Thank you my friends. I have done my time of guard duty, but only on the odd caravan. Do you get much interest out here during the day?
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Garai grins at Douena's chatter, walking steadily and slowly, always on the lookout for trouble as he goes. You are right little one, we need to get past those guards and up to speak to the master. Elysia, I believe you have the sweetest tounge of us all?
"I've got a better idea." Zerekias starts, "Why don't I wrap you all up in blankets and throw you onto Rotaan's back like gear? That way the madness that keeps spewing from your mouths will be muffled and I won't have to listen to any of it." Garai looks at Zek with disgust, I don't believe we need any more detail to the plan. If you would make some sort of camp, a half day our of Sothis, we should be able to find you easily enough. We all know the general direction we should be travelling in, let us get started.
The gnome shrugs. "If the mage is out there watching -- maybe the halfling, too -- they could tell that there was magic around the illusions of us, but they'd expect us to be carrying magical items, just as they are. It's possible they could tell we were illusions if they watched the images long enough. Of course, there are magical means of seeing through illusions and disguises -- magical ones, anyway, not if we dress you as a kitchen worker. If they have access to one of those, they'd know we were trying to fool them right away and look for another way out -- or at least, that's what I would do, if I were them. The sewers are the safest way -- even if they expected us to sneak out a back way, there shouldn't be any way for them to know where the secret tunnel comes out -- but if we want to leave as soon as we have the mask, we won't have any opportunity to take a bath in the desert." She looks to Garai and Elysia to decide the group's path, although she's obviously enamored of the idea of being carried out in a basket. Ok, we shall send the man with his camel out of the front gate, followed by some illusionary people, to wander in a different direction. The rest of us then can go out the back way, and directly to the mask man's house. Elysia, will you need to see the illusion yourself to maintain it? If so, you could sneak away once they realise something is afoot, and meet us no?
I could no doubt carry you both Garai laughs, But I hesitate to use direct magic in this way, not that I would deride your talents, but it only would take one of them to realise the illusion, and all of our work is to waste. We know that they have access to similar types of magic to this, perhaps they would have access to the counter magic too.
"Wait! We need the mask and the scrolls the New Guy is carrying, to take to the Crook Bearer's. Do you have room for them in your pack, Garai? Mine's full." I can indeed little one. "Do we really have to go through the sewers," Elysia asks, wrinkling her nose. "I love exploring new places and all, but I don't think it's a good idea to get all smelly before we go and see an important person and ask them for a favor. I mean, if I were wealthy and powerful I wouldn't want to talk to a bunch of stinky people." I have seen mages who could mask the smell for an hour or so with a spell , but you have a good point Elysia.
Immediately. Forgive us for not helping you load the camel, we would not wish to be seen by others. Little One, shall we collect some things and make our way to the sewer?
Garai considers for a moment, Actually, the little one has a point. If you storm out of here, with camel all loaded up, and make a big enough fuss over working with 'those amateurs' I cannot see how you could possibly not take at least part of the group with you. At that point, you can either circle around for a few hours, and leave us to the subtle art of retrieving the mask, or take them all on with your graet skill at arms. Looking towards the venture captain, he remembers where he is. I am sorry venture captain, this is not the place to discuss our plans. We shall leave you to your busy day. Please accept our thanks for your time, and the information, we shall make the best possible use of it.
Garai grins, Our thanks, Venture Captain. I believe it would now take a small army now to keep us out of the sewers. he says, not quite realising the acusation in the statement.
"Why should it cost us anything?" Douena asks, taken aback. "They asked us to be the first to the hidden tomb; it's in their own best interests to help us stay ahead of the competition. Of course, I wouldn't ask any of the guards" she concedes, voice dripping with scorn, "but the Venture Captain ought to be happy to help." "This is true, perhaps the venture captain will be of some use. Perhaps you would be best suited to making the request?"
"Little one, these are Pathfinders I am sure there are tunnels out of this building that they have forgotten about themselves. The will indubitably have a way to get us out unnoticed. How much is will cost is the next question.
