Fields of Silence

[SkiBird]

Roderick's eyes flashed when the goons offered to divulge information on their bosses.

He cared little whether they saw any sort of justice … getting to the foul source of this misdeed was Roderick's main cause. He was willing to let the little things escape his notice in pursuit of that goal. In any event, he reasoned — perhaps in an effort to justify his position to himself, if no one else — justice for a gang of men attacking a wayward street rat might not even be much worse than a fine or reprimand … if it ever came before a court.

Of course, the other gentlemen involved might see it differently, Roderick didn't have any strong feelings either way.

Aloud, he says to the pair of bound thugs. "Yes, tell us about your employer." The words spill out of him a bit too eagerly, perhaps tipping his hand to the pair. But he recovers, "Indeed, it is no accident that I walked these streets this evening. They are my true goal … and I will find them."

"Give me something useful, and I won't spread it around that Mikhael and his brother are the reason that their scheme has met its end."

VIEW CONTENT:

Roderick's hopes are that Mikhael and his brother are more scared of who hired them than of facing justice, forcing them to spill their guts. He won't interfere, however, if Sylvain and Drinn insist on carting them off to the town guard.

[Metaflux]

"Hold on a moment," said Drinn.

To his eyes, people were acting rather hastily. Yet, what could one soldier do to sway the minds of those seeking swift resolution?

Inserting himself into the conversation, the gentleman stated, "We should not converse about these matters in the streets while a maiden stands chilled to the bone by men too eager to bring justice. Besides, look at these men." Gesturing to their appearances, Drinn could only feel sorrow for them. The mists had obviously treated them poorly. "The only conclusion I can come to is that they committed deeds such as this for survival. You think gold and food comes so easily to those that fate does not favor? We should, at the least, grant them a moment of peace for them to relieve themselves of this information they wish to give. I have a room rented out for the week in the inn just behind me. Up there, I can provide food, and shelter from those whose ears we do not wish to indulge."

With a sigh of frustration, Drinn placed his tower shield against the oak stairs leading up to the inn, and finished with, "At least consider my words before rushing to conclusions."

[Zilfer]

Richemulot
Pont-A-Museau
Spring 752 BC (Barovian Calender)
The Rat's Way
___________________________________________________


Gab threw a side glance at Sylvain for a moment it seemed that Gab weighed his options and then started talking. “Alright so down near the docks of the Musarde there are these new ships that have been passing up and down them. Going by different names each time but anyone working for them knows it by the figurehead. It’s got a woman’s body with the head of a crow. Their paying anyone down there 100gp a head and generally don’t care who it is. You could sell your own brother to them and they wouldn’t bat an eyelash. Don’t know where they are taking them but it’s somewhere upstream, to the south for sure. With that kind of pay you are guaranteed to attract attention; the desperate kind.”

Mikhael groaned after nodding his head for a moment. “Slavers would be my guess but most people don’t ask questions they don’t want to know the answer to.”

[Vorcoth]

Sylvain mulls the idea of letting them go in exchange for information, but it becomes moot once the brother starts flapping his gums. A frown slowly spreads across his face the more he listens.

Looking to the young lady, he softens his expression. "You are right, of course, my dear. Could you apply your healing talent to this lout, please? Do not fret, we will make sure he holds still."

Turning his attention back to the captives and his coincidental allies. "Boats with raven-women mastheads? That's all you offer? We could have learned that by taking a stroll along the waterfront. Come now, messieurs, perhaps a name or a description of their ship captain, or at least the men who paid you your coin? Anything noteworthy about their clothing? More detail would go along way toward ensuring your freedom..."

[Zilfer]

Richemulot
Pont-A-Museau
Spring 752 BC (Barovian Calender)
The Rat's Way
___________________________________________________

VIEW CONTENT:

Cure Light Wounds
[dice]0[/dice]+2

Wow....this dice roller loves the NPCs!

The girl moves forward hesitantly and takes ahold of a neckless around her neck. Closing her eyes for a moment she reached a hand out to Mikhael’s wounds. There is a ‘charge’ held in the air for a moment before she removes her hand smiling.

