"Oi. I read you like a five-pencer, Cim. Lifetime of knowing yer and all that. Been spooked since the ceremony. Why?"The rogue glances at Brogol, a pained expression before she sighs. "It's hard to explain, you see..."
Brogol winces as Eris interjects, and reminds himself that the girl can't help herself. Sighing and shaking his head as Cimri clams up, Brogol gives his old friend a pointed look. "We'll talk later."
-----
Outside the bar, Brogol turns his back and slips a canvas sack over his head, tying the mouth around his neck. There's two newly cut holes that line up with the driver's eyes. Flipping his hood up, Brogol nods and pushes open the door.
Inside, Brogol blinks as his eyes adjust to the dim tavern. "Why wait until it is more crowded? He already broke the law, yeah? I'm happy to wait - just not seeing the point."
Noting Raziya's response to The Doctor's inquiry Karik stays typically quiet though he chuckles at the discussion of Eris's mental health.
---
At the bar he also waits to see how the group decides to approach this, the locals in particular.
"So do we just grab the bard?"
As the group walks to the tavern and various life stories are told Vaelor listens with interest.
In a lull in the covnersation Vaelor pipes up.
"Hi I'm Vaelor Kytonkin!"
Better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
She then leaps forward and throws her arms around the doctor in an enthusiastic hug.
As she wraps her arms around him one of the chains on her body unwinds itself and embraces him.
"Its really nice to meet you. I love your scars, do you want some more?" her voice is soft and sweet in his ear as she whispers her greeting.
---
She hangs back at the tavern, hood pulled down over her face.
Earlier, the Doctor simply reassured Eris that any way she wanted to act was more than acceptable for an observational period. And when Vaelor grabbed him, he looked over Karik with an eyebrow raised above his opaque glasses. He doesn't engage with the imitation kyton, knowing that the thing is nothing but and extension on the dhamphir - or perhaps Karik's puerile fantasies brought to life.
-----
The Doctor examines the seats carefully to determine the cleanest one and sits down. The thugs the Archbaron had hand picked seemed like a confused sort. One minute uttering grand plans and the next looking down at their toes as if dreading any confrontation...
As you filter in the tavern, Caggan doesn't seem to have noticed you yet, instead content to listen to the bard's light-hearted ballad about a young maid and a misunderstood satyr. A couple of the customers notice, though, and there are a couple of chuckles and comments about missing the chili.
Ingrid walked in and scanned the room for threats. She wanted to have an idea of who looked like they were brave enough to do something stupid. Once she made that determination, she walked over to Caggan.
” Bolgart Caggan. Ye are under arrest.” She said, looking him dead in the eyes. ”Giving ye an option to come quietly. We can talk as we walk like civilized people without making a scene. Or ye can make a scene. In which case...” She smiled, showing her sharp teeth. ”...we’ll have to heal what’s left of ye after we drag what’s left over. I highly recommend the former.” Her tone of voice was devoid of fear, and had a hint of anticipation to it. The group had made it abundantly clear that they didn’t want to follow her plan, so she went along with theirs like the good soldier that she was. And as nobody else stepped up, she was ready to make the most out of it.
Caggan keeps his eyes on the bard, refusing to even look at Ingrid. One hand rubs a cloth through the inside of a flagon while he replies, "Uh huh. You had nice words yesterday. 'Politics. Just doin' my job.'" The music and presence of his customers -- and an unhealthy amount of pride -- seems to keep him from backing down. He grunts, sets the flagon down, then meets Ingrid's gaze. "You should be getting out of my bar, if you know what's good for you. I got no quarrel with you, but I'm not letting you shut me down."
”Yup. That I did. It’s my job and I want to keep it. There’s a limit to what I can do, which is why I’m back. And you want to keep this very fine establishment. So once more. Come quietly. Because you are coming one way or another.”
Brogol hops up on the bar, stomping his foot loud. "You alls hear my companion here, yeah? Everyone out, place is closed on account of violating curfew."
The driver extends one gloved finger towards the bard, while Brogol's other hand wanders towards his sap. "'Cept you, Riley. Sit yer arse down, right on that stage. We got questions for you!"
”...tried to give ye it be chance for this to be quiet. It’s bloody well on ye.” She muttered.
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With a sigh of frustration Karik pushes his way to the bar. "Really? After we have been nothing but kind to you?"
He stares into the bartenders eyes, willing the power of his ancestors to help put this fool back into line.
While the others confront Caggan, Doctor Zieber stands up and begins making his way over to Riley. His intention of quietly stealing the bard away is spoiled the moment Brogol opens his mouth and extends an accusatory finger.
The Doctor is left crossing his arms in dissatisfaction and returning to his previously selected table. Along the way, he looks to some of the customers and quietly suggests "Ah, dear friends, this may soon turn dangerous, and I would hate to see any of you good folk caught up. How about we all leave and let them resolve their problems?"
Punishing people for unverifiable past-crimes in front of a hostile crowd is far from how we should have begun this, but strength will serve us better than dithering.