Garai's long comfortable yawn is interrupted by Zak, and he isn't happy about it, scowling, before taking another bite of the pastry in his hand. "That would seem to be our only option. I would still think the best route would be the least deceptive, and that we should simply go and ask after the mask. We should take care not to be followed though. Is that a simple enough plan?"
"Indeed little one, I forget. It is too late in the day to do such in a reasonable fashion though. Ahhh, time she does fly. Let us go for th emask at dawn, and leave here at sunset. "I am sure you observations will prove fruitful little one, especially if we do manage to wrestle the required items from the fiends."
"You have done well, little one. Very well. We should have noticed your valiant attempts to lead our way. We did not." "I believe we have wasted enough time here, and found all that we can. I suggest we each get some sleep, then meet before the dawn gong, and start out into the desert. A few hours travel, then sleep the rest of the day out, and travel at night. Hopefully, between such stealth, and our enemies assuming we still hunt them, we can buy some time to get o the pyramid first." Garai is visibly regretting ever taking on this task. Now he wants it over with, and quickly.
Garai shakes his head at the group's apparent collective incompetence. At the news of Neferet though, his eyes become flames, and his head snaps up. "What did you see little one? Where did she go? Every detail, quick, quick!"
Garai rolls his eyes at Zerekias, "It would appear that we were stood up. The halfling did not show up, and we believe she may have been waylaid by our enemies. All in all, it was a most unfruitful evening. What success have you had little one?"
All but D:
"Friend Zerekias? Is this truly the quickest way back to the pathfinder Lodge? I would like to get some sleep, and await our little friend before we face the new day." Garai said, obviously confused, but following none the less.
Elysia, Garai and Zerekias emerge from the Drunken Mummy into the late night air. The streets are almost deserted and there is no sign of the halfing you spotted lurking outside the tavern a moment ago.
All by D: As garai steps out into the refreshingly cool night air, he slumps a little with the realisation that the halfling has gone. "Let us make our way back to the lodge as quickly as is possible. I did not like that little man's smile, and I begin to believe our meeting was waylayed."
Spoiler: Garai takes one last sweep around the room as he stands to move:
Garai grins wryly, "Your logic is sound little one, but in his case, I find the implementation quite difficult!"
"Yes, it looks like the best idea. I didn't want to just rush right off in case there are others watching, but now would seem a good time to leave little one. Shall we?"
Stood outside, Garai's anger begins to fade, and the cool night air makes him shiver. "What indeed is taking them so long? We should be away from here, quickly."
"Haven't we been down this road before?" Zerekias thinks out loud to himself and shrugs. He turns to Garai and Elysia, "If either of you two have an idea, let's hear it. Otherwise, looks like I'm stuck as the delivery guy." Garai gives a slightly vicious grin. "Douena's plan seems like a good one to me. I take it you have a weapon suitable for close quarters fighting if the need arises?"
"You know, the paladin detected on her and didn't think she was evil. And she seemed pretty upset this morning before she sneaked out. It's possible she's not as bad as the rest of them. Maybe she's just ... easily intimidated." "Thank you little one, although your words to little to belie my anger at this moment. There are many forms of ruthlessness, greed, and deception that would not strike our Paladonic friend, and his deity's magic, as evil. Although they are still to be abhorred and avoided. I fear that she is of the latter type, if indeed she has done wrong by us from the start, and is simply out to get the gold and silver and jewels that her pretty frame so deserves."
"She was Chelaxian," replies Samatra with a shrug. "I didnt really pay her a lot of attention, they had a lot of supplies to unload." "Thank you sir, you have been a great deal of help." Carefully taking out a Silver coin, Garai hands it to the man and turns to the others. "I could not think of a better way of describing Neferet, than this man's description has proved to be. I am afraid to say that Douena's fears have been valid all along, and I at least owe her an apology. I am truly sorry little one, for not heading your advice. "Now, where do we go from here?"
Garai moves forward, his voice breaking with barely concealed anger, "Sir. What accent did this woman carry? Her looks would be easily changed, and possibly her accent too, but we may have been duped by this woman, and I would be sure before we leave."
