Turn 6: June 2, 1000 - Horses
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Horses While Quill is wrestling with Edge for the stick he will not give back, she notices that the conversation has wound down and that the half-orc was walking back up the gang plank. She kneels down and starts to scratch Edge behind his ears, trying to reason with him to let go of the stick. As she was doing this she sees the half-orc make a motion as if he were throwing something and Tav motioning as if he were catching something. It seemed to much of a lob to be a dagger, so Quill didn't make a move towards her bow. "Now that we're done with this ruse," she thinks, "maybe we can search the dock for any clue." She and Edge make their way back to the party by the warehouse and she hears talk of horses. "Horses we may need, but the way Poppy spoke, it seemed that a boat would be the best way, and to get into the caves would be even trickier because you can only do it during low tide. Besides, with the city in seige the way it is, horses may not be an option. And seeing as though Edge would know more about sailing then I do, I wouldn't know when to expect low tide or high tide." [wink, wink... nudge, nudge...] Starmyst was glad Tav could think up things faster then she could. She was able to effectively lie quite easily, but when taken by surprise she dwadeleed and stalled for time. As the ship sailed out of the harbor she was pleased to note it was a taking a slightly different direction then planned. "It was probably poisioned food," she grumbled to herself. "What did he throw you?" she asked him as they returned to the shadow of the warehouse. "We're going to find the caves. We don't know if re-directing the ship was the best idea, but if the REAL culprits overheard us they may follow the same advice." She looks out over the water, looking to see if any ships are taking the same southwest course. "I say we buy some horses and a quick snack and be on our way. The sooner we find the Prince or more clues the better. By the way, what candle was he talking about?" As Tavarak walks back to the group with Starmyst he grins "A fine duo we make" Upon reaching the others he recounts all that has transpired. "Avon, if you still have the candle you lifted from Zumir its worth at least 2 GP to him, i'm sure it has more than just sentimental value, perhaps its magic or something." Tav opens his hand revealing the small black peral "Well i'm not entirely sure how profitable the ruse was but does anyone know how we can split this 8 ways? Someone else had better hang on to it, I have a tendency of misplacing things of value." He hands the pearl to Starmyst "Or perhaps we can use it to buy supplies, hmmm" He looks at Avon and chuckles "or even breakfast" Avon reaches over and picks up the pearl from Starmyst's open palm. "I'm something of a minor expert in appraising things, you know. Do you mind if I take a look ???" He fondles it for a few moments, looks at it closely, then hands it back to Star. "I'd say it's about 3gp ... RETAIL, mind you. For us to sell it, we'd probably get half that... call it 1.5 gp or so. ... Myr, did you get a chance to look at that "special" candle?" "Me?", replies Myr, taking on a very unconvincing innocent look. "Pilfer through your things?" The innocence immediately turns to a sneaky grin. "It's magical, that's all I can tell you. The only thing you 'borrowed' with magical properties, incidentally Avon replies, "You mean you don't know what it DOES? Maybe we ought to try and light it," he quickly looks around at all the people in the Main Square, "....or maybe we'd better wait until we're in a little more ~secluded~ place, eh?" "Sure I know what it does. It burns." Myr remarks sarcastically. "I didn't identify it, if that's what you're getting at." After Avon gave his comments on the pearl, she said, "I say we keep it, just in case we have to identify ourselves to the Orc again. Who knows, since he listened to us perhaps he thinks we are allies of his, and it will be useful to have one that has a boat." Tav continues his report on the dock interchange, "The Half Orc mentioned someone named Paula, does anyone recall someone by that name?" Tav ponders the situation for a second before continuing "Well perhaps if Zumir was going to rendvous with the Prince's kidnappers, our little ruse may have bought us some time. Hmmm if not i forsee some hungry orphans." Tav frowns at that prospect. "I still think our best bet would be to see if we can secure Poppys help and sail to the caves. If we go by land we would still have to negotiate our way past the 1500 troops outside the city walls." As Avon gets up he beams a sarcastic smile at 'the random dockworker who passes by and gives him a questioning glance'. He slaps the dust of his clothes and straightens his vest. Then while putting away his bow he looks around in his backpack and takes out some stuff. "Trying to reach the caves by