[OOC: This is a catch all thread for those who are going to explore Sandpoint in the afternoon, shopping or otherwise. Set yourself anything you would like to get accomplish, and I will respond as appropriate.]
Even though it was still the afternoon, Catalena was dragging her boots. She'd been awake and on her feet for the majority of the last twelve hours. Her silk and linen were gone, her ceremony cancelled, her festival wrecked, her plans for a night of debauched revelry likely curtailed. And, she'd promised Aendell a reading so she wasn't going to start drinking. Though, she had to admit to herself, the prospect of warm water, soap, and a nap was the most attractive thing to her. Well, Aendell was certainly not bad on the eyes. She wondered if he had the ability to loosen up. Some companionship would not be unwelcome after such a day, she smiled.
Of course, she could always attempt another try at charming Ameiko Kajitsu. The talented Tian chef and owner of the Rusty Dragon held a complex place in Catalena's heart. She was intensely fond of the charismatic former adventurer and felt a great affection, if not outright awe, for her, while at the same time harboring a bit of a friendly, professional rivalry toward her. Ameiko was a more experienced and confident singer than she, and she could play the shamisen with a fierce skill and dexterity which Catalena felt would be forever beyond her to try to compete with. But on the nights that they collaborated on a harmony or when Cat danced to Ameiko's bachi picking, she felt an intense desire to ask the older woman to continue their duet upstairs. But there was always a bit of darkness in Ameiko, some deep pain in her past, or some complex entanglement (oh, the rumors and speculation about Ameiko's "secret lover"!), that always kept Cat at an arm's length.
Before turning in, something had been nagging at her. While she had a fondness for her katana's quickness and lightness, she felt she could be more effective with a bit more reach. She had been eyeing a fine, very long sword in Savah's Armory for some time. It had a bit of a curve to it and was crafted of cold iron. She'd tested it for weight before and, being twice the weight of her katana, she'd not felt like she was ready. But after these weeks of patrolling in the armor of the Guard, she was feeling a bit more physically fit. Perhaps it was time to inquire about it again with Savah Bevaniky the weapon trader.
Catalena passed through the abnormally subdued High Street to turn on Market Street and see if Savah was open.
After she took care of this business, she planned, when returning to the Dragon's common room, to inquire about the availability of a warm bath at this hour.
Savah's door is open, and that is a good sign that the human merchant is willing to do business. Inside the naturally lighted room, there was a wide variety of arms and armor. In fact, someone new to Sandpoint wouldn't expect such a well-stocked armory. Yet here it was.
Savah offered Catalena a wide smile. "Back to gaze longingly at the cold iron bastard sword? It is such a fine weapon from Maginmar. It is finely balanced and sharpened to an edge that will leave your enemies crying for release. And just because you are now one of the heroes of Sandpoint for fending off the goblin hordes. I will grant you and your companions 20% off anything in my shop as a reward for your saving us!"
Last edited by Pandemonium; Wed 25/10/202317:31 UTC.
"Enemies?" Catalena smiled. "None have I. Temporarily circumstantial opponents, perhaps. Those whose immediate aims and my own are at odds. Such as if they wish to spit me over a campfire and crack my bones with their teeth. I, on the other hand, prefer my bones where they are. A simple difference of opinion."
She lazily drifted through the shop, coyly and deliberately not looking up at the great, gleaming, slightly curved blade on the wall over Savah. "Oh, just browsing today," she commented, lifting up a particularly ugly cylindrical helmet with a boar's head badly molded atop, painted a gaudy pale green. At the offer of a discount, she turned, keenly interested, replacing the helmet such that the offending ornament was facing away from her.
"Twenty percent?" she beamed, as she spun, teeth gleaming. "Well, then."
She strode to the counter and held out her arms, palms up. "May I hold her, please?" she asked.
"Of course," he responded smoothly. "No reasonable merchant would expect you to make any kind of a decision without touching and holding the merchandise." Turning he took down the large, slightly curved weapon and set it on the counter with the keen edge back towards himself.
Catalena reverently lifted the blade, feeling its heft and balance. It felt about twice as heavy as her katana with both the blade and the handle each about a foot longer. It did not bear the mark of a master craftsperson but Cat knew there was no way she could afford such a thing. But the deeply mined, comparatively cold-forged iron was more expensive than more common variety. The iron had more of a brutish cast to it, despite the polish, that lent it the feel of an older time, when the Dwarves in their mountains had been the first to forge metal. Perhaps this was why fey disliked and feared the material. It was no-nonsense. Cold-iron was sometimes hailed for its effectiveness against demons as well, not that Catalena planned or wished to ever meet a demon.
She lifted the blade and felt along the handle up to the hilt where she felt comfortable holding it, two-handed. There was room enough for four or five of her hands on the extended handle so she had a lot of flexibility to explore, whether she was using it in close quarters or if she was sweeping outward to its full length. She could feel the weight of the tang inside the handle to balance out the length. Like her katana, only one blade was edged. Ameiko had told her that the Tian word for the big sword was nodachi.
After asking permission to take it outside where she could swing it safely, especially if Savah was watching for any pedestrians in the post-attack subdued street. This part of the town was generally less populated, there having been a fire some time ago, of which, Savah's was a surviving structure. To the north, a hundred feet or so, was the high wall of the boneyard.
With the coast clear, Catalena began to exercise the big blade, seeing how easily she could navigate the swings close to her body inside the concavity of the blunted side of the blade's curve, in her particular style of fighting that was somewhat performatively terpsichorean. She realized she did feel stronger. The nodachi, despite its length, was comparatively light. It was not designed to brute-force its way through armor and shields. But the combination of weight and balance and sharpness of the edge gave her the impression that something like her own leathers would be like paper to a full strike from it. That made her wonder if it might be time to try that chainmail sometime that suited the Watch officers but she felt would be too restrictive. Maybe she could even make the jingle work, she smiled.
After a few leaps and turns, spins and strikes, she turned back to Savah. "All right, I'm sold," she said. "There's a scabbard for it, I expect? Good thing I'm not as short as my blessed mother or it would drag along the ground!"
"Of course," he offered when she inquired about a scabbard. He went into the back and came out with a thing of beauty. It was hardened leather outside, with an embossed plate that could be inscribed with some crest or symbol if Catalena so chose. Inside the layered leather was butter smooth and as soft as velvet. It didn't take a master craftsman to realize that the sheath was made specifically for this particular blade, taking into account every little nuance. It might not speed up her drawing the sword from it, but it certainly couldn't hurt.
"Well, look at that," Catalena beamed at the scabbard. She ran her fingers up and down, lingering on the embossed plate. "I've half a mind to go and ask Volioker if he'd etch a Desnan butterfly on this for me."
Though Volioker Briskalberd was a locksmith by trade, he was a fine dwarven craftsman with nimbler fingers than the infamously grouchy blacksmith, Das Korvut. And a lock by Volioker, of which most of the best locks in town were, always bore Volioker's flamboyant mark. The dwarf was also a great patron of the arts and theater in Sandpoint, as was Catalena, and she'd always enjoyed conversing with him.
