Jammers Summary: Chapter 1, Turn 30

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

Deigatt eyes Holland curiously but makes no comment regarding him. Rather, he turns to the others, particularly Billy, and asks, "You were not long hin the tavern; did you capture your prey?"

Billy grins from ear to ear, gets up and kicks the air where their invisible captive lies. Hearing a comforting grunt Billy simply says, "Yyyyyyyyyyup."

The minotaur's eyes grow wide. "This Gantius was hinivisible hand you still captured him?" he says. "I ham himpressed, comrades. Very himpressed."

Kain glances up from his search through his rucksack. "Oh, no, Deigatt, he.. umm.. wasn't invisible when we found him. Holland made him invisible before we.. ah.. left the Thumb. The guards would have had to say something if we were carrying a bound and gagged man through the streets of Bral." After extracting a fresh sheet of paper from one case, Kain sets up his inkstand and well, making notations on what the company recovered during the fight. "Has.. ah.. anyone seen Talus since we've been back?" he asks without looking up from his work.

Radick looks to Holland and then to the area on the floor where Billy kicked. "How do you know this is Gantius? Did he identify himself? How did it go down?" Radick's face appears very business-like as he listens to the others tell of their altercation at the Twisted Thumb.

After kicking the bound and gagged scoundrel, Billy says, "I think that as soon as Holland comes to he should cancel his spell... What better way to loosen your bonds and escape than when you are invisible..."

"And perhaps no one should mention any more of our names in front of him, heya?" Nilaroo rumbles.

Italapate takes a blanket from the foot of the bed, tossing it over the invisible body of the prisoner on the floor. Sitting lightly on the edge of the bed, he puts his feet on the lump thus revealed. "Why, Paco? Do you think he is going to recognize any of us later? Do you really think there will be a later for him?"

Once he's done listing all of the treasures, Kain rubs the ink from his fingertips. "Well, no one's seen him..hmm. I'll go see if Talus is in his room." Getting up and leaving Leera and Jamilia's room, Kain knocks on Talus' door to see if Talus is within.

A grumpy "What!" echoes from inside the room.

Kain opens the door slowly, peeking around it before slipping into the room and closing the door behind him.

Inside Talus is sitting on his rumpled bed holding a dagger reading to throw at the person coming through the door. With a yawn and a sour look the half-elf asks, "Back already? How did it go?"

"Well.. ah.. we got him. At least we think it's him," Kain shrugs. Then sitting on the footstool at the foot of the bed, he relates the rest of the story.

Talus frowns, "From what you say there could be considerably risk in my going on with the meeting tonight. If they know I am part of the group, they may take revenge. On the other hand, this will be the only chance I have of penetrating the Red Masks, and as we will be operating off the rock for a time to come, that could be invaluable. What do you think?"

"I wouldn't go," Kain says after a pause. "But if you don't go tonight, Talus, would the guild look to cause problems for you? Saying you'd like to join their ranks and then.. ah.. not showing would tend to lead to problems I think." Shifting in his seat, he adds, "Everybody's in Leera's room now, and Billy's contact told us to wait here."

Talus sighs, "Both choices present problems. But I suspect going ahead with the meeting will result in the Red Masks taking revenge by attacking of capturing me." Thinking a moment, he continues, 'Lets go talk to the others."

Kain and Talus return to leera's room, Talus says "Well done. It certainly looks like the commission has been well earned. But it does pose certain problems for me."

"As I mentioned earlier, I have arranged a meeting with the Red Masks looking to gain entrance into their guild. With your actions against Gantius, I fear that they may have linked me with this attack and seek to take revenge if I turn up tonight. On the other hand, if they know nothing and I do not turn up, they may want to take revenge for slighting the guild." Talus looks depressed, "What think you all? Maybe the halfling would pay if we used this meeting to draw out more Red Masks. Or I could chance that they don't know my link with you all, or use that link as a double agent."

"I do not think that would be wise, Talus. They will be paranoid enough after today; best not give them the chance to lay hands on one of us. Besides, I do not think we will be on the Rock long enough for you to gain their confidence." Nilaroo replies.

Turning to Talus, Billy advises, "I really think you should stay. I must agree with Nilaroo. After tonight they will be looking for revenge and will go after anyone who presents themselves..."

Talus nods, appearing thankful for the support, "I shall keep my distance then, but I will need to be very careful when we get back here. Thieves are notorious for keeping grudges."

