In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 220):

DuckTown Gate

The guards stand aside without another word.

People in the streets part just as quickly.

In reply to GM (msg # 221):

Brennan heads into the city and tries to find a conveniently out-of-the-way outhouse in which he could perhaps change unnoticed.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 222):

DuckTown

As the townsfolk are actively avoiding Brennan, he finds it no difficulty to dodge into an unoccupied corner and change back into his regular clothes.

In reply to GM (msg # 223):

Once Brennan and the others have reverted to their normal look, he heads to the Inn and looks for some sign left behind from Ciryl. Upon finding none, he asks around to see if anybody's seen the limping merchant lately.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 224):

DuckTown

People's responses range from paranoid to testy, especially with "inquisitors about" as they are quick to tell Brennan, possibly to judge the southron reaction to such news.

After some probing, however, you are able to learn that a man with a cart of Ciryl's general description was seen near town square, spoke with the Inquisitor, and was then led away by guards.

Either nobody knows exactly where he is being held or they don't want to say.

In reply to GM (msg # 225):

Brennan thanks them and, having found nothing of value in the Inn, decides to join the throngs of people near the square. He is looking specifically for Ciryl's cart, on the assumption the guards would not have led that away if they arrested Ciryl.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 226):

Town Square

Brennan easily locates Ciryl's cart, but finds that approaching it might be a risk.

It is standing just outside the square proper, with a pair of guards standing beside it.

The Masters of Arms, Hunt, and Guilds are still in the square, ordering this or that lackey and guard about.

The Inquisitor is not to be seen.

In reply to GM (msg # 227):

Brennan looks over the square for a moment, then turns to Titus.

"You're the most convincing actor among us, I wager. I need you to rush up to the cart, act relieved that its owner is still in town, and tell the guards that you bought the most miraculous medicine from him the other day and desperately need to buy more. See if they tell us what became of Ciryl in their response...push until they do."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 228):

I had damn well better be. So you want me to play sick... thats... an unpleasant role.

Titus says sardonically to Brennan.  He takes a moment extricate himself from the crowd and dirties his face.  He selects a path from the alley nearest the cart and splashes some dirt in his eyes to make them red.  Splashes water on himself to put himself into a cold sweat.

When he detects a parting in the crowd he rushes forward, lurching, falling, crawling, lurching again towards the cart. He adopts the rough accent of Burk and Gheller from the slums.

He's still here... He's still here... he can help me.... help me ma... praise God... He's still here....

His breathing is ragged he looks possessed.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 229):

The guards notice Titus immediately, but don't react as quickly.

"Stop!" one of them finally decides to say.

"Outsider?" the other questions.  "You sick?  Stand back!"

They hold their spears at the ready toward Titus, more to keep distance than to threaten him.

In reply to GM (msg # 230):

When the put the spears to his face he looks at them pathetically, doubles over and wretches violently throwing up his breakfast onto the ground and falling to his knees coughing.

Please... he gave me medicine... it worked... I need more... he said I'd need another dose...

Where is he?

The last is delivered with desperation.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 231):

"Who?" the guards ask, looking at one another.

"The alchemist?" one adds.  "He's... uh he's not here!  Look... if you're sick you better take that away from here... to the Chapel maybe?  Or to the surgeons, they live 'round the corner.. . alchemist got escorted out of here a while back, he's talking with the Inquisitor in the Eastern guard tower, you don't want to get messed up in that no matter HOW sick you are."

The pair keep their weapons on Titus but take nervous half-steps back.

In reply to GM (msg # 232):

Brennan smiles at Titus's masterful performance, but is too far away to hear what they guards actually said to him. He waits for Titus to return and make his report.

"Bravo," he murmurs quietly.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 233):

When the guard says that he is with an inquisitor Titus blanches.

No... no... why?

He shakes his head.

Alchemist told me its not the catching sort.  Last parting kick in the teeth from my dad y'know.

Where you say the surgeon was again?

When the guards point it out Titus thanks them and lurches away.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 234):

After Titus has reported his findings, Brennan nods and begins to lead the group toward the indicated toward as discretely as possible.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 235):

Titus wipes the grime off of him and tries to wash himself off as best possible.

Playing sick is the worst.  Anyone have a flask to wash the taste out? 

He accepts a flask if one is proffered.

Titus will put on his chain maille and buckle his sword to his belt; since everyone in town is armed and armored it won't seem out of place.  He shuffles around his clothes to make it at least relatively discreet.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 236):

Being one of the tallest structures in DuckTown, the guard towers are easy to locate.

