The Jellicle's Creed
IV Family Ties
Extracts from the journal of Munkustrap Grayhame
Sequence 01
Memory 04: At the Bordelo
19-23 May 2011
1
Another funeral today, this time for Old Gus, my brother oversaw all the preperations for his burial, I heard that pretty much the entire town of St Andrews Square came out for the old guys funeral service. The old guy was loved by everyone in the town. Even the traveling act came to the service I was told.
At this time I'm staying at a inn, I found myself there this morning, or was it the morning before ? I cannot rightly remember. I only remember the dying words of my father "iPut aside the student, become who you were born to be/i" What did my father mean by those words ?
I doubt very much that I will find out.
2
When I woke up today my mind was locked on the fact that there was one place untouched.
The plate room.
I wrote about it before. But why had it been untouched, undamaged ? It made little sense to me if any at all. I think I shall look into it, just as soon as I finish this beer. Its taste is bitter, yet it is refreshing once used to it I must admit. A unique drink humans make and drink as if their lives depend upon it.
What was I writing about ? I'll figure it out in the morning.
3
This evening I went back to the house, it was still hot in some places. But in others it was untouched. It was perfect for me to return, unseen and not looked for. I stole through the burnt front window of the house, dressed in black cloth I made my way to the plate room.
I was right
The plate room was untouched. Unmolsted, and best of all. Undamaged by smoke, water or the fire. The study was partly intact, I went through my fathers papers, took the slides most dear, and most informative, before dismantling the slide projector proper.
Then I used my key, the key my father gave me as head of the household. I never returned it to my father at the time. Opening the plate room door I turned on my small torch to look around, the smell of smoke wafted in around me as I searched through the room, nothing out of the norm I saw on first glance.
Then I saw it, behind the third shelf on the left side of the long narrow room. Fifth from the floor, the glint of silver, steel. I went to it, removing a device from the shelf to see it fully in the light. A arm device of some form. As I looked it over I found several areas to attach the device to something. Or something to attach to the device. I knew it went on the arm as it felt right in placing it there.
I looked the device on my arm over carefully. It was then I noticed its problem, it was broken, damaged, I had no idea how to repair it, the blade with it was kept tight to it by way of a rubber band. Wrapped in silk as well. I took the device off my arm and put it into a undamaged pack I had with me. With it I put several other items that were with the broken device. I had no idea what it was for, other then I knew in my heart that it went on the arm.
Once I had the items I had need for I climbed up to the second floor. Took careful stock of the walls and floor before moving deeper into the burned ruin of my home. Thankully my room was untouched by the flames, but the smoke had done its damage. The room stank to high heaven! Nevertheless I took a few items, first and formost a black linen cloth, normally used to cover the bed for sleeping. I used this many a time as a cloak to hide when younger. I figured it could come in handy later.
My ears perked up. I heard footsteps downstairs. I knew then I had to work fast, and quietly. Moving quickly to the dresser I took out two items. A stash of money I had put away. Almost a million in pounds sterling. It was worth it for now. I took half of it and put it into my pants pocket. The rest I put into my bag of stolen, aheh, recently aquired sounds better I think, stuff. Slinging the bag, now full of my desired items, onto my back I took up the black linen cloth and draped it like I had as a kid. A long black cloak to cover my bloack clothing I wore, and also to cover the bag on my back.
I moved out of the room, silently as I could. The sun had set completely by then and darkness was starting to come into the house far quicker then before. I let my eyes adjust to the darkness before moving to the stairs and quietly and very carefully climbing down them. I moved towards where the footsteops orgininated. I caught a scent then. A scent I barely recognised.
I stopped, but as I did so it prooved to be uiseful as I pondered the scent. And where I had picked it up before when the owner of the scent tackled me from behind. I hit the floor into a roll and came back up on my feet. Ready to take on who had takled me when I saw the mix of colors the person wore. Red, lavender, bronze, and bright yellow with some magenta and pink.
There was only one person on the planet that wore that kind of outfit. "Tiri ?" I asked.