About an hour after the Company returned from its barfight, there is a knock on the door. An older halfling, is standing there after the door is opened, two large humans, legbreakers by their look, stand behind him. The halfling looks very nondescript with close-cropped brown hair and is wearing the plain brown tunic and trousers of a native Bralian workman with no visible weapons. This is the same halfling Kain and Radick saw Billy speaking with a few days earlier after the visit to the mercers, the one who spoke of the strange halfling myth. They walk carefully into the room, so the door closes behind them, the legbreakers' hands kept far from their broadswords but looking dangerous nonetheless.

The older halfing says to Billy, "Are ye Squirrely, Billy?"

Billy smiles and replies, "Very squirrely indeed, friend."

The halfling nods, "You folks did a right nice job, quiet like and all. You got all the gang near as we can tell, and since Gantius was the only body missing, I'm hoping you got him here."

"Sure do," Billy kicks the blanket covered lump with a satisfying thud. "We've even wrapped him up for safe transport!"

A smile creases the halflings face. "A good job indeed. May I?" The halfling steps forward and feels around under the blanket where Gantius is lying. "Aye, that's him." he motions to the two legbreakers who come over, discard the blanket and pick up Gantius as the halfling hands a pouch to Billy, it clinks heavily. A grin, "130 platinum pieces there for you, gold was just too heavy. And here's a bonus, some good advice: Gantius wasn't popular in his guild but they can't let this pass and your the only obvious targets. 'specially since they know he's alive and spilling secrets they'll wonder who you sold him to. If I were you folks I'd leave town for a while, let things simmer. A few tendays, perhaps."

Billy catches the pouch. "My thanks. This will come in handy..."

With that the halfling and legbreakers leave carrying Gantius, still invisible, with them.

Nilaroo stretches after the payoff. "Now that that is overwith, I think we should make plans about moving to the ship entirely tomorrow, when it becomes ready. In addition, we need to provide House Moune with their share of the profits."

"Hindeed," Deigatt agrees. "Hour remaining here would only hendanger hour host. The ship will be easier to defend should we find defending necessary. Hand I'm eager for hus to find more honest hemployment."

Italapate stands. "Well, I know _I_ cannot afford to stay here any longer, friend."

Kain makes two equal piles of the platinum coins pushing one towards the slightly larger pile of assorted ones. Taking a small bag from his rucksack, Kain then adds the company's first payment, closing the drawstrings and handing the bag to Nilaroo. "Tell Standish there could be more, once we decide what to do with the remainder of the stuff we've obtained. That is.. ah.. if you would please. "But as for the.. ah.. Star. I don't think we can claim her just yet. The Lady wants to see us at ten tomorrow morning at the ship," Kain says looking intently at his inventory list. "Though it can't hurt to check I guess."

Putting the remaining company funds into the pouch the Halflings' used for payment, Kain clears his throat. "And if we're..hmm..planning on leaving tomorrow, we'll need to get a few things. Provisions, mainly, though some other goods to outfit the ship wouldn't hurt" he says with a shrug. "We've only enough stores for about four days aboard the Star now, and from the sound of it we'll be gone quite a bit longer than that. I'd suggest keeping two months of provisions and goods on the Silent Star for now, until we can.. ahem.. afford to keep more.

"We'll need a strongbox also, something we can keep our valuables in. That way when we come to port we don't have to worry as much as we would otherwise. Is there anything else?" Kain asks, looking at his list again.

Radick steps forward towards Kain. "The way I see it, the company should get nearly half, and the rest be divided up among all of us. So, before you go putting all of that into some purchases that we may or may not need, I'll be taking my share. The way I see it, you have about 65 of those platinums, and odd change in the rest. If we each take 3 platinums, or the equivalent, then that is almost half the total. The rest can be used for supplies. I'll take mine in straight platinum." Radick holds out his open hand and awaits his coins.

Kain waits, chewing his bottom lip in thought. "If that is what the majority of the company wishes, that is what we shall do. I may have assumed too much when I thought that we should outfit the Star first, I'll grant you that," Kain says slowly. "But as there is a.. ah.. dispute on how to divide the payment, can we at least wait until Holland is awake and aware to decide? I hope that it should only be a few hours more." Kain clasps his hands together behind his back as he finishes speaking.

Billy says. "I think that I must agree with Kain, Radick. We should supply our ship first so that we don't get caught by surprise... If you are really short on funds, then I'm not against you having a little bit o' cash, but otherwise I think that all monies earned should be kept together. Each of us can dip into to pot when needed."

"And what supplies will cost us nearly 350 gold?" responds Radick to the rest of the group as well as Billy. "We need food and ammunition. Beyond that I believe everything else is pretty much personal. If you spend more than 50 gold on the lot you are throwing our money away. " Radick then leans towards Billy, "As far as my personal finances go, they are none of your business."

