Chapter 3: The Enemy Within

[Josh]

The human nurse watches him. "Thank you, Streko. I know you don't have the time to stay. I think we can manage."

"Let's go then," Grafth says with a shrug. "He's in capable hands, and we still need to acquire provisions. Hopefully Kalarian has dealt with the artificer."

If Streko is ready to go, he'll invite the halfling to head to the Ghallanda station with him and pick up some foodstuffs.

[mike]

Jeff: Understood. It's why Torhak took ranks in Bluff.

Torhak looks calmly at the rider. "Indeed I saw them, friend. I remember the elf in particular, with his incessant prattling about tea." He shrugs. "Such are elves. I prefer a good tankard of ale."

Torhak points in the direction of Ghallanda station. "The elf went there, in search of his precious tea. The man in House Deneith colors went with him. As for a shifter ... I have not seen one, at least not one in their company."

The dwarf bows his head, in deference to the rider. "I pray this helps you, good sir."

[Joe]

"Thank you, Streko. I know you don't have the time to stay. I think we can manage. If you return to another enclave, perhaps you can ask on our behalf for another dragonmarked heir to be sent here? There've been skirmishes along the border near Redleaf lately; we could use more healers here like you."

Streko nods. "I will notify House Jorasco at my earliest convenience of your needs, good nurse. I wish both of you to know that your work no doubt helped keep the boy alive long enough for me to come stabalize him. Well done! And thank you, again, milady, for the supplies."

He bows formally to his kinsman, takes the lady's hand, kisses it, and steps over to Grafth.

"Let's go then," Grafth says with a shrug. "He's in capable hands, and we still need to acquire provisions. Hopefully Kalarian has dealt with the artificer."

"If you don't mind, dear Grafth, let's us go to House Cannith first. You can ensure that the artificer situation is concluded and I can look into replacing my tanglefoot bag suggly. Should take but a quick moment. Then, off to Ghallanda where I will happily purchase a bottle of fine wine for each of us and a sewing kit specifically for you!"

He grins widely at his friend and heads out of the Jorasco shop.

[Jeff]

Pavilion

"Thank you," the Aundairian guard says to Torhak. "You look capable with that axe, master dwarf. If you would do me a favor...if you see these men exit from the Ghallanda shops, please...detain them. Alive."

He turns and walks in the direction of Ghallanda...

Jorasco station

Grafth and Streko exit, the shifter leading the way toward the Ghallanda section. Just as he nears its entrance, a soldier wearing the Aundairian colors atop a surcoat strides past him, almost walking into him. "Excuse me," he says irritably without looking at Grafth.

Grafth and Streko both have the sense that...something's up. There are loud, demanding voices come from within the Ghallanda station.

[Darren]

Kalarian glances over his shoulder to see the guards questioning Torhak. Turning back with a grin on his face, he mutters, "Morons."

Kal spins quickly, walking backwards for a few steps. The finger of his right hand points out towards Torhak, then he turns back around with his arms folded, the finger still pointed at the dwarf. Kal whispers as he walks, but Torhak hears Kal's voice as though the human were standing right beside him. "Get Streko and Grafth and get them safely out of here. Meet us back at the ship. Quickly, now, Torhak. You want my trust and respect? This is how you earn it...."

Kalarian reaches out a hand and places it on Lever's shoulder, recoiling slightly at the metallic clang as his ring meets the construct's frame. "Lever, my friend, you may have gotten mixed up with the wrong people." He smiles at the warforged. "We have a knack for getting into trouble, but our intentions are always good. I promise, we won't let you come to any harm. The 'forged who was hurt fighting with us was built for a fight. It was her," he pauses, "er...well, it was Mist's choice to fight." Kal continues walking with a thoughtful look on his face, his eyes on the ground in front of him. "I'll tell you more when we get outside of town. Come on," he says, his head swivelling around to see if they're being watched, "let's move a little faster."

