14 Nighthal
The tiniest shading of light limned the horizon. The city coming awake for another busy day. Jinx and Zarae returned to the apartment rejoining the boys who been nervously waiting for them to return, not that either would admit to being concerned.
"so?"
A handful of documents were set onto the table, which Zyne and Tahlethar reach for to skim through.
Jinx pointed to the last page a word, 'Warryn', "I think this is the insider information. There are two other references in footnotes to same title or name."
"Was there anyone else possible?"
"Several notes about the guild wars occurring here in the city and discussion of the various dialects of the language. Even an example of a translation."
"How accurate?"
"For this region, I think it is good?" she shrugged, "but I am not from the area." There were basic universal words and ideas that crossed dialect and culture. She pointed to a few words to show her point, translating as best she could for her lesser grasp of the human tongue. Zarae then gave a basic explanation of how the main use of thieves' cant was to communicate illicit activities, and less as a separate language. The gnome's paper was arguing in his dissertation to be classified as a separate language.
In a gruff, "so is this all we gotta do then?" Zyne asked as he returned the papers to the table, a grumpy exterior attitude to hide the guilt he was feeling.
"I suspect Lyra will have one of her people to confirm the mission completion," the drowess taking a seat.
"We could show just show up," the tabaxi still running off adrenaline, "she'd probably take us in."
Tahlethar agreed with the drowess, "I am guessing we need to wait for a messenger to call us in."
"We wait and swirl our fingers," Zarae getting the expression wrong.
"Close enough," Zyne replied. "It is late in the night or too early depending how we reckoning our days. Best we wait till after the blasted conference at least."
The elf standing up from his chair, "Agreed. Too much attention if we went about the neighborhoods again so soon at the same time. Beside, adjusting to a nocturnal schedule is messing with our rest. Best get some rest in a comfy bed while we got it."
"How much time you think she will need to conjure up the information we need?" that tabaxi asked.
Jinx was up first, finding herself full of adventurous energy. She decided to go out and do a little exploring herself, scribbling a note for her companions. Outside the apartment, she breathed deeply the sea air as the wind picked up. Unsure what she actually wanted to explore, the tabaxi closed her eyes and spun, arm stretched out pointing. The direction she stopped facing and pointing, the direction she was headed. Her path took her out of the sabban the villa was in and soon she found herself on Mandrake Route. The smell was unusual and strong, overwhelming the sea air and differing from the sweaty smell of the crowds. Everyone the tabaxi passed was watching her every move and she started to become self-conscious of all the eyes on her. She turned onto another street, finding herself in another neighborhood, Dustwell, where Almraiven's starving artists dwelt; it was a maze of cramped tenements and lofts, and was just as dusty as its name implied. Amidst the usual street vendors, housewives, and tradesmen, artists were practicing their trade along the streets, hoping to attract a patron or at least sell enough of their works to eat. Among the painters, chalk artists, and street-corner musicians, there was at least one talented sculptor. Large, bizarre-looking statues were poised at the mouth of a nearby alleyway. Their gnarled tentacles and twisted fangs clearly didn't depict any normal animal, but they were extremely realistic.
Passing the Woods and Goods shop, curiosity led Jinx into the building. Inside was the distinct smells of rich wood, wood burning fire, and fragrant tree saps. The window display had many wooden carvings and art works- a rocking horse, toy soldiers, animals carved from logs. Wooden weapons for children or novices learning the sword were displayed on a stand. The left wall, opposite piles of various shaped untouched softwoods and hardwoods, were a variety of artisan tools- knives, gouges, saws, chisels, mallets, axes just to name a few. Jinx loved the smell of this shop and was amazed at the works. She'd never seen so many pieces of art made only of wood.
"Ah, new to the city?" an approaching masculine voice. "Welcome to Altay's Woods and Goods, tabarifa. I am Khemed Druzir of Emerald Drudach Bollus yn Kalil el Rein. How can we help you?"
"You did all this?" she asked, picking up a carving of a panther in mid pounce and admiring the craftwork.
"My wife, actually. She is the craftsman, I am her business man."
"She does such amazing work," picking up a piece with a tiny crank that had a wolf chasing a rabbit and actually moved.
"Come, come, see her latest works. All without enchantments and pure artwork," as he took the tabaxi twords the back where more complex carvings sat on shelves. Many made sounds, mostly ticking, with metal strips moving around with number; the shopkeep was most proud of the timekeeping art. A few locking chest, engraved with detailed scenes of historical events of Calisham, was on the bottom shelf. A chess set with dragons and royalty sat among other wooden game boards. Jinx couldn't keep her hands to herself, having to touch the pieces of the chess set admiring the carving of the dragons.
