Jammers Summary: Chapter 2, Turn 11

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

Holland slowly gets to his feet, awkwardly due to his hands being bound, and says, "'Take us away?' I, as well as these two, have done nothing wrong as you yourself have already stated. You on the other hand, have used hostile magics against us. It is you who has committed the crime."

Turning to the Sgt. Tagart Holland says, twisting his torso so his bound hands can be seen, "Would you please untie me."

The priest responds angrily. "I asked you to leave and you became hostile. So I used a non-lethal spell to hold you until the watch arrived. Latanuut would prefer I spill your blood on her altar, but I know you were sent by the Guard or those deceitful priests of Ptah to somehow blame the loss of their artifact on Shipwrecker and drive her worship from this place. She reveals all to her faithful servant, so that her cleansing winds can blow the fog of deceit away!"

The sergeant steps forward and punches Holland in the jaw, knocking the mage back down like a sack of potatoes. "I don't like mages." Turning he orders his men to pick the three up and "Bring them along for questioning."

Walking up to the priest he holds his hand out in a blatant manner and says, "Our time is valuable, citizen, it would be a shame if we were to respond more slowly next time."

Grumbling, the priest pulls a pair of gold coins from his robes and places them in the watch sergeant's hand.

Surprisingly, they are reasonably gentle while carrying the trio outside then around to the side of the building. They swiftly search them, collecting all the coins they find, but even refrain from taking liberties with the bound Jamila.

"Your a handsome one." Jamila says in a sexy, exotic voice to the guard that searchers her, and she gives a wink at one of the other guards behind the sergeant.

"This should just about cover your fine for disturbing the peace." the sergeant says, smiling. The other watchmen laugh harshly, "Now, if we let you go are you three going to cause anymore trouble?"

Holland winces and says, "No Sergeant, we will not cause you anymore trouble."

Following Holland's lead, Jamila says "No sergeant", and glances at 'Pate to watch his reaction.

Once Holland's hands are cut free he unconsciously brings them to his face to feel his split and swollen lip. Not talking any further, Holland rubs his wrists as he quickly moves through town, taking the long route back to the ship. Jamila and Italapate follow him.

Putting her arm around 'Pate's shoulder, Jamila follows Holland back towards the ship, giving one last wink to the handsome guard.

Meanwhile, at the ship:

Leera continues to wait on deck for Holland, Jamila, and Italapate to arrive. After about five minutes, she looks around and wonders aloud, "What's keeping them?"

"Surely they could not have run hinto hany trouble hat this shrine that Comrade Holland could not keep them hout hof," Deigatt replies to Leera's question. "Hit his likely they have discovered some hinformation habout this chalice hand har taking great care to make sure the hinformation his reliable before they bring hit back to share with hus."

"Still," the minotaur continues, "I would prefer they hurry hand that we depart this harbor soon."

"Yeah," Kain agrees as he drops a copper coin overboard, watching it sink until it's no longer visible. "At least.. ah.. on Bral we didn't have to fight through the mud just to get about. The storms are.. er.. quite amazing though, I'd never seen one come in so quickly. At least one that wasn't summoned magically," Kain finishes quietly. "We'll.. ah.. also have to wait for our cargo before we go out for very long," Kain shrugs. Pulling another copper coin from his pouch, Kain drops this one over the side also. Raising his arms over his head, palms horizontal, he adds in sarcastic tone, "And thus do I pay homage to the stormmistress." Dropping his arms to his side, Kain snorts somewhat derisively and turns to go belowdecks, pulling up short when he sees a newcomer at the gangplank.

Nilaroo looks about uneasily at Kain's blasphemy, then his attention is drawn to the approaching figure. He has kept his weapons near at hand, but the bow is unstrung and his sword lies paces away.

He's a thin, unassuming young man with black hair and pleasant but unremarkable features. He's wearing standard sailors garb, again not unusual and carries only a dagger for a weapon. "Ahoy the ship," he calls, "Permission to come aboard?"

