Thac is still standing in the roadway, having just been rebuffed by the man who exited the shop. Nodding his agreement with Narvil's observation - even though he doesn't necessarily agree with the paladin's ethics sometimes - Thac roughly shoves Tal to one side, then steps quickly opposite him in the thin crowd.

   The diversion seems to work, and while the man pauses briefly to see what the commotion behind him is about, Thac scoops up a bit of drab cloth off a nearby display rack, draping it over his shoulders. He tosses the proprieter a few coppers and a smile, and begins shadowing the suspicious man as he briskly walks away down the street and around the corner.

   The two are quickly out of sight, leaving the other three to stand around again in front of the now-locked shop. Well, once Tal stands up and brushes himself off, that is.

Tal gets up and scoffs. He was a bit angry and almost thought about attacking. Almost, though for he knew it was not out of anger but to cause something of a distraction. He shook his head and turned to face Narvil. He looks at the locked building and back at Narvil, " Now you agree with me that we need a different plan...no? I mean I doubt you want to break into a locked building...right?" Tal starts to clean himself up a bit while trying to look like he belongs. He still did not like the idea of all of them standing in front of a locked door. He looks around the area and chooses one shop, " Cmon let us go buy something....at least get our thoughts together and plan a bit better..." Tal looks over at Narvil, Tal was out of ideas and he knew that they should not be out here in the open.

He left hoping at least the others would follow and not stand in the middle of the road like fools.

Tal chooses any random shop or store or whatever and starts to browse around.

"Hum ... All i wanted to know was if there was something special with this building ... if i was able to sense dark forces at work. But it seems on this point."

Narvil followed Talrylil into the shop.

"For the moment, what kind of plan would you like us to imagine ? We don't even know what our goals are ! If it had seemed that something evil was taking place thereby, it would have been easier to figure what to do. But now ?"

Narvil stared at the first articles exposed in the shop, wondering why Talrylil had chosen this one.

Tal looks at the wares in the store and simply looks as if he was interested. He notices the look Narvil gave him and smiles, " I only came in here so we could get off the street, I did not want to look like fools standing in front of a locked building. I mean lets say for instance you did not find anything evil about the place..then what???" Tal looked around to make sure no one was listening before he continued,

" To be honest with you I am at a loss as to our next step...I agree that our goals are ...well we have none! But if we draw to much attention to ourselves then we lose our advantage."

Tal starts to think,  wondering what they could do to see what the hell was going on. He was a bit frustrated and wanted to bash the door in. He knew that would not work though and he thought for a minute, " Ok so we knock and simply ask about it. I mean that might be dumb and all but I have nothing else. I mean what else can we do? WE find out if he has a job or not and go from there? What do you think?" Tal did not know if that was tbe best plan but he wanted to at least throw some things out there. Something was better then nothing. He looked around to make it seem like he was interested in buying something.

[posted by DM]


   Garik, who had also followed the paladin and warrior into the shop of choice, nods from his position a step away, and with his back to them. No stranger to intrigue, he prefers to keep stares *within* the shop to a minimum as well.

   "Sounds like a fair plan. We know that they have been discreetly asking for help around town, otherwise how would rumors that they were hiring have even left such a tightly guarded door, right?" He moves around them to examine another display while remaining in earshot for a response.

Narvil considered it for a few seconds. He nodded to himself before answering them.

" It seems we don't have any other option. I propose that you see to that, it won't look serious that a follower of Tyr ask for this kind of job. Afterall, i am only assisting you so we can help those miners sooner."

Tal did not like the plan but could think of nothing better. He looked back at Narvil and laughed, " Indeed you are correct....I guess we are assuming the worse then eh ? Ok ok I guess I will go and see what happens. Are you sure though? I mean I do not mind you staying out of sight but are you sure?"

Tal looks at the wares in the store once again and shakes his head. He then walked towards the exit and smiled at the store owner. Outside he looks to Narvil and simply nods his head, " Want to meet at the tavern then? Or you gonna be around here incase something goes wrong? Up to you....just if you stay around try to blend in...." Tal looked at Narvil and then laughed, it would be hard for a follower of Tyr to blend in.

He shook his head and sighed loudly. He checked his weapons and dusted himself off. NOdding again at Narvil Tal heads back to the locked building. He walks straight up to the door and knocks hard, waiting patiently.