"That one, it was a special request. A foreign dignitary was in the city had ordered for her sick daughter. Then a rebellion broke out in the city, the uprising against the genasi. She was caught by the revolt and her daughter a casualty. It was too painful to collect it. So it still sits here waiting for a good home."
The dragon pawn was returned to the board after she finished admiring the pieces, internally debating, then decided, "something small?," clawed finger tapping her cheek in thought.
Over near the counter were stands with pieces of jewelry, small elaborate pendants, chockers with carved wood beads, and runic earrings. One piece caught her attention, a crescent moon pendent necklace. That was the one she wanted.
"Good choice, tabarifa. Ten bicenta," clarified for the non-native of the country, "five gold." Preparing to wrap it but Jinx was already clipping it on. "That one was an early piece before we met. She started with jewelry before moving onto her more well known. I would suggest seeing our furniture pieces next door, but you look like you are passing through the city," taking the coins, "a dahyarifa?" asking if she was a refugee.
The rising sun and clear sky, the day cooler than the previous. Jinx turned onto Horseshoe Lane. passing a side street made her back up to re-examine it. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the alley was an odd-looking sky-clad figure, slightly shivering. In one hand, he fiddled with a copper medallion etched with the image of a thin, tangled pair of antlers. He didn't look up as the tabaxi's shadow fell over him.
"This is an odd place to sit around naked?" trying to decipher what was going on, and leery of this being a set up.
Eyes still lowered, "Fortune has strange and wonderful and terrible things in store for you. So I am here as fortune's lackey. Fair or foul? Weal or woe? Chant or howl? Friend or foe?" he spoke in a voice that sounded like a goat choking on sawdust.
Unease came over her, "what?" another scan of the alley, her hand going to sword hilt. "Did you knock your head?"
Looking up at the cat lady in front of him, his face emotionless and blank, "I can fly but not in the sky. I bid adieu at night and say hello in the morning. I am a part of you, and I follow as you lead. I dress in black and flee the light. But without it, I wouldn't exist."
"Really a riddle? You sit there vulnerable and ask a riddle?" thinking through an answer, "a shadow?"
Another glance around her surroundings and within that second the man was gone. "Humans can be odd," she said to herself as a foreboding feeling fell upon her. Ahead, still scanning her surroundings for the threat she felt following, was the Everburning Log tavern. Inside was mostly empty tables encircling the large fireplace in the center of the floor. The décor was wood themed, numerous pieces of art probably from the Woods and Goods shop. Near the fire was a perch with an exotic blue and gold macaw. The barkeep stepped back in from the back to welcome the newest guest. She was interrupted by the parrot whistling a rhyme.
"Free entertainment?" Jinx asked as she stepped over twords the bird, still feeling paranoid and trying to distract herself, "what is it singing?"
"the home of the Cadorna family fair.
Said there's a big buried treasure there.
Once known for such a great host,
Chances are they're all ghost.
Grab your tools,
We're all are fools.
The barkeep, having heard the birds sing it numerous times and had hundreds ask, "one the oldest families in the city. Lot of folks have died chasing those stories" the woman answered, "so what can I gettcha, tabarifa?"
"oh we cant just pass by this," motioning twords the bird, "why else does it sing it?"
A shake of her head, "you must be new to the city. trust me. Nothing can be found there. The Cadorna's were casualties of the Genasai war. Only the matriarch remains. And she not all present anymore," the universal sign for having gone mad.
"I gotta ask, why do some call me tabarifa? Should I be insulted? I know the general attitude of the people twords non-humans."
"it is nothing like that. It means 'honorable stranger'. When we don't know your name and status."
She gave an 'oh, ok' before continuing, "passing through. Visiting a friend, er I think she is a friend. She is an unusual person. Bard too. I heard bardic training leads colorful people. Was that the right phrase?" walking over to a barstool, continuing her rambling, "Anyway, it is a weird thing. Though not as weird as…" when she caught herself. "that was too much. Sorry, I tend to get into a path and keep going. I was attempting… thinking of something I wanted to ask and now I cannot remember what it was. Oh. I needed to ask about the tasty news?"
"You are looking for juicy gossip?" the barkeep interrupted, pulling a mug out and reading what the cat woman might want.
"Yes," seeing the tankard, "if you got something mild and sweet. I can pay for rumors too."
