CH. 10: Hard Choices

[djhyland]

Arulia chokes back the tears that threaten to overwhelm her. She'll cry later, but now, she feels she needs to be strong for her sisters and mother. Though she's able to prevent the tears from falling, though, she can't keep them out of her voice. "It...it just happened," she sniffs. "I told father to go to the inn and take a bath. He wasn't back for more than a few moments when those dragonmen burst in and arrested him. I don't know why, they just said they had an order for his arrest when I asked. And now...now I don't know what to do." She gives up fighting and lets the tears come. "I...I suppose we could go and petition for his release, or at least try to find out why they took him," she sobs. "Maybe...maybe I can ask one of their officers. Kendra and I were on the guard together, and she's still decent. Maybe she knows..."

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion, Ballroom)
"What would you have me do, Kendra? Wag my finger at them and ask them politely not to do it again?" He shakes his head. "You were a Holy Guard, you saw how weak leadership nearly tore the city apart. There were cults springing up everywhere, riots in the streets, thieves roaming about without fear. If I don't show a firm hand here, the same exact thing will happen again. You know it will."

He sits back down at his desk. "If what you say is true, and this was all the act of a sole madman, then it will come to light during our interrogations. For now, though, I will not take any chances."

Before Kendra can respond, a Baaz comes running into the office. "Sir, there's a fire in the slums!" He pulls back the curtains to reveal a thick, black plume of smoke rising up from the harbor district, not far from the river.

Tethys is on his feet in a flash and at the window. "Damn it...now these would-be rebels are starting fires? Get the fire brigade out there at once. It's close to the river, so it should be easy enough to put out before it spreads too far. And when it is out, I want a full investigation. I want to know if this was arson or something else."

"Yes, sir!" the baaz replies, saluting. "We'll glide down there now." He then runs off. From the top of this hill, the baaz should be able to use their wings to quickly glide down to the harbor instead of walking or running.

"Do you see now?" Tethys asks, turning back toward her. "Or would you have me believe this is just a random coincidence, too?" He walks up to her. "I can appreciate that this puts you in a difficult position. But do you truly love this man so much that you would risk your career to defend him despite such overwhelming evidence?"

Gregeddin (Prefect's basement)
Picking up the knife, Gregeddin returns to the cells and examines the door. Peeking through the keyhole only reveals a dark wall across from the door. When he tries to open it, he finds it is locked.

(OOC: The soldiers took Gregeddin's backpack, belt pouch and sacks. This means all he has now, aside from the knife he just picked up, are his clothes (including his cloak) and his signet ring. His ID papers and all of his coin are in his backpack, his house key is in his belt pouch, his spellbook is in his large sack and all of his weapons and armor are back at his house.)

Grubnick (Haven Arms, Common room)
While everyone else is running toward or away from the fire, Grubnick and Delharn casually stroll toward the Haven Arms. It's a nice enough inn, somewhere between the Tankard and High Hand in quality.

In the common area, there's a roaring fire going in the hearth, and many have gathered around it. Two servers move to and fro, bringing food and drink to the patrons. One walks right by Grubnick, carrying a tray with, among other things, cooked slices of ham.

The bar is being tended by a haggard, middle-aged woman. Sitting at the bar are a pair of humans (one man, one woman), both wearing heavy cloaks with their hoods up. A pair of dwarves sit by the fire, chatting. Three humans sit together at one table. At another table, a human middle aged man sits alone. He seems to be missing one of his legs. Finally, at a table in the back, sit four baaz that are drinking and carousing.

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
"All right," says Vera, trying to remain calm. "Then you go speak with Kendra. I'll go to the fortress and see if I can find any answers there. Niniva, I want you go and check on Cassilda. Make sure she is okay. Camilla, you stay here. Don't answer the door if anyone knocks. We'll all come back here when we're done and share what we've learned."

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Grinning Goat Tavern)
"I never mentioned anything about coin," the woman says. "And you aren't in a position to be making demands. You can accept the job or not. We can always find someone else, but you might never find those women you are looking for."

[HorizonsDream]

~You've got to be kidding me,~ Kendra thinks to herself as she hears the news about the fire. With a heavy sigh, she finds a chair to sit in, and places her head in her hands. She didn't know who caused the fire, but it was perfect timing. She looks up to Tethys, slightly surprise written on her face. "I...well," she stumbles over her words. "I like him, but I don't love him," she says. "Which means I don't want to see him rot in some jail cell. He also is the only support that my family has. Without him, all of us will most likely end up on the street. I was barely able to keep them and myself afloat when I was a Holy Guard."

