Gravus raises an eyebrow slightly at the money given away so freely by his Domina, and carefully scans those inhabitants of the Fremitum also close enough to notice, gauging if any might be tempted to try to win some of it for themselves though less honest work, or perhaps more forceful means.
Zag chuckles again at Valka's lack of comprehension of the local nomenclature. "Fregus Pugnus is gang, not person. Igno part of Fregus Pugnus. Kamus Rix is big boss. He run Fremitum. Fremitum talks: you come with Erythnul. Erythnul and Rix close. You do deal with Rix and Igno. Deal don't go bad. Good for you."
Zag's eyes squint maliciously.
"For now."
He chuckles once more and proceeds to explain, as part of the daily lesson, the Goblin word for 'deal', and how in the Goblin tongue the word does not possess any implication of legality, long term association nor loyalty.
Gravus cannot help but realize yet another reason why the Greenskins are so diametrically opposed to the scions of the Soul Forger: in the Dwarven tongue the word 'deal' bears many legal implications, issues of loyalty and honoring one's word, not to mention one's clan (that goes without saying, since Dwarves do not see themselves in individualistic terms).
Cassia recoils slightly, confused at the sudden change in attitude of Paesentius.
"Then speak plainly. I could unleash Tisiphone again, but I would wish there to be something left to win. I do not expect Placidius to take the honourable course and fall upon his sword, not unless he is pushed. I have sought you out because you know how these problems are settled in Loutharnium, so yes, I will help you, but I will not walk blindfold down a dark alley. The why is obvious, but the when, where and how, not so."
Beyond Paesentius's ever-present cheeky smile, there is no mirth left in the man.
"I speak plainly enough. You asked for this meet, not me. You have something to offer, offer it. Otherwise go home. These streets will kill you."
"My side of the deal would be to use my power, my money and my Tisiphone to restore your reputation and ensure your control of the Vulpus Nigrus. Yours would be to act on my behalf and ensure I learn what I need to so that I come to know the streets, and they come to know me."
That last could be interpreted as a threat to any who think that it would be an easy matter for the streets to kill her.
Valka will ask Zag about this "Fregus Pugnus gang" and what's the link with the gangs in town (like the Vulpus!) if he knows anything about that.
I basically try to learn as much as I can without getting too pushy about it! If it looks like its getting somewhere I ask if he knows about the Vulpus and what's going on there.
Valka won't be subtle about it (she don't have the skill for that anyway!)
As long as Zag answer she keep asking question but stop if I get any vibe its not a good idea to continue!
Valka after will rejoin Cassia and the others and help with anything there!
Paesentius:
"How much money are we talking about? And what you ask is something I can deliver."
Zag the Devious:
Zag the Devious explains Loutharnium has 3 established 'gangs' unless, he adds with his usual malicious chuckling, you count the Governor and his militia as one too. The 'Fregus Pugnus' rules over the Fremitum, the 'Vulpus Nigrus' over the Laxium and the 'Anguis Flumen' (Suel for 'river snakes') the port district. He doesn't know what's going on with the Vulpii and doesn't care, concluding every district takes care of its own problems.
"Some hundreds of denarii at short notice. Though you probably know that already. Maybe more given some time and the right contacts."
Paesentius:
"Hundreds of denarii will do. Alright, you have a deal Cassia Nigra."
A pause. The smile turns into the strange pout of a man thinking.
"Take all you have, people, weapons, money and go to the Vulpes Nigra. I will meet you there. Don't travel the streets unless you have numbers. If you need to buy anything, do it now and fast."
Paesentius looks at Cassia; how she is coping.
Cassia studies Paesentius intensely.
"Blindfolds and dark alleys, Paesentius? Would you like me to tie my hands behind my back as well?"
She smiles slightly.
"Do you have an hour in mind for this confrontation? And can you be sure the watch will not intervene?"
Paesentius's smile returns but his eyes are hard, betraying the jovial demeanor of the heavy set man.