   Lia is still outside, apparently engrossed in the collection of silky fabrics at one shopkeeper's displays. Garik breaks away from the other two men and heads over to her side, then turns to get a better view of the doorway to which Tal will be approaching. Narvil remains behind, in the doorframe of the shop they are leaving.

   Tal takes a deep breath and walks across the somewhat busy street, past the display table that Thac knocked him into, and up to the steps of the closed shop. Once more he gets the distinct feeling that he is being watched, but he manages to control the burning sensation in his pointed ears, and remains calm.

   He climbs the short set of four steps and reaches up a hand to knock on the wooden door...

   And knocks.

   The door is almost immediately opened the same crack as before [Tal notes that he did not hear a lock or bolt sliding back, oddly enough]. An eye peers out at him from the other side, and a hoarse voice whispers to him:

"Yes? What is the password?"

Talrylil could not help but laugh, of course. Of all things to happen, a password! A password was needed, I cannot believe these guys, why did we not plan enough ahead of time? We rushed into this, like like fools! He wiped his grin off his face and stared hard through the crack. "Interesting..." He flexed his fingers as he started to think. He knew that he did not have enough time and could not think of a good enough lie.

Then it hit him, why not tell the truth? Why not be upfront and simply ask if they have a job for him or not. He tilted his head and in a loud enough whisper to be heard through the door he speaks his mind, " Well to be perfectly honest with you I do not have a password to give you. But alas I must be at the wrong place, for I heard there was some type of job to be done and this was the place to ask about it. I have certain talents that would be of aid..." Tal paused a bit unsure how to continue. He then shrugged his shoulders trying to appear as if he did not care one way or another, " I am looking for work and hence want to work...you need a job done or not?" A bit of anger crept into his voice, more to his friends at not thinking things through then at the man at the door.

Tal looked at the man in the crack and stared at him hard. He figured a mean stare would work better then a smile.

   The visible eye narrows slightly as the man takes stock of the warrior before him. Lines form under the eye, upon the cheekbone of the mostly-hidden face. Tal cannot see the rest of the body, or even the hands, and for a moment imagines that the person to whom he is speaking is readying a sneak attack with some weapon, and any moment now will throw open the door and gut him like a fish.

   "Heh, heh. Of course, there is no password! Only a fool or a person with no business here would attempt to make one up." The wrinkles were laugh lines; he sees this now as the man chuckles to himself.

   The door opens, and Talrylil is ushered inside. The door closes quickly behind him, though not before a silhouette of the man can be seen by those observing from the street.

[Private to Talrylil: Inside, the shop has been arranged in such a manner as to make it almost impossible for anyone to crash through the door and continue on into the room at a charge; tables and chairs are staggered in their setup, forcing a weaving pattern for people moving through the area, slowing them considerably.
   At the far end of the room sits a pair of cloaked, robed, and hooded people - just as you'd heard, looking like they walked straight out of the desert this morning. Behind them stand two obvious guards, whose chests are bare, showing well-defined musculature...though their heads are similarly turbaned and masked. At the guards' hips each carries a wide-bladed falchion.
   There seems to be no actual merchandise in the store, at first glance.]

ooc: spot checks for Narvil, Garik, and Lia if you wish.
Tal, you and I will continue to post here, but strictly through PMs.

Tal turns his head as the door closes....

[Private to DM Lobo: Tal then smiles wide, he wanted to seem a bit relaxed. He knew he was in over his head. His mother always told him to at least appear you knew what you were doing. So Tal tried to appear relaxed, calm, and even confident. HE looked around the room and noticed the guards. He was suprised at the layout of the room but knew that he could get away if he needed too. He bowed his head to the two owners? Tal looked around for a seat but could not find one near him. He smirked and then spoke in a low voice, "So I was correct that you did need help. So anything I need to know before we conitnue? Anything you need to know?

Tal looked at the guards again and then as an after thought spoke again, " Name is Malthinan from ....well I guess where I am from is not really relevent. So lets get down to details, unless of course like I said before , what do you need from me to continue our business?"

]

Narvil's eyes caught the last glare of Talrylil as he passed the door and hoped it was not the last time he saw it.

[Private to DM Lobo: As Tal disappeared behind the door, he considered the situation. He doubted that his companion was in danger but with this kind of persons, a simple gesture or word could turn the discussion in a bloodbath. He decided that to be prepared at anything he should go back to the inn to recover his warrior things. Then he would be back there, waiting.]

Thac was somewhere in the town following a dangerous being and Tal was locked in this strange building without any possibility to ask for help. He didn't like it at all !