[mgbevan]

Grgegeddin sets the candle down on the floor to free his hands.
His lips begin droning the strange and slippery syllables of Magnus's teachings. His mind flashing through the glyphs recalling their order and enchantment. Closer to the lock he comes, becoming quieter and quieter. Until he just barely whispers the last line into the keyhole. Hoping to hear it's subtle click that will indicate his freedom to take the candle and move into the next room.

[chese780]

"I wasn't referring to coins myself. I was referring to a weapons permit. You wouldn't want us getting arrested before we can finish do you?" Felran says, looking at the woman. "And, if we were talking who would win a fight if it started, you may want a few more men."

"As to whether we'll take the job, sure."

(OOC: A Hard-headed Minotaur, a Dwarf with a Shield, and the Martial Arts Fire Elf vs A thief, a bartender, and two men all with light crossbows.

I know who would win already. Crossbows have a reload time, and we all have good AC's. I give it, three rounds if it happens.)

[djhyland]

After Niniva and her mother leave, Arulia is not long to follow. Beckoning William to come with her, she takes Camilla's hand and squeezes it tightly. "You'll be all right here," she promises, "and we'll be back soon."

Once she's back out into the cold, Arulia draws close to William. Despite the lack of bystanders anywhere near close enough to overhear her, she feels the need to keep her voice low. "We're going to see a friend of mine. She's a member of the Dragon Army, but she only joined for the money to feed her family. Maybe she'll know what is going on."

[Haahque]

"Oh no, not spells this time, no matter how interesting they might be. I was reading a lot about a city to the east, called Ishtar. Interesting stuff, they were ruled by a king-priest, like the church ruled the state. They worshiped Paladine, and it's rumored that it was the king-priest's fault that the cataclysm happened. Something about his quest to eradicate evil from the world." Haahqae looks like he's about to continue talking about this subject, but somehow he manages to check himself and start talking about answering Tulbas's other questions instead.

"I can admire your quest for knowledge, the feeling is shared. I'm pretty sure the book we picked up in the mines is one about spells, like what you're probably interested in. Of course, I would want collateral of one of your books, just so long as you keep a hold of mine. The more interesting the better."

This whole touched by the power thing is a little confusing. Surely Tulbas can't be suggesting that Haahqae can cast magic? Right? Haahqae is very careful about that, so it's totally absurd to suggest that Haahqae is a spellcaster. Maybe he's talking about the power of love? No, that can't make sense either. Ismene's mad at Haahqae so love isn't happening right now. "What power is this you speak of and how is it touching us? Should I tell Ismene about her being touched by this thing? Do you really think Ismene's going to be interested in the Istar empire?"

[Chris1234]

Shima looks at Felran and nods, "If the two of you want my help, then fine. So long as someone provides dinner." He moves his gaze to Ne-Chanz and then to the pretty and dangerous human female.

The dwarf thinks, ~She's either pretty dangerous or dangerously pretty. Maybe both.~

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Tulbas (Steel Tankard, common room)
As the two continue walking and talking, they arrive at the Steel Tankard and step inside. Here they find most of the clientele has vacated and a squad of four baaz have taken the innkeeper into custody. The innkeeper has his hands tied behind his back and are leading him out while Cassandra, his head barmaid, sits on the floor with a nasty shiner while crying softly.

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion, Ballroom)
Tethys looks down at her, crossing his arms. He raps his claws on his own arm, which click due to the scales. "So you married him for his money then? I see. Then perhaps there is a solution that would benefit us both." He takes a seat at his desk, across from her. "I am doing what I can for this city, but the people are stubborn and don't always see that. We are outsiders, all of us. But you are a citizen. I need a liaison...a comely, human face to put on my administration. Someone who can convince the people that we are not villains, but saviors. You would officially be part of my elite guard, but unofficially you would help advise me, provide me intel on the locals' attitudes and beliefs, and help me keep control over the city. The payment would be a steel piece a day. This way, you can provide for your family and I get someone I need and can trust to help me run this city."

To keep Kendra's family alive, they need 20 steel a month. A steel a day means 30 steel a month, so she'd be able to provide for them and even have some left over. This is a much better salary than her 2 steel a week salary as a Fire Snake recruit. Quite a promotion, indeed. However, she'd still have to make about 200 steel a month at the jewelry shop to keep it open or it would go under. Although if that did happen, she could always move back in with her family again.

"Do you accept?" he asks.

