Chapter 2: Temple of Torm: Temple of Terror

[Jenara]

"You have my word, which I hope means something to you." Smiling she winks at him, "Egewulf, can you take her please?" Navi asks checking her blade. "We take the rear exit."

Kneeling close to Kata she whispers quietly, "You understand me, I'll keep you alive if you work with me, do we have a deal?". With that she moves to the door, "Ziindor lead the way, Vrundar walk with Egewulf. I'll take the rear."

[LilDavid67]

Egewulf gives Navi a small smirk as he walks over to Kata. Sheathing his sword but keeping his shield in his left grasp, he scoops up Kata around the waist and throws her over his right shoulder. "To the temple then."

[slamo]

Xiindor starts through the back door 1st and
Ends the group outside, her shield strapped to her arm and her right hand ready to grab her mace if trouble starts. As she exits she checks around to see if anyone is watching or paying attention to the group.

[Nuke]

Mortimer speaks in reply. "Rescue is different than abduction, that much is sure. But you still speak vaguely. Be plain man. I have no use for figuring out tales of heroics." Moritimer pauses to takes another sip of wine and clear his head. ""The key question to be answered is: What makes you think I have any interest in bloodshed or this girl named Sally."

[Jenara]

"Vrundar, I trust you realise I have my reasons? I dislike being mysterious, but it is part of my line of work." She says softly, "I trust you will see that in the future? There are things going on here that would affect many people."

"Egewulf, keep her still, do not harm her, I would like to keep her alive." She grins. "Be quiet, and we will not harm you." She whispers to Kata. "I do like the whip, I might just keep it." She winks.

[BishGada]

Vrunar follows. Usually he is the one leading, so when Navi takes matters to her hands and decides to the whole group it feels strange to him. Nevertheless there is no point in arguing as she only instructs what they had agreed upon. All in all Vrunar finds himself next to Egewulf carrying Kata. After a short while he becomes aware that he is staring at Kata's covered body jumping on Egewulf shoulder with every step. He coughs and actively searches Turic. Changing his pace to meet Turic's he asks quietly, "That... Dar Hoon of Mintar you mentioned... Did he say where he stays? I see three immediate leads for the investigation. Kata, The woman Arnora, and Dar Hoon. Also those bloodlines and families Sally mentioned and the party Navi was about to attend might help us get this investigation forward."

[mltillis]

Mortimer: Downstairs

The man chuckles. "Forgive me then for my presumptions. I thought your mindset to be that of a common thrill seeking wannabee adventure, but now I see that your worldview may be more in line with the likes of my own. Blood is spilled everyday somewhere, what purpose in trying to prevent something as inevitable as the rising tide? As for Sally, I believed her to be of some importance to your order. Why else would they have asked the local church of Torm to watch over her while here in Waterdeep? Nevertheless, there is no point in wasting our time with further discussion. I bid thee good day." The cloaked man rises to depart.

Cheth Thanion begins shouting from the bar. As most of the heads are turned, a small procession carrying a bound girl quickly darts from the stairway into the servants area of the building.

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As the group proceeds down the hall and main stairs, Cheth Thanion rushes ahead to clear the way of potential witnesses, instructing a servant boy to lead the way to the rear exit. Once in the main room he attempts to draw the crowd's attention from the bar. "Listen up everyone! For the rest of the week until after Lliira's Night, the Wemic will offering discount rates to all customers! We'll also be hosting a raffle for exclusive tickets to the closed door Cynosure Ball! Spread the word people!"
The party makes the floor of the stairs and turns into the servants area while Cheth trumpets from the far side of the room.

"Be quiet, and we will not harm you." She whispers to Kata. "I do like the whip, I might just keep it." She winks.

Kata glares icily at Navi from her perch atop Egewulf's shoulder. It is difficult to discern whether she is snarling at the elf maiden or the gag is pulling at her lips.

.... he becomes aware that he is staring at Kata's covered body jumping on Egewulf shoulder with every step. He coughs .... "That... Dar Hoon of Mintar you mentioned... Did he say where he stays? I see three immediate leads for the investigation. Kata, The woman Arnora, and Dar Hoon. Also those bloodlines and families Sally mentioned and the party Navi was about to attend might help us get this investigation forward."

Her legs clutched tightly behind the knees and arms bound tight behind, Kata bounces and sways as her arched back is stretched, extracting a soft rhythmic moan in unison with Egewulf's steps as long jostling hair obscure her face. As Vrunar coughs, Kata shakes her head, briefly clearing her face and calmly locks eyes with him.

