Sabina regards the brooch in Grent's hands then smiles. She turns to address your escort. “You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to the queen.” The woman then steps to the side, holding out her hand in welcome, and leading you into Castle Korvosa.
Shortly after entering the castle Sabina turns her head toward the group, though her stride remains at a steady pace. "How would you prefer to be introduced to the Queen?"
"I am Crux. I have been called the Deformed. I remain her faithful vassal."
"My name is Tael; I am a minstrel residing in Old Korvosa."
"Grent. Grent Ungol," Grent says quietly. "Just a blacksmith, ma'am, caught up in all of this."
Derrian speaks, "Derrian. Derrian Thews of the Sable Company Marines."
"Kazadarin Darlok of Korvosa ma'am."
The woman nods, then faces forward once more. As she leads you around one final corner, the passageway opens into Castle Korvosa's throne room. The large, open space boasts little decoration, but makes up for this lack by sheer grandeur alone. Impressive stained glass windows dominate the eastern wall of the room, and rich crimson tapestries drape the wall opposite. A sizable fireplace provides heat to the chamber, and a silk carpet stretches from your position in the entry, to the Throne itself. Coming to a halt, the woman lifts her voice in proclamation.
"Crux the Deformed, Tael of Korvosa, Grent Ungol, Sable Marine Darrian Thews, and Kazadarin Darlok of Korvosa. You are granted audience with Ileosa Arabasti, Queen of Korvosa. Approach the Crimson Throne!"
Seated upon the Throne is a young woman with fair, alabaster skin and hair the color of flame. She wears a black dress and veil, and her head is bowed as if in mourning. The edge of the veil nearly touches a small silver coffer resting upon the woman's lap.
Your escort takes the brooch from Grent and wordlessly approaches the Queen. With a bow, she delivers the treasure and takes up a protective position at the side of the Crimson Throne. Ileosa Arabasti regards the brooch for some time before raising her head, beconing you to approach so that she may address you.
"This brooch was stolen from me some time ago. I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope."
Leaning heavily on his staff, Crux hobbles forth. He gets as close as he can to the queen but stops just before he feels the guards will stop him from getting closer. He kneels before the queen. "It has been a pleasure to be of such simple service in this sad time, my queen."
Derrian walks alongside Crux, and goes to his knee as well, bowing his head deeply. "Any true citizen of Korvosa would have done the same, Highness."
Seeing the general sentiment, Grent silently falls to one knee and bows his head low.
The queen smiles at your comments. “Your kind words are appreciated in these grim times. I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens. These riots cannot continue."
"You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more." Queen Ileosa pauses to indicate the woman standing beside her. "If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here. They can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way; the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself."
Derrian keeps his head bowed. "I serve Korvosa and Your Highness. I will speak to my Captain immediately about assisting as I can.
Grent nods at the directions. "Your wish is my command, your highness."
"You willingness to serve lifts my spirits. With champions such as yourselves fighting to preserve it, I am convinced Korvosa will pull through its current troubles. Now, I need to retire; my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning."
Sabina, the Queen's bodyguard, takes the coffer from Ileosa and presents it to you. The finely-crafted chest is made of silver, and clearly valuable in its own right. Within its velvet-lined interior rest 12 gold ingots, each bearing the royal seal of Korvosa, a mark that signifies their value of 100 gold apiece.
Once the reward is delivered Queen Ileosa excuses herself. With a whirl of the hem of her mourning dress, Queen Ileosa is gone from sight. Sabina motions for you to follow her, and leads you out of the Castle and into the courtyard once more. As you retrieve your weapons, all intact, she asks of you, "The Queen's offer is legitimate; if you are prepared to leave for Citadel Volshyenek at once, I will arrange an escort for you. If not, you can make your way there on your own time. Either way, a messenger shall be sent to alert the Guard of your impending arrival, and the Queen's wishes."
I'm ready.
With six of us, that's 200GP each.
Grent turns towards his companions. "My life's carried in this bag," he says to them, patting his backpack. "Since Lamm came into my life, I haven't much cared what I've done. This might be a good change of pace."
