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Do what ya gotta do. I'll be here!
Broccan moves into the rearguard position. He waits for Edrukk to lead the group inside.
Broccan can be rearguard. That will make it easier for Alaïs to do her thing from the second rank.
If Edrukk’s taking Point, what’s the rest of the marching order? I have no preference for Broccan, but we should probably keep the squishier folks in the middle.
"I'm pretty sure'eh can break't down, bu' whoever's on th'other side'll 'ear it, fer certain," Broccan says, gesturing to the door. Broccanese: "I'm pretty sure I can break it down, but whoever's on the other side will hear it, for certain."
Broccan examines the door to see if there is anything mechanical that can be circumvented. He's not a locksmith or a burglar, but maybe the hinges can be broken, or the door itself can be broken.
"Miss 'laïs'sayin' tha' we shou'nt break'em. She seems t' know we shou'nt," Broccan replies to Venelle, adding a small shrug. "We're prob'ly gonn'eh try'em all't some point. Migh'tas well jus' pick one'n go." Broccanese: "Miss Alaïs is saying that we shouldn't break them. She seems to know we shouldn't. We're probably going to try them all at some point. We might as well just pick one and go."
Broccan draws Suckerpunch and looks cautiously around for signs of danger, squinting in the dim light.
"No'tworried 'bout't break'n s'much's make'n eh rack'it som'n below could 'ear, Miss 'lais," Broccan replies in a respectful, but clarifying tone. Broccanese: "I'm not worried about it breaking, so much as it making a racket someone below could hear, Miss Alaïs."
"Looks like'eh rattle-bang'r," Broccan replies, after a moment's consideration. "O'course't migh' drop jus' from our weight'n not make'eh noise 'ntil we stop't. O'course've we drop too long, we'll 'it th' bott'm 'ard." Broccanese: "Looks like a rattle-banger. Of course it might drop just from our weight, and not make a noise until we stop it. Of course, if we drop too long, we'll hit the bottom hard."
"If y' could leave s'm food, wat'r'n bandages, that'd 'elp eh'lot, Miss Ava," Broccan replies, trying to think of what would be most needed if things went poorly. Broccanese: "I you could leave some food, water and bandages, that would help a lot, Miss Ava."
"You've done more'n y'said'y'do'lready, Miss Venelle," Broccan says. "No shame'f y' want'teh get back t' yer life, bu' we'd be 'onor'd t'ave y' with 's." Broccanese: "You've done more than you said you would do already, Miss Venelle. There's no shame if you want to get back to your life, but we would be honored to have you with us."
"Well't's bett'r'n knock'n on Smenk's door," Broccan replies to Aläis with a shrug. "Nev'r work'd for Moonmeadow, eh'course, bu'dit sounds like y'know yer way 'round out there." Broccanese: "Well, it's better than knocking on Smenk's door. I never worked for Moonmeadow, of course, but it sounds like you know your way around out there."
"We'll get't' th' bott'm o' this, n' fin'dout wha'tappn'd t' yer boss." Broccan says, rising and offering his hand. "Work'n folks got'teh eat, n' sum'eh these fat-cats need' t' be cut down t' size't seems." Broccanese:
"We'll get to the bottom of this, and find out what happned to your boss. Working folks need to eat, and some of these fat-cats need to be cut down to size, it seems." Whether or not she accepts his hand, Broccan gives her a respectful nod and moves to take his leave. Les'go fine th'others," he says to Edrukk.
"When'd yer boss go missin'?" Broccan asks. "Any'o ye know where't 'appen'd?" Broccanese: "When did your boss go missing? Do any of you know where it happened?"
Meh ol' Ma's gott'eh eat, too," Broccan adds in a hopeful, helpful tone. "She's not bu' skin'n bones's'it's."
Broccanese: "My old Ma's got to eat, too. She's nothing but skin and bones, as it is."