They are three stories tall and built of rough-hewn logs, with a single door and a covered platform at the top on which guards can be posted.

The Eastern tower has a small cleared area around its base, and at the edge of this and a few thatched cottages you stop to observe.  You are now more keen to the ever-present young boys that skitter and skulk about in the town, watching your every move from a distance.

The door of the guard tower is made of heavy oak, but has no lock that you can see.  Instead, a large burlap sack, likely full of flour or sand, has been placed against the door to jam it.

There are also three armed guards standing by.

In reply to GM (msg # 237):

Brennan's heart sinks a bit at the sight of 3 guards and the heavy sack of something blocking the door.

Don't they know that's a fire hazard? he scowls to himself.

"The guards all answer to the Master of Arms," he says quietly. "We could attempt to have 'him' give them an order to follow him somewhere else, then we could move the sack and rescue Ciryl."

Brennan lolls his head backward, looking up at the sky for a moment, then lets out a sigh.

"But that's only going to delay the inevitable. I told you the Inquisition knew who we are, who we travel with. This is probably a trap. And despite all my warnings, here we are in the midst of it."

He runs a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Ciyrl couldn't run even if he wanted to " he murmurs. "Neither can Titus, thanks to Jack's influence. Deev and I could soldier on for a time, but ultimately that's just wasted effort. The Chosen must band together. Must unite. I have foreseen it."

Brennan squeezes his eyes shut, clenches his hands into a fist, then opens them again.

"Keep the faith," he says at last, putting a hand on Titus and Deev's respective shoulders. He produces a well-worn journal from his cloak and hands it to Titus. After a moment's hesitation, he also unlatches the chalice from his belt, drinks from it , and gives this to Titus, too. "Keep these safe. I will want them back."

With that, he strides out into the light, produces a rod of amber, and holds it aloft.

"I received your invitation," he says aloud, marching directly up to the trio of guards though seemingly speaking only to himself. "And I'm here. Let's talk."

Brennan slides the amber rod back into his cloak as he comes to within speaking distance of the guards.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," he says. He tosses back the hood of his cloak and gives them a broad smile. "My name is Brennan Otthild, and you'll find that I have a longstanding appointment to speak with the Inquisitor about the unruly fellow you've locked up in that tower. I am certain he will not want to be kept waiting."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 238):

What are our chances of ending this nonsense with the inquisition?  Also to be fair... I told you not to come back either.

He says with a wink.  He takes the proffered items and mentions as Brennan is disrobing

Let me borrow your bow... I've seen you use it enough I think I can help if need be.

When Brennan turns to go Titus grabs his shoulder

Whats your plan?  What do we do?

This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Mon 20 Aug 2018.

Ciryl's hand comes up to rest his palm across his face when he hears Brennan's voice outside, "I know I demanded we face our fears of the inquisition, but I didn't expect you to turn yourself in for an execution," he mutters.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 240):

About A Minute Ago

Brennan allows Titus to borrow his bow and quiver. When asked about a plan, he shrugs.

"My plan is to talk to them. It's better if you don't know more, given your...current relationships."

***

The Present

Brennan waits for some reaction from the guards.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 241):

Titus shakes his head and looks at his feet.

You weren't supposed to get caught up in this...

As Brennan goes forward to confront the inquisitor Titus grabs Deev by the shoulder

Best we stay out of sight for this.  Let's go. 

Once safely out of line of sight Titus surveys for a good vantage point to get a view on the guard tower.  Preferably up on a roof and out of sight of most.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 242):

The guards stand completely still, stafing st Brennan in utter surprise.

One makes a few official sounding coughing noises and is about to speak when he notices the large contingent of guards melt out of the nearby alleys and around piles of logs.

At the head of one cluster stands the Inquisitor.

"Come quietly, Brennan," the Inquisitor hisses.  It is neither query nor offer.

In reply to GM (msg # 243):

Titus watches with Deev from the shadows.

Shit.... they are expecting us.

He turns to Deev and puts a hand on his shoulder.

If they come for me I want you to run.  I'll leave you a purse with enough coin under a rock under the steps behind the inn.  Take it go and don't look back. 

Titus shakes his head feeling the weight of the cup by his side.  He holds it up looking at it.

I know enough stories to know that things like this are rarely a good idea...

He sets it to his side.

Lets see what happens.  I feel like we are playing exactly into their hands. 

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 244):

"That's why I'm here," Brennan says, either unphased by the show of force or trying hard to appear so. "You've got what you want, and I'll go where you lead. But let the merchant go -- I barely know him, and he doesn't agree with me anyway."