"They lead larger groups that have committed more crimes."

[Private to Marcus Valarian: You sense that though he is telling the truth, he's hiding something too.]

[Private to Julian Uth Argus: You sense that though he is telling the truth, he's hiding something too.]

[Private to GM: For Gina: You sense that though he is telling the truth, he's hiding something too.]

Gabriel had been listening to the knights keeping quiet but finally decided to speak up "What proof would you need to satisfy the bounty?" Gabriel wished to just dispense with the secrets and let them know they had already killed the group of lowly criminals.

"We'd need them taken into custody. Preferably alive."

"If you can give us the reward, we can tell you where to find that man's body." Digorye speaks up, pointing at the third picture. "We wandered into his camp last night, looking for shelter from the snow. Instead of offering shelter they immediately set upon us, trying to kill us all." Digorye starts to get into his little performance now, pantomiming out the roles as he describes them. "There were many of them, but we fought valiantly. Sword clashed against sword, and into flesh. Their spell casters tried to strike us down with their magic. We tried to subdue them, to stop them from killing us, simply hoping to escape with our lives. And in the end, we emerged victorious, and with our lives and bodies intact. And unfortunately they lay dead at our feet, colouring the snow red around them. Unfortunately, their wounds were much to harsh to be helped, for they tried to kill us even with their last strength, refusing to submit to us even after it became apparent that we were the superior force..." Digorye looked up now at the guard, as if snapping out of a living memory. "So, if there's a reward in it for us, we'll be happy to tell you where you can find their bodies, frozen in the cold snow."

"We cannot give you the reward first. And if he's dead, it will be less than the 100 steel. Are they far from here?"

[OOC: If you leave tonight to go back there, you'll have to spend another night in the snow.]

As soon as Digorye begins laying out the details of the fight, Julian finds something else to be interested in.  He doesn't like the Knights and doesn't want to have anything to do with them... or their inevitable questions about the Key.

Marcus frowns slightly. He is already in trouble for wandering off on from the official party. He can not even contemplate the reaction Lord Brightblade would have if he disappeared for another night to go hunting renegades for the Knights of Takhisis.

Having finished speaking with the knights, you entered Pashin through the south gate as the sun was setting. The silver moon of Solinari was waxing gibbous and the red moon of Lunitari was a waxing cresent.

The air began to cool almost imediately as the sun sank beyond the western horizon because of the cold southern breezes that also caused misty bursts with every exhalation and brought the crisp sharp scent of winter with every inhalation. As well as refuse, dung, horses, and countless cooking fires.

People were heading home or to the taverns and you felt the chill of prickling neck hairs as if someone was watching you.

[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

[Private to Marcus Valarian: You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

[Private to Digorye Minaat: You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

[Private to GM: For Gina - You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

Gabriels eyes darted to an alley way not too far away and soon his legs followed. He ran full bore towards the alley, gesturing for the others to follow.

Having spotted the same shadowy figure that Gabriel was obviously chasing, Marcus draws his sword and charges into the alleyway after him. He hopes that the figure can be caught without violence, but he draws his blade because he doesn't know the figure's intentions or capabilities, and he wants to be prepared for anything.

Digorye quickly follows the others, heading for the same alleyway

His cousins were never allowed to have fun without Julian.  Well, as far as Julian was concerned.  He followed after them in the night, having absolutely no idea what was going on or where they were going.  Pebbles scattered in the night against the streets and his flapping, graceless running style ensured his family and allies knew he was close behind.

The five friends ran down the alleyways in pursuit of Julian didn’t know what. Turning this way and that, getting further and further into town. Until a female suddenly stepped into Gabriel’s path and as he ran into her, she was pushed off her feet.

Helping her stand, the pretty half elf tried to get herself and her provocative clothing back into some semblance of order. Seeing Digorye, she walked to him, wrapped her arms around one of his arms, smiled, introduced herself as Dove, and offered him her services.

The shadowy figure was standing some distance down the alleyway, as if waiting to be pursued again.

[What do you do?]

Elves get all the luck.

Julian finally figured out that they were on a merry chase.  He had no great appreciation for prostitutes, given that there was no real effort required in sleeping with on, but he could appreciate an attractive woman when he saw one.  It was doubly impressive to see in a prostitute, since their lifestyle lended them towards a life of poor hygiene, missing teeth and strange emanations from their nether regions.  For Julian, it was like catching the glimpse of an exotic bird - and expanding the simile, it was like catching the glimpse of an exotic bird right before it was caught, plucked, and hung on a line with a bunch of similarly beaten-in birds in the market in the morning.

Digorye quickly looked at Dove, and then at the figure they were chasing. "Hurry up you guys, see if you can catch him and see what he's on about. I'll ... question with this fine lady and see if she knows anything helpful."

And with that Digorye turns his attention back to the lovely lady on his arm. "So Miss Dove, what do you know that we can discuss?"

"I know many things," Dove said. "But I'd prefer to discuss them someplace warmer."

"Do you know anything of the person we are chasing?" Marcus asks in an urgent whisper, as he keeps an eye on the figure who is obviously waiting for the group to start chasing him again.

Before Dove had the time to answer Marcus’ question, four brutish looking thugs stepped out of an alleyway.

“Blackbird wants his money Dove,” one of them said.

“I don’t have the money,” Dove replied and held even tighter to Digorye's arm.

All other concerns become secondary at the change in circumstances. This young lady is in distress, and as a knight it is his duty to protect her. Marcus draws hsi sword with slow deliberation.

"Oh, great.  A pimp's thugs.  At least one can say that this city has employment and opportunity for all.  Gabriel, I think we can handle this if you wanted to continue following the somewhat spooky but probably very nice shadowy fellow beckoning us on.  Or you can wait - I don't think this is going to take long."

Julian made sure that he wasn't the closest person to the thugs before he started chatting.  His particular brand of mayhem benefited most from busy assailants and not being a living bulwark.

Gabriel heatd the tone in Julians voice and didn't even need to look back. He took off after the figure hoping not to have to chase him for much longer.

"Stay out of this," the goon said looking at Marcus.

A bald man walked confidently down the alleyway in your direction. From a distance you could see that he was bigger than all of you, except Gabriel. You could also see that something was moving next to him, and with him, in the shadows, but you couldn’t see what it was.

Perhaps they're backup.

"I'm not going to allow this," Marcus says to the thug. As big as the man is, he is nothing compared to the minotaur that Marcus counts as a friend. "One girl against all of you is not entirely fair. You against us would appear to be much more sporting," he says in a cool, calm voice.

As the bald man moves forward, the wolf next to him exits the shadows. And as the man comes closer, you all recognize the face of Regan Meyer, grandson Kaylan and Lucius Valarian. Though older, still a nephew of Marcus Valarian, through one of Marcus' sisters.

While Marcus and Julian step forward, Digorye quietly leads Dove by the arm back into the shadows a bit, away from the coming confrontation. He wants to make sure that she doesn't get hurt when the weapons start to come out.