"Having you at the Vulpes should force Placidius's hand. We'll talk more at the Inn."
Paesentius stares once at Cassia, as if probing into the woman's soul, searching for something; he then leaves.
Cassia will reunite with Lucius Gallus who has hopefully been keeping an eye out and fill him in on the conversation, giving him enough information of past events so that he can make sense of it. (Well, at least as much sense as Cassia can make of it, anyway). Keeping a wary eye out she'd then seek to buy a spatha on the way back to Turia's Hearth so that if we get jumped on the way back Lucius Gallus will have something to fight with.
Hopefully, Valka hasn't gone anywhere this morning (she will have known about the intent to meet with Paesentius and an intended 'back before lunch'). Cassia will bring her and Bjarturius up to speed on Paesentius' information and suggest a late lunch at the Vulpes Nigra. Although, I'm not sure how fit Bjarturius is at the moment.
"Who would have anticipated, Bjarturius Rasmus, that you would so quickly have an opportunity to settle your debt to me?"
Lucius Gallus seems confused by the information that Cassia is giving him. In the end, he simply asks, "Is going to this meeting going to make you safe and bring these dark days to a close?"
Valka hasn't gone anywhere yet today and makes sure Cassia plus everyone else knows what she learned about the 3 gangs in Loutharnium.
She is okay with being with Cassia when she goes to the Vulpes Nigra but ask does that mean we all go? What about Veleda and the baby? Are we putting them at risk?
Valka also wants to know what Bjarturius wants to do about all this, and Gallus too.
Finally she asks Cassia:
"What do you think is going on and what are you planning to do? You've been with them before right? Do you know anything that can help us understand what's happening here?"
"I was with them, against my will, and not for long enough to understand all that I saw. Viusenius was undisputed leader and he is dead. Imagine him as an emperor of a foreign empire," Cassia glances around, discussing the death of the emperor even in hypothetical terms could be seen as treason, "who has been killed without a clear heir. Paesentius was there, and failed to prevent it. Placidius was not there, and thinks, despite the pile of corpses he returned to, that it should have been prevented."
Cassia moves objects around on the table in front of her to illustrate, knocking over a salt cellar for the 'fallen king'.
"Paesentius is pushed aside despite having been in control of the ground when we left, and the remaining members of the gang stand with Placidius. However, to cement his control Placidius has to show that he is the stronger and the clearest way to do that is with our heads Tisiphone, yours and mine."
She reaches out and with a gentle fingernail draws a line across Valka Spartaca's throat.
"Paesentius can either accept the new order, or fight for his own position. If he fights and loses he dies and without strength in the form of gold and steel, he loses. I've offered him strength, ours. When he wins, he is beholden to me. After that...,"
Cassia shrugs.
"Let the dice fly high."
Valka listens very closely when Cassia explains all this. Its CLEAR that she is not only VERY interested but also that she appreciate the way Cassia make things a LOT clearer to her!
"We should help Paesentius. And you meant if we help him he will be beholden to US right?"
Valka smiles at Cassia when she says that! This next part she is serious when she say it:
"The only thing that bothers me about all this is are we putting Veleda in danger by having this Placidius our enemy? If he wants to get at us one way to do that will be using those that are close to us."
"It's the same thing."
Cassia acknowledges Valka's concern for Valeda.
"I do not expect or intend that Placidius will survive the discussions. My hope is that a demonstration of strength will be sufficient that the Vulpus turn on him without it being necessary to actually apply that strength."
Her forehead creases in a slight frown.
"Even were he inclined, Placidius would not seek to abduct Valeda from inside a reputable inn in the middle of the day. And the reprimand you issued to the Vulpus Nigrus last time they abducted one of your friends will mean they will not do so again until your head is decorating something other than your neck. I think the girl is safe for now."
Her mind darting away from the subject at hand, Cassia looks quizzically at Valeda (assuming she is present).