"You were expecting someone else child ?" She replied. She recognised me right away. Which was why she called me a child. "I thought I had seen someone sneak into here as the sun set." She said thoughtfully, "Should have known that the surviving sons of Dueteronomy would try to come back before the demolition is to begin. Makes sense, family heirlooms and all."
I was confused. "What is that supposed to mean ?" I asked her. She was my elder by a good two dozen or so years, but she did not look a day over twenty three. For all I knew that was true. She was indeed nearly ninety something. If that, but she acted and looked as if she was in her early twenties! Medical miracle I'd say.
"Demolition crews are set up to demolish this place and rebuild it in full on Tuggs orders., he's paying out the nose for it too to be properly rebuilt. Turned into a place wherein people can have meetings, a meuseum of sorts." Tiri told me. It made sense to me I thought.
"Makes sense" I said thoughtfully. "But that does not explain why you just tackled me." I told her.
She smirked in the near total darkness. "Let me just say, child, that you should be happy I tackled you and not shot at you." She said before turning and leaving the room by way of the same window I too had used to enter the house. She stopped , holding the sill. "Are you coming Master Grayhame ? Or are you going to wait for the demolition crews ?" There was something in her tone that made me want to follow her.
"I'll follow you." I said, going to the sill and hopping through, landing lightly next to her in the broken glass and burnt grass, she smiled and turned to lead us off towards somewhere.
As we walked she spoke. "I looked for you young master." She said, "When they buried the Elder with your father. I was hoping you were there, but I did not find you." She lead me straight to her home by all sorts of roundabouts, backstreets, and even backtracking on many locations. I later learned that she was doing so to avoid detection, or to loose unwanted followers.
"I thought it best to get out of town fast." I replied. I said nothing of what I took from the remains of my home.
"Even so, it is good of your return. You can stay at my place as long as needed." Tiri told me. I smiled, it was good to finally have someone I could trust with my life.
So I asked her as we entered her houses' west garden gate. "Who were those men that attacked my home ?"
"Templars" Came the reply.
"Who ?" I asked.
"The Templars. Let me just say that when they found money they stopped being pius men back in the day. Well before your time" She sounded to me, as if she had witnessed all of what she was talking about at some point. I knew she was a Jellicle just by seeing her face. The markings were faint, but they were there.
So I spoke my mind. Not knowing the trouble it was going to cause. "Alright look. I don't know how my father could be mixed up with these templar people. But I know for a fact he was a good man. He told me so himself."
"Did he tell you the truth of that week in Vietnam ?" Tiri asked me. Her eyes said it all. Shut up and listen. I merely nodded. "Then what he told you, and what you think you know of what he told you, are two very different things." I then noticed how she took a hankering towards my pack. "I see you picked up a few things."
I nodded, when she bade me to empty my stash on the table in the kitchen I did so, the arm device, broken, different parts and pieces were tied to it with some rubber bands and ribbon. A scroll of some form or another was with it. I had no idea what it was about.
Tiri picked up the broken arm device. "Well fuck me sideways" She murmured softly as she looked the weapon over carefully. "I think it is time you know the truth Master Grayhame. Your father was an Assassin. This is the proof. He was raising you to take over his job as a master of a town. Not a killer. But now he is dead. By his enemy, by our enemy. And they are most likely after you as well." She told me.
"So what do I do now ?" I asked. She told me to get some rest. she'd tell me more in the morning
4
Morning dawned bright and clear for me. I forgot what day it was, the twentieth I thought. I was soon proved right in my thinking when I found a calender denoting the date and time, along with the year. I still could not get it through my head while I slept. My father, a killer. And now I was with another killer. But I was proven wrong when I woke up. I heard voices, womens voices.
I got dressed. Putting on my clothing from the night before when I went back to my old home. Stepping out into the hall I found the source of two of the many voices. Tiri was the owner apparently of a massive bordelo of sorts. A house of, lets just come out and say it. Whores. It was that simple. Everywhere I looked there were ladies with some men for good rest and soccuor.
But not me, I asked one of the groups of ladies where Tiri was. And was pointed towards the front office down stairs. That was when things got really complicated. I relfected briefly on it at the time. I thought I recognised the lady I asked where Tiri was. But I was not sure.