land might not be the best way. As you may have noticed there is some sort of crisis developing in this city. And we surely have no time for a little snack, I am not hungry anyway. Besides I thought we agreed at leaving this town in a hurry." Before any one can reply, Avon holds out his right hand and shows a small leather pouch. "This candle you mean?" Before any one has a good look at it he closes his hands and throws the pouch to Myridian. "I have no idea what it is. But it looked important enough to take. Magic I think. Maybe you can have a look at it Myr?" Avon's eyes drift toward the ship sailing out of the harbor. "Let's hope we are out of the sight of that lookout." Still staring at the sea in the distance he holds out his left hand, showing a calendar with some writing on it and a little book 'Athring Navigators Almanac'. "Oh, yes. There was this number inside, SQ 60 or something." It looks like if Avon wants some one to take the book. Sandros turns to Avon: "Of course you're not hungry, you just ate that whole sausage. I, however, did not get any breakfast, and while I'm just as interested in leaving as the rest of you are, I'm going to eat first. If you want to stay and investigate the docks, I'll just go and clear up my little ...*ahem*... legal problem and meet you back here? at the Inn? somewhere else?" Star said, "If the city is under some sort of siege, we are less likely to get a boat then some spare horses. I propose we ride out to the caves and then figure out how to get in. Besides, there's usually more then one way into a cave. Perhaps we can find a side entrance. If we're to do anything, though, we should do it soon," she finishes, casting a worried glance up at the morning sky. "Let's go back to the Inn and buy a horse for me and for anyone else who needs one, and then leave for the cave." She slowly begins walking back in the direction of the Inn, walking backwards to see if anyone else has anything to add or comment on. Then she remembers that, altho the Inn doesnt have horses to sell, there were some for sale at the public market in the main plaza they passed through. An average horse is available there at the bargain price of only 10sp, including necessary tack. A mule is 8sp. Sandros says to Star, "Fine. I'll just hop over to the magistrate while you do that... My horse is back at the Inn, tho, so if we get separated, I'll meet you back there." At Sandros' remark, Ven states, "I'll go with you, if you don't mind. I already have a horse at the inn, too, and am not much interested in milling about in a stable. Besides, it might be a good idea if we at least stay in pairs. You never know who might be watching us and waiting for a chance to catch one of us alone." Avon comments, "BUY!? Why is it always buy?! Cant we just borrow some? ... Oh all right, just this one time, we can do it by the book." Star sums up the plan, "Okay, we go to buy horses from the shop back in the market, while Sandros goes to clear up his problem with the magistrate. We meet back at the Inn where the other horses are, and set out to the gates. We can think of someway to get past on the way there." Star headed back to the plaza and entered the horse shop, looking around for the owner or a stablehand. She wondered what kind of horse she wanted, being a Druid she felt a special kinship with all animals. She spotted an intelligent looking white one with gray specks and smiled at it, knowing that would be her horse. "Horses, eh?" says Quill, "That definitely get us to the caves faster, but once we're there, how do we get down to the caves? Do we have a mage to levitate us to the caves once we get there? The way Poppy spoke, it seems as though the only way to reach these caves is via skiff, with a lot of danger involved with the tides. We've got that almanac, so it seems that we've got one-up on the tide." "'Do we have a mage?'", Myr repeats, rolling her eyes slightly. "Sounds so impersonal, like, 'Do we have a trampoline? Please pass the mustard.'" She smiles toothily over her sarcasm. "I happen to have a mage, but she can't possibly levitate the lot of us." Tavarak shrugs reluctantly and follows Starmyst "Ok fine with me, I guess its a riding we shall go. So whats your plan to get us past the siege? or shall we just play it by ear?" Avon turns and looks at the parade of officials and knights that are leaving the Palace and heading toward the North Gate. "Must be heading toward that noon appointment," he muses. "C'mon, c'mon... it's getting later and later. If a war is going to start here tomorrow, I want to be long gone! I don't like this at all, not at all. Soth! but if we don't get out of this town pretty soon, something bad is going to happen. And I just have a feeling it will happen to ME. --- I really don't care HOW we get out of this town. One if by land and two if by sea and all that. But I'm not so keen on letting some seagoing pirates decide what to do with us. Or relying