Up in the bell tower of Threshold's small chapel a halfling monk intones the closing Psalm of Canticle of Gnom, closes the old worn copy of the holy book, and stands to grip the hempen rope. With a series of tugs the big brass bell rings seven times; notifying the people below that it is now the start of the first Canto of Orci. As the last strains of the final toll die out all six constables converge on the doorstep of The Crooked Furrough. Yuri emerges from the tavern itself, while Eryna and Loraethal arrive from the Inn where they have just checked in after stabling the horses.
Loraethal leans on his quarterstaff with his thin lips pursed into the hint of a smile, as his companions exit the tavern. He sees the looks on the faces of his companions as his eyes pointedly touch all of the constables exiting the tavern. "Interesting… I venture to guess that despite the fact that we've been in this village for only a psalm or so and you've already begun to bicker like liquor sick dock rats. Or could it be that the stream of people I've seen moving away from this tavern was due to your taking issue with the banalities of alcohol consumption and clearing the establishment out in the name… of the law? Either way, I am positive that there is no need to remind you that we are the living, breathing icons of law in this place, now. Being that as it is, I am sure there is no need to remind you that we must establish at least a modicum of credibility with these people." He shifts his weight on his staff and finishes speaking. He continues to gaze into everyone’s eyes for a moment before a comically over exaggerated grin bursts onto his face. "Savvy?"
Eryna, next to him, folds her pale exposed arms, expressionless, waiting patiently for a response from her friends. The muscles in her arms seem as though etched in stone. She looks at Grakul then Yuri, her eyes scanning each of them head to toe.
In a Voice rumbling quietly with anger, "I will not tolerate behavior such as you displayed inside ever again. As soon as you opened your mouth in that tavern, you did a disservice to the name of sheriff Graeys and all his constables. As for my face, I do not know how you did it, but I have my suspicions. I will be keeping a very close eye on you, demon." Addressing the rest of the party, Grakul, who's been brooding outside the tavern for a few minutes now, informs them, "I did not mean for a fight to break out inside the tavern. I meant only to remove this little embarrassment," he gestures at Yuri, "before he could further destroy our credibility. The townspeople were ready to attack him after his tirade on how they were little more than filth." He glares down at Yuri, "You pull a stunt like that again, and I'll arrest you myself for disturbing the peace."
Eryna also stares at Yuri. She mutters a quick prayer, asking The Lord for Hir guidance on this issue. She unfolds her arms and briskly walks over to Yuri. She stands, completely relaxed, just inches from his face. Her voice, barely above a whisper, is calm and curious, "What have you done that we should be turned away from this establishment? I would like to hear what you have to say about this." Her emerald eyes lock with his, looking for truth.
Yuri looks as though everyone is putting him to sleep with their words. As soon as he has a chance, his acerbic-barbed tongue is let loose on Eryna, "Look sister, I know I was wrong, no harm no foul, right? I mean, I only made the skin on his face bubble and squeak for, I dunno, twelve seconds. He's a big, brutish, thug of a white-guy, and we just got off on the wrong foot. I thought, as Constables, that we could get a little pull around a shit-heel dump like this, and I was wrong. Not much to write home about, if you ask me. Besides, it's all water under the bridge in there now. I paid 'em off. I think what you're over-looking is that our goal here, what we're supposed to do, is to see if these folks have any problems. Right? Am I right? I mean, pardon me for doing my job!"
By this time Grakul has become bored with the thin Constable. "Yuri, when you're done listening to your own voice and have something more worthwhile than childish insults and a brash tone to contribute to our cause, I'll see you at the Inn. Until such time, perhaps you would consider that entertaining yourself by watching other people’s reactions to your self-righteous discourteousness is unbecoming of a constable. A good night to you all." He turns on his heel and lopes swiftly up the road toward the Inn.
"By the way, Chief Inspector," Yuri snaps at Grakul sardonically as he departs, "you got any leads yet? Any clues? I don't know about you, but I think I just saw someone talking out of turn back there, better bust 'em good, clearly up to no good."
