Jammers:Turn 21, Chapter 6 Summary

The Ongoing adventures of my Spelljammer PBEM game.

Here's the Jammers web address:

http://jammers.s5.com/

Comments, questions always welcome:)

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

IC:
Date/Time: Evening, 8th day of the 8th Month, 5049 OC

<Italapate & Talus>

As Talus scans the docks he speaks softly to Italapate. "From what
you said before, Dougal's going to be giving his boss a lump of coal
in place of a diamond. Dougal's not too trusting of you, but his
greed is calling the shots, so he let you go when he had you nabbed.
Then you went and sent him a love note telling him you lied to get
away, but still led him along. Were I in his shoes, I'd make a grab
for you and then go for the deal. Asking around the docks isn't going
to get him any more information about the deal since he'd have to get
one of Moune's boys to spill it - and I doubt anyone from Moune's
pens is going to be speaking with Dougal without a knife to their
throat. This means he is likely either looking for a chance to grab
you - or else maybe he is looking for some extra information about
that Seven Stars Way. How much do you know about that place anyway?
Anyone ever land there?" As he speaks the last few words, he locks
eyes with Italapate and the look upon his face is strictly business.

Italapate shrugs, "I don't know anymore then I told you. I also don't
know what he is doing on the docks. I thought we should follow him,
pick up his trail at the Man-o-War and see what he is up to."

The two move swiftly through the gloom of Bral's twilight to the
Man-o-War tavern and inn (#10) in the High City, most expensive place
on the Rock. Nearby is House Cartan (#9), right next to the Stone
Bridge (#7) over Lake Bral (#8) leading to the Palace, it is one of
the nicest villas with one of the very best locations. Once there
they realize that they will standout like sore thumbs inside, where
only the most fashionable and wealthy come for food.

Fortunately, Italapate knows of a side room, a small room set aside
for the servants of the wealthy to enjoy while waiting on their
masters. Italapate leads Talus inside and speaks to pretty barmaid
with long, dark hair for a few moments. She seats the pair in a
corner booth whose high walls make it difficult  for patrons to
easily see who is sitting there, and brings them both a mug of ale.

The room has about a dozen servants, some obviously simple batman but
there is a pair of ogres, however, who are either bodyguards,
rickshaw pullers, or both. The crowd is very quiet, apparently loud
noise which might disturb the wealthy in the rooms above is frowned
on.

Italapate snorts, "Dougal likely tells folks he 'just came' from the
Man-o-War to impress them, but he has to drink here with the other
servants."

As expected Dougal walks in about ten minutes later, alone. He goes
upto the bar, orders a glass of wine and flirts with the barmaid as
he drinks it.

Finished, he turns down a second glass, "I've an appointment at the
docks. But maybe I'll be back later to set an appointment with
you..." With a leer Dougal heads out into Bral's night.

A few moments later, moving quietly Italapate and Talus follow him.

Dougal heads for Grand Street and then down the steps to the docks.
At the bottom he turns starboard and walks through the bales and
crates to the landing fields. The docks are still busy, even at this
time of night, as a waspship lands nearby and crates are loaded
aboard other vessels.

Dougal starts looking about to see if he is being followed, but Talus
and Italapate hide in the shadows of the crates and he doesn't seem
to see them. Eventually, apparently convinced he hasn't been
followed, he heads across the landing field to a black shrikeship. He
walks to her stern and disappears inside her.

Talus turns to Italapate and whispers, "I'm going to get a little
closer so I can listen in. Keep an eye on things from here - I'll be
back in a few." Talus slips around the corner of one of the crates
out of view.

Dougal walks back out of the ship fifteen minutes later and enters
the docking caverns which so many folks forget are beneath the Low
City and behind the landing fields. Inside the massive caverns,
permanently lit by globes of light suspended from the ceiling yet
still dotted wiuth shadows he walks to a a quiet corner where he
stands and waits. After a few moments a shadow suddenly detaches
itself from a nearby wall and Radick, who it seems had been waiting
there, walks over to Dougal.

-----------

<Allagan and Sekeht>

Allagan watches Gwardolith head up the stairs and then looks at the
jostled Shou and says quietly to Sekeht, "I bet that was his target,
probably should watch him to see if anything happens to him."