   Tal is cut off from the group....

[Private to Talrylil: One of the figures sitting at the table grunts in response to his opening statement, in a voice just as coarse as the doorman's. "You are right; we don't need to know your name, or where you came from...but I thought most elves were gone these days...?" The suggestion might be considered rude, if the speaker were a local; perhaps this man has been in the far east too long, and does not know that the retreat has ended.

   "And yes, we are looking for help. In case you're wondering, the man who left before you did not take the job." The two seated share a look with each other that conveys nothing to the standing elven warrior, but he catalogues it away just the same.
   "Where we come from, some items are worth a king's ransom - literally. There is a thing that will help us...our lord, that is...regain his rightful seat of power. If this appeals to you, I will continue with the offer." One of the guards shifts his weight on his feet, but otherwise remains firmly locked in his crossed-arm pose against the far wall.]

   Outside, things get thin.

[Private to Garik Marison; Narvil Duncan; Lia Essmoor: Narvil glances over at the other two who are watching the shop from a different vantage point. Garik stands idly beside a shop door, looking around as often as he looks at the door Tal just went through. He catches NArvil's eye and gives the man a shrug. Should they follow, or at least close on the door, just in case their warrior needs a hand?
   Narvil indicates that he is weaponless, and Garik agrees with a nod, wiggling his fingers to show that he still has access to some spells, even though he is also without weapons at the moment. Only Lia wears her light leather surcoat and bears her fine Songblade about in the town today....
   The paladin casts about once more for Thac, who has not yet returned - though in truth only a few minutes have passed since he left - and then cuts away, heading for the inn where they left their gear this morning.

ooc: please indicate to me if you bring anything back for Garik: his grtsword or bow&arrows]

Door Shut...

[Private to DM Lobo: Tal nods and listens intently. He was glad that the man did not want details, which suited him just fine. He smiles when he mentions his race and the retreat. Tal was an outgoing spirit, always roaming the area and the world. Tal also noted the look shared between the two and wanted to speak about it, but thought better of it. HE looked around the room again wondering how many more rooms were on the first floor.

He shook his head slightly and responds in kind, " Well I see...yes so far it soudns good. But you must realize there are certain things people will not do. State the job, whatever it might be and let me see if it is not too dangerous. I am no fool and will not throw my life away to the dangers of the world or the dangers of the city." He looked at the guard and then back at the seated men, " I am interested, when money is involved I am always interested. But keep in mind I will not do something foolish..." Tal smirked at that last statement, he wanted to make sure these guys understood that he was no fool and that he would make sure the job was good for him. If not he would leave then and there.



]

   Talk isn't cheap, inside.

[Private to Talrylil: The figure who has not spoken yet gets a flash of what looks like anger in his eyes (for they are all that is visible of the face, behind the mask), and a sputtering, rumbling voice coughs out from behind the hood.
   "Foolish?! Are you not-" The figure sits forward in the chair, and might well have made it to Tal in one strong leap, if not for the restraining hand of his partner upon him. Another shared glance between the two, and the angry one sits back again, placated.

   "Are you not a mercenary, is what my friend was about to ask you" says the primary dealer with a silky smooth glossing of what almost became a fistfight. "This is, after all, what mercenaries do; they accept dangerous missions for those who prefer to lose coin than blood in their endeavors. Do you not wish to have coin for your troubles?"
   The man who opened the door steps away from the wall, dropping two fat purses upon the table in front of Tal. One spills open, and if both hold the same, there's probably three or four hundred gold coins between the two bags.

   "Yes, mister elf, we've come prepared to pay more now for less blood later. And more later if there's no blood at all, if you get my meaning. Twice this, perhaps a bit more. We're not in town for murder, you can rest assured." The man's voice becomes a little scratchy again - less the silky tones of his interruption, but Tal shrugs it off as merely having spoken to so many other applicants. Probably.]

Talk is not cheap

[Private to DM Lobo: Tal had to look hard at the man, if he wanted a fight he could protect himself. He only smiled though when he was held back. Tal was not afraid but knew he was outnumbered. BUt then again this was a meeting. Tal looks back to the speaker and nods his head, trying to digest everything. HE was unsure what the others felt about this and was thinking about telling them no right then and there. But they had all agreed to see this thing through, regardless of what happened.

