Parrhesia Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 They called it a 'goodmorrow'. It was a local invention, a tough weapon for a tough sort of town. It was an ordinary, stout oaken cudgel, save with a spearhead on its top to stab with. Jacqui had overseen the making of many such bludgeons, as it was possible that, very shortly, she was going to have to lead a revolt. The pigeon had come only two hours ago. Randel was feverish, his condition rapidly worsening. Some bastard gut him like a fish, right in his own audience hall. Could anyone be safe? Jacqui's own recent experiences proved otherwise. She weighed the goodmorrow in her hands, judging the heft. Then she nodded approvingly, and handed it over to Jameson the blacksmith, working side-by-side with the woodworker Matthew. "Good work," she said, and turned around to her ragtag army. This... hadn't gone so well. The weapons? Well, clubs, crossbows and torches were one thing, but Cathar had two legions at his disposal, with battleaxes and longbows and kite shields, and they would cut right through the hardened leather armour most of her mob was equipped with. The bashers, though, them she could deal with. They had no shieldwalls to hide behind. If she was going to reclaim the city, it would be fast, before the legions could arrive. If she couldn't manage that... Jacqui sighed, and turned to her squire. She'd decided that her services to date had been worthy of a knighthood and a modest village to serve for her fief, and so she had employed a burly youth of seventeen called Rackart as a squire. Granted, Rackart had a clubfoot, but he was still good to carry things around, he followed orders well and he was loyal. "Ready the designated men," she said. "We're going to set up a disruption." ---------------------------- "Look, you leaking cunt," snapped Aldous, "when I want my enemies crushed, I slay them manfully in fight! This skulking bullshit ain't my business." "Aye, but what of others of your nation?" Glaive's voice was quiet, and his eyes were down on the table, refusing to make contact. His knuckles were rapping on the table in a rhythmless beat. Aldous glared at him. "You're just scared a Tascaran might be at the centre of all this. Civic pride, eh?" "Shut it, Captain-" warned Caine. "Fuck you," said Aldous, hotly. "I ain't been a soldier these twenty-eight years to be insulted by your kind!" The proud captain marched out before anyone could stop him, pausing only briefly to spit on the ground. "Impudent-" Charagon began, but Miriam waved him off. The Earl calmed, barely, and began to speak again. "Look, I'm just saying that the man was crazed! Delusional! And they could easily have hired a man from southern Tascara! It's perfect, isn't it, setting us against each other?" "If that is the case," said Miriam, evenly, "then the southern lords will have nothing to hide, and nothing to fear for. But if they killed my father..." Charagon looked bitter, but Miriam would not be dissuaded. And yet, after the meeting, Charagon had more words for her. A quiet whisper in her ear. "You aren't my superior yet, girl, and I'll always be your better. I will not stand by and watch as you doom us all to a senseless civil war." It's a long road, but uneventful and kept well-patrolled by bored-looking guards. The city of Martella itself, however, is a glorified slum. Lord Josef Cathar rules with an iron fist, with massive overtaxation of which he tithes almost nothing to the crown. Randel is... was convinced the rot in the south starts here, and not without reason. The sigil of Martella is a diamond, but there are few guards on the streets, and they keep out of trouble. Cathar's bashers roam the streets freely in leathers and blue capes, with great two-handed clubs, long, slim and made of iron. They're feared debt collectors, and once they catch hold of you they'll never let go. You're regarded with suspicion at the gate, but let through quickly when you produce Randel's seal. Within two blocks away of the gate, a young urchin approaches you, scrutinising you through rheumy eyes. "You're those folks the bard wants to see," he says, then dashes off into the shadows, gesturing at you to follow. "Quick! Before Cathar's terriers catch on!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Ratter shrugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorri Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Irene glanced at Jack. They both nodded and gestured to the group. They then started running after the urchin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanami Touko Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 "Oh, we're running already?!" Still in a funk from the recent on goings, Jordan sighed as he followed after his leaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrhesia Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 The urchin shimmies into a side alley, almost in a blur, but you're just able to keep in sight. Eventually he stops, rapping his knuckles on a door. "'S me, Marco!" "What's the password?" "Dunrik." The door swings open, and the urchin gestures at you to follow. "'S Randel's men." The broad, barrel-chested man looks surprised, but only briefly. "Run off for Jacqui, then." He glares at you, suspiciously. "I wanna see your seal." You show it to him, and he grunts. "Best go through, then. It's been a hard few days for us; we've been waiting for you." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 "Mead?