"Don't be foolish Caggan. Just take your lumps on this and you'll be able to reopen some day. No one here will think you're a coward for obeying the law."
Caggan looks like he's about to swing a meaty fist into Ingrid's face when Karik walks up, stares into the other man's eyes and...
...Caggan slowly relaxes. Riley looks like he's about to yell about Caggan having been bewitched, but when Brogol squares off against the bard and orders him to stay quiet, the entertainer keeps quiet and does as he's told.
The patrons seem a bit confused, watching the potential for a fight wax and wane dramatically in a matter of seconds.
The barkeep casts a less than friendly gaze at Raziya and Ingrid, then looks back at Karik, "You, I trust. What's the deal?"
Noting that the clientele seem to have ignored his good advice, the Doctor stops at the door to see how Karik handles his charmed target.
Brogol's posture relaxes with just the slightest perceptible slump as the situation defuses - though the driver's hand still rests upon his sap, and he still stands atop the bar. Silently, Brogol waits for his more silver-tonged compatriots to speak...
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Raziya, quite pleased with her colleague's charms, fixes the minstrel with a stare and crooks her finger for him to come closer.
"You should join us as well, Mr. Kels. I understand you have all sorts of interesting songs to sing and tales to tell."
"Don't worry. It'll all be fine just come for a walk with us and we can work everything out. Why don't you close up the bar for the minute, I'll put a few gold up to cover any lost revenue."
Caggan looks like he's about to object, but when Karik offers up a few gold to cover the lost revenue, he nods. "Right. Okay." He gestures at a couple of the barmaids, "Aquila, Eustia, close up for the day, would you? Make sure the kitchen fire is out before you lock up."
The bard tries to glower at Raziya but it's more of a pout. "Does this mean I'm under arrest, or, if I refuse, is that one going to waggle his eyes at me, too?" Riley seems to be referring to how Karik charmed Caggan.
When Caggan seems to assent to closing up the tavern, the patrons grumble a bit and cast dark expressions towards all of you but gradually collect their things and file out. Cimri waits quietly in the corner, arms crossed casually over her chest but with her weapons only inches from her hands.
Cimri waits quietly in the corner, arms crossed casually over her chest but with her weapons only inches from her hands.
The Doctor nods in approval as the people file out. He waits for most to leave before heading out himself. Once most are out of earshot, he says "Very good. Zat was done with fine discretion, if I may say so." He puts a bony hand on Riley's shoulder. "Ve vanted to talk to you, Mister Kels. You are not under arrest, but ve do have some questions for you. I would like to encourage you to join us."
He tries to be the reasonable voice luring the bard in.
Violence seemingly averted, Brogol steps off the bar, landing with a soft thump. Moving quickly to Kel's side, Brogol removes his mask and flips his cloakhood back down, smiling.
"Yer good, Riley. Got a nice voice on you. Good pitch, nice timbre. Yer going places, that's for sure. You know The Girl From Sargaava?"
Brogol's praise is sincere, and it shows. The bard was - surprisingly for such a backwater town - quite good, in so far as the minute or so that Brogol had heard him.
Kels was disinclined to walk with you but seems to relax a little with the soothing words and complies. Caggan comes along, too.
"You know The Girl From Sargaava?"
Though compliant, the bard isn't quite trusting and remains a on edge, furtively glancing between all of you. "Uh, yeah, of course I know it. Fun song for a late night crowd."
Though compliant, the bard isn't quite trusting and remains a on edge,
Karik looks to his companion
"Shall we head to the jail? Just for somewhere private to chat... "
"Ah. Why, ze jail is an eminently reasonable suggestion. Don't you zink so, dear Kels? Zo private now that zere are no more deputies." He imbues practiced joviality into his tone. "Come both of you. Ve vill chat, and then you vill be back to whatever it is you normally do, hmm?"
He hopes the two of them will simply comply so that force will not be needed.
"Yep, its a great song," Brogol says, straightening his cloak. "What about the more bawdy ones, yeah? Pork-pie Prance? The Cloakroom Canter? Emu and the Burning Bush?"
Guiding the bard with with a gentle hand towards the door, Brogol grabs a deserted ale from a nearby table and presses it into Kels' hand, and then picks another for himself, clinking them together. "To the arts, then, my friend."
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Eris marvels at Karik's ability to dominate someone's mind. "What a fantastic trick! I want to be able to do that. Show me later. Ha!"
As they discuss going to the jail, she says "That is a fabulous idea. We could decorate it and have a party. We could invite all the townspeople--or at least those that want to open businesses when they shouldn't. It will be a blast for everyone."
"A... blast. Yes, indeed it may be, in a way." The Doctor murmurs in what appears to be agreement with Eris. In truth, he's already considering what kind of interrogation might produce the cleanest results from Kels with the least mess.
There is a scattering of townsfolk waiting outside the tavern, mostly gossiping about the turn of events, but Caggan and Kels both accompany you back to the jail (or elsewhere?) uneventfully.