She slid the blade into the scabbard, which she then strapped tightly to her left shoulder and secured loosely to her right waist. Thinking that should keep the sheathed blade from knocking merchandise off shelves or tankards off tables while still allowing it to be drawn quickly as it levered on her shoulder as the lower restraint was freed, she was satisfied at its positioning. She felt somewhat of a comfort from its weight there, like a friend's hand upon her shoulder.
She counted out the gold on the counter, remembering there was to be a discount, but trustingly relying on Savah to do the math for her.
((ooc I adjusted my character sheet down the proper amount (56gp) but if Savah takes a little more or less, she's not likely to notice. ))
Catalena waved farewell to Savah and turned back up High Street towards the Cathedral Square again, humming a tavern tune, the nodachi's weight resting against her shoulder and hip.
(OOC - Alright. For convenience sake we can assume he is standing there.)
Aendell
He looks at Selaim briefly, "I wasn't going to actually. but since you bring it up, I presume you did. How did it go? No. Strike that. Based on how she left I presume she was still furious. I can't help it. I went as lightly on her as I could have, but I suspect she felt betrayed."
While conversing, they notice a group of four horsemen riding down the street. They are armed and armored. Anyone with any martial experience would see them as a leader and three men at arms. They scan the street and look around, though not actively engaging anyone. Given the route they are traveling, one might imagine that they are headed down the street towards the Sheriff's office.
"Furious and hurt. You can't blame her. Unlike me she really didn't do anything wrong. And according to her the most likely reason for it all is that the same corrupt arses who wanted to cut of my hands were the ones behind this. Speaking of me what'd happen if I just..." Her voice trails off her question unasked as the riders pass.
"What do you make of that? The town doesn't seem to have patrols. Think they are from a caravan?"
"That is exactly why I didn't just tie her up and drag her back. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, but I am honor bound to ascertain for sure, and that will take some observation. Another point I told her."
He pauses as she starts to say something. "Just..., what?" He glances at the riders as well as he notices them. "How about we wander past the Sheriff's Office on our way to the Shrine? I am curious."
When they do walk to the Sheriff's Office on the way to the shrine, she says, "But it is a little different from me. We both know I did commit my crime. From what we've seen of her, she's been nothing but worthy of our trust. Can you see why she's extremely upset? She looked at us as her friends and even companions and instead everything came across as a huge trap."
"Yes", he nods. "And I told her so. The law doesn't work that way though. Innocence must be proven, and since I do not have direct witness of her interactions with the family she did the reading for the best I can do is to take her current behaviour into account, but it does not bear on the accusations. The claim is of fraud, theft, and dishonesty, and while everything I've seen of her since we met says that is not the kind of person she is, it doesn't discount actions in the past. I need more time to observe."
He walks a bit. "During our conversation she said some very cruel and unnecessary thing to me. I forgave her as she was under duress, though I am sure my forgiveness made her even more angry." He shrugs. Nothing to do about that.
The walked down the street a few moments after the four horsemen. It was easy enough to see where they went. The men were making a direct path to Sheriff Hemlock's office. The four men dismount and, after tying up their horses, go inside the office.
Last edited by Pandemonium; Fri 05/07/202418:47 UTC.
He pauses, looking at Selaim curiously. "How are you at eavesdropping?" He asks. "Not making any aspersions, but I'd like to know what they're talking about and if I barge in they might stop their conversation."
Selaim looks at the building. The office is in the front of the Sandpoint Garrison. It is a sturdy stone building. In addition to the above-ground structure, which acts primarily as a barracks, a subterranean section acts as Sandpoint's jail. To eavesdrop, she would likely have to enter the garrison. While not a problem. The doors are open, but people pass in and out all the time.
[OOC: There are a variety of skill checks that could be used to do what Selaim wants to do. Why don't you tell me how she is going about it, and if you have an idea, make the roll. If not, we will figure it out.
Yes, this situation warrants a roll. Stealth is an obvious choice, not so much hiding and skulking, but more blending in and looking like one should be there (meeting someone, etc...). There are other choices, you tell me. This is your story.]
A quick study of the building tells her the best place to eavesdrop is at the door (since no windows were mentioned) The problem is that the area seems to have a lot of foot traffic. She decides that the best course is to make up a reason to be there. She checks the walls to see if there are any wanted posters outside of the office. If there is she'll select one or two and pull them down. Then she'll casually stand by the door trying to listen in to the conversation inside. If anyone asks what she is doing she has information on the poster(s) she is holding and wanted to talk to the Sheriff about them but the Sheriff is in a meeting with some travelers and she was waiting for it to be done. If they try to let the Sheriff know that she is there she'll explain she is fine waiting until his meeting is done.
{OOC: Yes the KISS approach.Am guessing that she'll need to the following checks: 1. to get by the door; 2. Listen in; 3. If anyone approaches due to the first roll}
Selaim Sneak to blend in Miales rolled 1d8,1d6 and got 4, 4
4 to casually take a spot on the wall outside the office
Selaim Sneak to listen in Miales rolled 1d8,1d6 and got 3, 6
Selaim Sneak to listen in (ace) Miales rolled 1d6 and got 1
7 to overhear the conversation
Selaim Persuasion Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 6, 4
Selaim Persuasion (ace) Miales rolled 1d6 and got 4
10 to persuade them to leave her to wait for the Sheriff
She nonchalantly moves into position. She doesn't garner any interest at first. People go in and out of the garrison often. It isn't so much that there are a lot of militia or town guards, it is more like a lot of normal citizens of Sandpoint have business in the building.
Selaim takes up her position and can overhear the conversation. It isn't very quiet, and the door is open. The leader of the horsemen has a gravelly voice and is asking about Catelena. The Sheriff asks them what their business is. The man explains they are bounty hunters who have come to Sandpoint to recover their quarry.
At this point, the Sheriff's voice raises in volume as he says, "She works for this town as a deputy. She is not subject to kidnapping nor bounty. You have no business here. Get out of town before I put you in prison."
The man explains in a softer voice, still trying to maintain a civil tone. "Maginmar's law prevails over Sandpoint. Whether you give her sanctuary or not, she is subject to extradition. We will be taking her whether or not you want us to or not. We are duly appointed bounty hunters and have every right to capture, detain, and return her to Maginamr for justice."
Sheriff Hemlock stands. Selaim can hear his plate armor shifting. He walks around his desk and says, "guards, we have four troublemakers to escort out of Sandpoint. If they resist in any way, you are free to protect yourselves."
The man says one last time with a soft but firm voice. "You are a sheriff in a small town, you word doesn't hold any water. You can be removed from your position in the blink of an eye. You would do well to work with us rather than against us. I have men outside of Sandpoint that I can call in a moment. I was doing you a service by informing you of the actions we are going to undertake on your streets."
He continues obviously speaking to his men. "If his guards cause any difficulty, kill them." She can hear the four men leaving Hemlock's office. Over his shoulder he says "I will do my duty. You have been informed."
The wayward waif finds it hard to stand so near the door with the men practically yelling. Their conversation easily overheard through the open door.With the news that they are bounty hunters from Magnimar she nearly bolted to tell Aendell the news but held close to the door to listen some more. Then when the tone of the conversation took the darker turn she did move away from the door knowing that guards would be there at any moment. Unrolling the papers she took position away from the door so the guards have an easier access to escort the group out. She pretends to be looking at the papers but is watching for the men to try to get a better look. Maybe she knows them. Better to find out than to not know. Selaim Stealth to blend in as they leave Miales rolled 1d8,1d6 and got 7, 3
A 7 to remain blended in...