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Kal casts Message.

[Jeff]

Just a few paces outside the pavilion's door, Lever stops dead in his tracks and looks to Kal. "I do not wish to be a part of illegal activities. Things do not...already go well for me."

[Darren]

Kal stops and turns to look at Lever, his face very close to the warforged's. His tone and manner are very serious. "I promise you, Lever, there is nothing illegal going on. I told you, we find ourselves getting into trouble, but our intentions are good and it is our attackers who break the law and leave us to clean up the mess. We simply haven't had time to deal with the cleaning, yet. You have my word, Lever, that your involvement need not be anything more than providing an artificer's service to a damaged warforged, if that's what you choose." He looks into what passes for the construct's eyes for a moment, letting his words sink in. "Now, will you come with me?"

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I guess maybe a Diplomacy check?

[mike]

"(I)f you see these men exit from the Ghallanda shops, please...detain them."

"I will do my best," says Torhak.

After the guard departs, the dwarf waits for a minute or two, and then begins to slowly stroll around the pavilion, keeping a sharp eye out for Streko and Grafth.

[Josh]

"I believe we may have outstayed our welcome... and without getting even meager supplies." the shifter turns to Streko, "Ralsor will not be pleased, but perhaps it can't be helped."

Grafth looks toward the center of the pavillion in an attempt to spot the others. Seeing only Torhak, he says, "It doesn't look like anyone has regrouped just yet. I'm starting to wonder if doing so would be a mistake..."

[Jeff]

Lever seems to consider Kal's words for a moment. Then he cocks his head slightly, a decidedly humanlike gesture, and Kal wonders if it's something he does naturally or in imitation of other races. "If you are pursued by the law and already considered criminals, then perhaps you abducted me against my will. And it was simply pragmatic for me to cooperate with my captors."

The warforged's face is, as always, impassive. But Kal can hear a smile in the words. Lever resumes walking.

Within the Pavilion, Torhak spots Grafth...they meet eyes. To Torhak, it looks as though Grafth is considering what to do next.

A moment later, one of the Windshire militiamen emerges from the Ghallanda store (leaving the other guard and the Aundairian rider within still), holding the hand of the small boy that Torhak was speaking to. The boy seems to be leading the guard—his "Pa"—directly toward the dwarf. They move right past Grafth and Streko...

________________________

Kal's Diplomacy check = 10 (yep, you rolled a "3," but lucky you Lever didn't need much convincing)

[mike]

Torhak looks at Grafth, and looks over slowly and deliberately in the direction of the gate leading out of Windhaven.

The dwarf then heads over towards the boy and his father. He smiles at the boy. "Hail and well met, Riaan," he says to to the boy. "This must be your father. 'Tis good to make your acquaintance, good sir."

[Darren]

Kal looks at the warforged in surprise, speechless for a moment. Then he laughs and says, "Yes, Lever, I think we'll get along just fine." He continues to lead the party out of the town.

[Jeff]

The boy, Riaan, beams. "This dwarf is an orc-slayer, Pa."

The militiaman frowns, then glances around as if ensuring no one else heard that. But he nods his head at Torhak. "And to you, sir. My son tells me you have been here, waiting. Have you been waiting for anyone in particular?"

[mike]

"Waiting ... yes. I was actually waiting to speak with the Tharashk inquisitive-for-hire of your town," says Torhak. "However, I thought I saw that he seemed to be occupied with another - a woman, clad in Jorasco garb - so I did not wish to intrude on their business. I thought it prudent to allow them some time for their talk."

"My humblest apologies if my presence has caused any troubles. Is there a tavern, perhaps, that would be a better place to wait? I could do with a fine tankard of mead."

[Joe]

Streko is halfway to the Cannith store he was intent on visiting when he realizes that Grafth is actually heading in another direction...Ghallanda.

"Perhaps he didn't hear me..."

