Magaambya recently - unrepentant things that have caused all sorts of malice. Have you seen anything like that here at your shop, Madame Oba?"
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"Have you seen anything like that here at your shop, Madame Oba?"
Much looks up from verifying if her fingers are all still attached to her paws and glares at Madame Oba.
"It could be gremlins. Or maybe it's your negligence and the total lack of empathy for the animals in your care. Maybe even a touch of malfeasance, hmmm Madame Oba?""You will explain why your charges have twice -twice!- threatened the lives of students of the Magaambya and you will do it now. Because believe me, Madame, the fault for this will not fall on griffon or tigers driven to violence through cruelty and desperation."
Madame Oba looks VERY uncomfortable, but also defensive and insistent.
"How is this MY fault? I am certainly not setting my own creatures free. Where is the money in that?" She asks. "Can we not deal with this later? Someone needs to take care of these beasts before they get out. The fence will slow them, but I don't think it'll hold these creatures forever, and I can't get my team here for hours."
Much and Haunt both think that she sounds uncertain when she says this isn't her fault and acts like she doesn't know what's happening. She may not be directly responsible, but she knows more than she's letting on. There's fear in her defensiveness.
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Oba's proud face finally cracks as she feels the weight of what Much is saying and what the impact of her animals attacking students would be to her business.
"It wasn't me! It was Froglegs..." She says as she wrings her hands together. Much can smell the fear on her as she speaks. "But you can't tell anyone. I can't prove it, and she'll kill me if I suggest it. Can't you just help me and keep it quiet?"
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"Froglegs?" Laesah's demeanour seems that of a disapproving law enforcement official. "Please tell me all you know about Miss Froglegs. Your admission of knowledge of some wrong-doing by this person could be seen as tantamount to abetting criminal action. I would advise you to provide us with all you know of this person so that we might be able to help you AND YOUR ANIMALS as best we can."
Not good at (or happy to attempt) coercion, Laesah relies upon her offer of assistance to provide a diplomatic poke in Madame Oba's ribs.
She also scours her memory to see if she knows of the name 'Froglegs'.
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Much nods along to Laesah's questions and then leans back in.
"Yes, do tell us everything you know about Froglegs.
"And now that we seem to have your full attention, know this: Predators are not meant for cages and I despise what you represent."
"I will help the animals here, but whatever happens next, we will be back. If I see a single beast mistreated, underfed or suffering, I will feed you to them myself."
Much places a large paw on Oba's shoulder.
"And after I have been gone for a day or a week you might start to forget what the heat of my breath felt like against your face, or the number and size of my fangs. You might even think, 'The Magaambya would never condone such violence!' And you might be right."
"But, and listen closely now flesh-trader, I answer only to my Bonekeeper in this. And Oba, she would already be eating your guts."
With that, Much steps back, seemingly unperturbed and ready to continue forward.
Oba looks pale and a hand involuntarily goes to her belly. "I don't know much about Froglegs," she replies with a tremor in her voice. "I don't get mixed up that sort of thing."
"All I know is she's a grippli. And a criminal. And if she finds out I'm talking about her she'll probably have me killed. Her people wanted to buy my griffons, but the price was unreasonable. So what else could I do but haggle? Apparently I offended them, because now it's just calamity upon calamity."
She takes a moment to consider the rest of what Much and Laesah said. "I need the help, but... maybe you should come back some time when I've had a chance to elevate the conditions of the animals? I don't want you to see them when I'm still recovering from Froglegs disturbing the normally excellent care they receive... There is still a chance they get loose before my team comes back to contain them, but that's a risk I am now willing to take.
Her other hand goes protectively over her belly and she takes a subconscious step away from Much.
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”If this Froglegs is extorting you, Madame Oba, and just speaking of them to us is reason to have you killed, surely you should allow us to put you under the protection of the Magaambya.”
Laesah turns to face her, giving her most sincere and engaging look. ”If you come with us now, then I will pledge to you that we will ensure the safety and security of your animals, as well as your own life. On my honour as an Attendant,” she improvises the oath.
Oba considers your offer, then her lips twist in a scowl.
"No. Thank you, but no. I don't think the Magaambya can protect me. I've heard the stories about how well they protect you students... And the truth is I don't have anything to say about Froglegs besides a name and reputation. I didn't know who they were before they sent underlings to try and purchase the griffons. Once that went poorly I started asking some questions, then learned enough to stop asking questions."