A chuckle as the woman pulled a mild fruity wine out, showing the tabaxi then pouring a glass, "well. Rilari is looking for three items stolen from her home on Loom Avenue and thinks someone from a thieves guild will be hocking them."
"Wait," with enthusiasm, her tail swishing to emphasize, "The Guild war. I been hearing about a war effecting non-guild folk. A lot of tension splatting out on everyone."
"yes, the war has spilled out. The Masked are on one side. Said to be a front for followers of the god Mask," she motions for the scout to lean closer, "the other side is thought to be called the Black…either Fist or Finger. I heard both possibilities," she whispers then returns to her normal standing. "Neither are members one just finds. But…" she paused. Jinx slid over a few gold coins and the barkeep continued, "Chelim in the Animal Cage Tavern on the Strip in the Dock Ward. He is often good with getting forbidden knowledge. Mention Luanu says hi," a bit of a sly smirk as she pocketed the coins.
Animal Cage Tavern in the dock ward was about one would expect. Large stones and huge stone pillars made up most of the two story building's outer structure. The windows were covered with bars to give the appearance of its name. Through the well-crafted, metal door, the inside of the tavern was rustic and folksy. Several walls supported the upper floor and the light fixtures attached to them. Several long tables were occupied by sailors, some dancing on the table, while others cheered them on with clapping and yelling. The other, smaller tables are also occupied by people who seem to be enjoying themselves a lot, perhaps too much. Most of the stools at the bar were occupied by female shipmates. It was mostly busy with recently docked sailors taking a little joy in being off ship. The barkeep was bopping to the music as he poured numerous tankards to be hauled off by the barmaids.
Jink slipped between two tough looking women, one clearly not calishite based on her dress, to approach the bar. The women looked suspiciously at the tabaxi but continued to focus on their meals. Two stools down, the sailor leaned over, "gotta get in line, sayedotta."
A low growl from the scout but she otherwise ignored the woman. Coins from her pouch slid onto the counter as she dropped the name, "Luanu said hello."
The barkeep, Chelim, paused his pouring enough to slide the coins into his pocket then nodded his head to the far side to wait. It was about 30 minutes when the pace slowed enough for Chelim to speak with the tabaxi.
"You got a minute to ask, and I'll give you a minute for my answer," his voice raspy and deep for a thinner man.
"guild war news?"
"Which side you routing for?" he answered cautiously studying the tabaxi.
"Neither. Curiosity?" playing on the trope of cats and giving him cute batting of her eyes. "Just wanting to be sure not to run into the wrong crowd or foul of the wrong person. I heard about it twice now. and you can guess, I am not from here."
Chelim wiped his hands on his apron as he considered what to share, "you already know the players else you wouldn't be here. So you want something more. My guess is you got a job from one of them?" fingers wagged for more coin when he read the expression Jinx didn't hide well. Upon receiving the coin, "the Black Fist," getting the name wrong, "are not likely to work with you so my guess is a smaller guild?" Another pause to read Jinx's expressions. "Several guilds have had tangential members who are ending up snatched up by guards soon after completing officially sanctioned jobs. Recently one even arrived at the mark's house to find a group of guards waiting for him. It is suspected there is a mole in their midst." Another coin, "The latest casualty of the mole's work is Imsh Feng."
"Imsh?" trying to fake hearing new information, "know which group the mole is from?" handing two coins.
"Nope. He worked the Tunnels often. Could be any."
She didn't hide her disappointment at not knowing. But attention was quickly redirected, "the Tunnels?" buying the information.
"The Tunnels are part of an old sewer system that now is an underground black market. Unspoken rule of no conflict among the guilds. But the Fist has broken the rules before."
"What do you know of the Fist?" paying another coin. Having run into Anagora, she wanted to know more. But as he described them, it did not sound like them at the tavern. Maybe another guild was named the Black Fist?
"Mostly assassins and not accepting of any but male and human types. Some think they are a cult or religious organization. My hope is they lose," he said off-handedly and for free.
"Any chance you know a Warryn?"
He thought about it, "might. But not one particular person stands out. That one for free."
Jinx thanked the barkeep and began to turn to leave before being stopped, "you need a referral and daily password. That I don't have for you."
"Drats!" she cursed to herself.
Later that morning, Tahlethar slipped out of the apartment alone, and made his way for the scholarly conference, stopping by the Goose Beep Honk Tavern first. Lilla was off for the day, as expected. The elf ordered a biscuit with a slice of pork to go leaving after receiving directions.