Broccan raises his hands in a conciliatory manner. "No disrespect'n 'tended, M'am. Per'aps we're gett'n off'n th' wrong foot'ere. Can I buy you'n your boys'eh round'eh drinks as a mean've apologizin' fer m' lack o' manners?" Broccanese: "No disrespect intended, M'am. Perhaps we're getting off on the wrong foot here. Can I buy you and your boys a round of drinks as a means of apologizing for my lack of manners?"
Broccan gets a sense that the Carters are a bit paranoid, and any sniff of a lie might go badly. He decides to be as upfront as possible. "Thanks fer talk'n t'us'n short notice," Broccan says, attempting a firendly breaking of the ice. "It's good t'be work'n with hon'st, reliable folk, 'nstead'o right bastards like Smenk'n' 'is boys." Broccanese:
"Thanks for talking to us on short notice. It's good to be working with honest, reliable folk, instead of right bastards like Smenk and his boys."
"Maybe start like we're look'n t'hire'm, then get t' chatt'n. Maybe buy'em a drink?" Broccan offers with a shrug that clearly indicates that he's new to the art of investigation. Broccanese: "Maybe start like we're looking to hire them, then get to chatting. Maybe buy them a drink?"
"Les go 'ave'eh chat wi'the carters," Broccan says to Edrukk, finishing his drink with a last gulp. "Maybe they'll tell's sum'thin'." Broccanese: "Let's go have a chat with the carters. Maybe they'll tell us something."
"We cou' dav'eh 'noth'r chat wi' Kull'n'n'is boys. If Smenk's mov'n lots'eh stuff, they migh' be th' mussl' 'ees usin'," Broccan suggests. Broccanese: "We could have another chat with Kullen and his boys. If Smenk's moving lots of stuff, they might be the muscle he's using."
"We know Smenks'nvolved," Broccan replies. "I don'exactly like th'idea, but we migh' need t' follow'm a bit'r maybe snoop aroun'is mine'n' prop'rty t' see if we can fine' any'thin'." Broccanese:
"W know Smenk's involved. I don't exactly like the idea, but we might need to follow him a bit, or maybe snoop around his mine and property to see if we can find anything." Broccan's expression is one of resignation. It's clear he doesn't like this idea, but seems convinced it's what will need to happen at some point.
"Th' boys't th' Feral Dog said ol' Smenk cut thei'rations'n raised prices't'is store. They also said'is chief'eavy Goshawk's gone missin'. Thas' gott'eh jibe wi' what Miss Ilthane tol'us." Broccanese: The boys at the Feral Dog said Old Smenk cut their rations and raised prices at his store. They also said his chief heavy, Goshawk's gone missing. That's got to jibe with what Miss Ilthane told us."
"Was'she talk'n 'bout Smenk'n th' other mineboss's 'old'n feasts for their miners? Why'd they do that? Moonmeadow's th'only one oos ever done'at," Broccan says, in a town that sounds like he believes he clearly misheard the conversation. 'n everyone knows'ts 'cause Moonmeadow don' pay'is miners'n coin." Broccanese: "Was she talking about Smenk and the other Minebosses holding feasts for their miners? Why would they do that? Moonmeadow's the only one who's ever done that. And everyone know that's because Moonmeadow doesn't pay his miners in coin."
"Any ideas'n 'ow to get Kata'way from'er withou' bring'n Smenk down on our 'eads?" Broccanese: "Any ideas of how to get Kata away from her without bringing Smenk down on our heads?"
Broccan turns and walks over to the bar, seeing that Venelle has followed, he says to her quietly, "She works fer Smenk, th'one talk'n t' Kata. Don' know'r name, bu'she's'is eyes'n'ears." Broccanese: "She works for Smenk, the one talking to Kata. Don't know her name, but she's his eyes and ears."
