Aya:
He hands over the coins, looking the jewelry over.
I'll trust that the magic is there. I'm holding too much of yours for you to cheat me.
Hortense grins and chuckles.
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Aya: Hortense reaches out a chubby hand to shake. You have a future in trading. You drive quite a bargain! Let's seal the deal with tea, if you have time.
Hortense smiles broadly. I so rarely have the opportunity to carry items of significant magical capability. Still, finding a buyer could prove challenging. Perhaps at a thousand gold?
Hortense himself comes to you with something truly wondrous. He brings a locked wooden box, and when he opens it, the contents are a beautiful vest, emerald green in color, with exceptional stitching in a floral pattern and four cargo style pockets. It is said that the greatest healers in the kingdoms wear a vest like this. When one wears it, it is a never-ending healer's kit, producing bandages, ointments, and whatever, as needed. Additionally, I understand that if one is skilled enough, one can even heal something like strength sapped from the body, using it. A marvelous thing. This vest was commissioned by Baron Fordham, who was slain by a viscous wild beast before it could be delivered. I could let it go for a mere four thousand gold - and - would be willing to take payments from heroes like yourselves. He allows everyone a good look, and even a feel of the fine satin, before packing it away, then producing a small vial of dusky-brown liquid. The potion I hold here is said to give one strength surpassing, and to last for some decent time. I could pass this on for a pittance - three hundred gold?
I'd like someone with me. My man is good, but after this...I'll stay no later than dinner... though I don't have high hopes that you'll be done and back, by then. Hortense walks away, shaking his head.
Well, good. It's a two day trip by wagon. I hope to be leaving within...two hours. TWO HOURS, AM I HEARD? After such a soft, educated voice, Master Hortense belts out the last like a barbarian chieftain... and gets almost instant answers. All around the immediate area, lesser merchants and their assistants snap into motion. Hortense turns toward those of you there... Speak to those others you work with...and make ready. I'll pay you all, should you all accompany me there. I am a man of my word.
Those close to Hortense's tent (Reiko, Antonio, and Doran): I'm leaving. I don't know what brought this on, but...this is crazy.
Master Hortense stops for a moment...thoughtful... Say...your little...bunch...seem pretty competent. I'll give each one of you...twenty gold...if you see me safely to the Roost. Twenty gold for each that accompanies me.
Reiko: You whip open the tent flap...to startle Feval Hortense, who is hurriedly packing bedding material into a fancy box. He stops for a moment... Ah...what is it? He eyes the sword anxiously...
I'm in the tent. Damn this FOG! You hear a flap opening nearby. There are still panicky people all over, and now you're close to some highly excited animals...mostly mules and horses, but Master Hortense has some oxen for his large wagon. You find yourselves happy they're all picketed!
Yes...YES! Assist my bodyguard. Keep these damnedable things away from me! You still haven't seen him, but you'd guess he couldn't be more than 10 or 15 feet away.
Heading into the caravanasary toward what you believe to be Hortense's voice, Antonio and Reiko Perception, DC 12:
You just manage being hit by a large, straight sword as you get near...a man considerably shorter than Manton, but maybe heavier...he's THICK in the chest and arms, and thin nowhere... in a breastplate with a monstrous shield...is energetically clearing the area. ...the earlier voice answers...Yes? Who's there? |