Mists over the Musarde [IC]

[steveflam]

"I'll sleep better knowin' a nain is a dwarf. Now I seen 'n' heard this here missy" he nods to Charlotte "scream. Then I saw them two men tryin' ta git her in a boat. I started running and yelled back at tha other missy" he then nods to Evangeline before continuing. "I casted me spell at one of that varmints who was tryin' ta kidnap the first missy, Charlotte. He got tired from me spell 'n' fell into the boat. Elf here" he points at Cirdan " he did his part in tryin' ta protect missy Charlotte. I used me wand ta slow them down but one of em got away on tha waterway there." Norzak realises that this is the second time in a few days that young women are being kidnapped or at least the attempt is there. He choses not to mention to the authorities that this is their second save this week.

[ewancummins]

The officer questioning Norzak confers with his subordinate, who has been questioning other witnesses. After a brief huddle, he turns his attention back to Norzak and Cirdan.

''Oh, I see. A kidnapping foiled, very good. Well, thank you for that. I think we are done here. We will send a man to the Sancerre house if we have further questions. You may leave. ''


Just then, the third gendarme returns, a little wet, and says -

''We caught him! He's in custody, on his way to the healers. Nasty cut on him, sir.''

All three gendarmes quickly turn and walk away, pausing only to tip their caps to Evangeline and Charlotte as they pass.

[Adam]

Bennedict's face flushes red. Perhaps the wine is a bit stronger than he is used to, or perhaps his nerves are finally catching up with him. "Ah, ahem," he begins, pushing the glass around in circles, watching the red liquid swirl around in the glass. "Mattheo, you and I are old friends, yes? We have known each other for a long time." He harrumphs, not quite knowning how best to put forth the next bit. "The sewers of this city, it is said they are filled with many rats, nien? And perhaps things which are worse than rats?" He arches an eyebrow suggestively. "Perhaps things which combine elements of the two? In any case, when one visits Pont-a-Museau one expects to hear the sounds of rats crawling in the sewer lines and in the walls of most buildings. It is a matter of course, something a local comes to accept." He winces, looking up at his friend apologetically. "Is it possible these rat-catching men are not entirely dedicated to performing their jobs? I have difficulty trusting men who are so evidently failing in the completion of their tasks, as these rat catchers clearly are. And if worse things than rats dwell in these sewers, how am I to know that they do not work in congress with them?"

He heaves a heavy sigh, sliding the glass of wine away decisively. "I am sorry old friend. I do not mean to insult you or your council. You know this city better than I. I simply find myself surrounded by mysteries, and I am not certain who or what I can trust." He picks up another sandwich, taking a bite out of it and chewing thoughtfully. "You must admit, though," he says, his mouth still full, "It is terribly coincidental, this story of rat-men and a pestilence god popping up on the same day. Enough to make any man suspicious."

[Le Noir Faineant]

The officer questioning Norzak confers with his subordinate, who has been questioning other witnesses. After a brief huddle, he turns his attention back to Norzak and Cirdan.

''Oh, I see. A kidnapping foiled, very good. Well, thank you for that. I think we are done here. We will send a man to the Sancerre house if we have further questions. You may leave. ''


Just then, the third gendarme returns, a little wet, and says -

''We caught him! He's in custody, on his way to the healers. Nasty cut on him, sir.''

All three gendarmes quickly turn and walk away, pausing only to tip their caps to Evangeline and Charlotte as they pass.

Cirdan briefly nods to the officers, but without his usual friendliness and servility.

"Wow, that was a close call, Norzak" is all he says.

He will then walk over and attend the ladies if they need his help in some way.

You might notice that the elf is unusually quiet compared to the afterplay to the other fights.

[ewancummins]

Bennedict's face flushes red. Perhaps the wine is a bit stronger than he is used to, or perhaps his nerves are finally catching up with him. "Ah, ahem," he begins, pushing the glass around in circles, watching the red liquid swirl around in the glass. "Mattheo, you and I are old friends, yes? We have known each other for a long time." He harrumphs, not quite knowning how best to put forth the next bit. "The sewers of this city, it is said they are filled with many rats, nien? And perhaps things which are worse than rats?" He arches an eyebrow suggestively. "Perhaps things which combine elements of the two? In any case, when one visits Pont-a-Museau one expects to hear the sounds of rats crawling in the sewer lines and in the walls of most buildings. It is a matter of course, something a local comes to accept." He winces, looking up at his friend apologetically. "Is it possible these rat-catching men are not entirely dedicated to performing their jobs? I have difficulty trusting men who are so evidently failing in the completion of their tasks, as these rat catchers clearly are. And if worse things than rats dwell in these sewers, how am I to know that they do not work in congress with them?"