Yuri turns to the others and says with a smirk and a more condescending tone than ever, "I, however have just met a young halfling, and he seems to have a situation on his hands in this town, like maybe somebody's out to get his hide, ya' hear? Now I think that instead of standing around out here like a bunch of saps, wondering about why I ruined our collective welcome at this sty, we should get down to some real constabulary," he conspiratorially retorts, as though he's dangling meat before dogs. "We agreed, the halfling and I, to meet back at the Inn at last bell. He said his life was in danger, and he didn't feel safe at the tavern, or on the streets. He didn't have any more details than that, unfortunately." Then, looking calmly and slowly, into the eyes of his fellow constables one after the other, and giving each an obviously strained grin he says, "Happy?"
Still staring at Yuri, Eryna is puzzled. His aggressive and uncharismatic nature noticeably surprises her. Confused, her focus shifts to the issue at hand. She turns to the rest of the party, "Shall we move on, then?" she asks in her oddly low and quiet voice.
Hopping daintily off the porch and with a curt nod of the head, Loreathal responds to Eryna, "We shall. I think we should make a few appearances around town to perhaps counteract the damage which has been done here. The way I see it, this is a job that I'm doing. I am one to do a good job when the job needs doing, but I am not one who delights in making the doing of the job harder", he pauses with slightly confounded look on his face as if he's confused himself and needs to collect his thoughts. "A scene has obviously been made here, and it is my thought that the most efficient means of dispelling any resulting local ire would be to have some positive interaction with the populace before tomorrow morning when we present ourselves to the town… To assist them in solving their problems." He looks around him as if to fully engage his surroundings and takes a long deep breathe relishing the cool evening air, "This shire is an intriguing little place. I'd like to have the chance to explore more of it before we are chased out of town by an angry mob."
"No, I'm not ready to move on," Yuri bleats, "I'm not backing down here. Where is it written, that you can't mouth off in a tavern? The whore greeted us with no sense of decency whatsoever! I was offended by her utter licentiousness, with the cleavage and the fake joviality spilling out all over us. It makes me sick, and it should be monitored! These horrid strains of moral atrophy in our society should be watched more closely. We need to quell the dissidents! Purge the taverns of lay-abouts! Line them all up and force then into labor for the Shire! Order! Dominion! All we are witnessing here is an ethical bias! You all persecuted me when there were thirty potential criminals, all waiting to strike. We should have chased them all down and locked them all up for their collective disorderly exit from a public house, not to mention the catcalls and the threats made against my well-being!" he incredulously seethes, turning his glowering gaze to Loreathal. "And I'll tell you where to stick your positive interaction, Pointy. We are here to enforce the laws, not to debate and argue about the ethics of my practicing of constablary. This is totally typical, I bait the perfect snare for our little sting operation back there, and half of you want to sit me in the corner, and the other half can't even make it to the dance. But Yuri's the sap! He's the buffoon!" he sarcastically jibes. He finally assents, after realizing that his quick witted invective has gotten him nowhere, "Please, lead the way, lead the way, I'm nonplussed with all this useless posturing."
Loreathal has been listening patiently, leaning on his staff, motionless. When he is sure Yuri is finished, he walks over to the side of the tavern and props his staff against the wall. With his back turned to the group he calmly adjusts the cuffs of his robes and then begins speaking. His words ring with an intensity that belies his cavalier demeanor, "Now that you are done assaulting the air with the foulness of your mouth farts, we will move on." He turns to face the group, "You know, I cannot imagine how small you must feel, needing to feel as big as you do. It is inconceivably sad when a person of your potential relegates themselves to the chore of suffering, and making others suffer. I do not believe you have seen very much of the world, Yuri. I do not believe that you yourself have done very much, despite the intensity with which you rail against these people for attempting to make the best of what meager lot in life they have been given." While speaking he has been strolling at a deliberately casual pace and has finally worked his way back. He looks up slowly to stare Yuri in the eye, "I have seen something inside you— a certain glow, we'll say. Someday you will have the unmitigated power you so desperately crave. And I pray to the gods that you are then not still the fool you have proven to be thus far. That is all." He continues to stare at Yuri for only the fraction of a second before a fresh-squeezed smile breaks across his lips and he looks around at the faces of his other companions, "what is the name of that tavern down the street? The inn keep told me.. the 'Pink Dork' or something to that effect…" His eyes are slightly squinted and he's shaking his head.