Radick then turns and looks at the rest of the items. "Seeing that only Deigatt and I are trained with battle axes, I guess I will take this one." Radick picks up the weapon and tests its weight. "Leera, let me know when you will have some time to examine this baby for any enchantments."

"Perhaps I was too hasty in my placing the ship before the individuals of the company," Kain says levelly, "but I think that you also make claims too quickly Radick." Taking a steadying breath, Kain continues, "After a moments more thought, I propose that we pay House Moune what is due it today, and lay off all other business until after we have claimed the Silent Star as our own. That will.. ah.. give everyone time to rest, maybe learn if any of these newest items bear enchantment."

Radick listens to Kain calmly. "There is no doubt that House Moune gets paid today, but if we are thinking about getting off the Rock tomorrow, as I believe we are, then I will be having my coins now. As for the axe, examine it all you wish, but my claim has still been put forth and if it does not go to me, I will expect a full explanation with just reasoning."

Leera speaks up, "Indeed, I plan on determining that early tommorrow." She pauses and then turns to Radick, "And friend Radick, Kain speaks rightly when he calls you quick to make claims. You contributed very little to this success." She pauses, as if to think, "Hmm, let's see... Oh, that's right! You did manage to almost get Grigree and me killed with your performance in the bar! That is of course worthy of great reward! And the wonderful way you handled yourself in the battle where we captured Gantius... no wait, that's right... you were off burying your head in a pint of ale! A truly heroic service to the group! We might have been poisoned if you hadn't tested the ale in that bar! Again, obviously worthy of great reward.!"

Leera is a bit flushed and obviously angry. She pauses, and then finishes by saying "Radick, you'll get your money and a chance at the items when we've taken care of the group's needs. Until then, be quiet!"

Radick moves to draw his axe, but thinks better of it. He storms towards the door.

When Radick attempts to leave, Leera says, "Radick, I'll be needing those bracers. I'll examine them in the morning, too." She holds out her hand.

"Get lost bitch!" responds Radick as he walks right out of the room his hands are still dangerously close to his axes. His face and stride suggest that any attempt to delay him will be met with violence as the anger is clearly bubbling up in him.

Italapate walks down the stairs as Radick blows his top in Leera and Kain's direction. "I'm going to the docks," he calls to anyone who might care. He steps up to the inn-keeper, tossing him his key and the last of his coins. "Won't be needing these tonight, good sir," he says. "Thanks for your exceptional hospitality... I know some of us are a little hard to bear at times." Then he exits the inn and walks down the Rock's quaint roads to the docks. Having little else to do, he stakes out to the Silent Star.

Back in Leera and Jamila's room... "Oh, no," Kain says dejectedly as he rubs his hands together. "I never.. ah.. meant to.. ah.. start all of this." He massages his temples with a tired hand. "If I'm to try and help Holland at all, I need to relax and cleanse my mind." Carrying his rucksack in his right hand as he leaves the room Kain mumbles, "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me. And if I'm not out in three or four hours, could.. ah.. somebody come get me. I don't intend on sleeping, but you never know."

"Be at ease, Kain. It was time that Radick learned that we are all here together as equals." Nilaroo softly rumbles.

"You guys go ahead. I'll stay here, cleaning up everyone's wounds. I'll pack up in an hour or two. Everyone that took injuries, let me look them over to make sure that none of that accursed poison will come back to haunt us," Raken says as he cleans the blood off his hands. "In the morning, when Celestrian has renewed his blessing, I'll try to get Holland on his feet."

"So, do you want to help me with my armour?" Jamila asks Raken with a grin, "My shoulder still feels a bit sore from that thug."

"Of course, Jamila," Raken replies with a smile, "I'll help you peal off your heavy armor and examine your shoulder." He gently helps her out of her armor and spends the next several minutes examing the injuries on her shoulder. "Hmmm, I don't believe that you have been poisoned. You show no signs of poisoning. However, I'll cast a cure spell on your shoulder in the morning."

"So who's interested in a nice warm bath to wash away the grime of battle?" Jamila asks those that are still in her and Leera's room. "If your planning on leaving this Rock soon, you might not find another place for bathing for many days."

"I'll join you," Raken says. "It'll give me a chance to wash the dust of this rock off and take a look at that shoulder of yours. After that battle, I could use a bath."

"To tired now, but thanks," Grigree replies to Jamila from his spot by the wall. He continues to sit there for only a bit more time, his shoulders sagging and eyes half open, before getting Nodding a "'night" to the rest of the group and heading up to his room. He falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.

Before Deigatt retires, he politely asks to borrow the spellbook the company seized on the eelship so that he might study one of its spells.

