The main course of your dinner was whole suckling pig complete with a glazed apple in its mouth. Desert was flan and a variety of fresh fruits.
Should you venture outside after dinner, you find that dusk has fallen and that the street lamps outside have already been lit around the Plaza. The sky is still clear of any clouds and will give a lovely view of the moon that is about three days away from being full. You also notice Duardo loitering around the Plaza near the Inn, obviously hoping for more errands and thus more coin.
I'd hate to have to trust you to pay to get the both of us out of Castillian prison. Luciano grins widely at Gabriele. Fear not, signore. We will scuttle like rats.
He stands and holds out his hand towards Giuliana. Little bella, you have hardly touched your food. Perhaps you have a greater appetite for trespassing. Come. Let us stroll by the docks.
Giuliana stands and curtsies at Luciana.
How kind of you to be anxious about my appetite, monsignore. If you'd just allow me to change into something else, I'll be happy to go on a little stroll with you.
Darting upstairs, Giuliana changes her clothes for something less adventerous, with tight trousers beneath her skirt and a dagger in her bodice.
Downstairs again, she takes Lucianos arm and says goodbye towards the others.
Oh, by the way, Gabriele, I hope you can trust that guide of yours. After all you ask her to work against a local power for some stranger who will leave town again. Better be careful.
Gabriele almost chokes on his sangria as he laughs, I suppose this is where I say something clever involving guilder and blood, but I've got too much food in me for wit. Have fun on your walk, we'll handle the sailors.
We shall. Best wishes. Luciano leaves the room and heads downstairs and out the door. He says little to Giuliana on the way to the docks.
Olivier leans back and sighs.
Oh Prophets, yes, yes, you are all condemned simply for speaking with me. Now, shall we condemned go find us some sailors to frighten?
He stands and tugs off his right glove, flexing his fingers as he exposes his blood-stained skin. He chuckles and crosses his arms across his chest.
We can help them get drunk I suppose, but I'm a fan of a fight starting.
Luciano and Giulianna -
The two of you make your way back to the dock area without incident. Despite the lateness of the hour, there are still a good number of people out and about tonight. Some are enjoying the beauty of the night for a romantic stroll, but most are quite busy finishing up various preparations for the beginning of the festival tomorrow. You see garlands of flowers placed about and streamers of yellow, red and orange hanging from lampposts and various signs.
The activity lessens up as you reach the docks until finally the only people you see are the occasional drunken sailor making his way back to his ship. You find the Sea Bull still in port where last you saw it.
How would you like to handle this Father? Shall Olivier and I be the dastardly foreigners that wish to track down Torres, and you be the dutiful Castillian priest that wants to warn him? Or shall we all enter the bar together and follow your lead?
As they exit the hotel, Gabriele looks around for a moment before spotting Duardo. Boy, I need some directions. A bar named...what was it? The Salty something. Something disgusting. Brew, or ale, or cerveza?
I'd prefer not to arouse too much suspicion. How about I distract the sailor and you climb aboard from the other side and knock him unconscious? It's such a pretty night to sleep on duty.
Certainly. Luciano slinks into the shadows, looking for a viable place to climb on to the Sea Bull
Duardo eagerly runs up to Gabriele, You must mean the Salty Ale sir and of course I know where it is. I can guide you anywhere in this city, I've lived here my whole life sir. I suppose I should warn you though that it is where off duty sailors usually hang out and has a rough reputation. After giving his warning, Duardo will lead you to the tavern and asks if he should wait for you here outside in case you need him again, if not he says he will return home for the night.
Climb (4k2):
9 + 9 = 18
Stealth (4k3): -> Rerolling both exploding die
7 + 10 + 10 + 9 + 8 = 44
Dirty Fighting (6k3):
9 + 9 + 9 = 27
Damage (2k1):
9 flesh wounds
Feigning to be Senor Torres' friend does sound entertaining, but I've been seen entering the city with foreigners, so I think that deception would be uncovered before I could learn anything useful. Perhaps you would like to be looking to hire the famed Benito Torres for a difficult trip? Few of my countryman could resist the call of such a challenge.
I have a feeling that Benito might be able to resist despite himself, given the circumstances. But you are right, his crew will have less self-control. Especially after some alcohol. Gabriele smiles. And Olivier, make sure to get into trouble. I'd hate for this to be too easy.
Without any pretense at stealth, Giuliana walks towards the gangway, drawing the sailor's attention to herself.
Good evening, Gentlemen! Wonderful night, isn't it? I was with your friends in the Salty Ale when they mentioned that you would be awfully lonely here and implored me to look after you. Would you like some company on that ship, Gentlemen?
She smiles and waits.
Luciano moves quietly, hand over hand, up one of the ropes that moors the Sea Bull to the dock, hoping to step gingerly behind the distracted sailors and knock their heads together.
Olivier will replace his glove before heading to the bar. Once there he'll enter and order a drink, not bothering to hide his accent as he takes a seat near the center of the bar.