Selaim Notice if she recognizes them Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 2, 2
Ummm` going ahead and Benny that...
Selaim Notice if she recognizes them Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 6, 5
Selaim Notice if she recognizes them (ace) Miales rolled 1d6 and got 6
Selaim Notice if she recognizes them (ace) Miales rolled 1d6 and got 1
So a 13
Once they pass and are headed outside she follows them a few paces back. Turning away from the group and heads a little away from them before tracking down Aendell at a trot.
He waits patiently. While others may question his judgement, his trust in Selaim is absolute. He has found that his intuition is usually right and has learned to depend on it. His intuition told him that Cat was not guilty of the crimes for which she'd been accused as well, but he is obligated to follow the process so he can testify in court with honesty should he choose to leave her free to her own devices.
When Selaim returns, he listens to what she heard and his head turns to follow the men as they stalk off into the town.
After a moment, he says. "Might I ask a favor? Allow me to inform Catalena of this? Hopefully it will allay her fears these men are in league with me and might ameliorate her mistrust a tiny bit. In any case, we need to tell her as soon as we can. As a town guard, she will not be hard for these men to find."
OOC: Going to wait for the roll results before I post. But In the meantime. Selaim would agree to that. If anything to help rebuild Cat's trust in Aendell.
He doesn't seem to notice Selaim. Outside the stone building, he says to his men in a softer voice that shouldn't be heard inside by the Sheriff. "Spread out in the town. Find her. Look where her kind hide. Pigs stay with swine."
The men move instantly, stepping on their horses and going in different directions. He climbs aboard his horse and starts back along the road they came in on, likely right back to the gate on that side of Sandpoint.
She keeps her head down and does her best to blend in. Not be seen by the group that had just departed the Sheriff's office. It had been all she could do to remain where she was when she'd first heard the voice of the leader. So hauntingly familiar to her. A voice that brought back memories of a different time. First of happy times when she'd first run off from the orphanage. Then the darker days. A reminder of what faith and trust in the wrong people could lead to. A stark contrast from the calm mentorship of Aendell and the trust that she now had in her new companions.
Skirting the edge making sure she wasn't seen she rushes back to Aendell. By that time in a near panic. Paranoia and longing warring inside of her. Finding him she barely is able to report what she'd heard. Barely managing to spit out the words, "Its the Guild. Magnimar's thieves guild. The sent him Aendell. They sent Villiam to find Cat. He can't find me. You know you can't let him find me. We have to warn her. And he sent his people in town. I'm not safe on the streets if they see me and recognize me."
She shakes her head. "Mostly Villiam. Not sure who else he brought with him. But most of his gang are thugs and butt kissers." she whispers as she starts to lead him to where she last saw Cat the night before. Selaim walks with her head lowered trying to use the Aendell and other passersby as a shield from anyone that doesn't seem to belong and the streets where the riders are most likely to be.
He strides purposefully, but doesn't run so as not to draw unneeded attention, heading where Selaim indicates. As they move he asks, "What can you tell me about Villiam?"
She stays close to him. Using him as a wall. Barely audible over the din of the street she whispers a response.
"He was the reason I left the orphanage. The boy that Zak beat up at the baths. He was a recruiter for the guild. Molded me the way he wanted. Sadistic. Abusive. Part of why I believe Zak's story of what happened. But when he was done with me or when I became a liability he threw me away. Stupid me fell for him. When I left he was one of their favorites so he probably has some pull with them now. Well more pull. But if he sees me then it won't be good."
Pausing only to glance around and dodge a passerby.
"I sort of stole a few things from them before we left when you sent me to supply myself."
They pass through Sandpoint undeterred. Soon, they are outside of the Varasian Inn, Risa's place. Assuming no one helps the outsiders, it will take the other men a bit of time to locate the building. But money did funny things when it came to learning things. If they were judicious in their application of gold coin, they could be here momentarily. It isn't like Cat was trying to hide herself.
She enters the establishment looking for Cat. If she doesn't see her she'll head to Risa or the bartender. Most important thing is to warn Cat of the people from
Selaim looks about the inn's common room draped with sashes of Varisian colored cloth. The bright splashes let her know that Cat's people frequently enjoy things here. The room is active despite it being early. She can smell intoxicating food and drink. Exotic flavors to her palette. She doesn't spot Risa immediately but walking over to the bartender she can inquire.
Outside the inn Aendel spots one of the four riders approaching. The man seems heading directly for the inn.
He sighs, going over options in his head. It seems to come down to a choice among outright lying, physical confrontation, and/or misleading wordplay. Of the three, misleading is the least antithetical to him, but as he has already technically placed Cat under arrest, she is by definition also under his protection, so a physical confrontation is a close second. Stepping away from the door where he was watching Selaim, he turns to face the street and places himself directly blocking the entrance.
Inside, the bartender calls Risa, and she walks out of the kitchen. Even more wonderful smells accompany her. "I understand you want to see me," she says simply.
Outside Risa's place The man walks up to the inn and tries to step around Aendell, apparently oblivious to his intention.
Selaim breathes a sigh of relief at seeing Risa. She knows it might be too much considering she'd only met the woman last night but she hopes Risa understands the need. She rushes over to the older woman to embrace her in case the guild already has eyes in the place.
"Risa! Thank goodness." She hugs the older woman but whispers quickly in her ear. "We need to find Cat and quickly. Magnimar's Thieves Guild sent people to find her. Bad people. very bad people."
Stepping back she says more loudly. "It has been so long and I missed you so much. Might there be a quiet place that we can talk and catch up as old friends? And I can introduce you to my companion."
The man looks at the hand, then follows it up to Aendell. "You can move," he says with none of the false lightness that Aendell offers. "You don't want to impede an officer of the court. Trust me."
Inside Risa says "Of course my dear," she walks around the bar and starts heading towards a lone door on one wall. In a moment the two of them have stepped through into a long hall. It reminds Seliam of a service corridor. Once inside and the door is shut she asks, "what are you talking about?"
He sighs and places one hand on his own blade while the other grasps the mans wrist preventing him from drawing his weapon. "I would recommend you take your hand off your blade, unless you are willing to have your hand separated from your arm." His voice is measured and even, more of a promise than a statement. He calmly stares at the man's eyes as if he is a bug.
The man parses his lips and gives a very high-pitched, shrill whistle. "You have no idea what you are doing. Let go before you end up in a hole you can't dig yourself out of."
He simply continues to stare at the man, not bothering to answer but also not letting go of his wrist until he releases the hilt of his blade. Hopefully, at a minimum, he is buying time for Selaim to find Cat. He'd wanted to warn her himself, but things change he muses.
Should this man, or the allies he is calling, say what they are doing, he is ready to use the argument that he has already arrested Cat as an officer of the Court and so she is under his protection, but until that topic is mentioned he can't.