on them to pick us up with a valuable little dwarven cargo and then letting US go and collect all the reward." [Horse merchant to group:] "Ah yes, as ye can see, we've animals aplenty. Yes yes.. And they are all saddle broke too. All fine and healthy. Will ye be taking some pack animals as well? A group such as yerselves... a brave and accomplished troupe of adventurers if I've ever seen one... Surely you'll be plannin' on bringin back treasure aplenty from yer adventures? Ye can get a mule each for only 8sp... And that's a special price only because you'll be buying a horse at the same time. Whatd'yasay? And if ye'll be buyin' 5 or more of each, I could lower the price by... 5% say?" "Mules." Myr sticks out her tongue slightly. "Filthy lot, always braying and making all hells of noise at the least opportune moment." "I'll take something in black, if you please," she says as if describing a new robe instead of a horse, and wagging her finger in the direction of the animals. "Something good-natured." She smiles charmingly at the merchant and winks. In the plaza, a squad of armed men flowing to the north accompanying the Imperial Banner. Princess Talis is among the group, mounted on a white horse. She is wearing a robe of deep red and tan, a falcon rests on her shoulder, talons digging in to a large leather pad sewn into the robe. Avon looks even more rushed. "I dont care what kind of horse. As long as it's healthy and can be ready NOW." He picks out a brown horse with white socks, and helps a stable boy saddle him up, mumbling under his breath the whole time. Looking over the variety of horses the merchant has available, Quill searches for one that would most fit her personality. As she is stroking the mane of a proud chestnut stallion, a gray mare catches her eye. She takes her hand from the stallion and walks toward the female. She is a unique specimen, a mottled gray with a steel - almost blue - mane. Quill is astonished with the spark of intelligence in her eye and as she reaches up to pet her neck the horse seems to move towards her hand. "She's a beauty," thinks the ranger. Quill pays the merchant for the steel mare and all her trimmings [saddle, bit, bridle, etc.] As she was about to leave the stable with the group she asked the merchant about a mule one last time. "Well, a mule may come in handy after all. How about one that is a sturdy worker without too much of a 'stone-foot' [colloquiallism for a stubborn mule]?" "Aye yes, miss," says the horsetrader, "I see ye've a fine eye for horseflesh. O'course there's a nice sturdy mule, not so fleet as yer horse, naturally, but strong and tough. And not overly *ahem* strong minded." He quickly furnishes appropriate bills of sale for all the new purchases. Star noticed the commotion outside and grinned as an idea formed in her head. As soon as the others had bought their horses she quickly gathered them around and uttered in a low voice: "The Imperial group is moving north, how about we leave through the east gate and say we're a side part of their group. Explain that we're rangers of a sort, and they hired us at the last minute to stay near in case anyone attempted an attack. Anything along those lines. We head south until we're out of sight and then turn east, find the coastline, and then find the caves. It's a far fethced plan, I know, but if we work together we can pull it off." Tav nods, "Thats a good plan Star, i'm sure we can make it work. So if we don't have a levitation spell i would wager that we will have to do it the old fashion way. That means ropes and spikes, hmmmmm does anyone else have ropes or spikes? And perhaps more important is anyone familiar with climbing? The extend of my knowledge in that area is, if you don't know knots, tie lots!" Tav laughs, then mounts his horse, makes sure his shield is attached securely to the saddle, then sets his butt end of his lance into the toe hold and rests the shaft on his shoulder. "Well shall we?"
...Meanwhile... Sandros and Veneron find their way easily through the Plaza and to the court building. After a brief wait, they are admitted to the room Sandros needs. He's first in line and presents his papers. Sandros is asked to repeat his story of being freed and to do so under a truth spell. "No problem, " Sandros is confident. The magistrate is convinced and removes the "turn human into bell-ringing-fireworks-display" charm and gives him Melfan papers that confirm his status as a free man. The two quickly make their way back to the stables at the FFI, saddle up their horses and wait for the others. They note that the citizens seem to be migrating to the north, and clambering up the wall for a look at the parley that will be taking place in a few hours. Soon, Tavarak meets them at the Inn, explaining that the others are waiting at the Horse Trader's... The three set out at a moderate trot and soon rejoin the group.
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