Birthright 3: The Worm's Supper , Chapter 2

[Varrus the Ethical]

Searchers

Sir Boarhort says,
" I'd say mount up and race out of this cave, risking the arrows.But with the thick snow, I don't know these beasts can outrun the fairies."

Road shakes his head. "No, Cormac is right. We won't outpace elves in this snow, horses or no." He moves to pull supplies off the animals.

[VAN]

Filbert/Perry

Filbert shrugs his shoulders. He is starting to believe that this group of thieves know nothing about a conspiracy or at least Milo doesn't, but still they might have someone in palace to get them information.

"Well I guess we will never know. For sure many nobles will come to attend the ducal wedding some might agree with it and others no but still this might be a good opportunity for us. Of course there will be others that might try as well. Terem seems well connected, but does he have anyone in palace or in a key position to learn stuff? It's important to be the first to know details and to have access to these noble guests."

Filbert rubs greedily his hands and smiles:

"I don't mind some extra cash!"

[alhoon]

Termelan, Safana
Lofton

"Lets see if any of these places offer a few drinks slightly less wild and outre than warm tea. Like, you know, ale, spirits, wine, cider... the safe stuff!"

Her grin continues as she heads for the nearest tavern

"The 'safe stuff' it is then" Termelan says smiling and follows her.

[Adam]

Cormac helps unload the horses.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

SEARCHERS

Gatt says, "Captain-- what's the plan?"

"They plan" Renn answers between wheezing breaths, "is stay the hell away from those knifies! No choice but to go further into the cave. Either we'll find a way out, the elves will get bored and leave, or we'll find a passage narrow enough to make a stand. Either way boys, check your boots, because we're going a long way down."

[ewancummins]

DOMENICA
CELLAR OF THE GROGON’S CROWN

Domenica smiles at the big ursine. "Good morning Clyde," she bows to the animal "I am Domenica and this is Gimp. Very nice to meet you."


Looking at Torthur "Is there a food he prefers? A treat, maybe? Is it ok if I move closer so he can get my scent?"

Torthur nods.
"Sure. He likes pie."
The dwarf belches. "All kinds."

Clyde sniffs Domenica's hands.

While Domenica makes nice with the bear, the Gimp hangs back, murmuring to himself.

Torthur asks her, 'What's wrong with your friend?"

[ewancummins]

Termelan, Safana
Lofton

"Lets see if any of these places offer a few drinks slightly less wild and outre than warm tea. Like, you know, ale, spirits, wine, cider... the safe stuff!"

Her grin continues as she heads for the nearest tavern

"The 'safe stuff' it is then" Termelan says smiling and follows her.

They have no trouble at all in finding a nearby pub, one built close to the city walls on the end of the city near the river. The signboard bears the faded bust portrait of a young woman. The limner who made it must have been a skilled artist, for weather and wear haven't destroyed the lifelike quality of the piece; pretty face scarred with red marks, wine-dark gown cut so low her nipples show, and wearing old fashioned jewels in her hair.

Inside, the two visitors find a large crowd, most of the people gathered around something going on in the middle of the room. Safana and Temerlan can't see what it is that the gathering is watching. A cheer goes up along with a cry of pain.

[steveflam]

DOMENICA
CELLAR OF THE GROGON’S CROWN

Domenica smiles at the big ursine. "Good morning Clyde," she bows to the animal "I am Domenica and this is Gimp. Very nice to meet you."


Looking at Torthur "Is there a food he prefers? A treat, maybe? Is it ok if I move closer so he can get my scent?"

Torthur nods.
"Sure. He likes pie."
The dwarf belches. "All kinds."

Clyde sniffs Domenica's hands.

While Domenica makes nice with the bear, the Gimp hangs back, murmuring to himself.

Torthur asks her, 'What's wrong with your friend?"

Frowning, she turns to Gimp. "Something wrong, Gimp?"

[ewancummins]

Filbert/Perry

Filbert shrugs his shoulders. He is starting to believe that this group of thieves know nothing about a conspiracy or at least Milo doesn't, but still they might have someone in palace to get them information.

"Well I guess we will never know. For sure many nobles will come to attend the ducal wedding some might agree with it and others no but still this might be a good opportunity for us. Of course there will be others that might try as well. Terem seems well connected, but does he have anyone in palace or in a key position to learn stuff? It's important to be the first to know details and to have access to these noble guests."

Filbert rubs greedily his hands and smiles:

"I don't mind some extra cash!"

''The palace? I don't think so. I'm telling you, Perry-- Terem is not what he tells people he is, a nobleman's bastard."
Milo shakes his head.
"He's no doubt somebody's bastard. But he's as common as you or I. His father might have been a Brecht, sure. But a sailor or mercenary, not some princeling."
The gaunt man laughs.
"I understand your suggestion. Let's say it plainly. We should rob the wealthy guests who are coming to town for the wedding, the tourney and shows and all that... If not the palace, then perhaps we can break in to the inns where some of them are lodging now? Risky, but it could pay handsomely."
He smiles, looking down at Perry. " Like you, I'm ambitious. We could do well if we carried out something worthy of our talents. But then there's Terem, who will surely object to any daring plans we make. For all his bragging, he likes to stick to the safe, small jobs."