I stepped into the front area of the massive house. I heard Tiri talking with another man behind a door. But I saw two other massive fellows standing just inside the room by the front door. I'd have to listen another way, I figured. I focused my hearing and went to a closet not far from her office door. Turns out the closet I hid in had another door. With an open keyhole. So I peeked through and listened in.
"I am quite sure my men saw you enter the ruins down the stream." Said the man I saw through the keyhole. He was tall. Almost as tall as myself, nearly as tall as Tiri. With wild maroon hair and deep set eyes along with a strong lower jaw. The side profile I saw my father. I stared.
"They did, what of it ?" Tiri replied. Her arms crossed, none dared try to harm the woman, most that did try wound up dead before they hit the ground. "Yes I went in there, and yes I looked around. I wanted to make sure it is structureally sound before the demo crews went in. Why ? What business is it of yours Darvine ?"
"I make it my business to know what happens in this town." Marcus replied. I learned his name later after he left when Tiri told me his name and who he was. My new target apparently.
"Then make it your business to get off my grounds before I personally throw you out with the trash." Tiri replied. She glared daggers at the man. Clearly unhappy that he was there. It was not exactly the best thing. But hey it did the job for the moment I thought since the guy actually looked scared.
Marcus raised his hands "Very well Tiri Davenportas. You win this round, I will leave with my dignity intact." He said, he then left, taking his two bodyguards with him.
As soon as Tiri made sure he was indeed gone she smiled, "Master Grayhame, have you heard it all ?" I smiled and opened the closet door. She came over to me and gave me a hug. "It is good to see that you slept well. I am sure you have more questions, but first, let us get you something to eat."
It was then I remembered the lady I spoke to. "I spoke to one of your girls in the hall outside my room. I may know her from somewhere." I said then.
"What does she look like ?" Tiri asked as I sat at table and she sat beside me, with a fast clap of her hands a waiter came up and asked what I wanted, Since I was in the mood for it I asked simply for some eggs, over medium, with some bacon and a bit of ham with a large pepsi to drink. I wanted to wake up good and proper.
I descirbed her "Brown hair, green eyes, metallic green dress. Pale skin" I said as my drink arrived.
"Ah yes" Tiri said with a nod, a coffee was brought for her. "That would be one of the Milias girls. I forget where she came to us from though. Her name is Tantomile. A good dancer and good with the men. Dangerous too, one of the Assassins apparently last I knew."
It was then I ventured some bravery and asked simply "When you said you'd take me to your house, I thought you had a husband and some children. Not a house of ladies ready to take in gentlemen for their needs."
Tiri just smiled at me and said "There are many things that you do not know Young Master Grayhame. Many things."
5
My breakfast by then was done. I stood. "I think I must go." I said. "I have spent too much time away, I have things I must do. Someone I need to find and avenge my parents for."
"You seek vengence for the loss of your father this I understand, but you are not a killer Munkustrap Grayhame." Tiri told me.
"Then what will you have me do ?" I asked her
"Let me at least teach you the means to surrvive. Come. This way." Tiri lead me outside to the back garden, the high walls filtered in light, and the outside of which that faced the public were smooth as silk. If not smoother.
As soon as I stepped into the walled garden I saw it. Or rather them. There were two groups of ladies, I could not tell how many were in each group, I thought around six or seven at best. There were a lot of ladies. But they were dressed similarly. I looked towards Tiri as if asking her "Seriously ?" when she spoke
"The first thing you must learn is to blend in properly. To do so just go and mingle with one or the other group." I looked somewhat confused, but then nodded and set myself to do so. Tiri said nothing of saying anything as I moved to the first group and easily mingled with them. Then I moved to the second group. Tiri asked where I was then and I revealed myself. She nodded.
"Good, so far you have learned well enough. But let us now see how well you can survive on other things." Tiri told me then to steal at least five pounds sterling from the girls. I had to pickpocket at least six of them. So I set myself mentally and did so.
