Upstairs Downstairs In the Tavern...

Rising from the floor Ohanzee follows Kobal down to the lower level of the tavern. As he walks down the stairs he is both relieved and smug So, he knows a fair deal about what goes on in his town as I thought, but he assumes that means he knows all.

He did not seek to follow up on any that I spoke of and took it at face value. We got away with giving him nothing that he didn’t know and satisfied his curiosity at the same time. He smiles smugly at the thought.

In reply to Hoskar Feather (msg # 789):

He nods his thanks to Hoskar. Then he pays the barstaff the couple of silvers he wanted and is just about to get Hoskar to ask the locals a question, when the horn sounds. He looks quizzically at them.

Downstairs In the Tavern...

Spotting the others Ohanzee moves over to sit at the table ”Have you heard? Tolkazzi said that they sent a party out to look for the other hunters after they found one of them dead in the water this morning.”

“He reckons that the horn is bad news from that party. Do you think some more have been hurt?” He speaks as one with a gaping gap in their knowledge eager to hear the gossip and fill that gap.

There's a loud hammering on the main gates, which are quickly opened to let in a Lunar officer and several marines who immediately run off towards the Trade Alliance building, with Tolkazzi in their wake.

For the next few hours the Rangers sit and watch events unfold, kept up to date by a constant flow of rumours, news and downright lies by the ever expanding clientele of the Tavern.

It seems that the Hunters have been discovered, and soon their house is filled with even more mourning than before. The word is that there are suspects, which seem to vary between Newtlings, Pirates, Adventures and evil spirits, though one old fellah swears that it's the "Vomiter" come to claim more lost souls.

The Settlement is in total lockdown, though folk are free to move around inside.

Every now and again marines file this way and that, but things quieten down until just before midnight, when under the half red moon a large group of soldiers head out of all three gates.

Soon there's the sound of fighting coming from near the docks.

During the evening Sandy says that he has secured a place for them all to sleep in one of the nearly finished buildings.

"It'll be fine for tonight."

The Tavern is now packed to the seams, with riverfolk, traders and a few foreigners including the merchant and his 6 crew members.

"What happened at the docks?" Tarnessh asked

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 793):

"I wondered what that horn meant, lets hope they haven't been hurt too badly."

He watches the groups of people coming and going and listens to the gossip, adding bits to stories. When there is a lull, he will get Hoskar to ask the old fella with the sea monster tatoo, what it is and also what a 'Vomiter' is.

As it gets late he starts looking round, searching the crowd for a familiar face, when he fails to do so, "I'm just going for a walk, and see what else I can find out." He gets up and walks in to the crowd.

"Not certain for sure, but I think that's the Sable Rider and his friends getting hit. They had a hut down there" replies Sandy, who gets confirmation from half a dozen nearby locals.

Melock finds himself face to face with the sharp end of a spear as he nears the Trade Alliance building, he doesn't need a translator to get the idea he's being told to bugger off and not come back. The building looks locked down for the night and has a heavy guard. Across the street the barracks is will lit and busy like a bee hive.

It's about 1am in the morning and as he turns a hand falls on his shoulder. It's Adius the young Lunar officer "A message from your friend Amara" he says in highly accentuated Praxian "She is okay, has survived the ceremony and has decided to stay the night with her friend. It's okay lad there's no funny business going on, but if I was you I'd put your head down and stop wandering the streets. My lads cornered the Sable Rider and his cronies down by the shore. Two of them escaped in the darkness and in to the river. New what to do with gold so they did. Others are trussed up nice and tight and without a leg to stand on. Resisting arrest, murdering innocent hunters and found with incriminating evidence."

The officer winks.

In reply to Adius (msg # 798):

He looks at the spear point, then looks at the guard and steps back a couple of paces, "and I thought the lunars welcomed everyone" he mutters to himself.
When Adius puts his hand on Melocks shoulder, his hand is half way to his axe before he realises who it is. He speaks slowly when answering Adius, so he understands him, "Thank you for letting me know about Amara. You say she has survived the ceremony, I didn't think you could die getting your hand regrown? I will let the others know she is alright. I'll also take you advice and head to our tent.. sorry I mean" he thinks for a moment, "hut for the night"

"The gates are locked. You will need to find somewhere else to sleep within the walls. Goodnight and good luck."

In reply to Adius (msg # 800):

"Goodnight." He turns on his heel and heads back to the others at the tavern. "I just bumped into that guard who arrested me, he says Amara is staying in the Trade Alliance building tonight." he orders another drink, "He also says that they have arrested that sable and his mates for killing the hunters, but two of them got away" He makes sure he says this loud enough, so people sitting near them can hear.

"That lot?" Ohanzee says a little surprise in his voice, but then after what he deems to be an appropriate pause for consideration he adds "They were trouble makers from what I heard. Seems their trouble has caught up with them this time."