Garai watches the exchange with a sceptically raised eyebrow, but raises no objection. He hefts his staff, and follows after the halfling and the girl.
All but Zerekias:** spoiler omitted ** Spoiler: "Oh. Oh, yes. Indeed it is little one. Here, you go." Garai says this as he leans forward to give the rolls to Douena. "He did indeed appear to swallow the thing, Desna knows how. Shall we continue our tour?"
Spoiler:
"Did the urchin provide anything useful, Little One?"
All but Z
Spoiler: Garai is too slow to react to Duena's impetuous nature, and stands watching as she weave off through the crowd, and far as far as he can see her. Once she disappears, he will continue to keep a vigilant watch of the crowds, but with one eye on the show.
Spoiler: Garai hangs back a little, eating his roll, but as he looks around, he suddenly starts forward. Moving to the two girls watching the gnome, he whispers to both. "Watch your good little ladies, there is a child pilferer in our midst." He then straightens up, watching the performance.
Spoiler: Garai also keeps his eyes and ears open as they wander down the street. Taking the rolls, he says "Thank you little one, but..." trailing off as she runs to catch Douena, and wondering why she didn't just take the second roll with her. He bites into it carefully, making sure no juices run down his neat beard.
"While you're doing that, I can try and hunt her down," Zerekias offers. "The city's not for me, so it's gonna be tougher. I'm gonna need to know what she and these Chelaxians look like." "I am sorry Zerekias, I meant that we should look for her. I just have no idea where we would begin in such a quest, and so made light of it. I think we should stick together, but for the nonce, our enemies do not know you, so a search on your own may proove fruitful."
"As much as I hate to," Douena sighs, "we really ought to stay here one more night. I used Desna's own luck getting out of the Exhibitory with the fake mask earlier, and I don't have it in me to do it again if things don't go just right at the Crook man's house. We could rest at an inn overnight, but the Pathfinder Lodge is a much more daunting obstacle to our competitors if they try to rob us, even if," she sniffs, "it's a reputation ill deserved by the calibre of guards we've met so far. And," she continues, "if we're going to be here all afternoon, we might as well spend it trying to find Neferet or the Chelaxian as just sitting and staring at the walls. Even though," she sighs, "we would have been better off today if we had just sat here and stared at the walls, and there are precious few days you can say that about." She sits crumpled in on herself like a wilted flower. Ahh, cheer up little one. You speak truth, and action will make us all feel better. Let us eat, and walk, and see what we see. With Desna's luck we shall find dear Neferet, or the scrolls, or both. At worst we will come across that half-orc again, and my stick here can crack his head another time.
As they make their way back to the room they were using earlier, Garai looks out of a window, judging the day by the sun and shadows. "Late afternoon. The city will be just re-awakening now. The time is nicest to hunt, but also the most people will be out to get in our way. We have no direct evidence that Neferet was connected with those who oppse us. Her disappearence may be entirely innocent. Do we waste time attempting to find her, and the scrolls? Or do we press on with the mask, and make our way to the pyramid?"
Garai turns on his heal, bringing the end of his staff down on the floor as he does so, giving a resounding crash that echos around the hall, drawing stares. Without looking back, he storms from the hall, his face furious.
Garai leans close to Douena and whispers "You will have to tell us exactly what you did and said to make the guards so amused little one. Later, and in private." Standing to his full height, and again clutching his staff tightly Garai moves to the front of the group. "Your peace, and meal will be disturbed for as long as we deem necessary. You are currently delaying, and possibly compleatly destroying any hope there is of compleating, a quest in the name of the Venture Captain Jalden. We can relocate to her office if it would make you more talkative? "We are told that you were the last to see her, we would have all the detail you can remember, particularly her mannor as she left, and a full description of anyone who may have been with her. The direction is less important, but may be off use if your small mind can perchance remember it."