"You probably want to find the amphitheater near the Minargent. the Guild Arcane headquarters are there and they put on the public lectures." Just as Tahlethar was turning to exit, the barkeep, "you were here recently. Seeking for specific folks," setting the glass he held down and eyes boring into the cleric.
The elf glanced back over his shoulder, not sure what to expect from the barkeep. A dozen potential directions this conversation was going. When the man behind the counter didn't continue speaking, Tahlethar spun more fully to face the man.
"You really seeking to take that young man from my Lilla?" he asked.
Not the direction the elf predicted, "you seam concerned?" probing a little more.
"Aye. I think of her as a daughter. I would hate to see her so hurt by this. And I know she will not stand in the way of his happiness in his career to her detriment and loss."
Tahlethar let the man continue noticing the man's eyes watering a bit and showing his concern over the gnome girl.
"if you can keep the boy around..." hesitating to speak the thought but continued anyway, "You'd have my deepest gratitude. I think in the long time, it would make her truly happy."
The elf raised a brow, finger to his lip as if in contemplation, "oh?"
"You been around in the city before. Not that many elves around to not notice a follower of a love goddess," motioning to the symbols on his gear. "You are up to something. I cant quite figure but I question if it really has to deal with that school."
Tahlethar's full attention was on the man, waiting to see where this was going.
"Keep that boy here, keep this between us. I keep your dubiousness quiet, alimarif."
The elf was heading into the Enclave Ward for Arcane Avenue's Minargent. The thick stone walled hexagonal manor took up several city blocks and rose for four visible stories. The domed six evenly spaced silver-colored minarets stood guard with magically barred windows. The domed roof was silver coated and refracting the bright Calisham morning sun. At the back side the building was a small open aired stadium. Topiaries walled the entrance after the grand arch opened unto a ten-foot path. The cobblestone leading up to a grand wooden door kept the silver theme going. Various magical creatures associated with fire, such as dragons and salamanders were the pillars holding up the arches over the path.
Four men in lavish wizardly robes stood at the door welcoming uniformly dressed acolytes into the amphitheater. As Tahlethar approached, the oldest of the mages held a hand up to question the elf. Explaining he was there to listen to the students present their works. A second mage asked for papers, identification, or proof of his claims.
"I thought these were open to the public," the elf questioning the mage, "I am here to listen to the presentations."
"we are, tabarifa. But we record every person. I am sure you understand the security measures."
Not expecting to need any documentation, Tahlethar hesitated trying to come up with a plausible excuse. About to be turned away, not wanting his presence recorded, a feminine voice spoke up, "He is with me. You can count him as my guest. Name- Fflar."
The dusky-skinned Calishite from Lyra's manor was walking up to the entrance. Unlike before, she was smiling and friendly appearing, though the smile didn't reach her eyes. A glare at the cleric told him to go along with it, to which Tahlethar did.
As the two were walking into the amphitheater, arm in arm, "nice to see you in a better mood," the cleric whispered, "out here on this lovely day."
The fake smile remained as she nodded to a mage that passed them by. She led them to a seat twords the back.
"Did you think we would just accept that the job was done and not checked?"
"of course not. I am not that foolish."
"We didn't think so."
"So why Fflar?"
"Reading on elven history. Easy name to come upon."
"Are you trying to impress me," he replied a little flirtatiously.
"I expected at least two of you here for this," she changed the subject.
Before he could speak, the caleph arcane, the most influential wizard in Almraiven stepped up to introduce the first speaker. Annoyingly, it was not their target and the two would be required to sit through several of these presentations; they were dry discussions of esoteric magical theory. Bryac was the third presenter, both the woman and elf thoroughly bored at this point. They perked up when they saw the gnome step up to the lectern, his nervousness clearly visible and his appearance like he's just woken up. After his introduction, he began. Or he tried. Most of his words came out as gibberish, and he stumbled in his speech. He dropped a parchment trying to recover. But the more he continued, the more he got flustered and lost more of his translations. Lilla was spotted twords the front with an older and blind gnome woman. She was glancing around at the audience worried and confused. More gibberish when the gnome attempted to start again. The caleph arcane came forward to intercept as another high-ranking mage escorted the gnome from the podium.
The calishite and Tahlethar used this as a distraction to step out of the auditorium. After they got away from the Arcane Avenue, the smile that framed her face was gone and the stoic woman had returned.
"Meet us at the manor at dusk," handing him a key similar to the previous one needed to get into the estate, then she disappeared into the growing crowd.
"Could I at least get your name?" he called as she departed. That managed to crack a genuine smirk on her face.