Her face softens a bit.
"But don't think I don't appreciate the suggestion. It's kinder than any your sort have offered before."
She looks at Much, and a little fear creeps in. Perhaps more than a little. "And I'll take your words to heart as well. Not for their kindness, but for their... pointed delivery."
"Now, tell me. Are you going to help me with these creatures today, or leave me to my own devices while I rouse my staff?"
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"Yes," Laesah musters, her lack of enthusiasm evident, "we will help you with the tigers. I am assuming that you want us to lure them somehow back into their enclosures? How best would you suggest we do that? As you might surmise, none of us have experience with caring for tigers."
Laesah avoids providing air quotes around the words "caring for". Just.
Oba breathes a sigh of relief, oblivious to your tone. "Oh, thank Abadar. Yes, lure them, subdue them, whatever you have to do, just don't kill them. They are expensive."
She glances at Much and adds. "And I care about them and their safety very much." She tries a smile. It's not convincing.
Much returns her smile with an equally unconvincing toothy grin.
[b] "Oba, bring us any fresh meat you have. Let's feed them first. A full tiger will run before it fights."[b]
Much sniffs at the air and twitches her ears as she races through her mental list of all things tiger-related in hopes of finding anything of use.
A group of tigers is called a streak or an ambush...Not useful.
A tiger's roar can be heard over three kilometers through a forest... Not helpful in this situation.
A fully-grown tiger can leap over eight meters and jump up to 5 meters vertically... Scary and good to know.
That can't taste sweet things or purr... Not helpful at all!
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Oba returns with several fresh carcasses. The group of three crouch to examine them. Much pulls each animal up to her muzzle, sniffing at their wounds. She looks up to make eye contact with each of her compatriots and exchange satisfied nods.
Laesah cocks her head at the smallest of the game animals, and Much nods in return. She grabs it, and with a practiced twist of her head rips a haunch free.
She nods a final time, and through a mouthful of meat says "We can work with this."
Laesah has deftly webbed each animal together, throwing an attached strand over a tree branch near the fence.
Haunt begins to pull on the rope, attempting to hoist the pack of meat off the ground. When the animals stop rising, Much jumps in behind Haunt to help, but even then the animals refuse to top the fence. Just as the two seem destined to lose their grips, Laesah throws her weight on the web, causing the carcasses to clear the fence. The team exchanges knowing nods and tight-lipped smiles.
Laesah's network of webs now extends through the trees and to the tops of the cages. The tigers prowl below. Our three heroes have split the carcasses between them and are working their way slowly along the webs towards the cages. At that moment, Much slips! She catches herself but dangles perilously close to the tigers below. Laesah springs into action, pulling Much back up by her scruff, but the tiger is closing in! Just as the tiger coils to spring, a heavy nut hits its snout, startling in it just enough for Laesah to pull Much to safety.
THey both look ahead to see Haunt standing on a tree branch, casually bouncing a nut from hand to hand. Haunt breaks into a full throated laugh. Laesah and Much shake their heads in disbelief before joining him.
The Pack leads the tigers into their cages, enticing them with the fresher meat and some well-placed nuts to the mouth. The animals are safe and contented, and the group is proud to have done it without violence.
"Why is there only two?" Oba yells from behind the fence. "There's supposed to be three!"
Oba glances and Much and you can almost hear the merchant swallow. "Ah, I mean, do you know where the other one is? Can you find it, please?"
In the distance the group can hear the near-frenzied squawking of birds, but no immediate danger.
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Laesah wants to rub at her two eyes in frustration - a largely human affectation that she's adopted from Okoro - but she breathes deeply and quells the urge. Instead, she reaches out with her eight eyes, seeking advice and wisdom from some of her smaller brethren.
A tiny spider with green markings sidles up to Laesah and whispers in a conspiratorial tone. "Three left hunting and only two returned. The two that came back looked scared, if I may be so bold as to say it. I'm not sure what happened to the other, but I'll bet it isn't good."
Oba gives this some thought and replies. "Well, the mpeshi can scare most creatures. Animals fear lightning only slightly less than they do fire. I don't know if they are afraid of the basilisk, but they should be, of course... Truly, my beasts are such that even a tiger should be frightened of them."
She finishes with pride.
"Well, besides the elephant birds, of course. Those are usually fearful, not fearsome."