Episode 8!

[20:21:46] <Tim_the_Narrator> LAST TIME!  A brutal battle was fought outside a warehouse near Rael's Square in the city of Aerie.  Several mercenaries and an outcast Adanian swordsman all met their deaths to a trio of ragtag adventurers, while a completely mundane warehouse worker was punched unconscious!  What will happen next?  Check it out!  Episode 8, "Arrest!  Wait, the City Watch is here!?"
[20:24:02] <Tim_the_Narrator> It's still a foggy Megamai morning, the silvery mist billowing up around your knees and lending an eerie feeling to the day, although the rising sun is beginning to burn most of it off.  The streets are still quiet, festival weeks tend to keep people in bed a little longer, and awake a little later.  You've also got captives, don't forget about them.
[20:24:04] <Tim_the_Narrator> Go!
[20:25:38] Mina hangs out near the back of the group, her hands behind her head.  She doesn't like the fog, but she shrugs it off, looking around.  "So, should we tell pomette about what happened?"
[20:26:49] <Tim_the_Narrator> The warehouse worker's head lolls, groaning in a sort of nasally, whiny way as he starts to come around.
[20:27:09] Moirrey hovers over the two prisoners, mostly. She sits on the back of the unconcious one and makes sure that the one she saved from death-by-bloodloss doesn't try anything. "Do you think she'd take offense? I don't want to cause any problems."
[20:28:55] <Mina> "Oh, right, that guy.  So what's the plan with him?"  She inclines her head towards the worker
[20:30:17] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Murderers!  You plan to slit his throat, so he won't talk?"
[20:31:13] <Tim_the_Narrator> It's the still-pale-faced mercenary Moirrey saved.
[20:31:31] <Moirrey> "If you think we are that bloodthirsty, wouldn't we have killed you already?"
[20:34:14] <Mina> "Besides, I don't think a mercenary like you has room to talk."
[20:34:24] <Tim_the_Narrator> "...Unless you plan to torture us for information."
[20:35:07] <Tim_the_Narrator> He looks uneasy, "It was just a job."
[20:35:09] <Moirrey> "Well, it won't have to come to that if you just tell us strait away. Keep that in mind~"
[20:36:45] <Hayri> "A job to kidnap and kill a girl, who's not a warrior herself?  What kind of job is that?"
[20:37:33] <Mina> "Are you sure he's part of that group?  Bandits and mercenaries aren't known of their brains.  A lot of people will keep them in the dark."
[20:39:38] <Tim_the_Narrator> "...Kidnap and kill who?  What in the Shade are you on about?"
[20:39:59] <Mina> "Told ya."
[20:40:16] <Moirrey> "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, let's have a quick chat with the warehouse manager and then take these two to the ship before people take an interest in these bodies. Sound good?"
[20:41:26] <Tim_the_Narrator> "You think you can kidnap me and get away with it?  The Fanglord will mount your skulls on his banner!"
[20:42:19] <Hayri> "'Fanglord'?"
[20:44:26] <Mina> "You know how they can get when you capture them.  Come on, let's go."
[20:45:19] <Tim_the_Narrator> "...The captain of my unit.  He'll tar them and put them on a standard."
[20:48:33] Moirrey shrugs and heads over to the leg-wounded soldier and helps him up, putting his arm over her shoulders. "Well, keep quiet while we get you to the ship, or we might end up getting a bit close to the edge of the pier. Got it?" she says.
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[20:51:15] <Mina> "If he tries to attack us, we'll just have to see."  She smirks to herself.  "Yeah, let's go."
[20:55:28] Hayri pats Khan and gets moving, wincing slightly as he walks with the slight injuries suffered in the fight.
[20:56:54] <Moirrey> "Once we get back to the ship i'll take a look at you, Hayri. Sound good?"
[20:58:28] Hayri nods, before taking his helmet off to carry it under his arm. "This armor stopped anything too bad from happening, at least."
[20:59:18] <Tim_the_Narrator> The soldier grumbles, but goes along, limping.
[20:59:50] <Tim_the_Narrator> ...You nearly bump into a bent-backed old man selling sweetmeats from a tray outside the alley.  It really is far too foggy.
[21:01:08] <Tim_the_Narrator> He apologizes profusely, and scuttles away, clutching the snacks.  After all, every one of you has a weapon of some sort.
[21:02:55] Mina shrugs, keeping her ears open, listening through the fog.  Between that and her position towards the back, she shouldn't have too much trouble
[21:09:03] <Tim_the_Narrator> A few stores are opening up for the day, there's a smell of cooking meat and baking bread as the city slowly comes to life, the background murmur of civilization increasing all the way to the docks and the still-unrenamed ship.  Generally, people are assuming that you're ALL mercenaries and that you're getting some comrades home after a brawl.