It took a bit of doing but I soon figured out how to do it properly. Finally Tiri called me back to her and let the girls back into the house. "Now, you see, that is well enough, stealing from small groups standing at ease is all well and good, but lets see how you do it in motion. Walk with me." Tiri then turned and headed out of the garden to the now opened gate.
I walked with her. There were many people on the streets and alleyways that day I recalled. As per her teaching I used the groups the foolks traveled in to blend in, on one or two I snagged a few pounds sterling. The money I already had I planned to give back to the girls as tips for good work. After all they had earned it. Tiri lead me around the Bordelo in a long loop that lead right back to the garden gate and let us in through there.
Finally she turned to me "You learn well. Now I have given you the means to survive, it is up to you to finish the deed. And to do that we need to properly arm you." With that she produced the broken arm device.
I stared at first, then asked her "Hey, how did you ?" She smiled and handed the device back to me, scroll and all.
"The same way I tought you." She replied. Then she took me close "I can help you only so far Munkustrap, So know this, What I have tought you I hope will keep you out of a bottle. And should you find yourself wanting one, do your best to keep on good spirits. In the end, the truth will prevail." She then gave me instructions of where to go next in order to get my weapon repaired. So I went there.
M.G.
Its Quiet...
Outskirts of St Andrews Square
Munkus slipped into a group of people as they moved through the now quite crowded streets of St Andrews Sqaure. Today was the funeral of his father, he knew that was where everyone was going to be headed. So he went agains the current, so to speak, at several locations.
As he neared a shop he refelected then on what Tiri told him about his father, the Assassins, and last but not least, his mother, or rather, what little Tiri told him about his mother. The woman that birthed him was an Assassin, that much they knew. That much Munkus knew. But each time he asked, Tiri could not tell him any more then she already had. Because she herself did not know more.
So he figured to start asking around. Moving to the place he was to get his weapon repaired at he stopped not far from the place at an eating establishment. Got himself a small meal, then left. No information to be had. Finally he came across a man willing to talk. They spoke for a brief moment.
Munkus learned something new then. Mostly about the goings on in the town of St Andrews Square. His father was to be buried, and Marcus was to be in attendence. He had a strong thought that Marcus Darvine was behind it all. Little did he knew how right he was in that thought pattern.
He finally came upon the shop. He leafed through the items in his pack, two scrolls he had, as Tiri had given him another one. He had no idea what they meant, but he figured they were important in some manner or another.
He took a number to wait, checking it he saw that he had some time. He sat down and began reading into the merits of timeshares. Rather interesting thought. Timeshares in America. Odd. But useful he thought. He took a pen from his pack and wrote some notes on the site, and mailing address to get more information later. He was about to pick up a second magazine when his number was called.
Munkus stood and went to the counter, "I'd like to speak with the owner of this establishment." He said The worker looked at him, "Tiri sent me, said he could help me." The worker nodded towards the door that lead to the back.
Munkus went through after a single knock. The man there looked at him, "Tiri sent you" he asked, Munkus nodded, "Come with me." The man lead him deeper into the shop. Finally when they were out of earshot of others the man spoke "Are you insane ?! Mentioning Tiri in my shop makes me look like an important man, makes others nervous."
"I am sorry" Munkus replied.
"No matter" William replied with a wave of his hand "If Tiri sent you then it must be important." He said, looking to Munkus with a qustion of importantence. Munkus withdrew both scrolls. William took one of them and opened it, for a long moment he said nothing finally he smiled "Ah yes, a codec. This one seems rather inginus I must admit. A blade of some form for the arm... Hmmm Had I the right parts I can repair the blade in some manner."
At that Munkus revealed the reason he was there. The arm device was passed over to him, all the parts with it "Can you repair this ?" Munkus asked
William looked over the arm device with first curious gazes before finally really getting focused on repairing it. "Of course I can fix it. Take a seat. This wont take too long" With that William went over to a workbench and got to work. Using both codec scrolls as he worked.
