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?"
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