Streko shrugs and continues to the Cannith store, intent on picking up some replacements before moving on to Ghallanda for foodstuff.
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As Streko was leading the way, he had no idea that Grafth would move toward the Ghallanda shop until he was at least halfway to Cannith...sorry Josh!

[Jeremy]

)) Sorry about the M.I.A., reasons have been sent to the DM. ((

---

Jeff, how close are we to the ship? If there is still a little ways to go, then heed the following, if we're right there, then ignore.

---

Goran looks back and forth as they reach the next turning of the street.

"Kal, give me a few seconds to scout ahead. If that guard is still milling about or has sent anyone to watch you guys, I want to see. Plus, he thinks I am traveling alone. If he sees me with you, carrying a warforged like this, he is bound to ask questions...and will no doubt insist on having them answered!"

If necessary, Goran will take measures about the guard which need not be discussed yet.

[Darren]

"Good plan, Goran. When we get close to the ship, be on your guard, as well. No doubt those riders saw it from above on their way in. They may have already sent men there."

[Jeff]

Is there a tavern, perhaps, that would be a better place to wait? I could do with a fine tankard of mead."

"Umm, there might be." The guard seems distracted. "Come, Riaan. Thank you, sir."

Riaan waves. "Goodbye!"

Grafth, too, sees the militiaman walk away from Torhak.

Streko turns and approached the Cannith shop. The one below is the miscellaneous store for equipment, weapons, and various supplies. The one above is for magical items.

Outside, Goran moves out ahead, separating himself for the time being from Kal and the warforged Lever. So far, he sees no guards having marked him.

_____________________________

Jeremy: the ship is about a half hour's walk. Really, only Goran and Grafth could effectively find it again in as little time. Should Kal go it alone, he may get lost.

[Jeremy]

Goran will not leave Kal to get there alone, he only wants to get them past the gate without undue attention. Perhaps a diversion is called for...

---

Goran makes his way back to Kal and Lever.

"Kal, can you call Streko or one of the others? I don't know how far they are away, or if it's possible. We may need a distraction for the guard at the gate, should he be there."

[Darren]

"Not without being able to see him," Kal says with a grimace, "and I don't know where he's gotten off to. I asked Torhak to look out for the two of them. I think we're best off getting ourselves out of here safely and trusting the dwarf to get the others out." Kal thinks for a moment. "I'd like to avoid a fight, at all costs. If the guards try to detain us at the gate, let me see if I can't talk my way past them. Maybe you should take Lever and go out first, and I'll follow behind you. You can always claim to be just 'some other Eldeen ranger' as long as you're not with me. Given my status within House Deneith, I'm a bit more recognizable," Kal says without a trace of boastfulness. "If a distraction is necessary, I may have a few tricks up my sleeves," Kal says with his usual wink.

[mike]

Torhal waves farewell to Riaan, watching the boy and his father move away. After a minute or so, he looks back in Grafth's direction, and points sternly at the gate leading out of Windhaven.

The dwarf then starts heading slowly towards the gate, not looking at anyone in particular, and trying not to draw attention to himself. He looks about, 'searching' for a tavern as he gets closer and closer to leaving the town.

[Jeff]

Goran and Kal both see the same guard at the western gate. There's a second man standing with him now. They seem to be scrutinizing those entering or exiting a little bit more. Nothing severe, and nothing that's stopping traffic altogether.

"Do you wish to speak your way past the guard?" Lever asks Kal. "If so, I may be able to help you." He looks Kal up and down. "Your vambrace," he says, indicating one of the leather bracers Kal wears. "May I use that?"

Torhak exits the Pavilion—and Grafth sees him go—emerging back into the sunlight. A few people look his way, but no undue attention is given to him. He does, however, note that across from the Pavilion is where the two dragonhawks landed on the lawn of the town hall. One of the two riders mounts up onto his dragonhawk, seeming ready to take to the air.