**Huh, Glass jaw.** He muses, quickly bending down and searching the man's pockets and pouches to see if he can find anything useful. He keeps an eye on the street for whoever the man whistled to as he does so. As he searches, he removes all weapons he finds, swords, daggers, knives, and other and puts them to one side.
[OOC: Sorry yesterday was a much longer day than normal]
Selaim
Selaim walks with Risa to the quieter room. As they go she glances over her shoulder toward the door thinking "I need to get Aendell in here somehow. Guess Risa is the gatekeeper right now."
Once the door closes Selaim moves away from the door so their is a smaller chance that they are overheard.
"Risa, we need to find Cat. Yes we. Aendell is with me." Selaim hoped that Cat had opened up later and told Risa why she was so upset. Possibly using names.
"Aendell is outside making sure that a group of thugs that Magnimar sent to arrest Cat don't come searching the tavern. We didn't see any on the way over but Villian, their leader sent his people to scour the town. So they'll likely come here looking for her." Words were not her strong suit. Her mind still slightly jumbled from coming across Villian.
"But all of this is a long story and we don't have much time. We just need to find her."
She laughed. "This old goat is not afraid of any thugs from Magnimar. If they come in, they will walk out naked," her smile was wide and serious.
"Don't you worry about Cat. She can take care of herself. I understand she was sleeping it off and will be back at work with the Sheriff later this morning." She did not indicate that she knew where Cat was, nor did it seem she would share that confidence.
There was a quick knock at the door. A man's voice said, "Risa, there has been some trouble outside. But it is handled for now. I thought you would want to know."
She smiled. "See, taken care of. Why don't we go out and see what all the fuss is about." She proceeded Selaim out the inner door and started across the common room towards the main entrance. As she moved several men and women stood and began to walk along behind her towards the door, their brightly colored clothing contrasting their stern visages.
She followed Risa with a little trepidation. Knowing Villiam he didn't bring a bunch of pushover. She moves a little ahead of Risa hoping to check on. Aendell before Risa's crew took him to be one of the vermin.
Poking her head out tge door she spies him rifling through the thug.
He stands up from the prone thug and shrugs. "This is one of the ones from the Thieves Guild in Magnimar posing as Law Enforcement. I asked him for a warrant, just to check, and he couldn't produce one. He wanted to go inside and I....., dissuaded him."
He glances at the pile of weapons, then to the man who has a quickly forming bruise on his jaw. "He tried to stab me in the gut before I hit him." He seems a little defensive about making sure people know he did not strike first.
"As I mentioned, Cat is under my protection, whether she wants it or not, and I take my oaths seriously."
(OOC - If he found anything of note on the man let me know and I can edit.)
And very technically he chose not to produce a warrant, you don't know if he could have produced one. Depending upon the Notice roll, we will see what you find.]
Last edited by Pandemonium; Wed 17/07/202421:07 UTC.
"Likely story, princeling. But we need to be quick about that and get inside. And it does us no good to have him here." She does a barely passing check on the unconscious man as she moves to move the unconscious man into a nearby alley.
"You going to help?" She asks looking at him.
Yes you asked Zeim for one but Selaim is grabbing his arm to help move the man so did one too just in case.
Aendell Notice Zeim rolled d6,d6 and got 5, 6 Aendell Notice - Ace Zeim rolled d6 and got 4 Total = 10
(OOC - Miales - Note you said Selaim was grabbing an arm to "help Aendell move the man to a nearby alley". Aendell has not said he was doing that or made any move to move the man from where he lies.)
When Aendell was going through the man's pockets, he located a pouch with a warrant for Cat's arrest. It is hand written in a hasty scrawl, but it does have an official seal from Magnimar. The man has a dozen gold pieces, four knives, a short sword, and a vial of dark liquid. Seliam thinks it might be a poison from the way it moves, though of what kind will take more investigation.
Taking the vial and the scroll he leaves the gold coins in the man's pouch but piles the weapons to one side, out of his reach when he awakes. He hands the vial to Selaim gingerly, as if handling a viper. "No judgements, Selaim, but do you know what this might be?" Seeing Coral and Zak approaching and hearing Coral's comment he frowns, not sure whether she is joking or not.
"No", he replies sternly. "He is a member of the Thieves Guild of Magnimar, come to try to arrest Cat. He attacked me with a blade without provocation when I asked him for proof of his claim." He muses for a second then says to Selaim. "Cat is a member of the Town Watch here, isn't she? I think I would like to press charges for attempted murder of one of the Heroes of Sandpoint not to mention an Officer of the Magnimar Judiciary. That could delay them long enough for us to decide on a course of action. Plus, if Cat arrested him the irony would be entertaining."
Selaim takes the small vial and examines it closely.
Selaim Examine Vial Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 4, 4
"That would be funny indeed. But first we need to get off the street. I think we are drawing attention to ourselves standing around an unconscious man while going through his pockets and all. Did he call out to anyone before he attacked? Are his friends nearby?"
She steps back toward the door to Risa's place and beacons them to join her.
"Why do you care if we are drawing attention? I am an officer of Magnimar and we are Heroes of Sandpoint. I was attack in broad daylight by this man who refused to identify himself or state his business. I want to draw attention. I want this man arrested and confined."
He looks at Selaim curiously. "I think your experiences with the law have affected your thinking. If you are not doing anything illegal you should not be afraid of the Constabulary."
"My experiences with his boss HAVE affected my thinking. Ask Zak about Villiam. Zak will tell you how Villiam was in orphanage. How he manipulated me and quite possibly others. And yes my views are skewed. How did we meet, again? You might have authority. But I'm still just the waif that Villiam brought in to THEIR fold."
She looks furtively around as if expecting to see the leader of the group of thugs to miraculously appear.
He nods. "Yes, you are right. You should not remain in view if you believe you are in danger. I can remain here and wait for Cat or we can send someone to fetch other of the constabulary. In the meantime, lets not let this one escape." Bending down he takes out a leather strap and binds the mans hands behind his back.
Cat would have preferred a night in her comfy room at the Dragon, soap and warm water, a hearty breakfast, and a nip of the hair of the dogs that bit her but so it goes. Hungover and yawning, her dark hair tousled, she ambled up the street to see Coral first, and wondered why the girl was standing across from Risa's.
Then she saw Zachergillan, Aendell, and Selaim around a fallen figure, Aendell binding the unconscious man's arms. In the doorway, Varisian lookiloos peered out of the ciderhouse.
She felt a sigh rising up from the soles of her feet.
"Good morning," she yawned, to no one in particular, once she'd arrived. "How was the boar?"
(OOC - Curious if any reaction from Risa, or has she not come outside?)
Aendell
He looks over to see Cat approaching and nods simply. "Boar was excellent. It is timely you have come. May I speak with you privately?" He indicates simply taking a step or two to one side.
Risa is watching, a small grin on her face. The grin widens when she spots Cat approaching. Yet she and the lookiloos remain quiet. Remarkably quiet for a group of this size, most public groups have some level of background noise as people talk amongst themselves. Yet not this group, they are all intent on watching the proceedings, almost like spectators.