Zarae and Zyne sat at the table, each nursing a mug of hot tea. The room remained dark to accommodate the drowess' sensitive eyes while it was uncomfortably bright outside. With just the two of them, and no immediate work to do, there was a bit of awkwardness.
Zarae wasn't sure what to say, "I thought winters on the surface were often darker and gloomy," using recently learned term of 'winter'.
"In the north. We are rather far south. Winters are much more milder here. less cloudy. Though have to admit it is cooler than average this winter." he seamed to consider its unusualness, before tossing the last bite of his toast into his mouth. "Where was…" a pause trying to remember what he heard, "your home city under?"
"Lith My'Athar," thinking about what she knew or learned. Most her knowledge of the surface had been from forbidden works so actually pinpointing where the city had been in relation to the surface world was hard for her to place. "I think we were below Cormanthor?" It was the only surface name she knew that hadn't been learned about the last few weeks since leaving her city. But in truth, it was mostly an educated guess on her part.
"How did you come to Skullport?"
"We were a port city, The City of Dark Waters. The Niar'haanin d' Renor Vlos, our river, connects The Lake of Shadows with the Glimmersea. the Portal gates are on the sea. Oh you mean… several of the noble houses had… how do you call it? Subservient houses with connections. Vassel? Usually siblings of ilharess, matron mothers. House Helvighym did also."
"Hmm," back to the awkward silence and blowing the piping hot tea.
"Do you know of the twisted tower?" she asked.
"that is rather broad description?"
"I could only tell you of the outpost below, Faneadar. So not helpful," she too sipping her tea, "Sschindylryn? Charrvel'raugaust? Szith Morcane?"
"Those are not familiar."
"Once an outpost for Maerimydra, Szith Morcane was overtaken by fire giants. Inhabitants that fled migrated to Szithlin."
"Maerimydra is familiar. Lady Aunrae talked about it."
"Where is located in relation to the surface?"
Thinking through his knowledge of that area, which was less than he wanted. Those were the areas he considered exploring in one of his next adventures. He always wanted to go east of the Anauroch Desert. "Dalelands. But couldn't tell ye more. If it helps, Cormanthor is in the Dalelands."
They ate in silence again, before cleaning up. Zyne started straightening and re arranging what little furniture was inside the apartment. He was not appreciating the down time, but not wanting to split the party more. He then wondered if the elf went to the lady bard on his own, but decided the cleric was more honorable than that, he hoped. He read the note again when the furniture was arranged to his liking.
Zarae pulled out the documents they secured and read through the research. With nothing better to do, she went about correcting and adding bits of her own experience.
After an hour of fiddling with anything, "Do ye feel guilty about that Bryac?" the dwarf asked, trying to hide his own emotions about it.
The question surprised her; especially one of the surfacers asking a drow. "No…yes? I am…conflicted I think."
"How do ye deal with it? Harden against doing something to one who didn't earn the bad?"
"You haven't had to do anything and whatever just to survive?"
A shake of his head, realizing who he was asking. He'd been adventuring a few years now, but never been so desperate where he had to choose to steal, nor had to make morally questionable decisions. Everything to him had been a black and white issue. He did not like operating in the gray.
"I have," a sadness showed in her tinting bluish eyes," done worse." She was unsure how much to share, how much she was willing to let the dwarf know. "When you are in a society where station and power mean everything, you will do anything as you vie for Lloth's favor. Including willingly climbing over the bodies of your siblings, eliminate those who are potential threats and scheme to take down those above," explaining. "Surviving on the streets is no easier and no less brutal," she said calmly, matter-of-factly. How many had she slayed to stay alive? Worse, killed to gain status in her house. The painful memory of killing someone who didn't deserve it still haunted her most; a house slave she was fond of, slain for favor in the eyes of Lloth. She tried to convince herself it was to survive, but sometimes she wondered if that was the whole truth of it. Zyne's next question brung her from her contemplation.
"So ye feel no guilt? No regret? Or as long as it is not as bad, it doesn't bother you?" he was not trying to sound accusatory, but the questions were, nonetheless.
"I…do. kreth'el. I regret much of my past. But maybe remembering the greater goal? Use that to," another pause in her thought, "think of the greater good? We need to stop the Cult and Lyra will help us. We did not kill him. And we are keeping him in the city for Lilla," she tried to comfort the sorcerer. Zarae found her words didn't comfort herself either. But she didn't know any other way.
A shake of his head Zyne still appreciated her attempt, giving her an apologizing smile for asking about these emotional topics.
"tell me about growing up with loving family and caring people?" Zarae asked to change the subject, to both their relief.