CH. 6: Nobody Expects the Occupation

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Trade Guild Hall, Harbor District)
Looking around, Tulbas does not note anyone who seems particularly out of place or suspicious. They all seem like merchants and craftsmen. There are a few people sitting in to listen and watch like they are, but they look like normal folk of the city.

The party takes a seat and listens in on the ongoing argument.

"This is simply outrageous," Norris says. "The economy has been awful as it is after the occupation. War isn't exactly good for business. But to add this massive tax hike now of all times...it's almost like the prefect wants the city to collapse!"

"Oh, boo-hoo," the Tankard innkeeper says, making a dismissive gesture. "At least you have enough coin to swallow the loss. I get paid in coppers more time than not, so I'm not even making enough to pay my staff at this point no more."

"My wares may cost more, but I don't sell very many very often," Norris points out. "Especially now! Nobody is in the market for jewelery during an occupation, to be sure."

"Look," Karn interrupts, "let's not get out of sorts here. If we talk to the prefect, explain ourselves, I'm sure he'll be reasonable. After all, he wants the city to flourish, too."

"Are you certain of that?" asks Norris.

Karn shrugs. "If they wanted to destroy the city, they could use those dragons easily enough. Creating a depression seems like the long way to do it, yeah?"

"Do we know anything about the prefect?" asks another merchant, a human woman. "Has anyone met him? It's one of those draconian creatures. As far as we know, it eats messengers who give him bad news. I know I'm not about to volunteer to go speak with it."

"She has a point," says another woman. "Who can say how something so...alien will respond to our complaints?"

"I doubt he literally eats folk," Karn replies. "And if it comes to that, I'll volunteer to go."

[Haahque]

"Nono, if I had to wager a bet I'd guess he literally eats people. 'Course that's only when he's hungry, so if ya time it right you could be safe. Now if Rob.. Roj.. Roy.. R.. Innkeep is so hard up for cash I'm sure we can figure something out for a little spending dough. 'Course I don't have anything in mind, but I'm also hoping to make a little money myself. We're in a group of the towns wily-est merchants right? I'm sure someone can think up something." Haahqae offers "Like maybe an extra business venture that I split profits with Mr. Keep over here."

[HorizonsDream]

"All right, but are you sure you want to warn someone about Toom here?" Kendra asks. "I mean, you can't really use the smell argument because he doesn't smell. He just died, so people are going to think you killed him," she pointed out. "And, I doubt the army will leave him here like this. They probably clean up their...messes."

[djhyland]

Arulia bites her lip. "Maybe you're right, but I hate the idea of leaving him here like something that got trampled in the road. I...I suppose I could come back tomorrow and see if he's been found, and if not, then claim the smell argument..." She shakes her head. "Regardless, we need to get out of here. You go first, and I'll follow along before long."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Trade Guild Hall, Harbor District)
So engrossed in their own debate, the merchants never noticed the party enter and all turn to Haahqae in surprise when he begins speaking.

"You three!" Norris exclaims, pointing at the party accusingly. "What are you doing here? It's bad enough you keep trying to get my wife killed, are you going to start disrupting guild business, as well?"

"Hold on here," interrupts the innkeeper. "Let the lad speak. I want to know more about this business venture."

"They're not merchants," Norris insists. "They're troublemakers."

[BishGada]

"Relax," Tulbas waves his hand dismissively. "We rather these taxes off as much as you do. Our sole work was to help the city folks and obviously if the merchants are down, the city will follow." He then looks to Gregeddin and asks quietly so the other won't hear him, "Want to join the conversation? Maybe volunteer speaking with the prefect? You have sharp tongue after all."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin nods at Tulbas' suggestion. "Gentlemen and ladies if I may..." the bard begins, "Our intentions are as my colleagues have stated, ti help the people of the city. These taxes are grave news for all of us. The business owners will be driven out of pocket and left in the cold for the hard winter if things do not improve. And regular folk won't be able to afford staple goods if prices rise. The Dragon Army is sucking the wealth and life out of Haven to fund their war efforts. This much is clear. " He pauses for effect. "We wish to support you, the people, and we offer our assistance. From when I spoke with Khan earlier, he mentioned a letter, we can write and deliver. We have a way with words we can speak. We can find what the prefect desires we do odd jobs rather well. Will you have us help?""