Leera informs humble Deigatt that "Sleeping beauty over there has the book. Come, let's see if we can find it among his things."

"I don't think it would be wise for me to walk the streets tonight. Could anyone spare a little bit of floor that I may stay the night?" asks Billy with a pitiful look on his face.

Deigatt looks up from watching Leera search through Holland's belongings and says, "I believe Comrade Holland's bed will be hotherwise hempty tonight, Comrade Billy. You should sleep there." Deigatt takes the company spell book when Leera offers it to him: "Thank you, Comrade Leera."

"That's right... I'm sure he won't mind..." Billy walks over to where Holland is lying and pats him on the hand. "Hope you get better soon... Somehow I feel a little responsible..." Billy turns and goes to Holland's room, retiring for the rest of the day.

After a few hours, Kain comes back out of his room. Knocking before entering Leera and Jamilia's, he walks over to Holland. Placing the fingertips of his hands on the unconscious mage's forehead, Kain closes his eyes in concentration.

As the hour draws late and Holland still lies unconscious on her bed, Leera mutters in exasperation, "I'm NOT going to let him forget about this!" She then unrolls her pack and curls up to sleep on the floor.

The afternoon and evening passes uneventfully. Everyone sleeps or rests, leaving their bedrooms to bring up small trays of food from the common room below. Wizards study books while priests pray, psioncists meditate, and warriors exercise. Sleep comes easily after the days exertions, and the hours slip by.

Early the next morning, Leera seeks out Kain and asks him, "Kain! Ah, there you are! I'm going to examine the items we recovered from Gantius and his gang... I'd appreciate your help."

"Sure," Kain agrees with a smile. "Just..ah..let me get my list and my ink and I'll be right with you." After a few moments, Kain returns to Leera and Jamila's room, his rucksack slung over his shoulder.

He finds Raken already there, casting a series of healing spells on Holland which get the mage back to full health.

Leera meditates for a moment, and slowly speaking the syllables of a magical incantation, casts a spell. She examines the items, and as she does so tells Kain, "Hmm... only one of these newest items shows any evidence of enchantment ..." She picks up a dagger and sets it aside. "This daggers bears enchantment magic." She then examines the other items in the company's inventory. "These darts ARE interesting, and not all the same either..." She borrows Kain's quill and makes a small mark on one of the darts. "This longsword and this cutlass show evidence of alteration magics."

"Enchantment for the dagger, okay, alteration on longsword and cutlass, fine," Kain nods as he makes the correct notation beside the weapons on the list.

While going through the items, Leera remarks upon seeing the darts "Hmm, why don't I take these..."

"I..ah..don't see why not," Kain nods in agreement. "No one else seems to want them. I'm sure once we tell everyone what we've got, they'll accept your claim on the darts."

As they examine the stuff.... "Well, I suppose it will be interesting to see how we divide up these items... What do you suppose would be fairest? Should we draw lots to see who has first pick?"

"Well..hmm..I think we're all rational, well-reasoned individuals. If somebody wants something, maybe they could just say so," Kain thinks out loud. "If two or more want the same item, let them work it out between themselves, maybe." Kain's words end sounding half statement and half question.

After casting the spell and telling Kain which of the items are magical Leera sits back on her heels and asks "So, Kain, which of these do you want?"

Kain shrugs as he stays kneeling on the floor. "Nothing really, I don't need anymore weapons. That vial's probably the poison that thug was using, and that seems a..ah..decidedly evil thing to use on someone."

Leera shakes her head. "No, the poison was yellow. Maybe this is the antidote? Or perhaps another poison?"

"Oh, I thought it just might look different in the bottle," Kain says as he holds the vial up to the light. "It isn't magical, so it could be the antidote to the poison, or another poison as you..ah..said Leera."

After spending some time with Kain, Leera gathers the rest of the company her and Jamila's room. Leera speaks, "I've managed to determine which of the items we've recovered are magical. We seem to own a magical dagger, a magical longsword, and a magical cutlass. The dagger is imbued with enchantment magic, the two longer weapons show signs of alteration magic. Perhaps one of our priests could add to this knowledge... you see things in different ways than we mages. In any case, we should decide who will use these items. Jamila seems to be the only one of us to wield a cutlass, and Grigree would seem to be the resident expert on longswords. That leaves the dagger. Who wants it?"

"Not I," Kain shrugs. "I.. ah.. agree that Jamilia and Grigree look to be the.. well.. sensible choices for those weapons."

Grigree slowly eats an apple.

Date/time: 9:00 am 18th day of the 4th Month, 5049 OC