"No he did not." Turic replies. "His initial interest appeared to be with Arnora, for a moment I thought he would attempt to take her from us. Then for some reason he quickly fixtated on Kata then departed abruptly. Fortunately Sally documented her finding within her journal here. Unfortunately I have only skimmed the book, it reveal many things with a thorough perusal."

The ragtag ensemble set out slowly make their way towards the Halls of Justice taking time to avoid larger crowds and the questioning eyes of the city watch.

[Jenara]

"I was next you know." Navi suggests as she walks behind the others, "Our friend here wasn't trying to kill me, she was trying to subdue me.."

"I want to talk to her when we get to the Temple, Vrundar understands."

[Nuke]

Mortimer quickly responds, "Don't be so hasty. We have plenty of time to discuss the situation." He pauses again, sipping his wine. "You are correct, I am interested in the status and location of one Sally Windborn. However, you are not going to talk me into kidnapping, but perhaps a rescue may be a different story. Like I said before, convince me."

[mltillis]

Mortimer

The man pauses for a second and looks around. Making a snort, he leans in close while opening his palm. A single softly glowing coin lays in his hand. Suddenly the sound of the tavern vanishes and you can see nothing but darkness beyond your table. He whispers hurriedly... "Eleven years ago Silifrey and her mother were taken by Calishite raiders and sold to the harem of a Calimport noble. Three years ago, part of that harem and young Silifrey were captured at sea by Luskan Raiders. As slaves are not as easy to dispose of as wares, they brought them here for auction at Skullport. Now that she is of age, her current owners plan to use this very well trained, but so far unspoiled lass as an escort to influential persons….Now if you wish to assist in rescuing this lass of sixteen years from such a fate. You will abduct and bring her to me immediately. I will then take Silifrey to her guardian, where they will remain safe and hidden." A stray beam of light reflected across the inn, briefly illuminates the man's hood. Mortimer catches a glimpse of a stubbled chin, chiseled face, and slightly pointed ears. "For Silifrey and Si.... and her benefactor to remain safe, this must look like the work of a rival guild. Sally being an associate of Highpriest Ag signed on to this mission at his request. From what has been gathered by my contacts I believe all members of her group disappeared last night with the exception of Ag's right hand man Turic. Each one's disappearance seems independent of the others. Both Thavin and Kean were suddenly discovered by respective old enemies they each thought to have long eluded. Two men that I supplied for extra muscle are also missing without a trace. Your girl Sally had a visitor just prior to her disappearance named Dar Hoon. He departed the city early this morning, though not before one of my men joined the caravan... Now one or even two people vanishing can be explained away. For five to all disappear in one night shows an unknown player is in our midst. Their disappearances are a result of their joint mission, and with the mission will lie the answers. Assist with Silifrey's rescue and whatever investigations they may be performing and it very well may lead you to Sally Windborn. Meanwhile, I will continue to have this Dar Hoon followed on his travels and try to discern the unseen pattern of events."

[BishGada]

Vrunar nods at Navi statement, but says only, "Let's move on quickly." He is lost in thoughts. Not sure how to unravel the mysteries they met, he only wishes to hear what Kata and Arnora had to say.

[mltillis]

The mile long trip to the Halls of Justice is uneventful, save for the occasional attempt at kicking Egewulf by Kata.. Within the hour you find yourself standing before the group of four and five story row houses, which serve as the headquarters of the clergy of Tyr within Waterdeep. Two armored guards, left hands covered with red sashes, stand at each of the entryways. As you approach they notice Egewulf carrying the bound Kata and ready their weapons while signalling for reinforcemnets... What business do you have with the followers of the maimed god, citizens?

[Jenara]

Navi keeps to the back with her hands at her side, a sheepish look on her face as she keeps a close eye on Kata. ~Yoi need to talk to them, I am less... Welcome here.. Remember, I want to talk to her.~ Navi's voice appears in Vrundars head.

[Nuke]

Mortimer

Mortimer pauses, taking a deep breath before responding. "I assume time is of the essence here. As I am new to Waterdeep, simply finding this girl would prove an arduous task for me. Unless, of course, you have some additional information, and possibly additional resources at your disposal." the monk once again pauses. "And let us assume for a moment that I might be successful in this undertaking, where is she to be delivered?"

[BishGada]

Vrunar, forgetting this time he is not the leader, steps forward and approaches the guards. "I'm Vrunar Tadgelein, Paladin of Bahamut. Requested by High Priest Hammerlord to conduct investigation on his behalf. I'm surprised you were not informed. These people with me are key elements for that investigation to bear fruits and the bounded one, well," he coughs and blushes momentarily, "She is an evil creature" he coughs again, "who should be investigate discreetly in the Temple."