“That’s my best one yet!” exclaimed the girl proudly. Mikhael himself seems a bit surprised, and he speaks with much more vigor than before.

“You’ve the talent of a healer, and I don’t deserve such a skilled touch. If you’ve the heart forgive me but I do not deserve it,” said Mikhael solemnly before turning to Sylvain. His brother had been spouting average things that you could find of almost any man down at the harbor, and he wasn’t known to pay attention to the finer details. “I saw one of them wearing an emblem of fire. Black fire specifically. The fire had a black inner flame with golden embroidery along its tongue. He seemed to be in charge despite not looking like a traditional captain. Something was off about him.”

Again the girl seemingly easy to flatter took the route of humility. “Oh it was just a little trick I learned, nothing more. My father doesn’t like me--- my father! He’ll be furious that I’m late!” exclaimed the girl suddenly.

[Vorcoth]

Shocked at the show of healing power, Sylvain regards the freckled young lady in a new light before turning back to Mykhael and nodding as he listens and makes mental notes.

He sheathes his rapier and, considering the others' stated opinions on the value of trading freedom for the information, he nods and cuts the bindings on Mykhael's wrists. "I suggest you use your freedom to think about another line of work, gentlemen. I expect our next meeting to be much more cordial, no?"

"As for you, mademoiselle. The large one is correct, we should be getting you home to your father and some warmth, yes?"

[Zilfer]

Richemulot
Pont-A-Museau
Spring 752 BC (Barovian Calender)
The Rat's Way
___________________________________________________


“Thank you. If you’re ever down by the harbor ask for other business and you need someone to show you around just as for Mikhael or Gabrielle,” said Mikhael rubbing his wrists for a moment to get the blood flowing back into them.

“Keep the swords, we bought them with that blood money anyways…” said Gabrielle motioning towards the Rapiers on the ground. The both looked finely made if a bit used. Both of the brothers headed off at a quickened pace. It was obvious they didn’t want to stick around for long in case minds were changed.


“Yes he might want to meet my saviors, though I bet he is worrying about me being late,” said Isabella again looking worried. “I was out to the market to pick up some produce and to see a bit more of the town. I fear I lost the food along the way.”

After a moment of contemplation she perked up as if remembering a forgotten fact. Brushing off some of the dirt from her dress she looked up at each of the men that had saved her and offered a small curtsy after introducing herself. “I’m sorry I’ve completely forgotten my manners. Father says it’s always polite to introduce yourself first. I am Isabella Blanc from Chateaufax, and I am pleased to meet all your acquaintance.”

[Metaflux]

Another quick report of noise brought the gentleman's horse, a black draught horse, to his side. At first glance, the gentleman was already tall, having barely cleared the doorway of the inn. With the stallion beside him to compare heights, the companion proved to be a good head and a half higher, making the beast rather intimidating.

Taking off his plated gauntlet, the nobleman rubbed his horse on the nose, and politely replied to the maiden. "My name is Reginald Drinn Renier, my horse here is Droga, and we are merely traveling through the countryside." All of this he said with a bow, as did his horse, surprisingly, after which they both rose and continued with, "Do you still need food? I could gather up sufficient supplies for you, and return them back to your father's house by the time these fellows escort you there."

[Vorcoth]

Sylvain smiles charmingly to the young lady and offers a gentlemanly bow as well. "Sylvain de Montplaisir, at your service Mademoiselle." He seems thoroughly surprised and impressed at Drinn's horse, and arches an eyebrow at hearing the man's family name, but makes no comment.

He nods approvingly at Drinn's offer, and if Isabella seems amenable to the arrangement that Drinn proposes, he offers her his arm. Giving the young mage a motion to join them.

[Zilfer]

Richemulot
Pont-A-Museau
Spring 752 BC (Barovian Calender)
Blanc's Estate
___________________________________________________

“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” said Isabella with a warm smile. “Oh that would be wonderful if you could do that, but I wouldn’t impose upon my saviors to do one of my chores.”

