Search Posts
For a long moment Doumane stands in silence, enjoying being alone and resting slightly against the wall. How much he would love to sink into bed and sleep...but there is no rest for the weary. To the dim, unlit room Doumane says loudly, "Jarvyrce, I'm going to church. Feel free to show up, if you want." And with that he opens the door and heads to the Church of Abadar, wondering if there will be any sign of life at this hour.
Doumane frowns, "So you do want to tuck me into my bed? Why search my room, doesn't your boss see everything anyway? What could you possibly find that Jarvyce would miss? It has been a long day, I've fought, killed and bled in the darkest of night. And we might do it again tomorrow. How we forget the search and go to bed." The halfling says this last part gruffly, standing in his doorway. 'Find your own way home, Dru. Good night." and slams it in her face.
Doumane shrugs, suddenly very tired. "Home it is then. I, unlike you, am not solely powered by devotion to Jarcyce. If we hit the warehouse again tomarrow, I'll need some sleep. Let's head back and you can tuck me in."
Doumane swallows his anger, at having a minder. At least when Jarvyrce was only watching he could only react but with Dru standing here.....his choices were limited. 'Well, I was going to go to sleep."[/b[ Doumane says, shrugging, [b]"But since I have a guest...." Doumane then, taking a big risk, holds out the music box. "Think the boss will mind if I take this for a personal keepsake? A memento of a hard won victory. He doesn't seem to care for knickknacks."
Doumane watches Urrkh vanish into the darkness with some relief. At least he hadn't gotten the half-orc killed. It was time he follwoed suit and- His plans and musings are broken off as Dru materializes out of the shadows behind him. The rouge turns and looks at the woman and a moment of unvarnished hate crosses the halfling's face, which he slowly swallows. "Having an enjoyable time watching?" Doumane says, "Don't you people ever sleep? How is good old Jarvyce doing?"
'How I wish I could you everything, Urrkh. Telling anyone would be a relief.' 'All that i wanted." Doumane says, shrugging, "We scoped out the place, tested the defenses and even removed a few of the Dragomir's guards. Word will be on the street and it is another black mark against their name. Consider it prep work for the real deal." The halfling slaps Urrkh's shoulder, "I'd advise you to keep a low profile for a few days. We upset some powerful people tonight and my employers are not...the kindest of people. Maybe stay someplace other then home for a day or two?"
Doumane hisses at Urrkh, "Quickly, we can't linger. Gods know how many other thugs are following us! We have to get clear and get lost in the streets."
Doumane gathers himself and, inspired by Urrkh's blow, runs toward the injured woman to finish her off.
Doumane curses as Urrkh doubles back and vanishes into the shadows. He ponders just running, as fighting Tannis is not what he has in mind. On the other hand he is loath to leave Urrkh behind, if only because the half-orc could tell tales if captured. So the halfling pauses for a moment, standing on the cold stone street. Tannis pounds up the street toward him and Doumane insides turn to cold ice. What was he doing, he needed to run! Then Urrkh bursts from the shadows, swinging a fiery sword. In a moment the formidable Tannis looks half dead from the flurry of blows! Doumane eye's widen and he mentally re-categorizes Urrkh as "Quite Dangerous'.
Doumane and Urrkh plunge along the dockside, Tannis hot on their trail. The woman is clearly not very inclined to help the bystanders. They had bought a little time, but not much. They either needed to stand and fight or escape her reach..... Doumane glances around, looking for any small boats at the dockside. Perhaps a whaleboat or a ship tender, something left here from the busy unloading and loading of the day. Something two desperate escapees could pilot....
Doumane points to the crowd, "Come on, let's get lost in it." then he grins to Urrkh, "Push a few into the bay, might help distract our pursurers!" With that the the little man darts into the crowd.
Doumane turns and after a long moment, finally sees Urrkh break combat and head for the main doors. The halfling's magical face reveals his anxiety and then relief that his ally is getting away. Urrkh might not be a friend exactly, but he certainly doesn't want to leave the half-orc behind to the tender mercies of the Dragomir's. "Let's get out of here!" Doumane shouts and pushes on the door....
Doumane eyes the doorway and Tannis standing like a boulder in mid-river. The halfling winced internally at the risk he took in darting past her but there was no choice. They couldn't stay here and fight endless waves of guards. Doumane runs up behind Urrkh and shouts, "Time to go!" and makes for the door, doing his best to dodge the various blows aimed at him.
Doumane cruses, rather foully, when he sees it is the woman from the bazaar. Just what they needed a handpicked Dragomir enforcer. And worse, it looked like Urrkh was having an off night. Time to go. The halfling grabs a handful of random items from a crate, being sure to grab at least one with Grigore markings. With that he runs for the door.