"Very good. Now indeed we need to plan. I think the best plan may be the bribary. Myself and Elysia would be best put to that. If it fails, then we shall have to resort to sneak-theifery, although it will no doubt then become more difficult. I believe that if we do try both at once, we shall get cought out. That would not be good."
"A very good idea, we may have a bargaining chip after all."
"That indeed is an option, but our contract with the Pathfinders gives them first look at everything we find. It would be both dishonourable, and most likely dangerous to offer anything to this man in bad faith, or to go back on our word with the Pathfinders. It is also my opinion that anything this man would want, the Pathfinders would also deem necessary to keep. We would be in a position most uncomfortable if that were to happen."
"Of Course, Elysa has introduced her self. The Little one whom you made such disparaging comments to is named Douena. Also, yes, I do intend to use this stick, but only in defence of our group."
Her wide eyes never leaving the half-elf's face, Douena edges slowly over in her chair and asks in a husky whisper, "Garai, is my mouth twitchy?" "Little one, I think he doesn't know the concept of a smile. You have no twitch that I have noticed." garai whispers back. Zerekias looks at Douena with an obvious expression of irritation."First off, there is something wrong with your mouth, it's twitchy or something. Secondly, I've been assigned to this mission, probably because I know a little bit more about survival in the desert than the rest of you, so I'll do what I've been assigned to do. Thirdly, if we must travel to the Black Reliquary to acquire this "mask" then I shall go with you. But I want no part of your inane plan. And lastly, MY NAME is Zerekias." Garai stands and moves forward at his full height, staff clenched in fist. "Mr Tholtan, your expertise is indeed badly needed by our group, and will be most valuable. We shall be sure to heed you when the time does come. Your attitude though is somewhat abrasive to the lady, do you have some problem with this person you have never met? Please be civil. Please also explain why our current plan is "inane". Lastly, please give us you own ideas so that they can be weighed and measured against our own. Further, I am sure we can all count. My name is Garai Neferotep."
"That does indeed sound like a plan most cunning little one. I am not the most sneaky", Garai says this word like it's a new one to him, it probably is..."But I can make a good show of doing the asking."
The gnome deflates visibly. "I suppose we ought to return the Exhibitory's replica," she sighs, "if we can figure out a way to do it without getting ourselves in trouble for taking it in the first place." She brightens for a moment. "Maybe we can say we recovered it from the Chelaxian's halfling and keep the Ruby Prince's suspicious eye on them.""Or we could hang onto it," the halfling says, mischief dancing in her eyes. "You never know when it might come in handy. And we have already paid for it." Garai smiles at Elysia's thoughts. "We have indeed. To my mind, we indeed have two options. We contact this Crook Bearer, and ask for the use of the artefact. The other alternative, is to attempt a covert access into this Ankh, and replace our mask, for the true version....What do you think?"
"Well, indeed that does look promising. A direction at last, and an end to floundering?"
"Now, please little ladies. There is no need for this behaviour. Unfortunately we have little to no leads to go on as to Neferet's whereabouts. I begin to wonder if we should just head out into the desert and the documents be damned."
Douena indulges herself in making a horrible face at the patronizing guard, then follows after the rest of the party to the private room provided. Once the party is alone, she carefully pulls the mask out from inside her tunic. "What happened with the half-orc and his friend? Did you get them arrested?" Garai grins a wicked grin "Indeed we did. Although the fun was short lasted, the last we say they were in the custody of their Cheliaxian friends. I am sure we will see them again. Did you have trouble with the mask? It has cost us a pretty penny in not getting ourselves arrested, but nothing we cannot handle. What did you discover when you arrived back? It sounds like you had adventure!"
"Her concern is entirely genuine, but as it seems a deaf sand lizard would be better placed to investigate this matter than your good self, yes, we will attend to it ourselves. Be sure our complaints of your behaviour will be followed to the highest levels. Good day." Garai doesn't like that man very much.
More to himself, than to Douena, Garai says"So, the question becomes, is the information in the documents, worth the time taken to find her. Come little one, we shall arrange a room and some food, and hot tea for yourself. I for one have had a trying morning, and we have decisions to make."
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