When offered the arm she gratefully took Sylvain’s arm leading the trio to her house. It was just on the edge of the nicer districts that were more well maintained by the watchmen. This two story house was held back aways from the main street and divided by an old gate. At the gate they were greeted by what looked like a butler.

“Good evening Ms. Blanc. I see you’ve brought company home this morning,” said the butler eyeing the group she had brought with her suspiciously. He was an elderly man yet there still seemed a strong presence about him. White hair had set in, and he unlike a good number of butlers had a well sized beard grown but groomed.

“Edgar these men saved me from some riff-raff that tried to capture me on the Rat’s way,” explained Isabella after puzzling together why Edgar was giving them a studied look.

“Your father won’t be pleased to hear that you’ve been using the Rat’s Way again, but then again he’ll be pleased to hear you’ve safely returned,” said Edgar going from a stern look to a more softer appearance. He turned a key and opened the front gate to let the others in. It was a meager gate that did little more than hinder anyone from wandering onto the premises. Standing only at about five feet tall the gate was hardly imposing at all.

VIEW CONTENT:

“Right this way Monsieurs, I expect Mr. Blanc would like to speak to his daughter’s saviors personally,” said Edgar leading the way. He looked to Ms. Blanc for a moment before making a side comment. “You might want to tidy up before you see your father, I’m it would ease your father’s worry if you didn’t show up in your present attire.”

“I won’t be long, promise!” said Isabella before heading off down a side hallway. Edgar took the moment to look them over once more. He introduced himself and asked each of them their names before thanking them.

“Allow me to extend my thanks to you personally before meeting the Master of the household. Isabella hasn’t had a mother to teach her the ways of a proper lady and her father is a man of archeology, and sometimes trinkets. He’s been horribly busy to keep up with his daughter as of late though rumors in the streets have made me worry as of late for the young Ms.’ safety.” Without skipping a beat he brought them before a double door to the dining hall and knocked twice before opening the door and introducing them each by their given name.

Man seated at the end of a dining table with two thick tombs on either side of him, and what looked like a journal he must have just finished writing in. He was older and well dressed, though anyone familiar with the nobles of this area, would notice he wore different attire than most.

VIEW CONTENT:

“Welcome. I am Dominic Blanc, and I suppose I have you Monsieurs to thank for my daughter's safe return. Please accept this small token of my gratitude to split amongst yourselves,” said Dominic producing three different bags of 50gp coins. “I’m afraid these meager offers are the best I can hope to give you at present time, though I was wondering if I might inquire as to how you happened across my daughter’s predicament.”

[Vorcoth]

Sylvain studies the butler, offering the man a polite nod of greeting. He smiles after Isabella as she races off somewhere in the house to change.

Arching a brow, Sylvain waits for the introduction before proceeding into the dining hall. He offers Dominic a gracious formal bow, and accepts one of the small bags with a word of thanks. A refusal would cause the nobleman a loss of face, after all.

"It was our honour, Monsieur. I was on patrol for les Soleils Cramoisi when I heard your daughter's cry of alarm. Giving chase, I found her fleeing her captors. It was fortunate happenstance that these fine men also heard and provided assistance. The thugs were routed, and here we are. These villains just keep getting more and more brazen lately. It is good to be able to balance the scales back toward the just."

[Zilfer]

Richemulot
Pont-A-Museau
Spring 752 BC (Barovian Calender)
Blanc’s Estate
___________________________________________________

Dominic nods in response to Sylvain. “Yes, it has been getting worse. I’ve heard they’ve been pressing the matter enough for a substantial reward is being offered for anyone who gets rid of the problem more permanently. Apparently the Jacqueline Reiner isn’t fond of slavers when it gets to her city.”

“The Crimson Sons, I think I’ve heard them mentioned here or there. I’ve been thinking about hiring one of the watches, but I’m afraid I won’t come into money for a little while yet. My interests lie in forgotten artifacts and the like. When I do start to get business going however, I will remember your service when it comes time to choose which of the Watches to choose,” Said Dominic as he stood up from his seated position. He moved across the room towards the three men who had saved his daughter. “Might I inquire as to your opinion of my daughter? She didn’t do anything unusual did she?”