A fresh start

[LittleLuna]

"Oh, Amon, Parents can be very different then we could even Imagine. Trust me parents are a strange group of people. My dad, for example, puted me out." Vee sights.

Because nobody seems to look at the paper with the symbols,Vee graps it. Than she turns it over and looks closely at the map.

"when this is Saltmarsh" she points on the map "why don't we easily follow the cost until this...how to name this... äh 'notch', go around it, and flush out these smugglers?"

[Robbo]

Gunter nods in agreement with Vee.

"It's sad but true Amon. Maybe it's not your father or tutor though, how much do you really know about the merchant and entrapreneur? Perhaps at this meeting we're going to have with the council we can throw in a little bit of false information and see if it gets back to these smugglers...if it does than we know there's a rat in our midst."

[Breila]

Kim gets up and stretches lazily. "Good point, Miss Vee" an approving nod accompanies this remark. "As to you, Drake, what you've been suggesting has been discussed here before. Of course, you were not among us then." A mock bow accompanies this. "As to when the council arrives, just turn to the door. They are coming."

Indeed, Bryce Cousland arrives, followed closely by a robed man who must be Daos Soulstaff, Echo's father. After them, a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile arrives at the arm of a corpulent man dressed in clothes that look a little too rich for this small village.

They enter the back room and nod to the party. Noticing the man in the patchwork clothing, Bryce Cousland frowns. "May I ask you what you are doing here, Sir? You were not part of the group that explored the abandoned mansion."

[Stik]

Amon frowns at the stranger's interjection, especially at the implications. "Hold now, sirrah. You don't know what you say. The Council is made up of my father, my master, a cleric of Pelor, and a very successful merchant and entrepreneur. All four have done a great deal for this community, and I can assure you that none of them would ever engage in such criminal activities."

"Good sir, if you did not know these men, would you be so quick to defend them? All men are corruptible, if given the right temptation. Even the greatest knight of legend broke faith and fealty to his king and friend to lay with the queen.
"But owing to the fact that you are close to these men, I offer humble apology, for no offense was meant. Yet I stand by my warning."

The council enter the back room and nod to the party. Noticing the man in the patchwork clothing, Bryce Cousland frowns. "May I ask you what you are doing here, Sir? You were not part of the group that explored the abandoned mansion."

"Greetings, m'lady, m'luds. I am J. Cheever Drake of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe, Barristers. It is customary for individuals involved in such an inquest to have legal counsel available, and I have been retained for just this purpose. Has the council counsel, or is will this just be council versus counsel?"

[The_Muffin_Man]

Searos eyes Brax distrustfully. "Alright Bright Eyes, whats up?" At her urging to watch the stranger he glances back over at Drake. "What, Patches? You think I shouldn't trust him? Let me ask you something. If I still don't trust you or Muscles over there, what gave you the idea I was going to start trusting Patches over there? You know what one of the first rules of my "trade" is? Never try to con a con. He's a snake oil salesman and a little touched in the head, ya feel me? I wouldn't trust him as far as Muscles could throw him."

He glances back at the group, especially after overhearing the Echo say that people think she's a nice person underneath. He sort of mutters to himself "Not me..." before turning back to Brax. "Are you sure we can't just stick a knife in his back when we get out of town and leave him by the side of the road? His... costume... is hard on the eyes."

[Breila]

The council lady looks at Drake, her face full of disgust. "I have never heard of a barrister dressing up as a court jester. You may be quick with words, but to me, you look like an impostor. Leave this room you were not invited in, or we will have you thrown out." With her last words, she glances at the leader of the town milita and his deputy.

[JadedDM]

Amon stands up at the sight of the council, in particular his father, respectfully. He doesn't speak, though, leaving it up to them on how to deal with the strange jester/swashbuckler/peddler/lawyer--or whatever he was.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo stands up upon seeing her father more than the rest of the council members. "He doesn't listen very well when people tell him to go away," Echo says with a smirk towards the jester.

[Jenara]

"I was not suggest you trust him, or even consider it. No I am suggesting you keep an eye on him, no one would suspect you." The Drow grins widely. "We entertain him, see what he knows, you never know what we might get."

With that she steps back to the main group, bowing to the Council Members with a smile. "Let him stay, he appears to have some interesting insights."

[The_Muffin_Man]

Searos watches Brax go and scratches at the stubble on his face. "Great... someone else I have to watch now." He comes back to the group and plops down into a chair again, largely ignoring the council.

[Stik]

"I apologize that my flamboyant dress offends the eye of such an august personage and yourself, m'lady. Barristers are unpopular in these parts, whereas entertainers are welcome anywhere. Adapting my wardrobe accordingly affords me greater opportunity to travel in safety and comfort."
Martin sheds his overlarge wine-colored hat and motley cloak, revealing the bright canary yellow shirt, purple and orange suede waistcoat, and cerulean leather breeches beneath. His garb is still brightly colored, and maniacally mismatched, but at least it's closer to something socially acceptable. "Where I come from, this is the height of fashion, m'lady. And as I am sure you'll agree, I make this look good.
"But if you are resolute in your desire to deprive these good folk of their right to legal counsel, I shall wait in the common room."

[Breila]

"They will be welcome to whatever counsel you have to offer once we have talked to them, but now leave." Daos Soulstaff's voice is firm.

Geraldine had risen as the council entered, now she holds open the door for Drake and makes sure it is firmly closed behind him. She even peeks through the keyhole to make sure she sees him in the room, that he doesn't stand at the door with his ear pressed to it, listening. Then she stands guard at the door.

"Ladies, Gentlemen" the mage speaks up to the assembled group "even though you needed the help of our militia to get out there safely, we owe you respect for having braved the so-called haunted house and alerted us to the presence of a smuggling band in our waters."
"Yes" the overdressed man interrupts. "It can't be that some merchants pay the excise for the town services and others get around it."
"That'll do, Linton" Daos Soustaff's reprimand is sharp.
"We have found a lot of their contraband and some money. However, the operation is too well-planned to believe that brandy and silk is everything they wanted to bring here. We suspect that there might be something more sinister going on. And in any case, there must be a bigger vessel that brought the goods here. And, as much as our guard has been inadequate to prevent the establishment of that smuggling ring" here, Bryce Cousland receives a disapproving glance, "our fishermen are sure that any vessel can have approached the inlet only during the time of the new moon.
So, what the council proposes to you is this: We do not have the manpower to go keep watch, and to take on the smugglers alone when they come. Our militia men and women all have a bread job and cannot be spared there for days in a row. If you are willing to stay and help us clear the operation, you will get room and board here at the inn at half prices until the next new moon. Several citizens have also offered to give some of you free room and board, if you prefer that.
So, who of you will take this offer?" the mage looks at each one of them in turn.

[JadedDM]

"I will," Amon volunteers. He mentally tries to calculate when the next new moons are to arrive, based on what Luna and Celene looked like last night. Perhaps this would be the chance he needs to redeem himself in the eyes of everyone. Besides, it sure beat sitting around, doing nothing.

[Jenara]

"I will help." Brax bows. "Celanadra Brax, at your service." She gives them all an open smile, seemingly unaware of her appearance.

"I will stay here, I do not see many people offering me a place to stay." She says with a slight frown.

[Breila]

"Oh, you would be very welcome to my house, if you want to come" The overdressed man, who had been identified as "Linton" earlier, looks at Brax with a smile as greasy as his tone of voice, winking at her.