Broccan freezes when he notices that the woman sitting with Kata is Smenk's assistant. He shifts his position a bit, turning slightly away lowering his head, allowing his shaggy hair to fall across his face. "Wan'eh drink?" he says in a muffled voice to Edrukk and Venelle, much lower than his typical speaking voice. "I'll buy th' firs' round."
"Fine by me," Broccan replies, continuing into The Emporium. When he gets inside, he very purposefully looks around for Kata and Venelle amongst the crowd.
"Treas'r'unt'rs, from watch'ee said," Broccan replies. "They wen'into th' Stirgenest 'n din't fine annethin'." Broccan stifles a chuckle at the name of the cairn. Whoever pointed them to it had a sick sense of humor. "Thas why she came look'n fer me. She'd'eard'I'd found a fortune'n'gold. Thas when'I set'r straight." Broccanese: "Treasure hunters, from what she said. They went into the Stirgenest and didn't find anything. (chuckle) That's why she came looking for me. She'd heard I'd found a fortune in gold. That's when I set her straight."
"Shou' we make'r'ntroductions t'er firends'r jus' keep walk'n?" Broccan whispers to Edrukk as they cross the Square. Broccanese: "Should we make our introductions to her friends or just keep walking?"
Broccan gulps down the last swallow-and-a-half of his ale, and sets down the mug with a hard rap on the bar top. He waves down the bar keep, and settle their tab with the gold coin, taking whatever change is proffered. "Les' get mov'n then," he says to Edrukk. "Bes' t' get'evryone work'n on th' same vein." Broccanese: "Let's get moving then. Best to get everyone working the same vein."
"Alais'n'Briar'r hang'n wi' th' rich'elves. I dinn'eh think we'll be greet'd warmly. Kata'n'Venelle'r 'cross th' Square'n th' Emporium. There's less hassle meet'n'up wi'them. Wha'd'ye'think?" Broccan suggests to Edrukk. Broccanese: "Alais and Briar are hanging out with the rich elves. I do not think we'll be greeted warmly. Kata and Venelle are across the Square in the Emporium. There's less hassle meeting up with them. What do you think?"
Broccan gives a chuckle and grin, then flags down the barkeep to refill their mugs. "We shou' fine th'others'n let'm know what we've foun'dout. Bu' les' fin'ish these firs!" Broccanese: "We should find the others and let them know what we've found out. But let's finish these first!"
"Th' lass bought fer'us both," Broccan replies, tapping the sail on the bartop, "so ye c'n'ave yer two'n'eh few more'f ye like." He takes a sip from his own mug, then continues. "She was ask'n'bout our adventur'n. She says sum'n tole'r we'd found'eh fortune'n one'eh th' cairns. I tole'r we found th' bones've'eh lost friend'n laid'r t' rest. That was good'eh'nuff fer'er t' layoff'n leave me be." Broccanese: "The lass bought for us both, so you can have your two, and a few more, if you like. She was asking about our adventuring. She says someone told her we'd found a fortune in one of cairns. I told her we found the bones of a lost friend, and laid her to rest. That was good enough for her to lay off, and leave me be."
Broccan drinks and waits for Edrukk to return. They needed to decide if they were going to try a dig up any more leads or try to meet up with the others and share what they'd found out so far.
"Much'obliged, Mis' Tirra," Broccan replies, and raises a tankard to her. "Best'o'luck t'you'n yer friends." Broccan watches her leave, and once he feels reasonably certain she has left the tavern, he slowly exhales in relief. He waits patiently for Edrukk to come back, ready to fill his friend in on the exchange and to buy him a round on the coin of the overly inquisitive elvish lass.
Merry Christmas!