A dozen hours later Munkus was woken by a hand on his shoulder. He opened an eye, William stood there with two items in one hand. "Is it morning already ?" Munkus asked
"No actually almost late afternoon, your fathers funeral prossesion is about to go by. And I finished them." William replied, he held the first one out, the one that went on his left arm Munkus reached out to take. "But there is one small problem" William then said
"And what is that ?" Munkus asked
"You see, when it was originally designed the blade could only work without the ring finger in place," William said
Munkus thought a moment, then shrugged and set his left hand on the table, ring finger pointed out ready for the chopping block. William snickered as he stabbed the cleaver into the table, inches to the left of Munkus hand. "What did you do that for ?" Munkus asked
"A bit of fun." William said, "Look, I modified them so you can keep your digitis intact at all times. Here, put them on" With that he handed both to Munkus. As Munkus was putting the arm devices on William continued speaking "The blade on your left also has a gunbarrel built into it. Five round cartriges can be bought anywhere from most smithies and pawnshops for cheap. Just be sure to use seven milimeter rounds. Quiet and very deadly." William said
Munkus smiled as he put the arm device back on his left arm, it felt right once again, he flexed his muscles briefly and a long slender blade snaked out. A drab silver in color the blade was unbrakeable at this point. "You do your work well William. Thank you" Munkus said as he started putting on the other arm device
"The second is similar to the first however with the addition of a hollow blade, inside it is a vial of poison, you can pick it up at any doctor for a small fee." William said
Munkus looked at him confused "Doctor ? For poison ?"
"That which cures in the right doses can also kill." William replied. He handed back the rolled up scrolls. "Can't translate much more of these, so you are all set now. Had to hold off on many projects, pretty much closed for the day as it is, I set up a training area not far from here, you can practice there if you like. Good luck out there." He said. Munkus nodded in thanks and took his leave.
First thing he saw upon arriving at the practise area was several dummies set up. What was the point ? A haycart was nearby with a tackling dummy stood next to it, a tackling dummy stood below a balcony, another stood on a blacony, two more stood side by side. And another stood not far off on its own across the way.
He checked the time of the funeral prossession, he could cause a ruckus, maybe. Nah, better plan was to observe as best possible. Gain some info, things like that. In the mean time he could train properly. In this case.
Munkus went to the haycart and dove in. There was not many in St Andrews Square, but they were indeed useful things! Once in he grabbed the dummy, stabbed it in the back, then hid it in the haycart.
One down five to go, he thought. He hopped out of the haycart and went to the wall, he was used to climbing up tall places when he was able to do so. In that repsect he wran up the wall and grabbed the first handhold he was able to reach. Then he reaached up to the next handhold, under the balcony above, pulling himself part way up he reached up and snagged the dummy and yanked it off its feet to the ground below.
Two down four to go he thought, recalling the one dummy across the way of a practise field.
He moved over to the pair of dummies side by side, looked them over briefly then shrugged and brought up both fists, the hidden blades sprang out, got both dummies in the necks, He moved on. Four dummies down, two to go.
He moved to the edge of a creek and took note of what was on his wrists. On his right was a poison dart thrower, on his left was a hidden pistol. He focused on the hidden pistol, figuring out, rather slowly, how it worked, when he finalised how it worked he aimed at the dummy across the creek carefully and fired. The slienced shot impacted perfectly on the dummy in the dead center of the forehead.
One more dummy to go. Munkus thought, he turned and climbed onto the second floor balcony and went towards the garden from there. The dummy directly below him. He flexed out the hidden blade and dropped onto the dummy. That's it.
He was set, for now. He hoped.
2 hours later
It was two hours later when he left the courtyard and headed back towards the way he had come, back towards Tiri's place when he came upon a tailor. Tiri had mentioned something about blending in properly and that including dying his clothing different colors. In which case he decided that now was a good time to do it. He went to the tailor shop and entered after knocking twice. The tailor inside did not know nor recognise Munkus, which was good because the man was all shop and no bullshit Munkus liked that.
"Ah welcome, welcome amici, what can messer Perry do for you today ?" The shopkeeper, Perry, asked
"I'd like to see a list of your clothing dyes. I was recommended to stop by and take a look, and a list of your prices too I must add. I am in the proccess of gathering gear and one of the things that occurred to me is that I may need a change of clothing." Of course Munkus really just wanted to get out of black and silver, heck he could go with gray or even just brown or even some scarlet.