Yuri is silenced by the unwaveringly perceptive tête-à-tête with Loreathal, and realizes, Damn! The jig's up! I knew the glowing would catch up with me! With a look of resignation, Yuri joins the fold, following closely behind Loreathal.
As Grakul makes his way up the street toward the Inn and a good nights rest he is lost in his thoughts. He catches a brief sparkle out of the corner of his eye. He notices a figure crouched in the shadows between the cobbler's and the dry-goods store ahead. Her cloak flutters in the evening breeze causing the moonlight to glint off of the hilt of a dagger that she wears. He continues toward her trying not to look suspicious; looking to see just how suspicious she appears. Hearing another voice whispering to her from the shadows, he decides to approach her. "Excuse me miss, what seems to be the problem? From whom are you hiding?"
The woman does not reply. She stands calmly in the shadows, her face hidden by a hood, but no doubt staring at Grakul as he steps toward her speaking.
"Don't move 'nother muscle frien'. Act casual," a gruff voice with an accent that hints at the coarse language of Orcish states from the shadows. "We're three in all, and our other frien' hidin' back here has a crossbow. Follow? You and your frien's, and me and my frien's is gonna have a little chat about a mutual 'quaintance of ours. Jus' act casual. Follow?"
"Certainly," Grakul replies calmly, "I mean you no harm. Simply lower your weapons and we can go have this chat right now. My friends are just up the street. We were not expecting to hear complaints until the morning but I'm sure we could assist you this evening if it is urgent."
"Oooh, so cooperative," the woman says in a sultry voice, "and big too!" She holds out her hand for Grakul to accept, "Would you be so kind as to show me from this alley?" He bows to offer his hand so that she may step from the shadows escorted by a constable. She continues, "We'll wait here for your friends to stop bickering. Also, we'll just keep my bodyguards there in the shadows as a little secret between you and me. The ace in my sleeve, so to speak, so that you do your best to keep your friends from becoming violent with my friends. From what I hear your group is both crass and quick to resort to violence. Not that you specifically are going to be any trouble," she says, looking up into Grakul's eyes and giving him a glimpse of face that is breathtakingly beautiful, but with an expression that betrays a callousness that is unsettling. "Because if I know my friend with the crossbow," She continues, "he's got it trained on you even as we speak. He's so distrustful of strangers. Bad quality for shopkeepers and artisans, but for one in his line of work it's practically a necessity."
Grakul surreptitiously tries to look behind her for the man with the crossbow. "I'm sorry milady, but I cannot in good conscience deceive my companions. I will make them aware of your friends, and you will make them aware that you mean only to have a discussion. Do not attack them and they should not attack you, simply tell them what you told me."
"I'm not asking you to deceive them, just to know that if you don't help to keep this meeting civil that there will be trouble, dear heart." The woman, still holding out a small hand, shrugs slightly, "we will not attack unprovoked as well, but could you say the same of your skinny friend? Those blisters on your face make me think you cannot." She looks up at Grakul again now with a look of wide-eyed innocence playing across her face. "Besides, The crossbow is merely a precaution you see, for I fear you and your friends will not approve of the nature of our little visit to this charming village once I explain more.”
"Why shouldn't I approve of the nature of your visit?” Grakul seems distressed. “Remarks of this nature do little to instill trust in me. We are people of law and unless you intend to give occasion to violence, you need not fear us. I understand that you are concerned about Yuri, but worry not. He has been informed by the rest of us that it would be unwise to behave in such a manner again. So I ask you, stay your weapons."
"Oh darling, you poor little thing. Why is it that the big, beautiful men are always so stupid?" she says as she steps into the street. "You don't pull a weapon on someone whom you want to trust you. Honey, I want you to fear me. Now stop your sniveling, your friends approach."
"Don't be coy milady, I am fully aware that I am not a beautiful man. But I am big and I fear no one."