Once in the jail, the Doctor leads Kels away from Caggan and over to a back room that doesn't have great access to the front door. He sits the bard down in a chair and then shakes his hand. "Vell then, very nice to meet you Mister Kels. I am to understand zat recently you have been spreading some very interesting stories. Zat you have met the ze Angel Knight yourself? You have been composing some quite excellent ballads in her honor?"
"Quite the special personal connection you have, it seems. I am very interested in how you met ze Angel Knight. She is elusive otherwise, hmm?"
The way the Doctor shows his teeth as he attempts to put Kels at ease is more unnerving than effective.
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Taking a seat next to Kels, Brogol frowns as the Doctor, perhaps not used to people outside of his... clinical setting, comes off as cold and menacing.
Sighing, as if very weary, Brogol continues talking of music. "As I said, yer good. I wonder, is it passion that drives yer music, or natural talent? Me and the Doctor - we have a bet. See, Doctor thinks yer a rebel, but I think yer just a good bard, sees a chance to make some money, gain some fame. And nobody can fault a guy for taking an opportunity. A traitor, he might go to his grave to protect the knight, but someone just wants to make a living, well, he'd see the wisdom in not aligning too closely with traitors. So, let's hear yer story. How did you meet this Angel Knight?"
In her armor Raziay can't help but serve as an ominous presence, but she stays quiet for now, waiting to hear how Riley would respond to Brogol's honeyed words.
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The jail is currently empty as relatively little time has passed since your meeting the archbaron. When a detachment of his house guard will arrive in town seems an open question.
Cimri makes her way over towards her aunt's old desk and sits in the chair, running her blades over a whetstone while Franz and Brogol go to questioning Kels.
"The Angel Knight? Well, I..." He pauses, looking around at all of you. "I really don't know her. I was just inspired by what the Sword Knight said in the square. You know, you see a beautiful flower and begin writing a poem about the rays of sunshine kissing the petals. You don't have to see the sun itself to see what it touches."
Brogol frowns. It seemed there wouldn't be any turning the bard. The man was a good liar, but Brogol had spent years watching nobles - and servants - dissemble and obfuscate. Kels looks away for just the briefest of seconds, and his pause is telling.
Taking his index and middle fingers and jabbing them onto the desk between them, Brogol stares at the bard, daring the man to look away.
"Bullocks. Do you know what the penalty to lying to agents of the Crown are? Listen. Closely. We have word - from someone that would know - that you've met the Knight. Don't think you're the only flunky we're talking too. And we already know something important. We know you're lying, and where your sympathies lay."
"So, this is your chance to walk out of here of your own mobilition. Spill it, everything. And you lie again, we'll crack your head open easy as we did Caggin's, and get what we want. Either way. Only choice you've got is whether or not you get to leave."
Of course, they didn't have a source, but Kels didn't know that. And, the Reclamation thinking that they did? That would be a fine thing, all things considered...
The Doctor sighs at Kels' obstinacy when Brogol reveals that he'd been lying. Troublesome patients weren't unusual. And sometimes healing their ailments sometimes meant making them a touch more pliable first. He considers the current case, should Brogol's arguments fall on deaf ears.
He opens his satchel and begins searching for forceps and a scalpel.
Riley wilts like one of his poor flowers, trying to shrink into his chair. "But I... ALRIGHT! Alright! I'll tell you everything, but I swear it's not much, not like you think. It was a couple days ago. The sun was starting to rise when I crested the top of a hill..."
You can practically hear the birds starting to sing until he re-focuses and figures brevity may have better odds of keeping him from the noose, "And, yeah, so, she's there, praying, at the top of the hill. She was wearing this armor with wings and, at first, I thought she was an angel. I even dropped to my knees when she approached me, but she helped me up and told me to... to not be afraid."
He blushes, embarrassed by that statement juxtaposed against his current situation. "Then I asked her name, and she answered. Lencia Visserene. Then she left. I don't know more than that, I swear. I haven't seen her or met her since."
Leaving Caggan in the sheriff’s chair Karik quietly comes up behind Riley.
Wrapping his fingers through the bards hair and forces his head back, exposing his neck.
”Now is that the whole truth? You don’t want to lie to me.“
Vaelor joins her master.
” It’s true, you really don’t want to lie to him. But I want you to. Please lie to him! Then he will let me have fun with you. And what fun we will have.”
Brogol leans in close, invading the bard's space, practically pushing the man further back into Karik's grasp, waiting for Kels to answer the dhampir's question.
Brogol lingers, close enough to smell the liquor on Kels' breath until he answers, and waits another beat before sitting back in his chair, nodding.
"Where's this hill you saw this Lencia at then?"
The Doctor pauses in selecting his tools, rather amused at how little it took to get Kels talking. "Ah wonderful. How very sensible of you to talk."
"You paint quite ze scene. But one can't help but vonder... why did she tell you not to be afraid? Perhaps, she is not what she presents herself as?"