He steps down and closer to Cat then says softly. "Selaim and I noticed 4 armed men riding into town to the Sherriff's Office and overheard them saying they were here to arrest you. Selaim recognized their leader as a man named Villiam, of the thieves guild in Magnimar. She did not have any good things to say about him. In any case, we came here to warn you. Selaim went inside to find Risa and I waited here. That one", he tosses a finger back over his shoulder at the bound man, "tried to enter Risa's place. I asked him his business inside and he attacked me with a blade, unprovoked. I stopped him from entering."
He sighs. "Afterwards I looked thru his things and he does have a warrant. It is badly written, and could be a forgery, but it has the correct seal on it. He also carried what looks like poison. As a member of the Magnimar judiciary, I would like to press charges for attempted murder and have the man arrested. Would you care to do it, or I can send for someone?"
He waits for her response, not sure if she expected him to continue their confrontation from last night, but for him there is no point to that.
"Must be a slow time for bounties," Cat sighed. "Or maybe I just seem like easy pickins."
She shrugged. "OK, sure, I'll take him in. I will need his effects, including that warrant. It's probably legit. Any connected person can go to the right judge and get a warrant for anything so long as there's people willing to carry them out."
She walked back over to the body, to haul him up, and continued, "You'll need to come and swear out a statement too and when he wakes up, he'll get his say in the matter."
She looked the unsavory man over. "I could wake him up myself but I'd rather wait until he's behind bars. Probably best for his sake too. Steel gauntlets will leave a real shiner. No one else was hurt?"
"No. He has a glass jaw." He said with a chuckle. "Selaim has the poison vial, if you need that. Here is the warrant", he hands it over. "His weapons are over there and his coin is in his pouch." He reaches over to hoist the man over his shoulder. Raising his voice to a normal level so others can hear he says, "I can carry him to the Sherriff if someone else can bring his weapons?" He glances at Zak and Coral with a nod they should come along too.
He turns to look at where Selaim stood near the entrance to Risa's place. "Selaim is worried about Villiam. He and two more of his men are still around somewhere."
(OOC - Once they move away from the other prying eyes he will relate to Coral and Zak what happened and see what Zak knows about Villiam.)
Looking at Seliam, she said, "See, little one, I told you. All will be well, it has been foretold." She offered a wink to Cat before turning back to the crowd. "Show's over for now, everyone back inside your food is getting cold!"
Selaim was quiet during the interchange between Cat and Aendell. Not wanting to interfere but hoping the two work things out. On seeing their icy but friendly exchange she breathes a sigh of relief. Moving only to hand Cat the vial of poison that Aendell found on the thug.
She casts a sidelong quizzical look at Risa at her comment. "Foretold? What do you mean?"
"If you listen to the wind and other things, you learn. You have to put the effort into listening. Something is coming. The Heroes of Sandpoint will be right in the middle of things when it does."
She laughed lightly. "If you believe an old superstitious woman's ramblings."
"The portents weren't terribly clear," the old woman said. She continued, "As near as we can tell in these things, soon, within a few weeks, maybe a season." Her answers were clear, matter-of-fact. She felt Coral's belief and reacted to it.
He looks over at Aendell as they walk, and talks quietly.
“Villiam. Now there was a nasty piece of work. He used to sneak in to watch many of the girls at the home bathing. Several times I had to emphatically disabuse him of the wisdom of his chosen course of action with direct applied persuasion. Arrogant prick, always causing trouble and shifting the blame when someone found out. He once or twice tried picking on me back when. Had to disabuse him of the wisdom notion as well. He’d be eh, older than Coral and Selaim, and of course younger than me. If anyone would be involved in this sort of thing, it would be him. I imagine he doesn’t like me much either.”
He nods. "Much like what Selaim said, although I think she had even more of a bad experience with him than that." He adjusts the dead weight on his shoulder. "Let's get this one dropped off and see what the Sherriff makes of people assaulting folks in the street with deadly weapons. From what Selaim overheard, the Sherriff was none too pleased with them to begin with."
"Selaim," Cat asked. "You had mentioned that Bonto Feste, the son of the nobles who seem to have it out for me, was associated with the Thieves Guild in Magnimar? Was he himself in this group you saw?"
She had accepted the vial of poison with a scrunch of her nose as she placed the foul substance in a pouch.
"I can't imagine the monetary reward would be that high for this particular Varisian Harrower and adorable entertainer. Aendell himself had been offered no reward, I believe you'd said?" she added as an aside to the armored man. "So perhaps they're here as a favor or for some kind of access or knowledge nobles might have to share with thieves."
It was not a long walk to the High Street and then to Tower to cross town to the Garrison, but Cat kept her eyes open. It was not a large town and if these thugs were roaming the streets, they would not be hard to find. Especially if they'd been in earshot of the whistle.
"This Villiam sounds like a coward at heart," Cat commented in general. "Seems like the sort that might be waiting to ambush from an alley now that he's outnumbered?"
He nods in answer to Cat while waiting for Selaim to answer the questions. "No reward, but then my calling would preclude my asking for one. Can't say whether they knew that and took advantage of free manpower or were currently cash poor from their investments."
She'd barely heard the question as they walked. Her mind preoccupied with what Risa said. That something was coming and most likely it wasn't Villiam and his lynch party. Something bigger? More?
"As soon as I saw Villiam I stopped looking so I didn't get a good look at the others with him. So not sure if Bonto was with him. But we are forgetting something. Not sure the point came across. He still has more men outside of town. Or did because he sent a message to them to start looking for you. And who knows Bonto may be with them." She said staying with the group.
Cat was pretty familiar with the town and where someone might be hidden around a corner, and it certainly wasn't for any experience with having a surreptitious nip or nap to pass a long afternoon's patrol.
Catalena Notice Vryx rolled d6,d6 and got 6, 4 Catalena Notice, Ace Vryx rolled d6 and got 4 Notice: 10
As the group walks along, Aendell, with a man unconscious over his shoulder, garners more than a few staring looks. Yet once the townspeople notice Cat is also accompanying them, most of the people nod in acceptance that maybe she is doing her job. The heroes of Sandpoint are at it again.
They also notice several faces that they don't recognize, but these faces are merely watching them. They don't approach, nor get closer. Some are people that none of them recognize. Almost all are carrying weapons. Though they did just have a big festival and not all of the travelers have left the town yet. They don't specifically spot any of the four men that had rode into town together.
Without turning his head he says softly so his voice doesn't carry. "I presume you see the armed men all around? By the grocer, the leather shop, in several of the alleys? I know you're good with your blades, Cat, but don't you think this many men is a bit of overkill to arrest you? Something else must be going on."
"I agree with you there," Cat smiled. "While I'm worth fighting over, certainly, but not over this trifle. Most of those people are unknown to me."
She took another few steps and added, "My Harrow this morning was The Tangled Briar. I drew that card in a larger reading the morning you and your caravan arrived. The sins of the past affecting the future. Whether you choose to give it credence or not, that foul fellow from Selaim's, Coral's, and Zachergillan's past is now here in Sandpoint."
They continue to be observed, but no one bothers them. They arrive at The Garrison shortly. Several people spot them, and Sheriff Belor steps out. He says nothing but looks at each of them. His eyes travel from Aendell to Cat in that order.