As the group sets off to find The Red Door, they seem, at first, to be alone on the streets. However, as they near their Inn they see a large figure off to the side of the street. He extends an enormous hand to the shadows. A small hand slips from the darkness accepting the offer and a slender cloaked figure steps from an alley into the street. The couple appears to be having some sort of exchange. As the party approaches they see that the hulking figure in the shadowy moonlight is their fellow constable Grakul. They do not recognize the cloaked figure.
Loreathal stops dead in his tracks and taps Eryna on the arm and speaks in a low voice, "What do you make of this?"
"I'm sure Grakul will tell us," Eryna whispers back. She approaches Grakul, and in her low and quiet voice she asks honestly, "Grakul, would you like to introduce us to your associate?" She turns to the slender cloaked figure, lighting her torch to get a better look.
The figure, clearly a woman, looks up at the big man, her face covered by a black woolen hood. "Yes, please introduce us Grakul," says a breathy voice from under the cloak.
In the torchlight Grakul nods his head in assent, "Milady, may I introduce Constable Eryna Lok. Ms. Lok may I introduce, this woman who's name I am not privy to. She and her associates wish to hold council with us. She has assured me they mean us no harm but are wary after Yuri's little show inside. I believe her armed companions are merely a formality." He looks into the woman's eyes, "How should I address you Milady?"
A low, laugh emanates from beneath the hood. "Tsk. Tsk. Oh, you silly boy, Grakul. I told you not to ruin the surprise." She turns to the approaching group, removing her hand from Grakul's and placing it daintily in the crook of his arm, waiting for everyone to reach her immediate vicinity. "I am Zelania." She throws back her hood with a flourish once the party has gathered, to reveal a dark beauty beneath. Black hair, brown eyes, and swarthy skin on a face that is all upward tilts and angles. Her beauty is of such an unusual quality that one would suspect an elven ancestor, although she is most assuredly human. "And, as I have assured our rather beefy friend here, I do not mean for this encounter to come to blows. He has already broken our agreement, however, to keep my insurance a secret. I trust he will not get it into his head to shoot off his mouth anymore."
She shifts her weight causing her large woolen cloak to open for a split second allowing everyone the briefest glimpse of a horrible looking barbed whip that hangs at her side. She sighs, "Oh well. My point, and I do have one, is that I am looking for a thief. I, and my associates, are not too unlike you in that respect, you see." She gives the constables a toothy smile. "A young halfling? Answers to the name Kiro? I was hoping that we could exchange notes as fellow professionals. I thought I would bring your attention to the fact that this village harbors a criminal, and that we, once you have begun your investigation in the morning, could meet and discuss what have both found." She looks at the group expectantly.
With a somewhat uncharacteristic tone, Loraethal asks icily, "And who would be your employer, Zelania." He looks up at her, allowing only the profile of his face to be seen beneath his hood. That enduring sparkle of amusement still dancing in his eye.
"Oh my, the pretty boy grows nasty." Zelania levels her gaze on Loraethal, "Whom I work for is, unfortunately, the only bit of information I cannot share, as my professional code dictates. Suffice to say, my Elven friend, that my employer is very wealthy, although significantly less so since his run in with Kiro."
Turning his attention to the beautiful specimen on his arm the big man says, "Milady, we would be happy to hear your complaints against this Kiro in the morning with all of the other complaints we will be hearing. I'm afraid we can't play favorites. You'll have to wait in line like all the rest…unless you get there first," he tries emphasize the last words as though they contain some subtle helpful hint, "first come first served you see."
Before Zelania can respond, however, Eryna speaks, "Traditional protocol need not be adhered to Grakul, if this village harbors a criminal then I welcome any assistance Zelania can offer us." Eryna straightens her posture and takes a deep breath. Glancing at each Constable she suggests, "We should find a secluded place, as Zelania suggests, to put together a plan for tomorrow's investigation." She looks back to Zelania, "Do you know of such a place where we could meet, as you say, professionally?"
With his hands folded behind his back and rocking on his heels Loreathal poses another bothersome question, "While you’re at it, what exactly is that. The profession you follow?" He smiles, "call it curiosity."