Broccan takes a drink and gives an exasperated sigh. "I dinnae know wha'scutl'butt'ye been lis'nin teh," Broccan replies, "but'ere's wha't'app'ned. A frien'eh mine'n'I wen'tin'teh a cairn where're'eh 'nother frien'd'd gone miss'n'n back when we'ws kids. We knew she w's dead, bu' we need'd t' find'r bones'n put'r t' rest. We got'eh few oth'r friends t' go wi'thus 'n case we ran'n t' trouble. We foun'der bones'n took'm 'cross th' lake t' be buried. No piles'eh coin'r gems. Sorry t' disappoint ye." Broccanese: "I don't know what scuttlebutt you've been listening to, but here's what happened. A friend of mine and I went into a cairn where another friend had gone missing back when we were kids. We knew she was dead, but we needed to find her bones and put her to rest. We got a few other friends to go with us un case we ran into trouble. We found her bones, and took them across the lake to be buried. No piles of coins or gems. Sorry to disappoint you."
"'f y've been talk'n t' folks 'roun'ere, they might'eh mentioned I make money bare-knuckle box'n'in'ere from time't'time. They migh'also'eh mention'd'I beat th' local champ just'eh few days'eh'go..." Broccanese: "If you've been talking to folks around here, they might have mentioned I make money bare-knuckle boxing in here from time to time. They might also have mentioned I beat the local champ just a few days ago..."
Wha' make'syah think that? An'ev'n'f I was, y' still 'aven't said why'ts yer bus'ness," Broccan replies. Broccanese: "What makes you think that? And even if I was, you still haven't said why it's your business."
"Why d' y' care'f I dun'neh work'n th' mines ev'ryday?" Broccan asks, his tone carrying a slight, uncharacteristic note of warning. "Folks 'round'ere don' go ask'n'bout'oth'r folks bus'ness uninvited." Broccanese: "Why do you care if I do not work in the mines every day? Folks around here don't go asking about other folks business uninvited."
"What'r y'ask'n, Miss? Cou' ye speak more plainly? I'm jus'eh miner, not'eh man'eh fancy school'n," Broccan replies. Remembering the reproach he received from Allustan, he makes a point not to look down or away from her gaze, but he likely can't do much about the involuntary flush of embarrassment at being addressed so directly...by an elf-maid, no less! Broccanese: "What are you asking, Miss? Could you speak more plainly? I'm just a miner, not a man of fancy schooling."
Broccan nods, clinks his mug with Edrukk's and returns back towards the bar. He begins talking, though not to any one in particular. "M' old Pa used t' say't th' world wen't'th'byss when Aroden died. E' said th' other gods jus' couldn' keep th' evil down like e' did. I'm no priest, but'e migh'ta had'eh point." Broccanese: "My old Pa used to say that the world went to the Abyss when Aroden died. He said the other gods just couldn't keep the evil down like he did. I'm no priest, but he might have had a point."
Broccan turns his head away from the knife-thrower, and whispers to Edrukk, "Shou' we walkou't'n see'f she'll follow'r jus' walkup t'er'n see what 'app'ns?" Broccanese whisper: "Should we walk out, and see if she'll follow, or just walk up to her and see what happens?"
Smenk, Smenk, and Smenk again. It all keeps coming back to Smenk! Broccan thinks to himself, sighing in frustration. He makes his way over to Edrukk, knocks mugs with him, leans-in and whispers, "I hate t' think'f't, bu' we're gonn'eh have't talk t' Smenk." Broccanese: "I hate to think of it, but we're going to have to talk to Smenk."
"Any'yof'th' other mine-bosses act'n 'ornery of late?" Broccan asks. "I mean, if you 'ad yer pick, who'd y' dig for these days?" Broccanese: "Any of the other mine-bosses acting ornery of late? I mean, if you had your pick, who would you dig for these days?"
Broccan leans against the bar, and orders an ale. He then approaches one of the injured miners and asks, "Wha' didja' in? A collapse'r sumthin' like? I'd 'eard one o' th' bosses was mak'n bad decisions wi' tunnel rou's...'sat what 'appen'd?" Broccanese: [b]"What did you in? A collapse, or something like that? I'd hear one of the bosses was making bad decisions with tunnel routes....is that happened?" |