"The child. Can you teach him his own language and history? I can, if you would have me do so."
"I'm no expert on such matters," Gravus intones humbly, "and I would nae dream of questioning ye... it does occur te me though, that this Paesentius may have given up on his hopes of gaining the 'throne' for himself, and now seeks te gain favour with his new 'emperor' by delivering to him those heads he seeks."
Valka consider what Gravus says very carefully:
"So you think it could be a trap? Offering us like some sacrifice?"
The dwarf acknowledges Valka's words with a shallow nod, "I think it would be imprudent to discount the possibility. No doubt he fears ye, Domina, but that may be all the more motivation for him te turn on ye while you're not prepared for his betrayal, rather than allowing the possibility that he may need te face ye on equal terms in the future."
"Honour is something mostly lacking among criminals." he finishes with disapproval clear in his voice.
Cassia frowns, perhaps irritated.
"Possible. But since he has seen how we handled the Vulpus when relatively unprepared, if he wished to ambush us I think he would have suggested something other than 'come ready for a fight'. More likely he would have encouraged me to 'come alone or the deal is off'."
Valka considers what Cassia and Gravus just said and adds:
"I dont think he would have said something like "come without weapons all is safe", that would have been waayyyyy too suspicious! Plus making sure we are ALL there makes it easier to get rid of all of us in one shot. I think Gravus is right to say we should be careful here. I would say we use Gravus's potions to change our looks again to do something about it but I'm not sure WHAT. Also we must remember they DID see me change looks by magic, so they may be on the lookout for that!."
"I think we must go as ourselves, otherwise we suggest we fear Placidius, and that gives him the advantage. If we could disguise armour and weapons, that might give us a massive advantage should it actually come to violence, I can do this for myself though not for others. I don't trust Paesentius, but I do not think he plans a betrayal at this point. Had he done so he would have been far more forthcoming and tried harder to set my mind at ease."
Valka makes a face like she is almost feeling bad about something and quickly says:
"You are right Cassia. I don't want Paesentius to think I fear him! He should fear US. He told you to bring all you have including weapons, so let's do that, no need to hide anything just yet. But it would be nice to have some kind of edge they don't know about. Something that could be a surprise. The only thing I can think of is the Priest of Erythnul. We DID bring back a relic of his God."
Gallus seems to be wrestling with something, and finally spits it out. "I thought this was about making you safe, Cassia, and I gladly lend my strength to such an effort, but now this, this... This sounds more like taking over a street gang. Blood for blood. This path leads to the same end as Viusenius met. How can I feel good about aiding a course that will sow yet more misery and discontent? Does that black flower not bloom brightly enough without our efforts? I say, kill Placidius, or allow him to be killed, it is the same, and then be free of this all."
Cassia looks at Gallus for a few moments.
"I haven't decided what to do after I win. Leading the Vulpus Nigrus has its attractions, true. But it might prove to be more of a burden than anything else. When the dice have fallen, then I'll see what kind of throw I've made."
She turns to Valka.
"Erythnul is not notorious for her gratitude. I doubt that her priesthood will care to assist us; they will undoubtedly consider us already well paid for the return of their orb. Maybe the favour of a god closer to home will serve. What do you think, Chosen of Kord?"
She looks across at the silent Bjarturius Rasmus.
Valka agrees and says:
"You're probably right about Erythnul! Erythnul, Nerul, Hextor: from what I've lived I can't say I have had ANY reason to trust the Gods of the Empire! At least Korud is also a Coruskian God. But annnyyywaayyy...
Gallus, so you know MY intentions: I don't plan to run every time someone decides to mess with us. The Vulpus did that. We didn't mess with THEM! RIGHT Cassia?"