As they walked Selaim kept the hood of her cloak over her head and tried to remain in the middle of the group.Doing her best to not bring attention to herself. But she couldn't help but glance about when Aendell mentions the armed men and their locations. She doesn't look closely at them but she does look for any familiar faces from the Thieves Guild.
Selaim Notice (recognize the men mentioned) Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 4, 3
Coral looked, as ever, her sweet, innocent self, albeit that she is still wearing her weapons form the disappointing 'rat-hunt'. She watched and listened.
"Sherriff", he nods on greeting. "I would like to have this man arrested for assault and attempted murder. He attacked me in the street, unprovoked, with a skulk's blade", he tips his head towards the weapons Zak is carrying. "He also carries what seems to be poison, though I do not know for certain whether the blade was coated in it or not."
"It is not against the law to carry things on your person," he states unequivocally. "Why don't we let him rest in one of our cells, and you tell me all about it." As much as the Sheriff clearly wants to believe Aendell is a hero of Sandpoint, it is clear he is trying to be as unbiased as possible. Maybe it is overcompensation for the discussion that Seliam overheard. Or maybe it is his way. Aendell doesn't know.
Cat knows that not only is it likely an overcompensation, but it is also that the Sheriff detects something off about the story.
"Certainly", he says, moving inside and depositing the man in the indicated cell then returning to the outer room. "What would you like to know?" He asks.
Catalena directed Aendell down the stairs to where the jail sat below the garrison. She nodded to the giant of a man, heavily scarred, wearing the tribal markings of the Shoanti who rose from a seat near the entrance to the cells.
"One coming in, Vachedi," Cat greeted the man sunnily, what's your count up to, today?
The man's rough face split into a broken-toothed grin. "Four thousand, six hundred, thirty-seven, songbird," the man replied in tribal accent. "Who's this, then, when he's awake?"
"Don't know yet," Cat replied. "Stranger from Magnimar, we think. Brought trouble with him and found worse. Here's his stuff."
She began placing the man's possessions on the thick wooden table. Vachedi had unlocked a locker against the wall. "Sure, sure. Put him in two, that's the one right there," he pointed for Aendell.
"I'll lock that up, that's fine," the Shoanti moved to close the cage door and lock it.
Before departing back up, Cat fished a gold coin out of her purse and flicked it to the jailer. "Four thousand, six hundred, and thirty-eight!" she called, the man's laughs echoing behind her.
On the stairs she held Aendell's elbow to hold him up a moment.
"Here," she said, handing him the warrant that the man possessed. "I think you should tell Hemlock the full story. You made it sound like he just jumped you in the street for no reason."
The group is brought back upstairs and ushered into the Sheriff's office. They have brought in and set up a few extra chairs so everyone has a place to sit if they want one. He sits on his desk rather than behind it, which might suggest he is trying to be approachable. Though a man in armor, he is still standoffish.
"Please tell me what transpired, and please fill in all the details."
He stands next to the Sheriff, his posture giving the air of a man making an official report. "To begin, you should probably know that while I am here to celebrate the opening of the shrine, I am also traveling as an officer of the judiciary of Magnimar and have placed Catalena under arrest. I do not believe she is guilty of the crimes of which she has been accused, and so she is free to act as she chooses, I am merely observing her as I cannot simply make decisions of guilt or innocence based purely upon first feelings." He glances at Catalena knowing how she feels about the whole situation. "As a consequence of that arrest, Catalena also falls under my protection."
He returns his gaze to the Sheriff. "I did not inform you of my intent when we first met as I did not know she was here until we arrived and even then I could not be certain until I spent time alone with her."
He takes a breath. "Leaving the inn after breakfast this morning, Selaim and I noted a group of armed men, including the one in the cell below, ride into town and head to your office. Intrigued, we followed and Selaim overheard their leader say they were here from Magnimar to arrest Catalena." He pauses and glances briefly at Selaim, but since it was not as if the men were trying to be quiet it is easily understood that anyone nearby could have overheard their exchange with the Sheriff.
"Selaim recognized their leader as a member of the Magnimar Thieves Guild, and so both in concern for her safety, and as part of my protection, we determined to warn Catalena and headed off to where Selaim had last seen her, at Risa's Place. Once we arrived, Selaim went inside to find her or at least speak to Risa and I waited out front to watch for these men."
"After a short time, the one downstairs arrived. I told him I did not think he would be welcome inside and asked him his business. He refused to say anything other than threaten me, and he put his hand to his sword threatening me with violence. I held his hand to stop him from drawing steel in the street, and suggested that was not a wise choice and he should remove his hand from his weapon lest he lose it, at which point he struck at me with his skulk knife. I then struck him with my fist in self-defense. At no point did I draw a weapon of my own."
He pauses. "I searched him after he collapsed and found this warrant." He hands it over. "Poorly written, but it has the correct seals. Plus a vial that appears to be poison. And yes, I know you said he is entitled to carry about him whatever he chooses, but in my experience only those who are up to no good carry such things."
He looks at the Sheriff more closely. "While the man may not have known at the time that the person he was trying to arrest had already been arrested and was under my sworn protection, I do not believe I gave cause to be physically attacked with a deadly weapon. I had planned to tell him about that protection had he informed me of his intent, but he chose to escalate things before that could happen."
His military posture softens just slightly as he waits.
"Thank you for the accounting then," he says to Aendell. "I expect more trouble from them. I was unaware of any other difficulties for Catalena. As far as your arresting and or this warrant, neither has jurisdiction. My original imposition of justice over rides them. It is a question of precedent and of proximity." He looks to see if Aendell is going to contest the local sheriff's authority.
He just looks at Sheriff Belor with a curious expression. The man is wrong, and Aendell knows that Belor knows he is wrong, but for some reason he wants to press things. Whether he is annoyed at a larger jurisdiction coming to his town and stomping on his authority or he has a specific reason for trying to protect Catalena he doesn't know. In any case, it doesn't really matter.
He shrugs. "As I said, she is free to come and go as she pleases. As long as we all are here I had no intention of trying to detain her or force her to do anything she does not want to do, so it is a distinction without a difference. We can leave it as you wish and not quibble over the specifics."
He pauses, then adds, "I do leave you the option, should this other group try to force things, of using me as a foil. Beyond your own authority, should push come to shove, please feel free to tell them that they are too late anyway as another claim from Magnimar has already been executed. It may redirect their actions towards me and give you some respite."
"Glad that's all settled," Catalena said flatly, her arms crossed. "I'm late to relieve Leiflond at the docks and I don't need an escort. Unless you first want me to wake up the prisoner and get his statement, Sheriff? I'd prefer he just snooze it off, personally."
"I suspect we will have more of them in there before long. Leave him be, but be careful out there. Since that one pulled a knife, we don't know how hostile they will be to accomplish their task. Their reward must be substantial to take chances like this. I don't want our citizens to be harmed by such actions." The last sentence was almost expected, but it was also there for The Heroes of Sandpoint, who were all in the office.
“And if these … people … want to press a claim I may have to have a pointed discussion with them.” If they do anything which would put the good folk of sandpoint at risk, why I would be forced to react to that as well.”