" So Human I am a merc eh ? very well I agree that does make some sense. I also agree that it is easier to waste money then waste blood. Fine I understand you. BUt my question still stands, are you going to state the job or not? Tal pauses a bit to control his anger, he was not an angry person by nature at all. But the way they were speaking to him was getting under his skin.

With a low voice he continues, " I knew already that this would be a dangerous job, but I still came. Take comfort in that and speak the job and stop speaking in riddles. I never said you were in town for murder but I can be hanged in this town for less then murder. So lets stop the games and be blunt..what do you need of me."

Tal looked at the bag of gold and back at the speaker, he would take the job only to see what they wanted. He had a feeling that these people were up to no good and what a way to stop them by pretending to work for them. Yes unless of course the job was easy enough, then they would do it and be done with them. Money always helps....





 ]

   Narvil is still on his way to the inn, and Garik speaks softly with Lia about who she thinks will return first, Thac from his tailing, Narvil from his errand, or Tal...in pieces?

[Private to Talrylil: The main speaker shakes his head and waves a backhand at the elf standing before his table.
   "Then be off with you, beggar. We've no time for greedy or pompous types. You will get no further information on this delicate matter until you have promised to perform for us the required service, and that is final. If we were to divulge the particulars to every male consort who walked through that door, it would hardly be a secret, now wouldn't it?"

   Tal's heart skips. Perhaps he *was* a bit hasty in tossing insults about to potential employers...but how badly did they need this coin. And what would Narvil say if he came back with no information at all?]

Boarded up house...

[Private to DM Lobo: Tal chuckles and that chuckle turns into a great laugh. When he was done he tilts his head at the speaker and thinks for a good minute. He stares at the man and in a low voice, " I wonder why you anger so easily...I mean what insult did I offer you that put you so off? You are a business man yes? I mean it appears you are." Tal pauses wondering how far he could go with this man, " Anyways you know as I know that you cannot simply say yes to anything without knowing something. I mean what if I say yes to find out you want me to rob a rich merchant...or if it is a mission that is impossible. If you are waiting for some idiot to come in and say OK then you will not get any to say yes. Unless you want a pawn to fail on purpose."

Tal paused a bit wondering what else he needed to say. Once again the truth came to him as the best answer, " As you can see I am still interested...else I would have already left. The money is good but you have to respect my reservations. I simply want to know more information. What is so wrong about that? What is so wrong about knowing what you are going to do. LEts say I say yes and you tell me the job and I simply do not do it? At least you will know right away that I will not do it because I cannot. But you ask the impossible...which person will come in here and say yes. Which idiot will you send off to the wolves...yes for I am not going to say yes wihtout something else."

Tal wanted to speak more about it but figured he had said enough, this whole situation did not sound right and something was really wrong. He figured he would be pushed out now but wanted to wait and see what he had to offer.


]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Mon 06 Aug 2007.

Still loitering...

[Private to DM Lobo; Garik Marison; Narvil Duncan: Lia stays near Garik, biding her time for the most part, but also using her savvy to look for anything suspicious.

17:50, Today: Lia Essmoor rolled 18 using 1d20. Spot. ]

   The seconds tick by mercilessly....

[Private to Talrylil: At the elf's mention of robbing a rich merchant, the main speaker lets out a clipped, sharp laugh; it is easy to see even under the mask he wears that he is smiling at the suggestion by the warrior. He motions with his hand to Tal to continue.

   The second half of his statement is not so well recieved, and again the elven chainsman's heartbeat flips once, slightly.
   "We need respect nothing of yours, mercenary" growls the gruff, rude man on the right, interrupting Tal briefly; "least of all your precious reservations.". The other glances over at him, and Tal is allowed to continue to the end.

   When he is done, he takes a breath and waits. And waits. Truly it is only seconds that pass, but the only sounds he hears to help him bide the time are the muffled passings of wagons outside, and the even more subdued sounds of merchants hawking their wares. Odd, really, how quiet those sounds were.
   And then it occurs to him what the woman shopkeep had told them, about this having once been a place that sold musical instruments to bards and composers. OF course this would be as 'soundproof' as any building could be, given the location and structure of the place.
   And here he was, goading these armed men into at best - an argument, and at worse - well, he hoped his friends weren't too far from the front door....


ooc: don't post speech, but post thoughts or tiny actions like shuffling feet, etc, for now.]

   And it's even worse for Narvil...