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[21:12:02] Hayri keeps his eyes on the buildings - it wouldn't do to get lost on the way to the ship now of all times.
[21:13:14] <Tim_the_Narrator> Pomette has already went back to her ship, leaving Jir Harkin unoccupied...except for a certain clerk in your employ, Gedic Tolhaus, slipping in to report, "Hmmm...interesting tidings, sir.  Interesting indeed."
[21:14:38] <Harkin> He looks up from the ledgers he was going over and cocks his head. "Is that so, Mister Tolhaus? Do share."
[21:18:43] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Well, obviously it would be...how to put this?  Going through all of the records of a major noble's financial transactions was proving...most unproductive.  Megamai law, ah, it isn't quite the same." He pushes his glasses up on his nose, "So I took the coin to an assayer.  He was, hmm, most surprised to see one."
[21:20:20] <Harkin> "A fine adaptation. What did he have to say on the coin's origins?"
[21:22:10] <Tim_the_Narrator> "He'd never actually seen one before.  Mmm, you see, Song Valley has been in the hands of the same family for a very long time, it was almost a mark of their wealth that they could use the profit for one venture to pay for the next.  They, err, never spent any of those coins as far as anyone has ever heard."
[21:25:28] <Harkin> Harkin's bushy gray eyebrows rise sharply. "Would he be willing to sign testimony to that effect? This could prove a definite link between the conspiracy and the Song treasury, after all. I'd need it in writing."
[21:26:38] <Tim_the_Narrator> "...I'm certain he could, but sir, without hard evidence, what's stopping the perpetrator, if they really are a Winged Noble, from just dismissing it all as circumstantial?
[21:26:40] <Tim_the_Narrator> "
[21:27:30] <Tim_the_Narrator> "He could always say he was robbed, or spent a few of those coins at the festival.  Our evidence is painfully thin."
[21:29:51] <Harkin> "It's not their courts I'm interested in convincing; the nobility is above them at any rate." He scrawls a note in shorthand and then flips the ledger shut. "Tell me," he asks,"do you think Razulf the Wise seeks war with Yurand?"
[21:33:32] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Not particularly.  As it stands, the political balance between Megama and Yurand is, mmm, unfortunately slightly slanted towards Megama, if he wanted to go to war, it would jeopardize that.  Unless he won, that is."
[21:37:11] <Harkin> "I suspect he would be unwilling to take such a risk, but the possibility exists." Harkin rises to his feet and paces to the other side of his desk, tapping his knuckle against his chin. "The only one with the authority to condemn a high noble of Megama would be him, and none can question his judgement - openly, at least."
[21:38:05] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Er, sir, at the same time...if we had evidence, solid evidence, I don't think the other Winged Nobles would look kindly on this incident, unless it truly is backed by the state.  Mmm, in that case, we'd have to go to war."
[21:40:02] <Harkin> "It may well be impossible to find a single piece of damning evidence, but a preponderance of circumstance ought serve just as well. Especially if the noble house of Song is politically vulnerable, it may be all he needs to launch a more official investigation. Something that would open their treasury and records to direct review." He smiles a little at the thought.
[21:44:54] <Harkin> "The political situation is something I'll send someone else to investigate; Fost or Aguilliar, probably. For now, look into their treasury officers, and give me a list of those that would have the authority to dispense funds directly."
[21:45:20] <Harkin> He thinks a moment, and then adds, "Check their inventory procedures, too. If they're going to claim theft, we'll need to know how long such a theft could go undetected to narrow down the window."
[21:46:27] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Hmmm...cleverly done, sir, that shouldn't be too hard.  Although, if I may say so, assuming that, well, there is a conspiracy and this particular noble is behind it...he may have dispensed the funds himself."
[21:47:47] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Ah, coin pilferage is hardly ever reported.  Nobles either catch it and dismiss the servants responsible, or they don't notice it to begin with.  In short, they could reasonably say that...bah, you know what you're doing, sir, and a lot of circumstantial evidence will certainly add up."
[21:49:38] <Harkin> "Just so. The noble will need be on your list too, then, along with his direct family. If an official investigation is launched, we'll pick them all up and interview them seperately, look for inconsistencies. This could take some time."
[21:50:02] <Harkin> "For now, though, you've enough to get started?"
[21:53:17] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Of course, sir."
[21:53:31] <Tim_the_Narrator> Well, there's a bit of a ruckus, sounds like everyone's back from their outing.