Catalena Teodorescu truly wanted nothing more at the moment than to get out of the Sheriff's office in the garrison. No doubt many of her erstwhile colleagues had overheard one conversation or another about her troubles in Magnimar. She didn't feel like having the conversation again, besides the fact that her hangover was giving her a throbbing headache. People having opinions about what she could or couldn't do were anathema to her sense of self. They were welcome to their opinions but they had no hold on her. So, she began backing toward the exit.
"Understood, Sheriff," she answered. "I'll be careful and make sure they don't trouble anyone else."
To Zachergillan, Coral, Selaim, and Aendell, she said, "I appreciate the warning. I'll be on the lookout. Have a good morning. If you need me, I'll be patrolling the Docks district."
"Sheriff", he says with a polite nod of his head. "If you need me I'll be around. I was thinking of heading over to the shrine at some point today." He glances at the others and makes ready to move outside. He has some things to say to them, but they are for the group.
The morning had turned out to be very disappointing ... there had been no rats ... she had not caught a robbery in the act of being carried out, and she had missed a fight.
She decided to go and visit the big temple thing that people talked about
Once they are all outside and away from prying ears he stops and asks the group. "Does anyone else find it odd that so many men would be sent here to arrest Catalena? Hiring so many, whether they be mercenaries or ruffians, costs quite a lot. The family who accused her and got me assigned to bring her back lost most of everything so I don't see them hiring out to a large group. What else could she be wanted for?"
He pauses and looks at Selaim. "And by wanted I don't mean criminally."
Despite her stated desire to get to her shift as quickly as possibly, Catalena had taken the circuitous route of turning up Tower Street towards the more isolated buildings near the Old Light. Then she took the sandy path along the cliff's edge south away from the crowds. The tall seagrass grew on her left, waving in the breeze, the Varisian Gulf, calm and sparkling on her right.
She took deep breaths and made her way towards the harbor and Water Street, grateful for the peace and seeming solitude, the fresh air clearing her head.
Catalena's leather armor creaked as she walked the sand and smelled the spray of the surf on the rocks below. Away from the town, she still kept in mind the faces that she had seen, strangers, and so did not let her mind wander. Out here there were no innocent bystanders that might suffer from whatever troubles she had brought to what had become her beloved, adopted town.
She was aware of what the Sheriff had said. There were people who were wandering around town that wanted her for some reason. Sandpoint seemed so far away from anything that had gone before. Here, she was accepted for who she actually was. There were people she could call kin, even if they weren't related.
She turned a corner, and it was that corner that told her something. As she walked onto the docks, she spotted one long tail. The man had skills but wasn't up to working against her. He was dressed in leather as well, though he didn't creak as much, to be fair, he was farther away, too.
While letting the others ponder the question, he looks at Selaim. "Do you think you could follow Catalena, without her knowing? I meant what I said about her being under my protection and I would like to know if she is in danger as soon as possible."
Cat continued her progress, realizing the man was there but not betraying that she knew. Most of the quays were empty, the fishers having headed out much earlier in the day. She found Leiflond yawning and lounging against a piling.
"You're late," the doughy young man stated, inarguably.
"Hemlock kept me in a meeting, sorry," she smiled. "And, I hung a couple on last night so I was dragging. I made it up by bringing in some Varisian honey rolls. If you hurry, they won't all be gone."
As she watched Leiflond hustle up Main Street, she felt some remorse for lying but at least he'd be out of the line of fire for any of these roughnecks. Then she kept to the docks such that, if they came for her, she could keep the harbor at her back.
Selaim hangs back then starts to follow. When Cat strays away from the crowded paths she realizes that things might not be as easy as she'd hoped but she still hangs back and tries. Looking for threats as well as keeping track of Cat.
Selaim Follow Cat Miales rolled 1d8,1d6 and got 7, 5
Selaim Notice threats Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 1, 4
Selaim is sure that at least one person is tailing Catalena.
Cat watches the watch she had relieved and heads home for the day. If it weren't for the watcher, it might be a pleasant day by the docks. Wind is off shore keeping any odd smells at bay, so to speak. As she looked around the buildings Cat spots Selaim skulking in the shadows. Though she knows that Selaim can see the man who was following her. The man hasn't noticed Selaim. Maybe he only has eyes for Cat.
There was no law against loitering. If there were, half of Sandpoint would be in lockup. So, Cat continued her patrol, keeping back and forth on the docks, where she might in other circumstances have strolled around the block of buildings nearby. She kept an eye on the bravo and on Selaim too. It seemed silly not to invite the elf over to converse, but if she was planning to confront the fellow, Cat did not want to blow her cover. So, she put on an act of obliviousness to her audience.
The man following Cat while not unexpected was unwanted, but Selaim knew that she probably shouldn't confront him unless she needed to. So she kept an eye on the man as she followed Cat on her rounds. Partially wanting to move up to the woman but knowing it was better not to. So she focused on the man instead. Keeping watch over him and trying to see if he was in contact with any others. She'd confront him if need be but preferring not to start anything.
Selaim Follow Cat and the henchman Miales rolled 1d8,1d6 and got 3, 3
Once Selaim heads off to trail Cat he says to the others, "Well, I was originally on my way to the shrine. Anyone who wants to join me would be welcome."
Observing that the man only seemed to have eyes for Cat, Selaim decides to creep closer to the man to try to see if she recognized him from her former life.
Selaim Sneak closer to Thug Miales rolled 1d8,1d6 and got 4, 2
A 4
Selaim Closer look at thug Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 1, 6
Selaim Closer look at thug (ace) Miales rolled 1d6 and got 3
As she gets closer she realizes that she does recognize the man. One of the men who gravitated towards Villiam. One of his lackeys. One of the people that he used and apparently still was.
An idea comes to her. She pulls out her coin purse and transfers most of her money to her thieves kit bag. Leaving only a gold and two silvers in her purse. Then ducking behind some passers by she comes closer to the man until she's only inches away. Then she subtly bumps into him and attempts to plant her coin purse on the man.
Selaim Reverse pickpocket thug (+1 Thievery) Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 3, 4
A 5... but if that isn't good enough next is a Benny
Selaim Reverse pickpocket thug (+1 Thievery) Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 2, 1
Ouch a 3.... better try another benny in case roll 1 wasn't good
Selaim Reverse pickpocket thug (+1 Thievery) Miales rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 5, 3
A 6... erm guess go with that.
She stumbles past the man and with a touch of venom she says loudly, "Watch yourself! Groping a lady is no way to behave!"
If the man has any clue as to what Selaim's antics are up to, he doesn't show it. Nor does he seem aware that she has been a Put pocket. His visage also doesn't register any recognition. She feels like she gotten away with her little ruse.
Still acting perturbed as if she was a lady after an encounter with an unsavory man, she goes to the nearest vendor and starts browsing goods while keeping track of where the man is. Selecting something she tries to pay. Searching her person frantically for her wallet. Saying loudly "I know I just had it. It should be here somewhere."
Before hissing towards the shopkeeper, "I've been robbed. Call the guard." She glances back over the man to ensure he is still there.
Searching the street for one of Sandpoint's finest she waves to them to come over.
When one does she'll explain frantically how she'd been shopping when a man groped her and that now she was missing her coin purse. Then point out the man from Magnimar as the one who'd groped her.
