Jammers Summary: Chapter 1, Turn 21-23, Group C

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

The svelte Zakharan and the hulking, ape-like gromman make quite a pair walking through the streets of Bral, though not so unusual as to draw more then the disapproving stares of a few older human ladies (obviously assuming Jamila is "working" and willing to go with an ape to boot...)

Noticing a few of the stares, Jamila moves a little closer to Nilaroo gives a big grin at one of the older women, and sticks her tongue out at another. "He swings!" Jamila calls out.

It's a relatively short walk to House Moune's offices(#55), and after a short wait in the reception area Standish, Lady Moune's Senior Agent, appears.

"Thank you for coming," the a thin, balding man in wirerim glasses says, "You've saved me a trip. The Shipwrights have informed me that your vessel will be finished by tomorrow morn. The Lady Moune would like to meet you there, say 10 am? She wants to introduce her representative personally."

Nilaroo replies "Well, Standish, I do not know that the company will be free at that time. There is a small personal matter involving Mr. Two-Thumbs that has now encompassed us. I have come to pass the details on to Lady Moune, so that she will not be suprised by what may yet occur, and may offer what advice she has on a somewhat delicate situation," the gromman rumbles. In addition, there is another who may wish to join our company, and therefore would like to see a copy of the contract to which we are bound. Is the Lady available this morning?"

Standish smiles weakly, "I understand the desire to deal with the final authority when possible, but I'm afraid your company will have to get used to speaking to me concerning your affairs. Lady Moune is very busy, only very rarely will she be available." He takes his glasses off and polishes them. "I'm certain that she will not be willing to add another to the contract so soon. Its strictures do work both ways, afterall and we do not know this young lady. Perhaps later, though if she wishes to join your company that is of no moment to us, it has no bearing on the contract." He replaces the glasses and motions to some wine and glasses on a nearby table, "Please, help yourself. Now, what "delicate situation" may I help you with?"

Quickly Nilaroo brings Standish up to date on the situation. "So, as this guild war has now encompassed one of Billy's community members, we now stand to collect a bounty if successful. Do you have any information that might increase the odds of success, and minimize the chance that one or many of us gets killed?"

Jamila stands slightly back, as Nilaroo speaks with Standish, so as to not get in the way. She smiles slightly when Standish looks at her, then turns and has a look at the painting on the wall.

Standish frowns, "I'm afraid my experience with street wars is very limited. But, I can assure you that turning these Red Masks over to the magistrate would be very dangerous. Without direct evidence he would likely charge you with assault and release them. Especially as the Halfling's guild would undoubtably fail to come forward. Best to keep the magistrate out of these sorts of affairs, that is the Bralian custom." Standish smiles, "I suppose you have at least chosen the stronger side. The Halflings' leader is known to be one of the city's Underbarons, while the Red Masks are a new group, barely above gang status." He shows you to the door, "I wish you luck. Please try to have at least one of your company at the SILENT STAR in the morning, afterall she will be your responsibility from that point on." He shakes Nilaroo's paw before you depart.

"Shukran, Master Standish." Jamila says as she leaves with Nilaroo, "It was a pleasure to meet you" she says with a smile.

"So," Nilaroo rumbles to Jamilia as they walk towards their next rendezvous point, "at least we know that this group is not all that well established. However, that means that they may be more willing to take risks to enhance their reputation."

"Yes, at least that is something." Jamila replies, "But still they have the element of numbers and this is their home ground."

It doesn't take long to find the Twisted Thumb, just like Billy said it's right where Wasp street opens onto the market and pretty close to the Moune offices. Once outside the tavern, Nilaroo and Jamilia make for a sweetmeat stall in the Great Market which can provide them a surveillance point for the next few minutes.

"I don't think it would be wise to stay here for too long" Jamila mentions quietly to Nilaroo as they glance towards the tavern and munch on sweetmeats. "If it was me that ran this organization, I'd have lookouts around my known hangouts." Without attempting to be conspicious, Jamila lets her gaze wander around the area looking for possible places to overview the area, and not stopping if she sees someone watching.

"Well I for one could do with a drink," Nilaroo rumbles. "Let's go in and see for ourselves." He waits a moment for Jamilia, and then proceeds towards the tavern door.

As the two of you walk across the street a man in his late thirties comes rushing out of the bar, shoving a shortsword into a scabberd. He has short, brown, wavey hair and wears a brown cloak over a yellow tunic and red trousers. He instinctively stops running as he enters the street.

"Perhaps Nilaroo, that might not be the best think to do?" Jamila replies eyeing the man that has just exited the bar.

Wordlessly Nilaroo pushes through the door, hand on hilt.

With a slight shrug of her shoulders and a last second check to tighten her sword belts, Jamila follows Nilaroo inside....

Date/time: 11:30 am 17th day of the 4th Month, 5049 OC