He heaves a heavy sigh, sliding the glass of wine away decisively. "I am sorry old friend. I do not mean to insult you or your council. You know this city better than I. I simply find myself surrounded by mysteries, and I am not certain who or what I can trust." He picks up another sandwich, taking a bite out of it and chewing thoughtfully. "You must admit, though," he says, his mouth still full, "It is terribly coincidental, this story of rat-men and a pestilence god popping up on the same day. Enough to make any man suspicious."

Mattheo has finshed his sandwhich. He refills his wine cup, and takes another draught from it before answering-

''Well, it is a fact that establishments which spurn the services of the ratcatchers often suffer particularly bad infestations. That might be explained very simply, of course, with nothing sinister involved.
As for failing in their duties, well, the city is old, and there are countless places for pests to hide. The rats have been here longer than the current race of men, though certainly their numbers have grown explosively since the colonization began.
In the early days of reclamation, there was little organized effort to control the vermin. Rats the size of large dogs would emerge from the sewers and catacombs to carry off children. The awful famines in the surrounding countryside, the sickness that would befall any who entered certain unclean houses...it must have been a harrowing time, if the old accounts are to be believed.
The cities of this country were inhabited by lesser numbers of men in those days, and Man's mastery here was in question. Rats and men were at war, Benn, and the rats were winning. Maybe now we have a stalemate, or a truce....''

[ewancummins]

Cirdan briefly nods to the officers, but without his usual friendliness and servility.

"Wow, that was a close call, Norzak" is all he says.

He will then walk over and attend the ladies if they need his help in some way.

You might notice that the elf is unusually quiet compared to the afterplay to the other fights.

Evangeline is fussing over Charlotte, standing on the baordwalk near the little cafe.

''Oh you poor girl! I hope you aren't hurt badly.''

''No, I am fine Miss Evie. Just shaken, I suppose. I need to lie down, I think.''

''Of course, we can go home immediately.''

Evangeline, seeing Sir Cirdan approach, walks quickly to his side.

''Sir Cirdan, let us return to my father's house. Poor Charlotte needs to recover from this awful experience.''

Evangeline is blushing and her whole form quivers slightly. Her breath is coming just a little faster than would be usual for a person standing at rest. She takes a half-step towards Cirdan. She opens her mouth to speak, pauses a moment in silence, then says,

''Oh, how will I ever thank you properly for saving first me, then Charlotte? You are a true hero Sir Cirdan. Norzak, as well. It is our good fortune that you came into this city when you did.''

[Adam]

Mattheo has finshed his sandwhich. He refills his wine cup, and takes another draught from it before answering-

''Well, it is a fact that establishments which spurn the services of the ratcatchers often suffer particularly bad infestations. That might be explained very simply, of course, with nothing sinister involved.
As for failing in their duties, well, the city is old, and there are countless places for pests to hide. The rats have been here longer than the current race of men, though certainly their numbers have grown explosively since the colonization began.
In the early days of reclamation, there was little organized effort to control the vermin. Rats the size of large dogs would emerge from the sewers and catacombs to carry off children. The awful famines in the surrounding countryside, the sickness that would befall any who entered certain unclean houses...it must have been a harrowing time, if the old accounts are to be believed.
The cities of this country were inhabited by lesser numbers of men in those days, and Man's mastery here was in question. Rats and men were at war, Benn, and the rats were winning. Maybe now we have a stalemate, or a truce....''

"Hmm, quite right," Bennedict chews thoughtfully on a corner of sandwich. "This has been extremely informative, Mattheo. As always your hospitality and personal collection exceed their reputation. My client will be most interested to hear about my discoveries." He closes up the notebook, stuffing it back into his satchel before carefully closing the cover of the old tome and handing it back to Mattheo. "If I have any other questions, I will return and discuss them with you. Thank you again."