Doumane grins to himself at finding Grigore's mark, then his eyes widen at the diversity here. The Dragomir's must have blackmail on half a dozen Usher families. This hoard might be the root of their power! Then a new figure enters and Doumane curses. "Urrkh, take care of him!" Doumane hisses and moves to open another crate, looking for the music box.
"Anything. Pop open some boxes, see what we have. I am scouting it out for future raids, after all."Doumane says, and then clambers down the rope.
He starts to look about the loot, looking for anything that might belong to the Usher, especially a music box.
'Urrkh, search the bodies. See if they have any healing potions, I'm still feeling woozy. I'll go downstairs." After this, Doumane starts slink down the stairs to the main floor.
Doumane tries the same darting maneuver but this time Urrkh's bulky body blocks the way and the halfling actually slams into his thick leg.
Doumane watches Urrkh and the archer struggle, neither landing much of a blow. Clearly he would need to help, despite his current wounded state. Ignoring his injuries Doumane stands up and hurries over to his ally, drawing a knife. Behind Urrkh he says, "Coming through!' And tries to tumble under the half-orc's arm.
Doumane is caught entirely off guard as an arrow slams into his stomach, slicing through his flesh. Grunting heavily he slips tot he ground, trying to offer a small target. "Urrkh, go take care of him." As the halfling says this, he pulls out a potion of CLW wounds and downs it.
Doumane pockets the key saying, "Thanks. I doubt an outside guard had a master key but it might open up some doors inside." The halfling glances over at the taller half-orc. "Ok, Urrkh. let's go inside. This is a survey, not an assault. We aren't burning down the building or stealing anything substantial. We get in, get the layout, get a sense of security and bug out. Got it? No grenades. Come on, let's go."
With that Doumane slinks inside.
Doumane wipes his bloody blade on his pants leg before heading over to the locked door. As he passes he grunts to Urrkh, "Search them for keys or anything." Not wanting to waste time waiting, the halfling tries to pick the lock. Doumane pulls out a small leather satchel, filled with dull metal tools, specially designed to bypass locks and barriers.
Doumane inwardly shakes his head at this senseless loss of life and moves in to attack. His shoulder stings from the blow from the guard, and Doumane hopes it doesn't bleed too much.
"Surrender, you idiots." Doumane says sharply, "You don't need to die."
Doumane nods, and whispers to Urrkh, "Good. We jump the gap and take them out as quick as we can. There is only two. I'll take the one on the right." With that Doumane shuffles forward and tries to jump the gap.
He leaps the gap the gap easily and ghosts toward the two guards. As he does so the halfling draws a knife, waits a moment, then attacks out of the shadows!
Doumane checks himself as Urrkh hurries over, spots the fallen grappling hook and then tosses it up with relative ease. It wasn't easy to sit here and watch the half-orc do everything for him. "Let me go first.." He mutters...
Doumane snuck into the shadows of a nearby warehouse, footsteps light on the grimy paving stones of the waterfront. He eyed the roof above, found a likely anchor point and threw the grappling hook with all his might!
As they walk Doumane explains, "My basic idea is this. I take up station on a nearby roof of another warehouse. You cause a distraction, I jump the roof, take out the guards and wait for you to join me via the same method. Then both of us pick the lock on the door and head inside and see what's inside. Simple enough?" Doumane shrugs, "But not sure what we want for the distraction. Something bright and exciting but not overly dangerous would be good. What would you say to torching a fishing boat? Maybe steal a cart? Got any other ideas?"
Douamne nods, "Climb it is. Not that I mind, the bay isn't the cleanest this time of year." The halfling couldn't help but smile. Magnimar was truly a wonderful place. At any time of day or night someone with gold and the right knowledge could find any number of services. Right now Doumane could find a barber, surgeon, a mason or...even a house breaker. Then his face falls and he nods, "One word of warning Urrkh. This job might anger some powerful people in the city. I doubt they would take it personally against you but it might be good to keep your head down after tonight. Maybe even leave town for a few weeks?" That out of the way. "Very well, I have a few plans. Let's go and I'll talk them."
DOumane frowns, "Your rates have gone up. How about and a promise of a few good stabbings? My employer would be quite ll right with collateral damage." The small man holds up a hand, "But we want to keep the building in tact. No fires!" When Urrkh says to lead on Doumane pauses, "One moment, we have to think up a plan. I didn't want to waste time scheming before I knew if you were game." "As I see it, we have a few ways inside. There is a water entrance over the bay, a roof entrance, a few small windows and of course, the main door. All have problems and are probably guarded tight. They expect trouble." Douamne pauses and says, with a small smile, real this time. "You prefer a swim or a climb?"
Doumane is surprised at the eagerness his old 'friend' shows. Clearly Urrkh is hungry for work. Well, all the better. The halfling needed all the help he could get. "Warehouse down on the docks, by the Aquaretum. You know the area?" Doumane says, watching the gear stack up. "Goal is a bit of scouting, bit of smash. Test the security, maybe get inside and look around. Just info on this trip, or so I'm hoping. " "As for coin, what's your rate these day's for a night's work?"