[ewancummins]

DOMENICA
CELLAR OF THE GROGON’S CROWN

Domenica smiles at the big ursine. "Good morning Clyde," she bows to the animal "I am Domenica and this is Gimp. Very nice to meet you."


Looking at Torthur "Is there a food he prefers? A treat, maybe? Is it ok if I move closer so he can get my scent?"

Torthur nods.
"Sure. He likes pie."
The dwarf belches. "All kinds."

Clyde sniffs Domenica's hands.

While Domenica makes nice with the bear, the Gimp hangs back, murmuring to himself.

Torthur asks her, 'What's wrong with your friend?"

Frowning, she turns to Gimp. "Something wrong, Gimp?"

The Gimp shuffles away from her.
"Buh-buh-bear!"

[steveflam]

DOMENICA
CELLAR OF THE GROGON’S CROWN

Domenica keeps rubbing Clyde around the ears and under his chin. "Seriously? Look at me," she looks at him hard, one hand tapping the whip at her belt "Clyde is very nice. Now i am going to
give you some coin. Get a few pies for our friend Clyde here and some ale for our new friend Torthur. See? If Clyde were dangerous I would be dead, silly."

Handing him enough coins for pie and ale, she dismisses him readily. "Make it quick, I insist."

Once he leaves, she turns to Torthur as she continues her handwork on Clyde.


"Don't mind Gimp, Torthur. I am sure you have heard about pirates on the river and missing children, especially girls? I am going to tell you something few people know."

[ewancummins]

DOMENICA
CELLAR OF THE GROGON’S CROWN

Domenica keeps rubbing Clyde around the ears and under his chin. "Seriously? Look at me," she looks at him hard, one hand tapping the whip at her belt "Clyde is very nice. Now i am going to
give you some coin. Get a few pies for our friend Clyde here and some ale for our new friend Torthur. See? If Clyde were dangerous I would be dead, silly."

Handing him enough coins for pie and ale, she dismisses him readily. "Make it quick, I insist."

Once he leaves, she turns to Torthur as she continues her handwork on Clyde.


"Don't mind Gimp, Torthur. I am sure you have heard about pirates on the river and missing children, especially girls? I am going to tell you something few people know."

"Girls?"
The dwarf frowns.
"Tell me more."

[steveflam]

Domenica goes on to recount her misadventure from the beginning (From the time she was banished to the present)

"So you see, Gimp has gotten what he deserves. I know not if there are more child slavers, but it is on my list of priorities to end such a trade. I can promise you there won't be any more of this traffic if I can help it. So, you see, Gimp is very lucky to be alive and has earned his life thus far. I have high hopes for him. As I do Vollmar, Atli's cousin and Crowley. I like you Torthur ,you are honest and straightforward. You also keep good company," to this she rubs Clyde's neck and ears, smiling.

[ewancummins]

THE CELLAR
DOMENICA

Domenica goes on to recount her misadventure from the beginning (From the time she was banished to the present)

"So you see, Gimp has gotten what he deserves. I know not if there are more child slavers, but it is on my list of priorities to end such a trade. I can promise you there won't be any more of this traffic if I can help it. So, you see, Gimp is very lucky to be alive and has earned his life thus far. I have high hopes for him. As I do Vollmar, Atli's cousin and Crowley. I like you Torthur ,you are honest and straightforward. You also keep good company," to this she rubs Clyde's neck and ears, smiling.

Torthur's face contorts in disgust as Domenica describes what she has done to transform a river pirate into "the Gimp."
He says, "It would have been better just to kill the man. Kinder, too."
But he doesn't argue with her, or ask any more questions about The Gimp.
Rather, he questions her about the kidnapping operation and the mystery gentleman who was paying for captive human females.
After she repeats those parts of the story and fills in any missing details she knows, he says,
"I think maybe I know who that nobleman was. During the war, I busted into a dungeon in Lofton. But it wasn't a regular prison with criminals. Not even rebels. It was full of women and girls! Some was pregnant, for sure... All chained up and some about to have babies! It was Ree-gawn that did that-- sick sack of orc-shite*!"




* Domenica knows that "orc" is a dwarf word for the subterranean boogeyman better know to humans as the orog. She's never encountered an orog/orc. But by all accounts they are horrid creatures.

[steveflam]

"Reegawn? Hmm, I think I may remember something about nobles being involved in this disgusting trade. I would have to revisit that young girl and her father to find out more about how she was taken and such. Right now, I do not have the time to do that as the Ducal wedding is my priority. I really need to find out who is planning to assassinate him or ruin the wedding.
I will ask our friend Atli about this Reegawn and anything he may have heard about this trade. I've been so busy building my business that I put this on the side for too long, Torthur. SOyou see, there is a reason I came to see you, unbeknowst to you or I."


She smiles at him, even as Gimp returns with ale and pie. He hands it over to Domenica and Torthur, clearly afraid of Clyde.