Valka looks at Cassia, just in case she wants to say something there, like something she would have "FORGOT" to tell us! :)
"And I want Veleda to settle down in peace. And I want to open a shop to sell Gravus's work. I'm NOT a patrician or a rich plebeian. I'm a peregrina with a bit of reputation. That's what I got to work with. So I figure if we can settle the Vulpus thing and make "friends" of them, then I can settle down in relative peace. If the option of leading the Vulpus comes up, I'm all for that but I won't get my hands into just anything. The Norns may have make me a gladiator but I am NOT some scumbag with no morals.
After this explanation Valka moves on to planning things:
"For what to do now I still think Gravus is right when he say we should be careful. I don't trust Paesentius. Cassia you're the one who is more educated and skillful at talking to people. I think we should disguise you, maybe using Gravus's magic potions, and you should try to go to the OTHER SIDE to get something we can use on Paesentius. Maybe an edge or something we can have over HIS head so he doesn't betray us. I'm not sure what but maybe with the right disguise and money you can find out something good we can use. I would go myself but I'm NOT good at talking to people. Maybe some of you may have notice that before."
That last thing she says with no irony or anything, as if its some new information! :)
"Suffice it to say that the Vulpus Nigrus came uninvited into my life, and brought all of this down on their own heads."
Cassia goes silent, absent almost, for a few seconds, her eyes unfocussed then shakes her head slightly and returns to the present.
"I do not think we should try to play both ends against the middle. We lack the knowledge to do more than walk aimlessly around the Laxium asking if anyone knows anything about Paesentius. I would rather he think we trust him, and the longer we delay our decision the more time Placidius has to gather his strength and the more time Paesentius has to reconsider siding with us. Has your spy here at Turia's Hearth noticed any interest in our return?"
Gallus suppresses the urge to smile at Valka's "admission". Listening to them as they plan he offers, "I am willing to go hours ahead and secure a room there. I may be of use to exploit an exposed flank. On the other hand, if you think they know who I am, I may simply be an easy prisoner."
Bjarturius, happy to be slowly regaining his Korud-given vigor, jovially offers to 'repay' his debt to Cassia. He does caution everyone present Korud does not favor those that act without honor (in echo to Gravus's comment) and, though the Great God of Trials does not necessarily look down on those that make their living from the streets, he punishes harshly, through his earthly champions (e.g. Bjarturius), those that seek to profit from the misery of others.
About the 'favor of the Gods', Bjarturius gladly offers Korud to serve as a patron God for this endeavor, and will accompany all to this Inn if need be.
Veleda explains the child in her keeping, Veronus, is not her son. She cannot make long terms decisions about his upbringing. She however welcomes Veleda's desire to help teach the child (who is FYI about one year old).
The youngster hired to keep an eye on the Inn hasn't noticed anything odd.
Valka makes a gesture of her shoulders in sign she is giving up trying to find a more complex plan.
"Alright. I'm not exactly happy with this but let's go. If we go like this we should ALL go and stick together. This is soooo not subtle!"
Valka gets all her stuff ready.
"That Paesentius does ONE wrong move and I'm sending him to join Viusenius in Hades!"
"It's really not magic, Domina," Gravus protests weakly at Valka's description of his work, but otherwise remains quiet as the group further discuss their options.
"Maybe the example of Korud will encourage the Vulpus Nigrus to behave in a manner more in line with his tenets."
Cassia tries to pronounce the god's name as the Coruskians do, though she probably doesn't get the rolling R quite right.
"Travelling through the streets fully armed might lead to us never reaching the Vulpes Nigra. Can our arms be bundled together and disguised as an innocuous burden for the slave? I can cast a veil over my own weapons and protection but I fear that there is no way of concealing your heavier armour, let alone your shields."
"I do not intend to go armed. It seems reasonable that, as you suggest a mere show of force there will be enough to make the other actors play their part. Running afoul of the law makes the rest of this a mere mental exercise. I shall have faith, that what is needed shall be provided."
"We'll bundle our weapons and armors and bring everything. If we have NO plan except just showing up and trusting the man I AT LEAST wanna be at our best for fighting!"
