CH. 10: Hard Choices

[TristenC]

[Ooc: Guess I should have figured on stone in the basement.]
Grubnick checks outside for any observers. Returning he addresses his mentor, Gobax Redbug, but you don't have to call me that when we won't be overheard. I guess we'll just torch the top, then.

Grubnick prepares the building for burning, piling enough remaining flamables upstairs near an interior wall so it burns first, hopefully giving them time to put some distance between them and the building before it collapses. Once Delarn is ready he checks again outside and lights the place up (using flint and steel, paper, straw, some of his lamp oil, furniture, whatever is necessary to get the fire going.)

[BishGada]

Tulbas raises his eyebrows in wonder as he hears Haaque converse with the Baaz. 'This kender is full of surprises...' he thinks to himself, 'For one, he is a Gnome...' [OOC:] [/OOC] 'Second, what is going on his mind?!?'
After the conversation ends he waves to the Baaz, turns and follow Haaque back to the tavern.
"So, are you going to speak with Ismene now? Maybe interest her with the books you read? By the way, what were those about? I would like to improve my Arcane knowledge, and noticed both you and Ismene had been touched by the power, so if you stumble upon such information, spellbooks or scrolls, I'd appreciate if we can share it. Obviously the offer is mutual." he says.

[HorizonsDream]

~He is putting the whole city on lock down?~ Kendra asks herself in surprise. ~What is going on?~ She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as she reminds herself that she has to be a little more diplomatic about the situation at hand. "It is a pleasure to see you again too, Lord Tethys," she says. "But I'm afraid my reasoning for this visit isn't exactly a pleasant manner," she explains. "My husband was just arrested, and I'm here to learn the reasoning."

[djhyland]

With her heart pounding in her ears, Arulia can barely hear William's comment. Without looking away from the door that her father had just disappeared through, she murmurs a reply. "I thought that, too, and couldn't guess how they'd found out. But now, I think I'd rather they had come for me." She quickly gathers her few personal belongings, sees to the bare minimum of things so the forge won't burn down, and closes up the shop. "Come on, we have to go," she says. "I have to tell my family what happened, and then, I need to find out why they took my father."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Tulbas (Herbalist Street)
Haahqae and Tulbas walk southward, through the market square and toward the Steel Tankard while talking with each other.

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion, Ballroom)
"Your husband?" repeats Tethys, not following.

The old butler clears his throat and approaches the desk. "Norris Greylock, my lord. He was one of the names on the list."

"Oh, I see," Tethys says. "I didn't realize. Your husband has been arrested for conspiracy against the prefect, I'm afraid. The Trade Guild sent a messenger to speak with me. This messenger, in fact, attempted to place me under a mind control spell. He failed, of course. My mind is far too sharp to fall victim to such weak magic. But nevertheless, this is not something I can abide. The messenger has been arrested, and I've ordered the arrests of everyone in the Trade Guild that signed the note naming the messenger as their official representative."

He hands her a note that reads as follows:

"Addressed to the Prefect of Haven.

We, the Merchants' Guild, write to you in light of the recent tax degree.

At an emergency general meeting, it was agreed that to avoid defaults on debts and to preserve the flow of trade through Haven as an important mercantile hub, the Guild requests the immediate revocation of the tax decree and to open negotiations to a new settlement.

The Guild hereby authorises, Gregeddin, as courier, representative and negotiator on the Guild's behalf.

Faithfully undersigned,
Merchants' Guild of Haven."

Below that are a list of signatures. Kendra recognizes Norris' name. She also recognizes another name on the list, Thoron Seroth. "This is your husband's signature then? As a loyal soldier of the Dragon Queen, I will give you the benefit of the doubt if you look me in the eye and tell me you knew nothing about this conspiracy."

Grubnick (Deserted Building)
Together, Grubnick and Delharn set up the furniture all together by one of the walls. Then both of them empty out an entire flask of oil onto the furniture and surrounding area. Once the fire is lit, it begins spreading quite quickly. By the time the two hurry outside, the entire room is filled with smoke and some of it is spilling out of the open door. The fire will likely be discovered in a minute or two at this rate.

"Haha, good show," Delharn says. "This ought to shake things up a bit!"

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
Arulia closes up the smithy and then she and William head for her house. Stepping inside, she finds her mother cleaning and two of her sisters, Niniva and Camilla, helping her. Cassilda is not present, as she is still working at the weaponsmith's shop and won't be done until near evening. It occurs to Arulia that, now with Thoron imprisoned, the measly 2 steel a week that Cassilda makes is the family's sole income now.

"Good morning, Arulia," her mother says. "Or closer to afternoon now, I suppose. I thought you would be staying at the smithy until evening. Oh, who is this strapping young man? Another suitor?" she asks.