Doumane forces a smile, "No. At least not right at the moment. Still, you know how touchy people can get." The halfling looks inside the small room, with feigned interest. "Busy? I might have some work for you, tonight. I know it is short notice but..." He shrugs and adds, "Good coin in it for you, if you want it." "Some breaking and entering, just like the old days. You still up for that sort of work?"
Doumane leaned back in his chair. It was a tricky problem and not one they could simply ignore. Eventually Razvan would tire of Mihail's lack of progress and turn his ire on Mihail, and that was the last thing they needed. The fact Mihail had been selected for this at allow as concerning. Did the Dragomir's detect a link between them? "I will think on it, Mihail. Give me some time. Tonight, I think I will scout out the warehouse on the docks. You stay here and get some rest. Try not to worry too much." he added, knowing it was pointless to say.
Already Doumane's mind is whirring with ideas. Three entries, no four. The roof, the door, possible the windows and the water. All have options. Steal a rowboat and climb up a pier? Sneak onto the roof? Climb a wall and sneak instead/ Dart in the front door in an unloading? So many options, so many perils. He actually has to shake his head to clear the thoughts to re-focus on Mihail. "And the rest of your day? Have you found out anything about our other task? A clue perhaps to Dragomir's secrets?"
Doumane looks steadily at his friend, "So a good night to case the joint? Even if the security is increased tonight is a good time to get the lay of the land. Jarvyce promised help for the actual raid." But already Doumane's brain was hatching quite a different plan then the other his mouth was providing. They were, after all, being watched. "Do you know anything about the place and what is inside?"
Doumane is almost crushed by the weight of everything he wants to say. He wants to tell Mihail of Jarvyce, about the scrying, the Bank of Abadar and Grigore Kiritescu. About how the plight of Mihail's son wears on his heart every day, and his worries about Fara (dare he risk a visit?), and the blood on his hands. Of how he wants so badly to take this money and flee the city (at least for a time) and rest in a place of peace. But he can't. Not with the insane gang leader watching every move, weighing every word. What weapons he would hand the madman with such a speech! Impossible. So instead he re-fills the wine glasses and says simply, "That goes for both of us." A pause and then, "As usual, our paths are linked. I am set to scout the Aquaretum warehouse tonight but you tell me the guards have been doubled or more? Troubling news."
Have fun storming the castle!
Doumane pats Mihail on the shoulder, trying to calm him down. The halfling has felt he has had a trying few days, spying here, fighting there, all under the eye of Jarvyce. But imagine how much worse it was for Mihail? Forced to work side by side with the scum that had kidnapped his son? How could he stand it? Doumane leads Mihail to a chair, and pours him some wine. "Easy, friend. I am well." Once he is settled in he says, "Her name was Tannis? The lady with the flachion?" Doumane takes a seat as well and says, "All right, tell me everything then I will. How was your day with the Bad Guys? What did you learn? Where did you go?"
Doumane gathers up the small pile of items, happy the gang leader is laughing and not sharpening a skinning knife. You never could tell. Doumane bows and adds of his own, "The Gods enjoy demand much of us Jarvyce, and not just prayers. Do not over-dream."
Gambling house, Doumane thought in confusion. The first hiding place was a gambling house? His plan flickered and died. It was not likely Mihail's son was kept at such an insecure location. Still, the warehouse at the docks still likely held Kritiscu's things. It was a start. Doumane pockets the offered coins and gestures to the other assembled items. "Do you want them? I wouldn't want to presume anything." The halfling then nods, "Like I said, I will spy out one or both tonight. After, I'll return and perhaps start a plan with Dru and Zeki. " He slowly stands up to leave, giving Jarvyce time for the last word, that bit of social power.
Doumane does his best to school his face, to hide his feelings. For the first time in days, a glimmer of a plan and hope rise in the halfling's mind. The two storehouses.....The first hiding hole, the vague one, it very may contain Mihail's son. It fit, it fit very well. The other, the one near the Aquaretum probably held the Usher's goods, it also fit well. Doumane didn't know enough, not yet but now...could he wed Jarvyce's goals to his own? The tiefling was devilishly cunning (perhaps literally so), but he was also very greedy and overconfident. Doumane nods happily, which was honest enough. "I will probably need them, although I prefer to work alone. Do you know much else of either location? The number of guards, the amount of traffic? I will scout them myself, perhaps tonight if the moon is good. I will talk to my friend and see if he has learned anything of note that could help." Then Doumane says, to play the part, waves to the bags of coins he stole from the Razvan woman. "Do I get a direct share? I may need to grease some palms on the streets tonight." He did not really care but being too helpful might but the gang leader on his guard. Better to act normal, which usually meant 'greedy and aggressive' with these types.
I hope you don't mind 'the story'? It seems to sum up Doumane problems.
|