Valka starts to bundle everything she will put on Erkin the mule.
To Gallus she says:
[b]"I hope you're right, that a show of force will be enough. But bring weapons and armor anyway."
Cassia nods in agreement.
"My father used to say the gods favour those who show faith, give sacrifice and take proper precautions."
Cassia herself will wear her mail, spatha, pugio and whip. Buckler slung. Cash in backpack. No lyre or other extraneous objects except a cloak over the top. Before we leave Turia's Hearth (out of sight of other patrons or staff) her appearance will change so that she looks unladen, hair perfectly done, perhaps a little bit taller and a little bit fiercer, wearing a white stola (like the ones that Britannia is usually depicted in) (still with a cloak over the top, but perhaps a nicer one).
Is leading a mule through the streets fairly normal? We'll need to put a sheet or canvas over the equipment either way.
- 1st Day of the Kalends of Pelius (early afternoon)
Bjarturius, worried about Veleda's safety, decides to take her along: he will protect her and stay at her side throughout all this. Her task will be to take care of baby Veronus, tend to the wounded if any and learn what Gravus has to teach, Bjarturius thus accepting Valka's offer to have his sister learn a worthy trade. Veleda is enthused at the idea of becoming a skilled herbalist and apothecary (Gravus finds her to be an eager student, though easily distracted and somewhat lacking overall discipline).
Leaving Turia's with the mules packed, weaponry bundled up and canvased (mules transporting goods in the city is a very common sight), the Heroes set off to the Vulpes Nigra tavern and inn in the Laxium district.
Upon their arrival at the Vulpes Inn, the Heroes notice a few street youths dart off in haste. Lookouts? Possibly. The atmosphere in harlot's lane and adjoining streets is tense: local plebeians and slaves sporting worried faces, street traffic avoiding the lane whenever possible.
The Inn itself is indeed closed and boarded up. Paesentius soon appears, turning the street corner, accompanied by a trio of men. Valka and Cassia recognize the tall bald man Goro. Paesentius's smile is absent, there is a formal air about him.
"You've shown. Dammarus bless this day, the 1st Day of the Kalends of Pelius. Let us go inside. Goro?"
Goro, who was carrying a crow bar, used it to pry open the boarded up entrance.
Another of Paesentius's men, a tanned raven haired handsome Almorian man in his prime, opens his cloak to reveal gladius and pugio. Thus armed, he carefully enters first to scout out the Inn for potential trouble. All is safe: the Inn is abandoned.
Everyone enters (mules included) and the last of Paesentius's men, a short stocky youth in his late teens, stands at the entrance to watch the lane.
Once inside Paesentius takes lead cups from behind the bar, pours wine from a skin he was carrying and offers a cup to everyone in the room (save Goro and Gravus). He raises his, the gesture official: "Praise be Dammarus that he grant us victory and that the Vulpus thrive under the new leadership of Moretius Paesentius!"
He drinks. So do his men.
Cassia also drinks.
"And his partners, Cassia Nigra Alecto and Valka Spartaca Tisiphone, the black vixens."
She pours a libation where Titus fell.
"Thank you, Titus Albanus," she says, quietly.
Once inside, and while the others are drinking to their impending victory, Gravus wastes little time in moving across to the mule and looking expectantly at Valka, waiting only for her nod of approval before uncovering the weapons and armour and setting about distributing them.
Paesentius considers for a moment. His eyes travel from Cassia to Valka. They consider the frame of Gallus, the many pouches of odd items carried by Gravus and finally land on the hulking muscular frame of Bjarturius. He sighs very lightly, a decision made: "Parvulae for now."
He smiles for the first time, raising his cup again:
"Cassia Nigra Alecto et Valka Spartica Tisiphone: Nigrae Vulpae Parvulae!"
This time his raised voice carries a tint of cheer in it.
The Almorian yells out proudly, raising his own cup: "Ole!"
