Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Two

[steveflam]

OOC : Sorry Real life got me busy yesterday.

Norzak makes it back to the office. "What in the nine hells happened here?" He looks around and inspects his room quickly. Though he had nothing of value his room was a mess. He returns to the others.

"I's bin to tha Lorelei with lil Jon. Met this Marie lass." Norzak goes on to explain to the others what he learned and what he would like to do. "This Marie thinks 'iss her turn with that brute tanight. I'd like ta be there afore he arrives. E'en if'n 'e ain' with her, I think we can easily find where he is in tha place. He daserves a lil payback fer all tha bruisin 'es done ta wimmin."

[Adam]

"He deserves slightly more than that," Benn says, walking back out from his room, slinging his dented old breastplate over a shoulder. "He knew about the artifacts, when only Herr Sancerre, the five of us, and Madame Rennier had heard of them. He went to great lengths to acquire them. I shudder to think what purpose they could have in mind, but something tells me the consequences if we do not reacquire them immediately could be dire."

[steveflam]

"I gots me a hankerin' fer cuttin' some digits 'n' gettin' this scum 'o' tha earth pay" Norzak spits. "Now does yer all agree with me idea? I's thinkin' I kin easily hide in Marie's room with maybe another. Ye men got any other ideas?"

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Shortly after Alain mentions the smell, Dorgio brushes aside a stack of papers to find the half-eaten sandwich. He takes one of the loose pieces of paper and scoops up the sandwich. "Any of you see any place that served these while you were out?"

He then considers Norzak's plan, then nods. "Agreed."

[JMaytr]

Jonathan waits for a moment after Norzak leaves the washroom before exiting. There is no sign of the dwarf but he does catch the eye of Greasy Louie.

"The one eyed dwarf find ye and give ye that job lad?" Louie laughs as does a black bearded fellow nearby.

Jonathan, ignoring their jests leaves the brothel. He walked down the winding cobblestone streets towards his shanty. The little hovel he'd been squatting in was secluded and hard to get to. But Jonathan was small and squeezing into the building was easy for him. Looking around and satisfied that his home and valuables were unmolested, Jonathan grabbed his leather armor and his pendant and headed out into the cold, windy city.

[ewancummins]

Jonathon, out on the streets as day slips slowly into night...

As the young man walks down the street, he gets the sense he's being watched. Looking down, he sees two yellow eyes glaring hatefully upward at him from behind the grill of a streetside storm drain. There is a blur of motion as an indistinct bulk shifts quickly out of sight and the evil stare vanishes almost as quickly as Jonathon had noticed it, leaving behind nothing but empty darkness.


at the office-

The light through the windows has grown dim.
Outside, doors are being closed and locked, shutters being drawn, and the day people are retreating to their homes. The night belongs to a different sort of folk...

[ewancummins]

meanwhile, at the Sancerre residence...

Evangeline sits in front of her bedroom mirror, combing her long, thick, red hair by candlelight. She is wearing nothing more than a thin nightgown, and shivers a bit at the growing coolness of the room. Laying aside her comb, she goes over to her bed and fetches a blanket, wrapping it around her slender shoulders like a shawl.

There is a knock at the door.

Evangeline calls out softly, ''Do come in.''


The door open and Charlotte enters, carrying a steaming glass of amber liquid.

''Miss Evie, here is your tonic. The bad dreams, they are still bothering you?''


''Yes, Charlotte. These nightmares, I cannot recall them once I'm awake. All I am left with is a vague feeling of danger. I feel as if something dreadful is going to happen to Cirdan, or maybe one of the others...or maybe one of us, here in this house! I cannot explain it.''

''Now, now, Miss Evie, don't worry so much. They are brave and clever men, I'm certain they'll be alright. It's just lover's anxieties that are bothering you, no doubt. Hannah says this infusion will settle your nerves. Have you spoken to your father about Sir Cirdan's proposal?''

''No, not yet. Oh Charlotte, what if he refuses? I'll just die!''

