There's only one cage in this room. Taelreth looks straight at the caged dragon. Which I doubt Barvasi would be pleased if we opened.
Akari approaches the cage and peers at the creature inside. In Shoanti, he says, "Hello little one, you are a very interesting specimen. How did the King of Spiders get a hold of you?"
Sure enough, as you look for the source of the voice you notice the pseudodragon in the cage is staring at the party intently. At Akari's question, one of Barvasi's enforcers speaks up. "It doesn't speak, at least not that I've heard; the thing must be dumb or mute. A new recruit gave it to the boss as a gift. Lifts his spirits, he says, especially when a dream spider is put in the cage with it."
Though no more words enter your heads, the tiny dragon watches you expectantly.
K: Arcana
Knowledge: Arcana
Taelreth frowns slightly, troubled by the situation. She hates to see an intelligent creature imprisoned, but she isn't eager to be run through again trying to fight her way out of this place.
Kazadarin frowns and looks around taking stock of the situation and sizing up the oposition.
No inteligent creature diserves to be held as amusment or slave.
Perception:
Grent picks his shield and kukri up where he left them after the game of knivesies, flexing his hand in the shield straps. He sees Kaz's calculating look at the guards. Oh no, I can see where this is going. Four of them... five of us. But we need those letters...
Aside from the four Eel's End enforcers, Kazadarin notes that all five of the remaining thugs in the room are armed as well; several of the men carry longswords, while others boast warhammers. Several crossbows can be seen as well, and all of the men appear to wear chainmail. Everyone in the room looks capable of holding their own in a fight, if it were to come to that.
Grent turns around, noticing the other five armed men in the room and does some quick mental calisthenics. He loosens his grip on his shield some.
Taelreth slumps slightly as she realizes freeing the creature would be impossible. She sees the same realization in the others' eyes, and takes a regretful look at the caged dragon.
Barvasi's certainly taking his time, she thinks to herself as she paces about the room.
Barvasi's certainly taking his time, she thinks to herself as she paces about the room.
As you relax in light of the overwhelming odds, Barvasi returns from the ship's hold. He strides across the room, settles into his chair once again, and tosses a satchel at Taelreth's feet. "Your letters, as agreed. Now, please leave your coin and be on your way. I have more business to conduct tonight; you've helped narrow my perspective new hires by one." The King of Spiders indicates the defeated thug. "I've still got three more to eliminate."
Akari looks into the cage one more time and winks, before turning and returning to his companions.
Grent looks towards the remaining toughs. "Better luck than him," he grunts, gesturing towards the wounded man with his sharply hooked kukri. He turns to his companions as well, indecision clearly splayed across his face. "We should see what else this floating pleasure island holds," he says. "You know - as long as we're here."
Taelreth counts out and delivers the coin, tucking the letters away in safe place. "A pleasure doing business with you. I agree--it would only be fair to contribute to our fine host's business before departing."
Once outside, she quietly mentions to the others, "If that creature is intelligent, it's probably illegal for him to have it imprisoned; we may be able to get the Field Marshal to act on the situation, or at least lend us some backup."
"Do everyone a favor and leave it for now. It will do us no good to make an enemy of that one... at this time." Advises Crux.
Akari nods, "No living creature should be caged against it's will. But our reason to be here is not to liberate. I would be up for another visit at another time."
"and while we are here, you may wish to check the authenticity of the letters.", the young Shoanti suggests.
"I think now is the time," Grent says, leaning in close to the others. "There's going to be a brawl in there anyways - his numbers are just going to shrink as the night goes on. I say we keep ourselves here, engage in a bit of skullduggery - buying drinks for the guards floating around, and so on. Then, when it's quite a bit later, we spring - I start a brawl, cuz if there's one thing I can do..." He flexes his shield arm meaningfully. "Then one of you stealthy types sneak in during the distraction and snag the cage."
"You are certainly welcome to stay, but I shall be leaving. I can take the letters if you wish."
Crux returns to the citadel.
The letters in hand, the group sets out for Citadel Volshyenek once more. The shadows are growing long, and the streets are already clearing for the night. Suddenly, several cries from a tavern on your right draw your attention. A man in a filthy uniform, bearing the crest of the Korvosan Guard, stumbles out of the establishment and falls at your feet. He slowly begins picking himself up, but he pauses when he sees Kazadarin. The man smiles, and moves to clutch at the ranger's feet.
Neffi! What are you doin' 'ere!? I 'aven't seen you since I left Sandpoint. 'ow's my old man? He dead yet?
As the man moves closer, you're overwhelmed my the smell of stale sweat and ale. 'elp me to my feet, Neffi. I need a drink. We need a drink! Let me buy you a drink, Neffi.
Kazadarin shakes his head and takes hold of the guard assisting him to his feet."I am not Neffi friend. Here let me help you up."
Once the man is on his feet, Kazadarin wil keep hold of him in a friendly way to keep him up right then begins walking with him in tow towards the Citadel. "Come on friend, lets get you home."
Grent wordlessly takes the man's other arm, supporting the drunk guard between himself and Kazadarin.
Akari takes the drunk by the other arm, "Yes, friend. Let us help you. What are you celebrating tonight?" The Shoanti watches the inebriated guardsman, trying to determine just how drunk the man is, and if he poses a threat in any way.