Taelreth remains silent through the hearing. After Sabina finishes speaking, she says, "I need to visit Old Korvosa; there are some things in my house there, and I do not trust they will remain safe through these riots. I will meet you all at Citadel Volshyenek shortly."
"You shouldn't go alone - I'm sure that not all of the violence out there is for material gain," Grent says in a dark tone. "I'll travel with you. Safety in numbers."
"I agree with Grent, we should stick together until order is restored."
Derrian nods and says, "I must check in with the Sable Company captain. A an agent of the city, I am not completely at liberty to take this position. I will endeavor to met you at the citadel, or send a message as I can." The young Sable maine takes his leave with a bow to his companions.
Returning to her small room, it doesn't take long for Taelreth to gather her possessions. Wrapping Arim's flute carefully and stowing it deep in her pack, she slings the pack over her shoulder and sets out for Citadel Volshyenek; though she much desires to search for Arianna, she knows that to do so in the current situation is hopeless.
As you approach Citadel Volshyenek, it is hard not to recognize looks of fatigue on the faces of the two guards flanking the sides of the entrance to the outer courtyard. They exchange nervous glances as you draw near, and begin to lower their weapons to attempt to bar your way when a third man, considerably more rested, calls from within the courtyard itself. "Let them pass; the Field Marshal is expecting them."
The man strides forward purposefully, a letter in hand which he holds out for you to take. "A messenger arrived with this earlier in the day, from the Sable Company." He pauses to allow you time to read the handwritten note before continuing.
I wish to express Marine Thews' appreciation, as well as my own, for your recent actions. Though it is not my place to judge the events disclosed in Thews' report to me, know that your actions will have a lasting impact on the city of Korvosa, in its time of greatest need.
Unfortunately, in light of Korvosa's current crisis Marine Thews will be unable to accompany you as you begin your service to the Queen. His duties lie elsewhere, and as we find ourselves undermanned it is required that he fulfill his oath of service, taking to the skies of Korvosa as a full member of the Sable Company.
Take heart that Korvosa will recover, that the tasks carried out by yourselves, and those of similar mind, will return this city to her full glory. Be proud of your service to the Crimson Throne.
Marcus Endrin
Commander, Sable Company
Crux quickly reads the letter and passes it on to the others without saying anything. He finds himself rather eager to meet his new 'commander'.
After allowing everyone interested the opportunity to tread the message, the guardsman gestures toward the central keep. "If you will follow me, the Field Marshall is eager to meet with you."
As you are led through the courtyard, you note the area to be extremely quiet. Few guardsmen appear to be stationed within the Citadel, and those that are present seem to bear the same fatigue as those watching the gate. Despite this, all are garbed in full armor and keep their weapons within easy reach.
You enter the central keep, its entrance opening into a small audience chamber. Bypassing this room, you continue through an open door in the north wall, and find yourselves in a spacious, but spartan, office. A dark-haired woman in red armor stands at her desk, quickly composing herself in a failed attempt to hide her own exhaustion.
"Welcome all; my name is Cressida Kroft, Field Marshal of Citadel Volshyenek. Please, have a seat." The Field Marshall indicates a number of chairs arrayed around the room, one of which is already occupied by a young Shoanti. After everyone has taken a seat, Kroft nearly collapses into the chair behind her desk, and an audible sigh escapes he mouth. After a moment her gaze returns to you. "Forgive me, your escort seems to have forgotten to give me your names. You are the heroes sent by the Queen?"
Akari shuffles through his Harrow deck, frying to formulate a proper, clear question in his head about where this path will lead, and what he needs to pay attention to. The Harrow is not the Shoanti method if divination, but since the day he picked up the deck, they have been more clear and accurate than the bones of his grandmother. The Vision, The Tangled Briar, The Queen Mother. What do they mean? The coming of a magical power. An old evil endangers the presence. Knowledge through fealty." Akari considers the cards carefully.
The woman who had introduced herself as Field Marshall Croft was speaking to four other individuals. He quietly puts his cards away in their worn leather case and watches the ongoings.