He stands, tossing back the last of his glass of wine and brushing the crumbs from his lap before shouldering his satchel and turning towards the door.

[ewancummins]

Stepping out the door of the Marble Faun, Benn sees that it is mid-afternoon. The weather remains bright and sunny, but the heat of the day has begun to subside. The neighborhood is quiet but not empty. A young couple stroll down the avenue opposite of the spot where Benn is standing, and further down the street in a vacant lot some little children are playing amid the fallen cloumns of what must have been an impressive building, long ago. Now, only the long white marble pillars remain, and these are broken and scattered across the grassy field.

[steveflam]

Norzak mumbles under his breath as the Gendarmes depart "Good riddance. A buncha mangy dogs if yer ask me...." When Cirdan addresses him Norzak nods at him "Aye, 'twas a close shave there, elf. Them pOlice are quite incompetent. We gone done their job twice 'n' nuthin ta show fer it too! Bah! Nothin a pint won't cure.... I wunner what Benn's bin up to this afternoon? No matter I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

When Cirdan goes to look in on the ladies, Norzak sheaths his short sword and looks around warily. Then he approaches the three others and nodding in agreement with Cirdan's assessment of getting the ladies home, he leads the way.

[ewancummins]

The walk back to the Sancerre home is a pleasant one, and passes without incident.


-----------------

When you arrive at Evageline's home, you see that M. Sancerre has returned from his errands. He is pacing in the garden, pausing every now and then to take a swig of wine directly from the bottle in his right hand. As you arrive, he turns to you, red-faced, and blurts out:

''I've had disturbing news, friends! A man I knew well has been murdered! He was a rascally sort, and I shan't miss him, may Ezra forgive my unkindness is saying so. That he was murdered, I can readily believe, for he lately kept bad company. No, it is this item that disturbs me: Pierre's grave is empty! I just heard that, only a moment after I learned of his being dead. Someone has stolen his corpse. What a dreadful crime!''

[Le Noir Faineant]

''Oh, how will I ever thank you properly for saving first me, then Charlotte? You are a true hero Sir Cirdan. Norzak, as well. It is our good fortune that you came into this city when you did.''

"No thanks are required, mylady. It's not what I am, but what my order", Cirdan briefly touches the skull medal hanging from his neck, "has teached me to do."

As the group arrives at the Sancerre house, Cirdan quickly rushes Evangeline's father. "Mylord, no time for explanations. Get some clothes, food and money, and be ready to leave the house in half an hour. Don't talk to the servants, don't inform any of your business partners. By my honor as a knight, take haste."

And to Norzak: "We must bring them to a safer place, and quickly, my friend! It is obvious that the murderers won't stop that easily. And maybe we should investigate yesterday's suicider again."

[Adam]

"Gone from his grave?" Bennedict stops dead in his tracks, confusion and fear evident on his features. "How can that be possible? He's only just been put in it! And he didn't die of anything one would expect to cause him to rise back from the dead..." His eyes narrow in confusion before suddenly widening. "The old man! He must have had something to do with it!"

[steveflam]

"Awright. I ain't from this here city so where can we hide 'em fer now? Elf? Benn? Ye got any ideas? Oh Benn we had a nice afternoon with the lassies. We'll tell ye about it later. 'N' what of yeself, lad? Was it a productive afternoon?"

[Adam]

"I'm sorry, what?" Bennedict comes back from his suspicious train of thought regarding the fellow who encountered their "murder victim" several nights previous. "Yes, yes, productive. I'll fill you in later. Unfortunately the best safe house I knew of is compromised, due to our missing, recently deceased friend."

[ewancummins]

As the group arrives at the Sancerre house, Cirdan quickly rushes Evangeline's father. "Mylord, no time for explanations. Get some clothes, food and money, and be ready to leave the house in half an hour. Don't talk to the servants, don't inform any of your business partners. By my honor as a knight, take haste."

For just a minute, Denys Sancerre stands there in the garden, open-mouthed, dazed by the impact of Sir Cirdan's words. He blinks rapidly, and stammers out,


''Y-yess. I'll do it. Oh Evangeline, come with me, we must hurry!''

Evangeline hastens to follow her father into the house to collect the things for their flight.