"Possibly," Sekeht says. "He's here to meet a Shou-man or to kill one."

Allagan replies, "I cast a spell of persuation on Gwardolith, I think
it is working.  He will view me as a friend, so watch what you say."
Allagan then asks, "How did you guess about Wu?"

Sekeht smirks. "Plain as starlight, Tyndel. When we were at the
gambling table, Wu told him to go to the Lotus House and look for
Sumashang, which is a Shou- sounding name."

Allagan's eyes go wide for a second and he says, "That was good
thinking. Good job!"

"Hmm? Thanks," Sekeht says. "I'm sure you would have picked it up,
too, but you were caught up in the game."

Allagan gets to his feet and says, "Well, he is paying so I might as
well take him up on it."  With a wink, Allagan pairs off with one of
the more attractive
half-elves and heads upstairs to spread the essence of Zeus.

Watching Allagan leave, Sekeht leans back in his his chair and
signals for another drink. When his drink arrives, he chats with the
young woman who brought it, all the while keeping the Shou that
Gwardolith jostled in his field of vision.

Fifteen minutes later, after he has concluded his business, Allagan
returns to downstairs and sits back down next to Sekeht, "Has our
benefactor shown himself yet?  How about the Shou he bumped into?"

Gwardolith cannot be seen, but even as he says this the Shou suddenly
grabs at his throat and falls to the floor, choking...

"That solves that," Sekeht whispers to Allagan. "Probably a poison.
Don't look like you've noticed until more others have noticed as
well."

As others move toward the choking man, Sekeht's eyes open widely and
he says to Allagan, "Check yourself, quickly. Gwardolith may have
planted poison on us as a frame." He quickly and discretely pats
through his own clothes, making sure everything he has with him is
actually his.

Allagan startles and begins to discretely pat himself down as well
and asks queietly, "Should I save him?"

"What? I haven't seen him come back yet," Sekeht says, looking around
for a sign of Gwardolith. "He  probably fled out a window or
something."

Allagan nods slightly towards the choking man.

"Oh, you mean the guy choking," Sekeht says. "I don't think
Gwardolith will like us much if we cause him to botch his job for Wu.
We'll lose our ticket to the Red Masks for sure."

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

<Freneth, Ferric, and Nilaroo>

Freneth watches Nilaroo scamper up the wall, then, after replacing his atatl,
begins collecting his javelins.

On the roof, Nilaroo quickly looks down to the alley, and makes an
estimate as to where the chute Bosil used to escape might come out in
the alley.  Nilaroo then tries to head off where the dwarf might be,
moving down quickly to the alley level.

He sits there for several minutes, but Bosil never appears. The chute
must have opened up elsewhere...

Meanwhile, back at the ambush zone...

Ferric calmly cleans his blades on the tunic of a wounded thug
smiling grimly as he does so and says, "Don't go anywhere. I'll be
back to chat in a minute."

Freneth returns to the wounded thug, his bearded face grim, as he
crouches just  a few feet away.  His attention is primarily on the
injured man as he cleans the blood from his spears.  Each makes its
way back to his quiver as the blood is wiped off.

Straightening he walks to the end of the alley sheathing his blades
as he walks toward the old man.  "I am Ferric Gundson.  May I have
the privilege of knowing who we were able to entertain this evening?"

"I am called Argonui," the old man answers with a smile, "Your blade
work was impressive." He has long grey-black hair, grey eyes, and is
tall for most humans (6'6 or so). His clothing is the typical
nondescript grey woolens of a native Bralian and he carries no
obvious weapons.

"I had an excellent teacher though I am afraid I have much, much more
to learn before nearing her skill. What brings you here this night,
Argonui?" Ferric asks.

"I was following you." Argonui says, cheerfully.

"Whatever for?" Ferric responds cautiously watching the man.

"I am a storyteller, and I have heard of your group. I sought your
ship and have observed your company for the past few days, deciding
if a tale lurked within your moira. Tonight, after witnessing your
skill here, I believe it does." Argonui answers.