[21:54:28] <Harkin> Harkin nods a dismissal, then adds quickly, "Oh, and keep an eye out for someone by the name of 'Adjat'. Just a hunch, you understand." Waving the clerk out, he heads abovedecks to see what the commotion is all about.
[21:56:26] <Tim_the_Narrator> Mina, Hayri, and Moirrey are back, and it looks like they have a few people with them.
[21:57:43] Mina waves to Harkin as he comes up.  "Good morning!"  She says it cheerfully, grinning.  "Has it been eventful?"
[21:59:24] <Harkin> "Oh, no more than- I say, are those men alright?" Harkin replies, his voice rising a bit in alarm.
[22:01:51] <Hayri> "Some of them."
[22:03:51] Hayri reaches the Ninivene's deck, and sets down the unconscious mercenary. After doing so, he removes the charred Adanian man from Khan's back, setting him down as well. He kneels for a moment, mumbling quietly in his native tongue.
[22:05:25] Moirrey lets the man she's helping sit down on a crate and nods to Harkin. "They won't die, if you're worried.
[22:06:21] <Mina> "Yeah, that's just bad business.  They attacked us, though, so whatever happens happens."
[22:07:14] <Harkin> "Not particularly worried, per se," he replies, somewhat haughtily. "Though I must ask just what happened at the warehouse."
[22:09:45] Moirrey heads over to Hayri. "Mind if I check your wounds, now?"
[22:10:28] <Hayri> Having finished with the ceremony, Hayri rather unceremoniously tosses the scorched body off the side of the ship.  Turning, he gives Moirrey the affirmative as he removes the well-crafted armor.
[22:14:00] <Mina> "The short version?  They mistook Hayri for this guy."  She points a thumb at the defeated warrior.  "And let us in to take his cargo.  Then he showed up with backup and started screaming about blood and glory, so we kicked his ass."
[22:14:13] <Harkin> Harkin watches the man tumble over the side and suppresses the urge to ask if he'd been thoroughly searched. Or if they'd checked to see if he had a bounty on him. Ritual, after all, is important to some people.
[22:15:35] <Harkin> "Ahm... just how many asses did you kick, exactly?" Harkin is vaguely registering the amount of blood on their clothes, with some degree of concern.
[22:16:55] <Mina> "Most of them.  What was it, a dozen mercs or so?"  She asks over her shoulder, already having put it out of her mind.
[22:17:56] Moirrey quickly cleans wounds and applies bandages to Hayri's chest. "That should do it for now. You'll be as good as new in a few days, tops."
[22:18:14] <Harkin> Harkin's mouth droops worryingly. "So the rest of them are...?"
[22:20:21] Hayri squirms uncomfortably as his wounds are cleaned and treated, but doesn't complain. "Thank you, Moirrey." He turns his attention to Harkin as he gathers up the armor from the deck. "Dead."
[22:20:52] <Moirrey> "Mhm. Most of them were pretty beat up. I barely saved that one with the bum leg over there, he was about to bleed out."
[22:21:04] <Tim_the_Narrator> "You can't really be thinking of holding us here.  We were lawfully employed to retrieve some goods for their owner."
[22:22:20] <Mina> "You attacked us.  We defended ourselves.  Now, if you'd rather we drag you back there and make it fatal..."
[22:22:22] <Harkin> The old bookkeeper pinches the bridge of his nose. "Dead in some alleyway, waiting for the watch to discover them, I expect? No chance you decided to file a proper report?"
[22:22:54] Mina looks sorta sheepish.  "Well, in the heat of the moment, we kinda forgot..."
[22:23:27] Hayri shrugs. "I don't know anything about that."
[22:25:33] Mina rubs the back of her head.  "Oopsie..."
[22:27:29] <Harkin> Harkin sighs with impressive length. "I'll see about righting that. In the meantime, who are our captives? Mercenaries, of some sort?"
[22:28:25] <Mina> "Yep!  Two mercs, freshly caught.  we thought we might find out a thing or two."
[22:31:30] <Harkin> That lightens the elderly Yurandishman's mood somewhat. "No doubt they've many interesting things to tell us. Shall we begin with the talkative gentleman over there?"
[22:32:40] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Ask whatever the Shade you want, old man." He glowers thunderously.
[22:33:08] <Tim_the_Narrator> Well, he tries to, it comes off as more sulky than anything.
[22:34:48] <Harkin> "Ah, let us retire belowdecks, then. I'm certain you'll be more comfortable there." He gestures for the man to be brought to the same room used when interviewing Zappo and his gang.