"That would be a generous, if not altogether incorrect, description of us." Crux rasps. "I am Crux, this is Taelreth, Grent, and Kazadarin. It seems we are at your service."
Grent gives a wry chuckle. "From desperate vigilantes to heroes, literally overnight. These riots really are something else," he mutters, half to himself. He takes the seat indicated. "So, Field Marshall, why exactly have we been sent here, ma'am?"
Kazadarin shakes his head at the mention of heroes. The last thing he expected from returning to avenge himself versus Lamm is to be called a hero by the Field Marshal.
The Field Marshall nods at your words, and she graces you with a weary smile. "Heroes are born when men and women act with dignity, and uphold justice in their undertakings. It may not have been by design or intent, but with the return of her brooch you became heroes in the eyes of the Queen. Given the state of the city, perhaps you will fulfill such a role for all of Korvosa. Her Highness hopes this will be the case."
"I will not force you to serve the Guard by the Queen's wishes alone." Field Marshall Kroft stands and walks over to the room's eastern wall, where a map of the city is displayed. "You’ve been on the streets. You know better than me how bad things have been since the King's death. It’s breaking my heart to see Korvosa tear herself apart like this. Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens as yourselves helps. If you’re willing, I’d very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard. I ask this of you myself, not as an soldier in service to the Crimson Throne, but as a loyal daughter of Korvosa. I don’t need to say, of course, that you’ll be well compensated for your services."
"I will help. I am looking for a new mission in life." Crux can't help but smile as he thinks on Lamm's death.
Akari sings softly to himself as Field Marshall Kroft speaks. The words are Shoanti, but the lyrics don't make sense. His eyes open and his song trails off. "The people should be free to do as they please, unless it interferes in the lives of others. This turmoil is harmful to some. That needs to stop. But people should be free to express their frustration with change." The young Shoanti closes his eyes and resumes singing, rocking back and forth in place. Suddenly he stops again. "My path lies with these four. The ancestors have shown it to me."
"Then with us you are," Grent says simply. "For Korvosa, for the Queen..." For Jathal... "...I pledge the might of my arms." He nods seriously.
"Wonderful. The city will need heroes if it is to survive its current state, and you may qualify for the role more than any serving under me." The Field Marshall sighs heavily as she turns to face you once more. "Korvosa’s got enough troubles as it is, without my own men losing their way and going rogue. As much as it pains me to admit, though, this has happened several times already. Many guards have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. I can understand this, yet not all of the deserters have family. Some of them are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain. One such man is Verik Vancaskerkin. Worse than a lone deserter, he’s convinced a small group of fellow guards that Queen Ileosa is going to ruin the city."
Hanging her head in shame, Kroft speaks with conviction in her voice. "How the Queen will manage the city isn't our conern. Right now, we’ve got a city-wide crisis on our hands, and I need all of my guards working with me to see us through. A deserter is worse than a lost resource. It's an infection. I can’t afford to pull any of my other patrols off duty to deal with Vancaskerkin, and I’d rather not expose any of them to him anyway; I neither want Vancaskerkin to infect more guards with his talk of secession, nor do I want some overly patriotic guard killing Vancaskerkin outright. I need impartial, skilled talent. Like you."
"Vancaskerkin and his men have holed up in an abandoned butcher’s shop, up in Northgate. The place was called All the World’s Meat when its doors were open. I need you to check the place out. Try to avoid killing any of the deserters if you can, but if you must, they brought it upon themselves when they threw in their lot with Vancaskerkin. For him, I’d really prefer it if you could capture him alive, and return him to me for interrogation. If he makes that impossible, however, I’ll accept his body as well. Finally, see if you can find out why Verik deserted. If there’s more to it than simple personal politics, I need to know immediately."
Indicating the Shoanti man with a nod of her head, the Field Marshall continues. "Akari will be joining you in your task. Like yourselves, he is not a member of the Guard; his path has led him to you, and I trust his abilities will assist you when there is need." Kroft pauses before adding. "Bring me Verik alive, and there’s another thousand gold in it for you. Dead, he’s only worth half that."