Ferric smiles apologetically, "You will of course forgive us if we
are a tad skeptical of your story.  After kidnappings, assassination
attempts, and now an
ambush on the streets we are learning the value of a healthy dose of
paranoia when making new acquintances. Though I must say your
apparent honesty is
refreshing. If you will excuse my rudeness I am afraid I must ask
questions of those I have incapacitated regarding their master."
Ferric gives a slight bow and returns to Freneth and the wounded thug
being cautious to keep the tall man in the corner of his vision.

"Well Freneth what say you?  Shall we let Nilaroo have this one to
flay as a trophy or shall we take him to the magistrate?"  Ferric
crouches grabbing the man's shirtfront and pulling his face close.
"Or maybe, just maybe we will allow him to limp off like the curr he
is if he tells up where Bosil is holing up these days."  Glaring into
the thug's eyes Ferric asks, "Which is it to be?"

Freneth eyes Ferric oddly for a moment, then understanding glimmers
in his eyes. "This one cannot imagine Master Nilaroo would have a use
for such an ugly trophy Master Ferric. If the master does not wish to
bother the magistrate, it is common for this ones people to remove
the thumb of one who would attack others. This one may have a hatchet
somewhere that will do...." his voice trails off as he reaches for
the hand axe he carries upon his person.

"I'll tell you anything you want to know, if I know." the man
wheezes, grasping his thigh, "The bastard never told us we'd be
facing a grom and a... whatever you are. Just promise to kill him for
me."

Freneth does his best to look threatening as the thug talks, seeming
content to follow Ferric's lead.

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

<the Mage Guild Ball>
[see SJR5 Rock of Bral p49 for a map of her House Mingor]

Holland has another glass of wine and seems very relaxed and having a
good time.

Kain watches a few more dances outside, his expression fluctuating
between amusement and vague disinterest. His chattiness begins to
slow after a couple of the longer numbers, and a certain tightness
about his eyes gives Kain a distracted look.

"Would.. err.. you like to step aside for a moment," he looks to
Oquid expectantly. "Like.. ahh.. to the veranda or somewhat? Or
perhaps Holland and Leera are nearby," Kain says as he looks around
surreptitiously. "Whichever you'd prefer," he adds with a weak smile.
"It's nothing wrong, truly, I just need to.. erm.. get away from all
these people for just a little while," Kain finishes, in a soft tone
just above a whisper, meant so that only Oquid can hear.

Oquid looks a bit puzzled, but, smiling, she takes his arm as the
couple head to a quiet area of the lawn.

Meanwhile, Holland has cornered their host, Lady Dahlia. She smiles
at him as he stands awaiting the departure of a pair of Shou wu jen,
then takes his arm and leads him to the dance floor. "I thank you for
the dance, Magister." she says, smiling.

Holland inclines his head and replies, "It is my honor," and moves smoothly
along with the Lady to the dance floor.

While dancing Holland says, "You have indeed outdone yourself M'Lady.
I have had a splendid time this evening."

As Holland dances with the Lady Dahlia, Leera maneuvers to get close
to Prince Aric. She uses her natural grace as she half-dances
half-glides through the crowd. As she moves through, closer to the
Prince, she becomes incrementally more attractive. Her hair gains a
bit more luster, her gown fits a tad more tightly, and her skin
becomes more fair.

Leera curtsies as she catches the Prince's eye. She introduces
herself. "My Lord, I am Leera Lightbender, of the Company of the
Silent Star. We met once, briefly, when we returned the Chalice of
Storms to you."

"I recall." Aric answers, smiling.

Leera nods. "My Lord, when last we spoke, my Company and I were in
service to House Moune, and were somewhat constrained from working
for others. Our term of service has now ended, and no such
constraints now exist. If it please you, remember us if you find
yourself in need of trustworthy agents."

Aric nods, "Thank you for the offer, I shall consider it."

Leera smiles. "If I might impose for one further boon, I would be
honored if you would consent to a dance."

Smiling, Aric leads her to the dance floor.

Date/Time: Evening, 8th day of the 8th Month, 5049 OC
--
"We sleep safely in our beds, only because rough men stand guard in
the night, ready to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."
H.G. Wells.

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, History, Ohio State University
Instructor, Humanities, Columbus State Community College