[Darren]

Kalarian begins to unlace the leather around his left forearm. "What did you have in mind, Lever?" As he hands the vambrace to the warforged, he adds, "I still want you to try to exit with Goran. I think you'll both have an easier time getting past the gate without me."

[Josh]

Grafth watching the confusion (and perhaps a big confused himself), watches Streko head to the Cannith station.

Quite disappointed about the lack of a food purchase, the shifter heads for the exit. Rather than cutting through the center of the pavilion, he walks past other stations, keeping his pace as leisurely as he can.

Once outside the pavilion he will find a place to discreetly wait, with a view of the entrace, to watch for Streko to emerge.

[mike]

After Torhak exits the Pavilion, he makes his way to a spot between the Pavilion and the lawn of the town hall - preferably under a tree, or by a small building, or anywhere else providing a mild amount of cover.

The dwarf kneels down, and opens up his backpack, pretending to rummage through its contents as if he cannot find something. Meanwhile, he keeps one eye on the Pavilion entrance ... and one on the dragonhawks.

"Hurry, my friends," he mutters to himself. "I fear we have little time."

[Joe]

Streko approaches the Cannith clerk. "Greetings! You wouldn't happen to have any Thunderstone and Tangleroot bags, would you, good sir?"
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Streko obviously didn't notice Torhak's nod to Grafth...so he is going about his usual business.

[Jeff]

"No need, Lord Kalarian," Lever says, reaching out to touch the bracer on Kal's arm before he's finished unlacing it. Without a word, the warforged draws a length of fine, black thread from a spool hanging from his artificer's harness, clips it, and traces it around the bracer. The thread promptly vanishes and for a brief moment, the bracer glows with a soft red light.

Kal feels a curious warmth where the leather touches his arm, and he feels a boost of confidence surge through him. He feels as if he could speak...more eloquently.

"As long as you—or anyone—wears the vambrace," Lever says, "You will fill words come to easier. The effect will wear off in half an hour, however. I will exit with the Khorovar."

The warforged promptly strides over to join Goran. "The guards here may have seen me before. If it is all right with you, perhaps I can talk us through them."

Torhak finds his spot beneath a tree and busies himself with his pack. The dragonhawk and rider take up into the air. It takes only a few moments to realize that the Aundairian rider is intending merely to examine the town from above. He seems to be looking for someone.

Grafth exits the Pavilion as well and finds a bench nearby just beneath an awning, currently occupied only by an old woman. Grafth notes Torhak taking a position beneath a tree halfway between the Pavilion and the front lawn of the town hall. He sees the dragonhawk wheeling in slow circles above town...

Within the Cannith station of the Pavilion, one of the female Cannith clerks looks down at Streko.

"Certainly, sir. We stock several alchemical items. Thunderstones are thirty galifars, though you may purchase two for fifty-five this week. I do believe we.....yes, only have a single tanglefoot bag today. That would be fifty galifars." She smiles. "Prospecting in the local mines? These items can be dangerous, if used improperly. Are you familiar with their use?"

_____________________________

Lever casts an infusion on the bracer, granting its wearer a +3 circumstance bonus on all Diplomacy checks while it lasts.

[Joe]

"By the Host, prices have nearly doubled since my last visit here! Ah, well, perhaps after I've healed a few more people, I can return. Thank you anyway, dear lady."

Dejected slightly, Streko turns and heads out, looking for the Ghallanda store. "I need a drink. Some bread and cheese as well. And, I had best hurry...time is running short."

Streko makes his way to the Ghallanda store.

[Darren]

Kal simply grins at the warforged, then moves casually amongst the crowds, waiting until Goran and Lever have made their way through the gate.

[Joe]

Streko approaches a Ghallanda clerk. "Greetings, milady! I am hoping you could show me to the wines, breads and cheeses. Would you happen to, dare I ask it, have any wine from the Reaches? Also, a loaf of your warmest sourdough and a roll of cheese that is neither pungent nor terribly sharp...but a bit mild?"