"Yes ma'am. If everyone is ready, there is no time like the present."
Akari thinks silently to himself before standing and hobbling over to the four. His robes conceal his legs, but he moves like one lame. "It would be my pleasure, to join such a group. Your stars are rising, and the adventure will be the stuff of legends."
"You flatter us too highly," Grent says. He hefts his shield. "I'm with Crux on this. The sooner we find this deserter, the sooner things can get back to normal."
"I agree, let us go find this guard and bring this to an end."Kazadarin turns and gives Akari a once over."Welcome to our group Akari, as Grent said you flatter us, but I hope we can all live up to the expitations placed upon us."
Akari smiles a cryptic smile. "I place no expectations on you. The spirits foretell your fate. I merely translate their message." He folds his hands in his robes and falls in behind the others.
"Very well. I can't say I owe any particular loyalty to the city, but I'll never find my daughter so long as this chaos continues. Perhaps my bladesong will help calm the streets of Korvosa."
"I thank you. If you desire, you are welcome to make use of the Citadel's barracks while you remain in service to the Guard. Or if you would prefer, I can make arrangements for you to stay at the Three Rings Tavern, in Northpoint; the owner, Theandra Darklight, is a good friend, and within a day I can have a line of credit established to provide you comfortable lodgings."
"We may require a writ or badge denoting us as members of the guard in good standing."
Crux is ready to go now, even without a badge.
"The longer we wait, the more chance the rot has to spread. I say we leave immediately."
"I have everything I need, but this man does bring up a good point. As there are many who would take advantage of this chaotic time, a badge or letter denoting out office to any in an authoritative power would help us do our job better."
"I'm afraid a mark signifying your role would provide you with no benefit. Anyone who would care about such things would be reporting to me, either directly or through their superiors. To make matters worse, in hopes of reestablishing order within the city the Queen has called in Hellknights from the Order of the Nail. Your allegiances would mean little to them, if anything; they readily slaughter anybody they feel stands in their way. I would recommend avoiding them at all costs. In many ways they are little more than thugs."
"That said, if you still desire such tokens before setting out, I will have something suitable brought to you within the next few hours. Should you decide to wait, you are welcome to rest in the barracks."
"Thank you for your council. Perhaps it is best that we operate as a 'shadow arm' of the of the Guard. Doing things and going places that the others cannot." Crux's laugh turns into a cough. "It is time we were off." Crux head's toward All the World's Meat.
Akari walks out with the rest of the group. As he walks with the group, he ponders what he knows about Northgate and the butchery, for any information that may be of interest to the group.
Grent appears lost in thought as the party moves towards the butchery. "Hellknights, hm? I knew that things were pretty bad, but to bring such a dangerous group into the mix..." He shakes his head. "I guess things are even worse than we thought."
Northgate itself is named due to its proximity to the Longriver Bridge. The span's eastern end serves as the northernmost entrance into the city. This ward has traditionally been home to a large number of Korvosa's wealthy elites, but many of these individuals have begun to relocate; the ward is suffering a slow decline as a reconsult of this exodus.
The Field Marshall nods as you move to set out. "Very well then. I wish you well, and hope to hear of your success upon your return."
The trip through Korvosa's streets is fairly uneventful. Wary eyes peer at your from the city's dark alleyways, but the riots and general chaos are quelled somewhat during daylight hours. As you approach your destination, All the World's Meat is fairly easy to spot. The two-story building, though in poor condition and in dire need of repair, boasts a freshly-painted sign depicting a fat, smiling cow over its open door. Along the building's western face is a sizable animal pen; though the pen is currently empty, several sets of large double-doors lead into the building from this area.
Through the shop's front window you can see the entrance to be crowded with people, and a small line extends through the door and along the building. Wearing ragged and dirty clothes, many of these individuals glance around nervously, while others stare intently at the shop's front door while they wait to be let inside. A large man stands at attention near the shop entrance, the glint of metal armor visible beneath his tunic. A sword and crossbow are belted at his waist, and he lets his gaze wander over the line of potential customers in slow, methodical sweeps.