Exploding Dice (Dirty Fighting) -
So it would be 9 + 9 + 10 + 7 = 35
Even knowing that he is there, Giulianna still manages to lose sight of Luciano as he silently climbs aboard the Sea Bull and she does not see him again until he appears behind the two sailors whose jaws have just dropped at the sight her. Before they can muster up a coherent sentence to address the beauty that has just appeared before them, Luciano bashes their heads together, effectively knocking both of the men out cold.
Gabriele and Gaspar do not seem to garner too much attention as they enter the bar. However, when Olivier takes a seat and orders a drink however, the barkeep responds, Here now little fancy man, we don't serve your kind around here. You had best walk on back out the door before I have my boys throw you out. He motions to a pair of burly men who are quite clearly employed as his bouncers.
Come now, I hear that you are accepting of all foreigners at these times. I'd hate to have to have to show those boys what hospitality should be like.
He smiles and nods towards the bouncers.
Gabriele whispers over his shoulder to Gaspar, Perhaps a change of plans is in order. The Vodacce approaches the bar with a smile and places a few guilder down, saying loudly, I'm looking for sailors from the Sea Bull. I'm told the ship would be perfect for a trip I have planned and would know whether it's crew could handle the challenge.
Giuliana gives Luciano a clap on the shoulder before starting to drag one of the sailors to the downway.
Good work, good work. Now let's find a cabinet for this two gentlemen and have a look at the ship. There might be more on board, so stay quiet. I'll go have a look at the captain's log, what about you?
You two find that the best place to stash the two sailors is in one of the life boats that is covered over with a tarp. It's unlikely that anyone will be looking there for quite some time.
The captain's cabin is easy to find and it is deserted. Apparently he is indulging in a little shore leave of his own. He must have been writing before he left though because the log is still sitting upon his desk.
The barkeep pauses before he can give his bouncers any further instructions as he is rather distracted by the site if the guilder on his bar. Eyeing the guilder, he replies: May I get you a drink my lord? Motioning over a sailor, This here is Marco, first mate on the Sea Bull. I'm sure that he can answer any of my lords questions.
Marco leaves a table of sailors that are engaged in a game of dice and walks over to the bar where Gabriele is. The bouncers are still paused as they wait further instruction before doing anything. You all can still here some murmurs of discontent at Olivier's presence though.
Giuliana moves through the cabin on the balls of her feet, holding up her skirt with one hand. She quickly skims through the past few entries in the logbook to look for anything interesting before searching the cabin. Perhaps he left some correspondance behind?
Of course you can, my good friend. I'll be drinking plenty tonight, if the rumors of the skills of this crew hold any truth to them. He turns to the first mate, Marco, is it? Well, First Mate Marco, is it true that the Sea Bull has the finest crew in the seven seas? I'm planning a dangerous trip and only the best will do.
Luciano gives Giuliana a satisfied smile, slapping his hands together a few times. He speaks quietly. I simply thought you were talking to me, little bella. I am glad to have your company. We should stick together for now, I think.
Luciano carefully scans the captain's cabin while Giuliana reads from the logbook.
Wits (4k4) -
1 + 4 + 3 + 5 = 13
Olivier will smile at the bouncers. He'll attempt to occupy their attention in case Gabriele wants some privacy, though he won't try to start a fight until and unless it looks like they need a distraction.
Luciano doesn't notice anything of interest in the cabin as Giulianna looks through the logbook.
Giulianna reads through the last few entries in the book, noting that the last ports of call were here in San Felipe and before that, Vodacce and the San Felipe yet again. Laying half under the logbook lies an invitation with tomorrows date upon it. It is to a party at Don Hernando Rios's estate to celebrate the start of the festival.
Marco responds, Well my lord, if it's the best you need, then look no further. The Sea Bull is a fine vessel and her crew well experienced. I'm sure that we can accomplish anything you may ask of us.
The bouncers will walk on up behind Olivier and one of them speaks, All right now little man, get up and walk out before I count to 10 or else you're going to be flying out that door as we toss you headfirst into the nearest pile of horse dung in the street.
There does not seem to be anything in here. Something more telling may lie below decks. Time is fleeting. Luciano looks over at Giuliana and notices that she is intently reading the captain's documents. Unless...you have found something?
Giuliana picks up the invitation and hides it in her bodice befor returning the logbook to its previous state.
Nothing of much interest, no personal notes in the log it seems. No letters or notes or anything. Just this invitation. I agree, let's search the rest of the ship. Perhaps we find a dungeon with an inquisitor.
Stealthily Giuliana makes her way below deck.
Luciano nods but says nothing more. He follows Giuliana, stepping carefully, his eyes and ears searching intently for any sign of more sailors aboard.
Olivier starts to head toward the door, glancing at Gabriele and Gasps. Assuming he sees no indication that they want to fight, he sighs and shakes his head, leaving and waiting a bit down the street.