(Gravus recognizes the Velondi traditional cheer)
Paesentius finishes his cup and looks to both ladies:
"Now to the bloody business at hand."
A pause to make sure everyone's attention is focused.
"Having seen you here with me, normally Placidius would wait this out, binding his time. A few reasons beyond the obvious he cannot do that. So the easiest thing is to wait him out, let him make his move. His claim is that I was weak not fighting you both, a hard claim to make if he looks like he fears taking you on. On the other hand the more time everyone waits the more time we lose money. Plus letting the other side get the initiative is always risky business. So the first thing to decide is whether we wait him out or make the first move. For that I need to know what my new witch parvulae can do. Can you bewitch him or some of his men? Plague him with curses?"
"I cannot send a curse which will kill him in his sleep, if that is what you mean. The threads which tie us to our bodies are too strong to simply unbind them."
Cassia half smiles.
"I might eventually send him mad with sounds and seemings, but such a project would take days at least. Depending on how strong willed he is I might entrance him for a time, and if I could see them I could certainly cast his men into a dark slumber full of nightmares."
She gestures with her hand and a bone dagger appears in it.
"Failing all that, I could just stab him."
Valka gives the OKAY nod to Gravus to uncover the weapons and armors and distribute them and says:
"If we wait for this Placidius to make the first move let's at least be all armed and have this place well defended! Gallus and me will check the inn to see how we can defend it better. Gravus: maybe you can help too like you did at the Temple of Hextor with the door. Paesentius if you know ways in and out or things we should know it would be good to tell us."
Valka starts to put on her armor and weapons. She says to Paesentius:
"About our witchcraft if there is someone you would want to get to but can't because you fear to be seen and recognized maybe we can help you there!"
If talks go on too long or Valka isn't needed she will go check out the inn to see how we can defend it from an attack. Valka will take Gravus along so he can check too and Gallus if he wants to come.
Paesentius is taken aback and impressed by Cassia's last words and display of prestidigitation. He quickly recovers, his head nodding lightly in reflex, smiling broadly.
"Stabbing will do. Ideally limiting damages to the man himself."
To Valka:
"In the culina you will find a door leading to a cellar where we have our meets. From there a secret access to the sewers: an easy way to discretely enter or leave the Inn."
VULPES NIGRA INN
VULPES NIGRA BASEMENT
Considering Valka's last words:
"Agneta could be maybe convinced to help if she could be reached discretely. She has wisely decided not to take sides but she is ambitious and smart."
"Indeed, I would choose to avoid stabbing anyone who might soon be a friend of mine."
At the mention of Agneta, Cassia catches Valka's eye.
"Magaera?" she suggests, playfully.
"How long before Placidius comes to us do you think? The use of my talents is draining, but I could seek out Agneta unseen, or at least unrecognised, if that is the best use of them this day."
Valka doesn't get it at first but when she does she laughs! :)
"Who is this Agneta?"
When she checks out the Inn (with Gravus and maybe Gallus), she asks Gravus what we can do about:
- the secret door in the basement
- the doors
- the windows
Gravus follows Valka around the inn, carefully assessing the various entry-points for good ways to secure them against intrusion.
"I reckon we could barricade these, Domina," he says, keeping her appraised of the various solutions he finds, "though I would suggest keeping at least one o' the alternatives te the main doors readily usable... just in case this Placidius fellow feels more like burning the place down with us inside than having himself a fair fight."
Gallus walks with Gravus and Valka Spartaca and gives his own ideas about how to make the place more defensible. His thoughts are in line with the dwarves, but he suggests a defensive point at the top of the basement stairs, in case they come that way, and again on the stairs to the second level incase they use the main floor. His only disagreement is leaving more than one main door accessable. He instead suggests that they should be prepared to leave by the second floor in case of fire or a fight gone wrong.
Other than this,m he keeps his thoughts to himself, though he almost did not when the black vixens were referred to as "Parvulae", though his look of distaste passes quickly and he keeps his tongue still.