Gregeddin (Prefect's basement)
After finishing his spell, Gregeddin hears a satisfying click, as the door unlocks itself. It would seem that new spell from Magnus was already paying for itself.

Pushing open the door, Gregeddin peeks through and sees the warehouse he was escorted through when he was brought here. To the north is a door that he remembers leads to the stairs back up to the kitchen. There is another door off to the west, but he has no idea where it goes. A number of items are being stored down here, including benches, barrels, extra chairs, boxes and even a chest. Nearby, the two baaz who brought him down here sit at a small table and play cards by candlelight. Next to the feet of one of them is Gregeddin's things. The bard quickly puts out his own candle before he's seen. Fortunately, they haven't seemed to notice him just yet.

Getting past the two will be no easy task. Reacquiring his things would prove even more difficult.

(OOC: Gregeddin casts Knock.)

Prefect's Basement 03.jpg (140.11 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

Arulia Seroth (Three Forks Road, Harbor District)
"The Dragonarmy?" repeats William softly. "Are you sure she can be trusted then? What if she's the one who had your father arrested?" As they start to walk through the street, Arulia notices a big, thick cloud of smoke raising up northeast. It looks like a fire, but it's pretty far off--nearly on the other end of the district. She also sees the tiny figures of baaz leaping off of the hill the noble district is on and gliding down toward the smoke.

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Grinning Goat Tavern)
She smirks. "Don't assume the men you've seen so far are the only ones we have available. In any case, I cannot get you weapon permits. Not even forged ones. They are imprinted with some kind of magic now that show they are real. We've already lost a couple of men who tried to forge them and were arrested for it."

She leans back a bit. "We can smuggle some weapons to you, on-site. If you agree, that is."

[Haahque]

Haahqae is rather surprised at this development. Sure the army seems rather unpredictable, indiscriminate and detrimental to good business, but this appears to be them taking it to a whole new level. They're stealing Ro.. Ra... R.... the innkeeper!

This needs an answer, so Haahqae approaches one of the baaz with a very imaginative line of questions. "Woh, hey wait a minute. I need this guy to supply me with large quantities of alcohol. Why do you guys need him? How long are you taking him for? Couldn't we talk about this a bit, negotiate something which is mutually agreeable?"

[chese780]

Felran smirks back, clearly enjoying this conversation, "I was talking about how many were in the room right now."

He leans back a little, resting his hands on the table, "Next, the weapons. If you can manage that, it should go well. Is there anything else you are willing to tell us before we accept?"

[BishGada]

As they enter the tavern and see what happened, Tulbas quickly go to the woman on the floor helps her up and takes her farther away from the Baaz. Then he listen to Haaque confused questions and waits for the Baaz response. If clarification will be required he will add, "What did the bartender do to be arrested?"

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin softly pushes the door closed behind him and crawls into the little South West nook, keeping as low and quiet as possible.
His mind once again chided himself, "Didn't even see what card game they were playing, let alone if they were armed or armoured. Tut tut tut. What shall we do with ourselves now then?"
Gregeddin wasn't sure about his fighting abilities, especially against two soldiers. He glances up at the ceiling, "Maybe the candle light doesn't reach all the way up the walls? And I can sneak by unseen. Hmm I wonder if I'd be heard though. Maybe they'd mistake me for a rat. Baaz are quite stupid, but then again so are some bards..." the bard thinks contemplating his next move.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra stares at Tethys for a moment then adverts her gaze to his desk as she thinks about the possibilities of being his guard and adviser. She didn't know if he was going to listen to her advise considering that he wasn't listening to her now when it came to the trade guild. ~But he is afraid of a revolt,~ she thinks to herself silently. ~And right now, all the signs are leaning towards a revolt. But maybe once things have calmed down...~ Her thought process continues down that line until she finally realizes that she can take care of her family again. The only issue is Norris' shop. "...I'll agree to it," she finally says. "But will you let me see Norris?" she asks.

[djhyland]

Arulia shakes her head and looks around for listening ears. "I have to trust her. She knows of my...attachment to Paladine," she whispers. "She was the first person I used His powers on when she was near death. If she wanted to turn me over to the Dragon Army, she wouldn't need anything else to condemn me." She sighs helplessly. "I doubt she's responsible for my father's arrest, but if she is, she can at least tell me why."

Noticing the plume of black smoke rising above the harbor, Arulia points it out to William. "More trouble," she murmurs. "Maybe that has something to do with the arrests. If Kendra can't help us, maybe we could see what's happening."