Gabriele laughs, That's it? That's your pitch? He looks over his shoulder at Gaspar, You told me the people of your country had more pride in their work! I was ready to hear tall tales of heroism at sea. Very well, perhaps it is his Captain I should speak to after all.
The invitation was addressed to the captain personally.
You two can cleary hear the sounds of sailors talking below deck in their quarters and in the galley. It seems that a skeleton crew has been left aboard to keep an eye on the boat.
The first mate looks a bit uncortable for a moment, Begging your pardon sir, but the captain may not want bothered for a bit longer. He's in a room upstairs with a lady named Jenny.
Where do you suppose they kept the boy during the voayage? Perhaps they left something behind and if it's only a handkerchief. Anything.
She moves slowly closer to the hold.
I have the feeling we are missing something crucial. There were five men who appeared out of nowhere and vanished into nothingness again. With a little boy. And nobody has seen them. That's a little hard to believe, don't you think so?
Luciano raises an eyebrow. Do you doubt the Falisci version of events?
There are two doors you hear talking from, two that you don't and you do not hear anything coming from the stairwell that leads to the main hold either. Just let me know where you are going.
Gabriele notices that a a group of unhappy looking Castillian sailors that had been sitting at a table near the door, drinking and playing cards, have gotten up and left right after Olivier did.
Olivier seems to have missed the glares and remarks that they aimed at him as he passed on his way out and did not notice anyone leaving after he did.
Gabriele chuckles as he watches the men walk out and mutters. It looks like he'll get his wish...hrm...what? Oh, nothing. Gabriele waves his hand and returns his attention to the sailor before him. I see. Well, I suppose I can wait.
He places a few guilder on the bar. Barkeep, a round for these men. His smile is wide. Now, what entertainment is planned for this evening? Perhaps my friend here and I can join you and you can convince me of your ship's worth?
Luciano moves quietly down the stairwell to the main hold, beckoning Giuliana to follow him.
Following after Luciano, Giuliana stops for a moment at each door, listening in.
1 - 3k3 - + = 32
2 - 3k3 -
3 - 3k3 -
4 - 3k3 -
The first door you can make out every word of a conversation that you would rather not even be able to hear. There are several sailors within the room and from the sounds of it they are playing at dice while drinking ale and discussing the skills of various Jennys that they have know in different ports and trying to decide which nation produces the best ones. They go into great detail and there are a couple of positions that you are not familiar with at all.
Second door sounds like at least one person snoring.
Next two doors you hear nothing at all.
The stairway down to the main hold is completely dark.
The groups of Sailors from the Sea Bull cheer for Gabriele and invite him and Gaspar to join them at their table for cards. The first mate introduces himself as Raph and explains that their night of entertainment includes drinking, playing cards and visiting the lovely Jennys upstairs. Though these things are more ways to pass the time rather than true entertainment. Ralph explains that the true entertainment will be had at the bull fights tomorrow.
Olivier, as you are walking down the street to find a place to wait for your comrades at, you hear, Hey, little Montaigne bastard. We think you should just go and get back on whatever ship you got off of. Though we think we just might give you a reminder of why you should never come back here first.
Four men who you think we sitting in the tavern are advancing on and will begin to form a semi-circle around you. Though they are quite obviously threatening you, they haven't drawn their weapons yet.
Gaspar takes a seat with the sailors. It is good to be back home. I spent years in Vodacce, drinking that water they try to pass off as wine.
Intimidation:
Exploding 10:
Total: 33
I think you'd be better off stepping back into the bar. Don't want to start any trouble you can't finish.
Luciano waits until he is down the dark stairs a fair bit, then reaches into his satchel and pulls out his lantern. He unfastens his cloak and puts it over the back of the lantern, like a hood, then lights it. He continues descend the stairs into the hold.
Gaspar takes a seat with the sailors. It is good to be back home. I spent years in Vodacce, drinking that water they try to pass off as wine.
Gabriele laughs, You should have stuck with insulting Vodacce food. At least that I can believe. But I suppose if it makes you feel better to compliment whatever it is that people drink here, so be it.
His eyes light up as he sees the cards, Perhaps this night will not be a waste. I wonder, do Castillians dance as well while playing cards as they do with a sword in hand?
Gabriele will sit with a florish, place a few coins down on the table. Keep the drinks coming barkeep. I mean to show these men how a Vodacce drinks Castillian wine! He winks at the men, And perhaps give them a chance to win some coin, if they're lucky.
The hold appears to be completely empty.
The sailors at the table appear rather disgusted with their luck at the game. As Gabriele is raking in yet another pot, the first mate points over to the stairs and tells you that the man currently descending them is his captain.
Meanwhile, Olivier has convinced some brutes that they shouldn't mess with him and they wander back into the tavern and return to their table muttering about how they could have beaten him up if they had really wanted to.