{OOC: Might as well try to add another thug to Sandpoint's cells.}
The scene plays out as Selaim partially intended, though the nearest guard is Catalena. When she is called, the man disappears quickly around a corner.
She rounds the corner and sees the man down at the end of the block, trying to make some distance. She is clearly faster in flat out running where things are clear. By the middle of the next block, she is close enough to try something.
Ghosting Catalena She looks surprised at the comment but gives chase as well.
[OOC: Assume she is there as well, but Selaim is directing the action.]
Selaim was annoyed in having to run through the streets after the man. But that changed to perverse delight as she finally was able to use the line that trailed after her as she ran the streets of Mirabar.
"STOP! THIEF!" she called whenever they passed individuals that looked like they were guard compatriots of Catelena and in the hopes of attracting a good samaritan to trip the man up.
As she drew closer to the man, she realized tackling him would be difficult. His size and her size making that a foolish gesture. So she matched his pace and ran directly on his heels. Matching his pace and stride so that they were soon in step. Then she kicked his back foot as it came up in the hopes of tangling his feet together and tripping him up.
The well timed kick is easy to instigate. The man goes down without any additional need for a push. He skids for a couple of feet and rolls over almost immediately with a knife in his hand. "I have no idea what you want, but attacking me won't get it," he says with a low menacing tone.
Selaim can hear Catalena just a few steps behind her. The man is outnumbered and still threatening.
She skids to a stop. Holding back from the thug with the drawn weapon.She knows they undoubtedly have an audience on the street so she makes it good.
"What I want?!? Says the cretin who groped me and stole my wallet! I just thought you were some pervert. But you're a thief! A dirty nasty thief! Now give me back my wallet!"
Glancing at the trailing Cat.
"He's the one. He's the one who groped me. I bet he also has my coin purse too!"
She stands ready to dodge if he attacks, but won't draw her weapons until he does.
"But we both know he didn't," Cat insisted, in Elven. "I'm not going to falsely arrest someone on planted evidence! I don't care what he's done before, he hasn't done anything here and now.
"I know you mean well, and I'm grateful but I did say I don't need a babysitter. Let things fall as they will."
The man looks between the two of them obviously having a conversation. He can guess who it is about. Seeing Cat's badge, though, he puts his knife back into its sheath.
"Look, I get that this woman wants to call me a thief. But she should turn out her pockets, too. Then we will see who the real instigator is." Without hesitation, he turns out his pockets. Sure enough, the pocket that should hold Selaim's coin purse is empty.
Yet when Selaim checks her pockets, her coin purse has miraculously reappeared where it had been originally. When she looks to the man, he just smiles and winks.
Selaim rolls her eyes at what Cat says then quickly whispers in Elven. "We just want to be sure you are safe. I know backfired a little."
Her eyes darting back to the thug as he starts to speak. Going along with it she reaches for the pocket where she keeps her coin purse. Feeling a bulge. Fingers clasping on familiar material and design.
"This did not go as planned," Selaim thinks as she pulls the coin purse out of her pocket.
"OK," she said to the bravo. "So, there's no trouble here. Just a misunderstanding between law-abiding visitors to Sandpoint. I know what she's doing here, came for the Swallowtail Festival, then saved the town from goblins."
She jerked a thumb at Selaim.
"But what about you? Spill it. If you're with that group that's supposedly looking for me, then out with it. I have a hangover and I want to stop using my brain wondering why I would be worth the trouble from you Magnimar folk. I can promise you that you'll realize soon enough it wasn't worth it."
The man continues to smile. "Yes, I am here looking for you," he answers unexpectedly.
Turning to Selaim, he says, "Not all thieves are bad," he winks at her.
Looking back at Cat he says "I have always found a raw owl's eggs or fried canary egg to be restorative." He shruggs. "But I am fresh out of either.
He leans in and says "not is all as it seems. There are forces at work against the villains of this piece. They both involve you and even your Paladin. You have more friends than you might expect." The last sentence is stated to both of them as if inclusive from the body language.
Maybe it was the tone in which he said it. Or the wink. But Selaim calmed when he said those words. Because they sparked a memory. One of the few she had of the guild after being discarded by Villiam. She lowers her guard and her tension eases.
"Cat, I think he's telling the truth. I think I know him. He's never liked Villiam"
To the man. "But What do you mean it involves the princeling? What has he ever done to any of the guild? Except maybe get a troublesome brat out of the city."
The man moved closer as if he didn't want to be overheard by the people of Sandpoint. "There is a power struggle going on in Maginmar. Forces have been put in play to make things happen." He nodded to Cat. "You are one of the bargaining chips that have been offered."
He paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. "Not all the powers that be want to see this group of affiliated families rise to the top in Maginmar. But all of you are from there, well, most, and are involved tangentially. I came here as a part of the group to ensure that Villiam fails in his goal of bringing Catalena to them as a prize. I don't want the family that hates her to gain more power that way. There are other ways to gain power that don't involve other's pain." He shrugged.
"I was named Valentine at birth. Though I haven't gone by that for a long time."
For Seliam this name rings a bell, she remembers that name and it matches her memories of the man.
"Mostly, I am Val now. I know quite a bit because I was sent to spoil the power play. I can't kill Villiam, I don't have the skill. But I can make sure that you don't get kidnapped. At least, that is my intention. That is why I was watching you."
"Val!?! I'd never seen you without your mask on. No wonder I didn't recognize you." He'd been the only friendly person at the guild once Villiam tossed he to the wolves. He'd tried to help her. A fatherly figure. A mentor.
"Cat, he's the one who taught me how to pickpocket. No wonder he knew about it the whole time." Selaim said shaking her head. Not that she was always good at it but still it took skill to do what he'd done.
"You said you were sent. Is the guild that fractured now? I thought they wanted the families to take over. Well that is what Villiam always said."
"Yes, there is a lot of infighting. I work for a newer boss that started after you departed. She values cooperation and sharing income in the guild. We call ourselves a family, but we aren't related. She is the main reason I am here. I was tasked to find out what Villiam's plan is and put thorns in his way. If I can stop it, all the better."
"The Feste fortunes have run dry, by their own actions," Catalena ventured. "Which is the reason why they have sought to blame me and set Aendell's paladinate toward me. There must be something other than coin motivating this Villian fellow, as well."
"Well, Val," Cat said, turning back to the man. "Don't want to blow your cover if any of your erstwhile companions see us chatting. I'll get back to patrolling now. Head over to the Rusty Dragon tonight if you'd like to request a song."
She winked and headed off.
"Maybe I'll let you buy me a drink," she added with a wave.
The man slipped around a corner and was soon gone. Selaim is sure there is no one else in the square. They got away with their rendezvous.
[OOC: What trouble do you want to cause now? I am fine with moving on to the evening. Most of the day will go however you want it to go. That is an inclusive you.]
[OOC: I think that by Sunday I will introduce the next piece of the story. Seems like this has run its course for now. Keep going here as you wish, I know that there was some visiting of the church which was kinda dropped. Any other threads that you want to follow up can be included as we move forward. Just letting you know that a scene change will come in the next few days.]
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"I agree with you there," Cat smiled. "While I'm worth fighting over, certainly, but not over this trifle. Most of those people are unknown to me."