"Well let's see what other riff raff we can pick up along the way."
The man quickly turns back to Akari. 'm not celebratin'. The King's dead! Trag ... thic ... tragic! Tragic, it is. A good man, the King. Kep' us from fallin' apart. An' I hear all the stories, too. Poor King. Shouldna' gone that way.
Knowledge Local
"You are worse than Vankaskerkin. He just left. You are a festering canker that will eventually poison the guard."
Crux continues to the citadel.
Knowledge Local:
Kazadarin shakes his head at Crux "Nothing wrong with blowing off steam now and then. Done it myself a time or two."
He looks back at the guard."Very true friend. Now lets get you pack to the Citidale and we can have a few more drinks there."
Knowledge (local)
Taelreth frowns at both Crux's comments and the man's drunkenness. "A man's allowed to get drunk, though our friend here seems to have had quite a bit."
Akari smiles at being called old, "Yes, friend. Indeed, I have grown old. And yes, it is a tragic thing, the King's death. Korvosa needs every one of it's finest to stand with her in her time of need.
Korvosa's lost. Lost. Now that she's in charge. The drunk man lowers his voice. She killed 'im, an' stole the throne. An' now Korvosa's lost.
The rest of your journey to Citadel Volshyenek proceeds without incident. As you approach, several guardsmen come to you and take the drunk from your care, thanking you for bringing him back.
Word is sent to the Field Marshall, and before long she summons you to her office. It would seem additional thanks are owed to you; I've heard that you located and returned Grau Soldado to us. He disappeared in the chaos immediately following the King's death; Soldado's one of the most dedicated men to serve in my command. It's a shame that we could not help him come to terms with the King's loss, but we can now help him regain his honor.
As appreciative as I am at Grau's return, though, that is not the reason I've called you here. I trust you were able to obtain the information that I asked for?
"Yes, Captain." Crux hands over the letters (or motions to whomever holds them).
Grent stands in the back of the office, his cuts from the game of knivesies still stinging. "Cost a pretty penny - the sneaking spider knew the worth of what he was carrying," Grent states simply.
I'm not surprised; Barvasi makes his living by knowing the value of the items and information he knows.
Kroft takes the letters, and begins to read the firs of the two. She begins blushing, then hurriedly puts them both in a desk drawer. Yes, well, those will do nicely. You've done good work; you've earned some additional payment for your effort and speed. The Field Marshal draws forth a small coin pouch and places it on the table for you.
You've exceeded any expectations I had when I received word of your arrival. Your efforts in these few delicate matters have put the city further along the path of recovery that I thought possible. Though there is an increase in rumors surrounding the Crimson Throne and the King's death, actual acts of violence have decreased noticeably. I currently have no further assignments for you, though I will summon you again should a need for your abilities arise. The Field Marshall nods to you, indicating you are dismissed.
Akari reminds the young guardsman that his duty is to Korvosa,a dn now, more than ever, Korvosa needs loyal men. Accepting the rumors as fact with no evidence leads to despair. The Shoanti encourages Grau to stand for Korvosa, but not blindly. He encourages Grau to keep his ears open, but be wise as to whom he speaks those rumors to. He also let's the man know that he would be interested in knowing the word on the street, and is interested in seeking the truth, for the betterment of Korvosa.
Grau nods at the wisdom of Akari's words. The man acknowledges that rumors should be taken as nothing more, and agrees to share anything new he might hear.
A week passes following your trip to Eel's End, and your efforts, as well as those of the Guard and the Sable Company, have had a noticeable impact. The riots and fires are nearly forgotten, though rumors grow and circulate even more rapidly in the relative calm. Over the past few days you've all heard the rumors mentioned by the drunk guardsman repeated in the common room of the Three Rings, as well as whispered in the streets. It seems that most people feel the King was actually murdered, though the culprit varies wildly from telling to telling, from packs of pseudodragons, to the Gueen, to the god Aroden himself, returned from the grave.
Within the last day, though, nearly all the rumors have begun to feature a single name: Trinia Sabor. No one seems to know who the name belongs to, but the general consensus is that a young woman by that name is the true murderer.
In the morning, just after breakfast service has ended, a breathless Guardsman arrives at the Three Rings. He seeks you out as soon as he arrives. The Field Marshall is on her way. She needs to speak with you immediately; she shouldn't be far behind.
Grent pushes aside his plain bread and simple cheese that has been his staple breakfast, day in and day out. Most of his days have been spent reading meditations and reflections on Pharasma and her teachings, alone in his room, though he makes a point of coming down for meals and listening intently, if not talking much.
"Good," he says to the Guardsman. "A little action will be just the thing to get the blood pumping again."
Taelreth spends the intermediate week checking in on the butcher's shop and practicing her swordsmanship.
On the arrival of the guard,Taelreth heads up to her room and arms herself, figuring she'll want to be ready to move once the Field Marshall arrives. She then returns to the common room.
Kazadarin spends the week at the inn with little outside excursions other than a few walk abouts. Most of his days are spent talking to the guards and nights playing cards.
When the guardsman arrives Kaz straitens his clothing and waits for the Field Marshal.