[Private to Lia Essmoor; Garik Marison; Narvil Duncan: Narvil makes it to the inn without interruption, as most people have gotten out of the way of a charging knight of the realm, and he has become a recognizeable figure of late, given his status and friendship among the local guard. He races to the room to retrieve his things....
   Lia's eye roves over and across the myriad of sights available to her in the street, and the stunted marketplace that serves the people who do not want to wander the actual bazaars of the north and south ways.
   What she sees only confirms the rumors and information that she and the others have already gleaned - that the occupants of this place do not have mounts, or at least not ones they keep tethered to the outside of their building, and that no one approaches the place, even out of idle curiosity. The shop is closed and not advertising, and so serious business is easily found in other places; hardly a glance is tossed in the store's direction.
   Neither she nor Garik see anyone else casing the shop, nor does either one spot Thac Morne returning. He must still be shadowing the other mark...assuming he hasn't been spotted and caught.]

Tick tock...

[Private to DM Lobo: Tal did not understand why these guys were getting so angry. Was he really doing anything wrong after all? If these were business men they should be used to the haggle and such. Why the silence? Tal flexed his fingers, looking around the room for the best exit. He really did not want to fight but he wanted a bit more information before saying yes.

He moved a step back and was about to just say yes to ease the tension but....

ooc:I figure I can say yes now, since at least two others are back and ready to post ;)
 ]

Getting bored...

[Private to DM Lobo; Garik Marison; Narvil Duncan: Lia looks more and more agitated; standing around is not her thing at all.  She finally decides to take action.  "I'm going in there.  I cannot stand to wait around here any longer." Lia wanders over to the door casually, then knocks.]

   Within, one is left without....

[Private to Talrylil: Just as Tal is certain that the first in a series of telltale beads of sweat will burst forth from his brow and run down the side of his face, giving away his extreme discomfort at his current situation, the man on the left sits forward and smiles behidn the mask.
   "Very well, mercenary. We will trust that you are not so foolish with your own mortality that you won't attempt to cross us, or let spill the wrods I am about to tell you." He waves off the man to his left, putting him back in his seat with a mere gesture and a narrowing of his eyes. Truly, this one was in charge here.
   "As I said before, our lord is such by virtue of right. Such is the way of progression in our realm. But a *thing* of importance we have located in this town would help solidify his basis for rule, and bring to him many...followers, with which he could expand his influence over the lesser, petty lords that squabble amongst themselves. Wars are fought and famines brought upon the masses because of a few jealous and greedy nobles; our lord seeks to undo these vile men through divine right. Do you understand so far?" It seemed Tal did, for he nodded silently, and the man continued.
   "We seek an item. Jade, specifically. We know where it is but-" He is cut off by a knock at the door which seems to startle them all. The two guards against the wall draw their blades up to a ready position with a faint swoosh while the doorman trots quietly to the front of the shop and cracks open the door a fraction of an inch....]

   Lia is standing alone at the door when it opens a crack, just large enough to expose the eye set within the masked face of the one who opened it. Such is the coverage of the person that she cannot be sure of gender, much less race, though she suspects it is a male, and probably a human at that.
   The man looks her up and down with that eye, and before she can say anything, the door closes again. A latch clicks into place, securing the door from within.

[Private to Talrylil: "Who is it?" asks the leader.

   "Some woman. She looks lost, though she wears a blade."

   "See what she wants." The masked head turns to Tal. "Friend of yours, or perhaps another rival for this simple task of retrieval? Should you like to accept now, and we can turn her away immediately?" There is a hint of anticipation in the man's voice.]

Trying again...

[Private to DM Lobo; Garik Marison; Narvil Duncan: Lia knocks again.  "I am only showing concern for my friend.  Will you not let me enter to join him?"]

inside...

[Private to DM Lobo: Tal was listening intently and was glad the coversation was moving foward. He was afraid that he over stepped his bounds. He was suprised at what was being asked, he knew there was more to it. He was nodding his head thinking that he would say yes then and there. I mean the group did agree already that they would take this mission. Tal was about to speak his thoughts when someone knocked on the door.

Tal wanted to scream , why did Lia have to be so impatient. Hell she should be in here not him. He tried to relax but was unable to contain his nervous twitch. HE did breath a sigh of relief when he the leader did not seem to upset about it.

"Yea she is with me, this seems like a job that needed to be done with friends. Either way you can let her in or not. But we will accept. If its getting an item then we can do it. Tal paused as he looked back at the closed door, he flexed his fingers and looked back at the leader. So what are the specifics and what do I need to know in order to be successful?" Tal was anxious himself to start and get out of this building.


]