A fresh start

[LittleLuna]

"to confuse people is not nice... but I think it is a lot of fun" Vee grins.

when they're jogging on she turns to him. "About what do you want Geraldine to think about? I don't think... ups, no wait... In my opinion it Geraldine woulden't be so happy to be, 'animated' to think!" Vee innterrups herselv. "Tell me, is there any reason why you had to fix bells on your costume? this hurts in my head, and if you ever want to creep up... really I can't see any use of them!"

[Stik]

"I should like Miss Geraldine to think about her loyalties, I believe. Something's rotten in the town of Saltmarsh. Typically smugglers need a man inside the local government, to ensure that they do not get caught. I would like to know who that inside man is. If we make Miss Geraldine think, we might find out that she knows more than she knows she knows, you know?

"And there's something bothering me. Smugglers smuggling mostly-legal goods just to avoid the tax man sounds wrong. Not much profit there. There must be something more to it.

"Alas, the bells are traditional, to alert the audience to when the performer arrives, and also to remind the courtiers that he is there, that they should watch what they say, for the fool is the king's most honest advisor, and the only one who may speak the truth with impunity. I'll tell you a secret, though, when the need arises, I can silence the bells by simply tucking them inside my waistcoat. You see? So, when you hear the bells you know that I am around, but when you hear nothing...who knows?

"Tell me, Miss Vee: Why do you carry so many knives, but not a sword?"

[LittleLuna]

"Yes, maybe Geraldine remember some unusual activities... in a village as little as Saltmarsh you can't keep a secret for to long. Everybody tells everybody everything.. I wonder why it wasn't discovered before!"

"maybe they can't sell some really illegal goods here? Saltmash don#t seem like a bastion of gangstarism"

"If I want people to know that I'm here, I tell them, I don't need any bells, but If you are so proud of your tradition I don't want to diss you. But the next time when I can't see nor hear you I'll pay attention."

"This is easy to answer: I can't fight with a sword. Across the azure sea are other rules, only the noble are allowed to have a sword... but there sit no law to limit the number of daggers. And if I fight with one, I have three left to throw them" Vee grinns "It's a problem if you throw away all your weapons, belive me!"

[Breila]

When Vee and Drake catch up with Geraldine, the militia lieutenant frowns. "Mr. Drake, I appreciate your being here, but two is enough for the patrol. It would be more advisable if you went back to town and came with someone to relieve us at sunset. We'll meet at the edge of the old mansion's garden."

[Stik]

"I wasn't aware that this was a patrol. I just thought it'd be nice to spend some time with our two furry associates, get to know them a bit." Martin replies. "Besides, it would be ungallant of me to leave two ladies alone in what are clearly dangerous surroundings.
"Plus I'm ascared to walk back to town all by my lonesome." Martin plops his bag down on the ground, and sits on it.
"So what say we have a little palaver, just the four of us, you, me, Miss Vee, and Floyd here." He's pulled his marotte out of his bag, and busies himself adjusting its hat and collar.

[Breila]

Geraldine plants herself in front of Drake, arms crossed, brow furrowed.
"I'll have nothing of that nonsense here and now. The gnolls are nocturnal, they said they wanted to rest until nightfall, then hunt. We agreed to watch if they were true to their word. So I consider this a patrol, and expect to be relieved in time. You are not going to steal my attention. If necessary, I'll patrol alone. And I daresay that Miss Vee and I are perfectly capable of defending ourselves, thank you."
With that, she turns and continues towards the mansion.

[Stik]

Martin could go back to town. It's probably more comfortable there anyway. But being told to do anything, particularly by someone with a badge, really gets his back up. "Seeing as this little excursion was not exactly sanctioned by your superiors - I mean, last I heard Junior wasn't telling the council about Frick and Frack there - nobody in an official capacity will be coming to relieve you.
"And as far as the Bloodhound Gang goes, they'll probably be too busy debating which chair to sit in at the pub to remember to send anyone.
"I expect you're just going to have to relieve yourself." He pauses to let the double entendre sink in, although he does not bother to waggle his eyebrows.
"And as much as I would enjoy going along to ruin Lord Humongous' dinner plans - or after dinner plans - with Miss Brax and Miss Frosty, I do believe I shall stick around here and keep an eye on things, lest anyone here decide to engage in any nefairousnessitude."
"And I'm staying too," says Floyd. Or Martin, as it were.

[Breila]

Floyd must have shouted his remark, because Geraldine simply continues toward the mansion, completely undaunted by Martin/Drake's speech.

[Stik]

Martin makes an exaggeratedly courtly bow in Vee's direction and offers his arm. "Shall we escort Constable Grouchy to the mansion, Miss Vee?"

[LittleLuna]

Vee rises her eyebrows. "I can walk on my own, I don#t need your arm, thanks"

"But it's a good idea to follow 'Constable Grouchy', and a even better idea not to made her more angry. You may have fun if she is furios, but I had to sleep at hers tonight and I don't want to hear laments about you all night!"

[Stik]

Martin looks at his untenanted arm and says to Floyd: "And they wonder why chivalry is dead." Then he stuffs the marotte back into his bag, puffs up his chest, stands tall, and strolls off after Geraldine, walking tall, shoulders back, chin up, like he's walking onto a stage.

[Breila]

The three companions watch the gnolls disappear in the old mansion. They settle down in the vicinity and continue to talk. Some time before sunset, Geraldine, quite happy to escape "Drake"'s continuous challenging chatter, leaves.

"I need to organise the night patrol" she says. "And I'll send someone up here or come back myself. We need to confirm the gnolls are true to their word and will come out at night. We can't follow then because that would disturb their hunt, and I'd rather let them hunt then feed them. But I will tell the night patrol to watch out because, even though we didn't find anything, the children's story might have some founding to it and they need to be careful."


Who will be at the inn near sunset? Searos, Kim and Robbo, I presume? Will any of them volunteer to take the first night watch?

[Robbo]

Gunter is in for taking on the first night watch!

[The_Muffin_Man]

Searos is tired and still desirous of that ale he left alone so many hours ago. So alone... it must be so frightened... but shhh... don't you worry... poppa's never gonna leave you alone again.

[Breila]

Then Kim will join Gunter for first night watch, sunset to one o'clock.

Who is taking second watch? Brax returns around 10 p.m. Vee, Geraldine and Martin/Drake return at sunset (about 8 pm).