"Suitor?" repeats William, not sure what is going on.

Camilla seems unimpressed, but Niniva practically dashes across the room to greet him. "Hi, I'm Niniva," she says, batting her eyelashes to the increasingly confused young man.

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Grinning Goat Tavern)
The woman almost looks a little disappointed when Felran vouches for the dwarf. She puts the crossbow away and with a nod, the bartender does the same. The two other men return to the back room.

"If this had been a trap, you'd all be dead by now," she points out. "Try to be a little less conspicuous next time." She looks to the goblin. Despite the commotion, he hasn't budged. He's still passed out, his head on the table and a little pool of drool forming under his mouth. "Who, Klub? Don't mind him. A dragon could tear off the roof and he'd still not wake up."

She turns her attention back to Felran. "The job is simple, but dangerous. I'll be upfront about that right away. In fact, the last group we sent down there, one was outright killed and another was in a coma for a week. But if you are successful, I'll tell you where to find those women you are looking for."

[TristenC]

Let's put some distance between us and this and take the round-about way back. Where are you staying? Grubnick seeks to merge with a crowd inconspicuosly, and head away from the burning building.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra's frown deepened as she read over the note. ~What the hell was Gregeddin thinking?~ she asks herself as she looks up to Tethys . "I knew nothing about this conspiracy," she said. "But," she says thoughtfully. "I don't think this is a conspiracy. My husband wouldn't willingly be involved in a conspiracy against you. Arresting him shuts down his business. I have no idea how to run his business. I might be able to support myself since I'm a solider, but I can't support my family without Norris' help. I suspect that many of the people that are on this list are in the same situation, too. These businesses are their livelihoods. It is how they take care of their families, and I really don't see them putting their families at risk in an illogical attempt to bring you down."

[djhyland]

Arulia stares blankly at her mother and her sisters for a moment. Then she remembers her father's similar assumption and blushes deeply. "No, not a suitor," she says with an apologetic glance towards William. Her mouth moves silently as she wonders how best to continue, then just says it. "Father...father has been arrested. I don't know why, but it must have been a mistake. I...I...don't know what to do..."

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion, Ballroom)
"And yet they did," Tethys replies. "I agree there is no logic to it, but what other explanation is there? Why would anyone foolishly use magic against me, an experienced sorcerer? Why would people move against me, when I've saved this city from ruin? Why would they oppose me, when the only outcome is failure? Why would they put themselves, their families and their businesses in peril on a lost cause?" He shrugs. "Humans are not logical, as I've come to learn. All the more reason they need a strong hand to guide them, lest they fall into chaos. But you cannot deny your husband's guilt. This is clearly his handwriting, is it not?"

Grubnick (River Way)
"The Haven Arms," Delharn replies. By the time the two merge with the passersby and reach the end of the street, they can see the thick black plumes of smoke rising into the air and hear people in the area screaming, 'Fire, fire!'

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
Who William is and why he is here is quickly forgotten at Arulia's announcement, and Vera, Niniva and Camilla all crowd around her with worried questions.

"When did this happen?"
"What were the charges?"
"What should we do now?"

William sort of melts into the background, recognizing this is a family affair and not wanting to intrude.

[TristenC]

Grubnick looks surprised at the shouts of 'fire', Wow, what do you think happened? he asks, trying not to look too casual about it as they continue to leave the area. Why don't we head to the Haven Arms. I've never been there...

[HorizonsDream]

"The only other explanation I can give you is that perhaps the messenger acted on his own accord," Kendra says. "I grew up around a lot of these people, and I know they wouldn't put their families at risk like that. Norris wouldn't put me at risk like that, even if that is his signature." Though, it seemed as if Tethys wasn't going to listen to her on that matter. "Though, I do know that with this action that the people of Haven are not going to view you as a savior when you arrest most of the businessmen within the city," she pointed out.

[Chris1234]

Shima looks at Felran, "Not like I'm doing anything else. And if there's coin in it." He shrugged and then nodded.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin grimaces at the sight of thq torture equipment. He didn't want to find out how it was used. Though he feared now that the members of the trade guild would be the ones to taste the delights the Tethys has to offer with these wicked instruments. He couldn't dwell on that not for long though, being trapped down here wouldn't solve anything. He picks up the rusty knife and stashes it away.
He heads back the way he came. Listens and looks through the keyhole if there is one, then tries the door handle. (ooc does gegessen have any thing on him? House key, I'd papers etc?)

[chese780]

"I'll do it, but I'm going to need something first," Felran says, looking at her.

(OOC: My plan is literally going 100% right now. I even factored in the lock down <3 )

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz sits on a stool next to the others. "Explain."