[JMaytr]

It is well after dark when Jonathan comes to the door of the office. He makes a knock at the door frame and enters to make sure his arrival is not a surprise. He is shocked to see the carnage within. If only I'd gotten here sooner, maybe I could have helped, Jonathan thinks. Is it Norzak and my questions at the brothel what have caused this?

He looks about for the others, obviously concerned about the health of his new found friends.

[ewancummins]

elsewhere, as the party regroups.....

The bedchamber was lit by a single flickering candle, burning low. A young woman's body lay motionless on the bed, her long red hair fanned out across a white pillow. Patches of a deeper red marred the linen bedclothes. Near the bed stood a nightstand, on top of it rested an empty glass, a comb, and a mirror. The pretty face reflected in the mirror was locked in a look of utter terror. Her sightless eyes had now grown dim, the spark of life was gone from them. The only sound in the room was the night wind as it blew past the open window, tearing at the curtains.

[steveflam]

"We's awright, lad. So ye acceptin' me job offer?" the dwarf asks with a wink and a laugh. He goes on to tell Jon about their so called plan. "Mebbe Al an I kin hide in Marie's room? Jon do ye know the place well enough to hide nearby? What 'bout tha others 'ere? Oh I wanna tell ye ye gonna see another side 'o' me later. It ain' purty but ye be warned. Jess' ask tha others I kin get mighty riled up, but fer tha right reasons. Ye be warned. Now I say we get our behinds ta Lorelei's and get us a brute!"

Norzak enters his room and removes his eyepatch, hiding it in one of the many pouches of his strange armor. He checks his daggers and short sword. As well he verifies his crossbow and exits his room, ready. Satisfies his spells would help, he looks to the others and walks to the door.

[Adam]

It is well after dark when Jonathan comes to the door of the office. He makes a knock at the door frame and enters to make sure his arrival is not a surprise. He is shocked to see the carnage within. If only I'd gotten here sooner, maybe I could have helped, Jonathan thinks. Is it Norzak and my questions at the brothel what have caused this?

He looks about for the others, obviously concerned about the health of his new found friends.

Bennedict looks up from where he's winding his crossbow, checking the firing mechanism. "I hate to break it to you, lad, but it appears we're going into action. You're welcome to come along, if you like," he shoots off a quirked smile. "Some first day, eh?"

[JMaytr]

"We're going back to the brothel so soon?" Jonathan asks. "I suppose I can do that. Am I just supposed to hide? Am I to attack anyone? I am game for whatever you suggest Norzak. It is alright Benn, I suppose my path led me to your company for a reason. I am not afraid of a few mercenaries."

Jonathan looks around for a washroom.

"Is there a place I can slip into my armor?"

[Lord Skybolt]

" I'm game, but I think I should hang back and help from the rear and provide backup if necessary . Such as casting spells out of sight to help in a fight, because keeping me as a mystery to the opposition would be a good idea. Also I think Jon should help Norzak with whatever he is doing . "

[Le Noir Faineant]

Cirdan will be waiting on the door, his armor hidden by the black robe, but his sword and his shield in his hands, and his helmet with the closed visor looking like a grotesque masque under the hood.

[ewancummins]

The streets are mostly empty of people, save a few drunks and the occasional night watchman. The only buildings showing any signs of activity within are the pubs, gambling dens, and whorehouses. Walking through the nighttime streets, your small party arrives at last at an alley behind the Lorelei.

the Lorelei...

Jon and Norzak head in first. There is a single candle burning in the window of Marie's room. Norzak scales the wall without much difficulty. When he reaches the top, he finds the window is unlocked. He opens it and climbs in, making hardly any noise. Jonathon is able to climb up following Norzak, and enters just after the dwarf.

Marie is inside, napping in the bed. After both burglars have enetered, she suddenly wakens, and nearly screams before recognizing Norzak. She hugs the dwarf tightly, and says,

''Oh! I'm so happy to see you! I was worried you'd not come. He is certainly coming for me, for I overheard him telling Louis just that, earlier this evening. I'm not sure where he is now, but he will be here soon!''

Jon is able to conceal himself under the bed, and Norzak finds a good hiding place inside the wardrobe.