[22:35:32] Mina grins and helps the two along.  Mostly through use of threats, veiled and otherwise
[22:35:44] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Listen, if you keep me imprisoned here, my Fanglord is going to burn this little tub around you all and put your heads on pikes."
[22:35:51] <Tim_the_Narrator> He follows along, though.
[22:36:19] <Hayri> "Ah, Harkin.  He keeps saying 'Fanglord'; do you know who that is?"
[22:36:46] <Tim_the_Narrator> "...It's the title our superior officers in the Fang have, you barbarian."
[22:37:14] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Like a Captain, sort of."
[22:37:52] <Hayri> "...by 'the Fang' you mean your group?"
[22:38:05] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Yeah, what else?"
[22:39:47] Hayri shrugs. "I've heard all I care about. Do you want me in the room, Harkin? Otherwise, I'm going to go rest."
[22:40:01] <Mina> "He already threatened to have our heads put on pikes when the fanglord shows up."
[22:40:28] <Hayri> "Yes, but for now it's just these guys."
[22:40:46] <Hayri> "Better to be rested for that Fanglord guy."
[22:41:38] <Moirrey> "Let me just ask...How does the fanglord look on people who lose battles and get captured?"
[22:41:47] <Harkin> Harkin nods to Hayri. "Perhaps it's best you recover from your wounds. Remarkable as our Moirrey is, it'd probably help."
[22:43:43] Hayri nods and goes to lie down. "Thank you again, Moirrey!"
[22:43:46] <Tim_the_Narrator> "That happens.  We're mercenaries, not fanatics."
[22:44:03] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Any more questions?"
[22:44:17] <Harkin> Harkin nods amiably, and gestures for the merc to sit in the nicest chair the room offers. "Several, in fact."
[22:45:11] <Tim_the_Narrator> He plops down in the chair gingerly, favoring his bad leg, "Got any wine?"
[22:46:08] Mina follows after Harkin, simply lurking in the background, listening
[22:46:46] <Harkin> "It's a bit early, but I'm sure we can manage something," the old man replies. "Introductions, first of all. I am Jir Harkin, service of Her Majesty Queen Pomette of Inner Yurand. You've already met my colleagues. And you are...?"
[22:55:22] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Krebchen Morsh."
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[22:56:37] <Harkin> "And what is your occupation, Mister Morsh?"
[22:57:11] <Harkin> Harkin's quill never stops moving, even as he watches the interviewee intensely.
[22:58:23] Moirrey scoots a bit closer to Morsh. Without asking, she grabs his wounded leg and places it up on her lap, deciding to check that her bindings, poultices and bandages have done their job and don't need any replacing.
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[23:05:53] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Er, I'm medium infantry."
[23:06:15] <Tim_the_Narrator> He starts, winces, but stays still.  He needs that leg, after all.
[23:06:20] <Mina> "Ooh, fancy."  Mina rolls her eyes.
[23:06:35] <Harkin> "In a mercenary company, I presume. Which one, in particular?"
[23:07:45] <Tim_the_Narrator> "The Fang."
[23:08:23] <Harkin> "What is your rank?"
[23:08:50] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Corporal."
[23:09:10] <Tim_the_Narrator> He sits up straight, his eyes ahead, answering curtly and quickly.
[23:10:05] <Harkin> Harkin questions him in a similar manner, one inquiry after another. "And who are your officers?"
[23:12:22] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Sergeant Brus Haggit, also taken prisoner."
[23:12:45] <Harkin> "And above him?"
[23:19:19] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Lieutenant Pinksy, surname unknown.  Above him, Fanglord Moira Malkin."
[23:19:48] <Moirrey> "Where are you from?" Moirrey adds. Why not add a few more queries?
[23:21:13] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Kvetya, 'riginally.  I'm one of the younger ones from there, though."
[23:22:00] <Harkin> Harkin nods. The preoccupation with fangs did seem to point in that direction. "Does Fanglord Malkin command the entire company?" he asks politely.
[23:23:35] <Tim_the_Narrator> "No, she answers to Steellord Huran.  Him and some of his men from the old country, back when they founded the Fang, run things."
[23:25:28] <Harkin> "And from whom did you receive your orders for today's mission?" Harkin asks, his tone still impassive but pleasant.
[23:26:31] <Tim_the_Narrator> "The Sergeant, we were just picked up as a bit of muscle.  Probably against you lot.  Even though she's nice." He grudgingly nods at Moirrey.
[23:26:38] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Really knows her stuff."
[23:27:23] <Harkin> "Do you know who your Sergeant got his orders from?"