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorri Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Jack nods to the guard and steps further inside. Irene follows silently behind him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrhesia Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 Both Ratter's request for a drink and Irene's need for actual information are fulfilled when Jacqui sashays into the main hall, pouring moonshine into a flagon. She passes the flagon to Jack and starts pouring one out for herself. "It's good to see you again, Jack," she says, smiling. Jack's... close friend has changed in recent times. Not least her equipment; she has, understandably, ditched her lion-engraved cuirass for a heavier and less specifically-aligned coat of plates. A heavy dagger and a meat cleaver attempting to pass for a sword hang at her belt. Her face is still long, angular, and cheerful, but there's a fresh cut above her right eye. When Jacqui's finished, a blond youth behind her starts pouring out a few more flagons of the stuff. It tastes... rather foul, but it's strong and bitter. Sort of like 130-proof grapefruit juice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorri Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 "Jacqui." Jack just stares at her for a few seconds before allowing a huge smile to break out on his face. "You're alive. I knew you wold be." He continued to stand there with a silly grin on his face until Irene, who had previously been sniffing her flagon suspiciously, cleared her throat. "Oh, uh, right. We are here to help you in whatever way we can. Due to what happened to Randel, we came here as soon as possible. We are at your command." He bowed and then grinned some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrhesia Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 "Good," says Jacqui, trying to hide a smile. "How do you feel about arson?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 "does it make a difference if i say i love arson" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorri Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Irene grinned. "Have to agree with Ratter here. Always have enjoyed a good fire myself. Seems like there's no problem a little fire can't solve." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanami Touko Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Jordan had only half been paying attention, hearing fire and chiming in, "what, are we going to cook, or something? Could go for a bite, I guess." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrhesia Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 "Well, it's good to hear you have some enthusia-" "What, are we going to cook, or something? Could go for a bite, I guess." Jacqui pauses, and stares at Jordan for several seconds, mouth slightly open. "...sm. Uh." She snaps herself awake. "RIGHT. Anyway, first up you should make yourselves comfortable in the city. Give yourselves a plausible identity; it's not likely Randel's men would have just disappeared." You notice she gives a little, involuntary shudder when she says 'Randel'. Evidently, she's still shaken from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strunk Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Jacob scowls at the mention of arson, unconsciously rubbing his left arm. He sighs and takes a quick gulp of whatever god-awful toxin he'd been served. This is certainly... unique... He scowls once again, this time from the taste. He manages to take another small drink before setting the flagon down and turning to Jacqui. "It's good to see you again. Well, maybe not good, considering everything else, but..." He realizes that if he continues, he'll really start to sound like a fool, so he adds "I'm just glad you're not dead." and then shuts up entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) Felix cried a little (very quietly) at first, but everything clears up at the mention of arson. Felix fidgets and grins like a dipshit. Edited January 7, 2013 by Integrity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shin Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Whilst he was as surprised to see Jacqui as all the others, it would be pretty silly to announce himself like the others. Instead he listened to the proposed plan, uncertain of its outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmare Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 "Mmghrhgrgrhfgfhgf...plans are boring..." Chrysanthum moves towards the door. He looks back to Ratter. "Hey, strong man. I have an idea. Follow me." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 "Buy me three drinks and I will." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmare Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Chrysanthum grabs Ratter by the collar and drags him away. "You'll get more than three drinks if you come with me. You'll get all the drinks in the world. Now shut up and follow me." He doesn't let go. He goes into the city and wanders about, trying to find an expansive bit of space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Ratter starts gnawing at Chrysanthum's hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmare Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Chrysanthum finds the expansive space he's been looking for. "This looks like a good place." He throws Ratter in front of him. "It's been boring since that last battle. Do you know how strong men emerge? This town reeks, but sometimes, the strongest emerge from pure filth..." He stabs his sword into the ground, then rests one foot on the hilt and starts roaring in a loud voice. "Oh ye people of...of...Mar...something," his voice gets temporarily lower, "OH YE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY! Come, those who believe in strength! Ye shall wrestle with us, and should you win, you shall win ONE HUNDRED COINS! But most of all, ye shall win the greatest prize of all: GLORY!" He takes off his armour and his shirt violently and hangs them on his sword, then he flexes continuously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 "If someone beats us I will personally contort your back and shove yer head up yer ass." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmare Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 "You admit such cowardly thoughts in without hesitation, and then let them roll off your tongue? You should be ashamed." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peener weener Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 "i'm gonna shove it so far you won't be able to tell where head or ass begins; they will be a single entity" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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