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 802):

"I heard that as well, hopefully Lunar justice will be swift and total" He raises his tankard, "To the hunters, may their spirits rest in peace, knowing that their killers have been caught"

Ohanzee drink in hand by this point frowns and puts the leather tankard back down on the table at the proposed toast.

Henal drinks to Melock's toast.

Hopefully now justice has been served out we can look to move on from here in the morning. I want to get back to somewhere the horizon is made up of land.

"Aye," says Kobal, "I feel nervous here without my weapons."  And armour.  "Ohanzee, with all the soldiers around, now's not the time to settle scores with that trader."

He looks to the others.  "Ohanzee has his arm healed, but it turns blue.  I wonder how Amara is.  I don't trust these Chaos friends.  I bet even if they've restored her hand, there will be some twist..."

"I know what you mean. Personally I can't wait to leave and get back to our journey. Things seem to make so much more sense in the Wastes." Tarnessh agreed with Kobal, and pointedly did not raise his glass to Melock's toast.

Just every now and then it's nice not to need a weapon, not to have to set watches, and all get a decent night's sleep. Not had that since...

...ah, never mind. You're right of course, Tarnessh: time to get back on the trail before we get any deeper into things here.

He raises his tankard and takes a small swallow. I think I can drink to Lunar-style justice for the Sable at least. I rather hope that's what he'll get.

He settles back into his seat with a relaxing sigh, seeming rather content. Framed or not, that's one Sable fewer.

Downstairs In the Tavern...

Changing the subject Ohanzee says ”Tolkazzi mentioned that the Lunars are travelling back and forth to some ruins around here. Since we are here for the night maybe those of you who can speak the trading tongue can make use of the time to try to find out from the locals what they are doing, what the runs are?”

Kobal keeps his voice soft.  "I think we should lay low instead.  The soldiers are on alert because the hunters were killed.  It sounds like they've gone after the Sable adventurer party.  But they may suspect other foreigners.  Now's not the time to ask questions and call attention to ourselves.  Things have worked out for now," assuming Amara's okay, "let's not push our luck."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:45, Thu 11 Dec 2014.

Sun Hawk's holy day

Eventually Sandy brings the Rangers to a half finished building where they can bed down for the night, by all accounts it's been a successful day, though the fact that two of the adventurers seem to have escaped does not bode well.

IN the morning the gates are opened, but the Lunar marines remain on full alert, keeping a watchful eye on the inhabitants of the settlement and allowing no new comers in.

Tarnessh is able to get away and vanishes in to the nearby swamp to sit atop a rock spire for the day, giving sacrifice to Sun Hawk.

For the rest of the Rangers there is little to do, though they do see Amara in the company of the Priestess and several other attendants as they pay a visit to the house of the hunters. There's too many guards about but she is able to reassure her friends that everything is alright.

Just after midday a relieved looking Tolkazzi finds the braves

"Ah just who I'm looking for....Somethings come up. A god send to be honest for you and I. I've just been in the Trade Alliance house and it seems that those troublemakers were to be the guards on the Pavis boat on Godsday. Well now that they're locked up there's a need for new guards, so I put your names forward.

Now hang on don't get angry with me, it's for the best. I want you out of my town before you get up to what ever you're planning and this is the best way. Plus it's a fair wage. Twenty silvers each, your food and possible full time employment as river guards once you arrive at Pavis. There's a bonus if you have to fight too. Money is half up front the rest on safe delivery. You leave at dawn on Godsday.

I'll not take a no for an answer...."

In reply to Tolkazzi (msg # 812):

Melock looks up from his lunch, "Guard duty on a boat all the way to Pavis? From what I've heard that's a long and dangerous trip, 20 silver doesn't seem that much, if you make it 40 silvers then I'm interested" He looks at the others for agreement.

Tolkazzi scoffs at Melock's demand "I'd say you're lucky that I don't get the Lunars to chase you out of town on some pretext, which knowing nomads would likely not be far from the truth."

Those listening feel that Tolkazzi might be persuaded if someone actually tried to sweet-talk him instead of being so blunt.

Hoskar inclines his head respectfully when this obviously important personage shows up, and chimes in when he hears Melock being rebutted.

You're right, of course, sir; about chasing us out if not about us being up to something. Trouble is that then you'd owe the Lunars a favour for seeing us off instead of them owing you a favour for finding some replacement guards at short notice.

He smiles ingratiatingly.

Sounds as if you think forty's a bit much, but even though it's obviously an important job I don't see us lot having a future on the water. It's not what we usually do, you see, and there's nowhere to keep our mounts on a boat. That matters a lot to nomads he shrugs sadly. I know I'm not in much of a position to bargain hard with someone of your standing, but what would you say to a bit extra for lack of career prospects?