"Ah! Amici you speak music to my ears, come come. Let me get the list here." Perry produced a list of items, all sorts of colors were listed. Munkus went through the list, he saw all sorts of colors, Florentine Mahogany, Scarlet, Crimson. Then he saw Tuscan ember, emerald, copper and ochre. Finally he saw two more groups, wetlands and Venetian. Auburn, steel, ebony and ivory for wetlands colors, and white, azure, and teal for Venetian colors respectively.
He went futher down the list then. More Venetian, white, Azure , what looked like some stone grey, and some black, also Venetian Wine looked pretty nice. Some Roman colors too, Onyx, Some more Florentine colors, scarlet was once more listed, then also crimson again as well. Roman Olive looked pretty enough. But not something he'd use personally.
Finally he found a list that caught his liking. He read through it. Everything was listed in alphabetical order. There was Aegean Marble, Algerian Silver, Byzantium Red, Bosnian Indigo, Caspian Teal, Cappadoccian Amber, Egyptian Blue, Janissary Green, Masyaf White, Mediterranean Cobalt. Royal Violet, Syrian Ash, Topkapi Gold, and finally; Yemen Copper
Munkus read through the list and nodded when he saw a color he liked best. "These two. Byzantium Red, and Cappadoccian Amber. Can you do it within the next half hour ? The clothing I am wearing now ? I have a second set I can change to." Munkus said.
"Of course, it takes exactly twenty minutes for the dye to take full affect. And it is guranteed for the life of the cloth to never bleed out or bleach out in the sunlight!" Perry replied
"Good, give m e five minutes to change clothing. After my first set is dyed I will choose two more colors for the second set." Munkus said. "Then when both sets are dyed I will pay you total price for all four dyes used. Do we have an accord Messer Perry ?" Munkus replied
Perry nodded, he liked a good deal when he saw one. "You drive a good bargan my good fellow" He said. "Come, lets get your clothing properly recolored ey ?" With that Munkus went into a dressing room, changed clothing completely, and handed the first set to Perry to dye. He liked the colors. With the first set being dyed he went through the list again.
He chose after carefull consideration, Masyaf white, and Wetlands Ivory for the second set. He then sat down to wait it out, as he did so he counted out the price payment that Perry gave him, seeing that Munkus was such a good sport and willing to get it done for as quickly as possible for the best price possible, Perry went easy on him and charged only a flat fee of one hundred quid exactly. No more no less. Munkus felt there was a catch so he got to some small talk with Perry.
"Well lad its like this. Some of my best patrons have been drivin off by a gang of money mongers. I'd do anything to get them off my back and get my shop profitiable again, If you can get my shop back into good profits, everything I have is yours!" Perry explained his troubles then.
Munkus listened carefully. Finally asking "Where do they operate from ? I was not hindered when I came here." He said.
Perry took out a map of the area. Munkus saw the roof of his house on it. "They operate mostly from this area. I think it was a thieves guild building but I am not completely sure." Perry explained. He looked to Munkus. "Are you sure you want to do this sir ?"
"Consider it done good friend." Munkus said, "I will return for my second set of dyed clothing when I bring you the news of your recent profits." With that he donned his recently dyed clothing. Trading Perry his other set to be dyed the chosen colors of Masyaf White and Wetlands Ivory.
An hour later
Casey's Pub and Inn
"Are you sure he is not in ?" The pretty young lady asked the inn keeper. "I am sure I saw two of your staff take him to his room last night." She explained how Munkus looked. The inn keeper nodded
"Yes madam, he checked out this morning. Little after sunup. I say around the six o'clock hour." The innkeeper said. He noticed how the woman seemed to not really care, insisting on seeing the mans room he stayed in. "Of course madam. Here, room three zero six. Third floor. Do return the key upon leaving the room. You may leave it with a maid."
The woman took the key and went to the room, looking around she took note of what was there. What she could do for that matter at least. She looked carefully at his bed, taking note of what was used and what was untouched. It seemed her target had scant belongings with him. Crud. Finally done she left the key with a maid in the hall and left the inn.
This was going to be a long day.