[23:27:32] Moirrey sticks a sprig of parsley in her mouth and then tightens the splint on his leg a bit too suddenly. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks."
[23:28:23] <Tim_the_Narrator> "GGGHK!"
[23:28:50] <Harkin> "I'm sorry? I didn't catch that."
[23:28:54] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Gentle as a bear in bloody rut, though!" He glares.
[23:29:38] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Probably Pinksy!  Pinksy's never against a bit of extra petty cash.  Keeps us in limes and livery and all that."
[23:30:28] <Mina> "You should really be faster next time."  Mina mentions it offhand, but the grin on her lips is unfriendly.
[23:31:30] <Harkin> "About what time did Sgt. Haggit inform you of your orders?" Harkin asks around the side-conversation.
[23:32:57] <Tim_the_Narrator> Grumbling, the mercenary digs around a little pouch hanging off his belt, unwraps a piece of rock candy, and pops it into his mouth, calming down, "Last night, told us we'd be up first thing in the morning to do it.  Just business, same as you."
[23:33:35] <Mina> "And then your CO tried to kill us."
[23:34:19] <Harkin> "Around what time, last night? Do try to recall precisely."
[23:37:30] <Tim_the_Narrator> "It was late, we were at the Black Dragon, having a drink."
[23:39:30] <Harkin> Harkin's ears perk at the mention of a familiar tavern. "And what details were you given about the operation?"
[23:42:36] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Some representatives of some Megamai Noble had a writ from him, authorized to move some items from a warehouse.  His men would take them on from there, we met with one of them the next morning, and he led us to the warehouse near Rael's Square."
[23:43:05] <Mina> "Oh ho."
[23:44:15] <Harkin> "'Him' being Lt. Pinksy, or your sergeant?" Harkin's notetaking pace has increased markedly.
[23:44:35] <Tim_the_Narrator> "That noble."
[23:45:00] <Harkin> "And to whom was the writ given?"
[23:45:30] <Tim_the_Narrator> "The guy we met is the one your witch and..." he shoots a suspicious glance at how close Moirrey's hands are to the splint, "...and the other one carved up and cooked like a fat turkey."
[23:46:50] <Mina> "Sorry, but we don't do the whole 'honourable dueling' thing."
[23:47:41] <Harkin> "To the best of your knowledge, did he have the writ on him at the time of his death?"
[23:48:12] <Moirrey> "Sooner an enemy's on the ground with a concussion or massive flesh wound, the less of a chance I have of gettin' stabbed in the face. That's all i'm looking for in a fight."
[23:48:28] <Tim_the_Narrator> "No, the ones who hired us probably did.  It got shown to a superior officer at some point, is all I know."
[23:49:02] <Harkin> "I see. Lt. Pinksy, perhaps?"
[23:49:45] <Harkin> Harkin breathes a sigh of relief that the vital evidence did not, in fact, go overboard as part of Hayri's Adanian funeral ritual.
[23:50:07] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Probably."
[23:50:47] <Harkin> "And where is the lieutenant now?" the clerk asks, fearing he already knows the answer.
[23:50:47] <Tim_the_Narrator> "...Can I get a sprig of that parsley?"
[23:51:15] Moirrey shrugs and digs into one of her belt pouches. She hands him what she can fish out.
[23:51:40] <Tim_the_Narrator> "He's probably still asleep.  Shore leave and-thanks, miss.  Shore leave and all that." Munch.
[23:53:19] Mina smirks.  "He seems to be being a good boy.  I'll be outside."
[23:54:30] <Harkin> "Just a moment, if you would," Harkin says before she leaves. He turns back to the captive. "Shore leave where, exactly? The Black Dragon, perhaps?"
[00:00:16] <Tim_the_Narrator> "Well, that's where most of us were going."
[00:02:19] <Harkin> Harkin nods. "Mina, do you think you'd be able to go by and collect Mr. Pinksy? He may have information that could be of use, and if he's had the kind of night that mercenaries are apt to have, he oughtn't give you much trouble."
[00:03:00] <Mina> "Heh, let him try."
[00:03:03] Mina grins and nods
[00:03:07] <Mina> (but see OOC)
[00:04:38] Moirrey nods to Harkin and Mina's conversation. Then she turns back to Krebchen. "Anyway, as for you, get comfortable. As far as i'm concerned, you're not leaving the ship until i'm sure you can walk without stumbing and falling off the island."
[00:06:49] <Harkin> "It would be for the best," Harkin agrees. "I'm afraid you can't be allowed to leave while our investigation is ongoing, but I'll see to it you're provided every reasonable comfort in the meantime. I'm sure you understand, Cpl. Morsh?"