This is all so very strange, and perhaps not as coincidental as it seems. This Kiro she speaks of with such disdain, is my little Halfling friend from the pub…and he certainly possessed a deep fear of this woman, Yuri's inner monologue chimes in with a moment of insight. Standing slightly behind and to the right of Loreathal, he whispers to him, "We must be mindful of this one, for I have spoken to Kiro. This Zelania is out for blood!"
Meanwhile Zelania, who is looking at Eryna, begins, "We do not req—" She stops short and lowers her gaze to Yuri, "You have seen him then!" She seems to ponder this new information for a moment and then says, "Okay, since this lovely next to me nearly ruined the surprise anyway, and in light of this new information, I will opt for full disclosure."
She takes a moment to explain to the constables how she met Grakul and how even now a bolt is set to fly into his temple the second this meeting becomes violent. Then she explains the rest, "My associates and I are soldiers of fortune, and bounty hunters. We have come to this backwater from The Twin Cities in pursuit of Kiro, who lifted a rather valuable diamond from a noble there. This noble then hired us directly, you see, to retrieve it and the thief."
She shifts her weight back again this time allowing her cloak to fall open completely, and exposing the brutal looking whip to the light of the moon. She does not make a move for it, but continues to speak in her casual, and conversational tone. "My associates did not think turning to you would be of help, but I assured them that you would cooperate as it is in our own best interests. Our employer is a friend of none other than the young King Curtis X. You would no doubt be rewarded, promoted, or both if you assist us in capturing Kiro and the stolen gem." She motions to the alley, "My associates back there, would rather you didn't cooperate though. They are somewhat violent men, a necessary evil in my line, I’m afraid. They would rather get you out of the way, so that we can continue our investigation unhindered. I do so hope they don't get their way," she says in a voice that on the surface sounds innocent, but barely hides a callousness that lies below the surface.
"Really," she says, "all that would be required of you would be to speak with Kiro, as it seems he trusts you, at least more than he does us. Find out the location of the Gem, and where we can find him, and then tell us." She looks to the constables expectantly; her speech ended.
Loreathal turns to Yuri, "You see. This is why I told you to be calm. When you tried to have it out with that hulking lump of stupidity", pointing at Grakul, "you actually committed to lowering yourself to his level! I knew he would tie the knots of his own noose given the eventualities of consequence! Just look at him Yuri!" Looking up into the thin man's eyes and tapping him on the chest, he continues, "Your problems have been solved. And you didn't have to lift a finger, my dear boy!" He then grasps him by the shoulders and laughs briefly before looking over at Zelania and spreading his arms in the typical fashion of somatic rhetoric.
"Shoot him! He was a hindrance to us anyway with all his talk of honor and justice and the like." With the most serious of looks, a most terrible countenance consumes him, as he looks Grakul straight in the eye, "I for one do not care."
Tossing back the hood of his robe he smiles yet again, except this time it's not nice. There is nothing jovial in the lines etched on his face. More of a snake, more of a scorpion ready to strike. He turns his attention to Zelania, weary and angstful in voice "We will find your man, trust me. Resorting to the shameful and sophomoric tactics of brigands is most unbecoming of a lady of your obvious beauty and poise, however. I am quite sure you will keep in touch. Good night." He turns and begins strolling towards the Red Door.
She looks at the elf with wide eyes as he passes, "I underestimated you, what did you say your name was?" She releases Grakul's arm, and signals into the alley never letting her eyes leave Loraethal, saying, "I believe we have what we came for boys."
From the alley a large man, clearly a half-orc, appears from seemingly thin air. He is followed by a skin-and-bones human who shoulders a crossbow. They both seem more than a little disappointed as they look at the constables with disdain.
Loreathal turns for a brief bow, his former sardonic approach towards the lady discarded, "My name is Loreathal. I speak only my thoughts and leave only truth in my wake. I will further be at your service. In the name of justice and peace I bid you goodnight.”
Eryna watches the shadowy group carefully. Once out of sight she turns and follows Yuri to the Red Door.