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as she heads for the door. She opens it and peeks outside to make sure the coast is clear before she hurries off the dead man's property. She had managed to stop Arulia from doing something kind of foolish today, but she wasn't sure she could stop her tomorrow. Either way, the plan was to go to the market, and meet Arulia there.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Trade Guild Hall, Harbor District)
The merchants all begin talking at once at Gregeddin's words, and Karn pounds the table with his fist to call for quiet.

"You would agree to do this for us, to take all of the risk?" asks Karn.

"Hmm, if the prefect is the 'shoot the messenger' type," one woman speculates, "better them than us, I say."

"I don't like this. They're up to something, we just can't see their ulterior motive yet," Norris warns.

The innkeeper shrugs. "If this works, we win. If it doesn't, they're the ones facin' the prefect, not us. Sounds like a good deal to me."

Kendra and Arulia (Toom's Residence, Farmer District)
Kendra steps out and looks around. Nobody is paying any particular attention to her, so she makes her way to the marketsquare, trying to act inconspicuous.

When she arrives, she finds the square is largely empty of both vendors and customers. There are still some, but not nearly as many as normal.

[BishGada]

Tulbas puts his hand on Gregeddin shoulder, smiles to the crowd and says, "Risk is his second name. He would love to meet the prefect on your behalf."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin takes a small bow and smiles with an air of confidence, "Naturally, although 'Gregeddin the Risky' could be improved as a title. All that is left to do is for the guild to finalise their desires, I will help scribe a document in an official manner and deliver accordingly. Should anything happen, not that it will, remember this face and name as an honourable man of the people."

[djhyland]

After Kendra leaves, Arulia goes back to Toom's side. She gently closes his eyes and straightens his clothing in an attempt to make him as peaceful in death as he should have been at the end of his life. "I'm sorry," she whispers to him. Although she knows she doesn't need to speak aloud, she continues to whisper aloud as she prays--it makes it feel more real, she supposes. "Fizban, I could not save this man. I don't know if he died because of my actions, but it feels that way. Do not let him go by! He was a good man, as far as I know, and he died trying to help Kendra and I, as well as my father's people. Please, grant him peace wherever he is, and do not let him go by!"

Arulia remains at Toom's side for a half-hour or so, until she feels that Kendra's had plenty of time to make it to the market. She rises and opens the door slowly, then pokes her head outside to look around. If she sees no danger, she slips out into the cold and walks away as nonchalantly as she can manage and heads towards the market and her reunion with Kendra.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Trade Guild Hall, Harbor District)
The guild members spend some more time arguing over the merits of this. It's clear that none of them really want to volunteer themselves, as that would mean putting their own lives on the line. The more they discuss it, letting Gregeddin take all of the risk seems like the best idea.

Eventually a consensus is reached. "Very well," Karn says. "We accept your proposal. How soon can you deliver it to the prefect?"

Kendra and Arulia (Grand Market)
Arulia finds the coast is clear, so she makes her way to the marketsquare.

She finds Kendra waiting for her near one of the vendor stands. By now it's some time around Tenth Watch, which means the sun will set in a couple of hours. In another four hours, the curfew will begin.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra stretches a bit when she sees Arulia approaching, and pushes herself away from the stand that she was leaning against. "Took your time, I see," she teases a bit.

[Haahque]

"Great! Now, what are we delivering?" Haahqae asks, wondering exactly what the task is at hand, and if they were going to get paid for it. "We can deliver it today. And err, do we get some compensation for traveling expenses and maybe a little for maybe getting eaten fund?"