Ferric looks at the others questioningly for a moment seeing if anyone has an explanation for this man's presence. "Well, even if he means mischief we outnumber him handily. Keep your axe ready Deigatt and someone check for others in the water. No need to be sloppy." he says quietly.

His great axe in his hands, Deigatt stands resolutely before the end of the gangplank, his eyes focused on the dark-haired newcomer.

Turning to the newcomer Ferric calls down, "While we would surely love the company may we know your name the nature of your business here?"

The man raises an eyebrow, "Just got a propitiation for you, some cargo you can post? Can I come aboard and discuss it? If you're be heading for Bral within the week that is, the other ships in port ain't."

Deigatt steps back from the gangplank, still looking grim.

Smiling nervously the young man comes onboard, walking up to Ferric.

As everyone gets close he says in a low voice, "Listen, I'm actually looking for a few sword and spell slingers with a good jammer. You seem like a likely bunch, I've been watching you. I think I've got a real good idea where that Chalice half the town is looking for is, and for a fair split of the reward I'll be happy to take you there."

"We are currently awaiting the return of some of our comrades." Ferric smiles at Deigatt after stealing the minotaur's term. "They should be along shortly with any luck and we can discuss such matters at that time. Until then we can not agree to anything but we may well be interested in your offer. Mister.... what is your name?"

"Periander." the lad answers.

Fishing into his belt pouch Ferric offers the man a silver piece "Well, Periander, how about if you have a couple of drinks on me and return in an hour or so. By then our friends should have returned and we will have had an opportunity to discuss your proposition."

Deigatt casts a stern glare at Ferric.

Periander looks at the neighboring galleon busy with teamsters and then glances at the other activity on the docks. "Tell you what, meet me instead at the Grey Cat in the taproom at noon. It's a quiet place and I feel safe there. If you're not interested, just don't show. I'll look for a another likely group."

Turning on his heel Periander walks back down the gangplank and heads down the dock.

Billy whispers to Kain, "Do you think he can be trusted? If he is truly honest then I don't think he would mind a spell cast on him to prove his honesty..."

Kain bows his head and whispers in reply, "I.. ah.. find it hard to trust him without.. um.. some of us speaking further with'm. But if he does want us to help'm.. and he's being straight with us, I.. ah.. don't see why he'd have anything to fear from such a spell."

Speaking in a normal tone Kain says, "Billy, would you.. ah.. mind showing me how to use that crossbow of yours? I'm.. ah.. thinking I should know how to use a decent ranged weapon."

Leera pulls Kain aside for a moment and whispers something in his ear. Watching the stranger leave, she waits until he steps off the docks and then shrugs her shoulder, taking on the appearance of a middle-aged matron. Her rather plump figure is covered by a cheap gown. She is entirely unremarkable.

All work on the galleon slows as the sailors who saw Leera's transformation point her out to those who didn't, obviously talking about the shapechanging witch.

With a wave to Kain, she starts quickly down the gangplank and follows Periander. Despite the commotion the sailor continues walking, heading towards the Grey Cat tavern, once there he walks inside. Middle-Aged Leera follows him into the tavern.

Catching a glimpse of the reaction to Leera's shapechanging Talus just covers his eyes for a moment and then sighs. A few minutes after she leaves the young half-elf slips down the gangway and disappears into the town.

Holland, Italapate, and Jamila arrive at the STAR. Billy watches Periander leave and his beaten up companions arrive. "Do you still want to look at my crossbow, or was it just for show?" Billy asks Kain.

"Oh, it wasn't for show, I really *would* like to learn how to use the crossbow," Kain nods. "I'll... ah... go into town later to see about getting one of my own, or maybe just a case or two of bolts, dependin' on... ah... how expensive it'll be."

Billy looks up to his tall companion, "Well maybe I can show you when we're travelling. Things seem to be coming to a head right now. I hope you don't mind."

"I.. ah.. don't mind at all Billy," Kain smiles. "I just wanted to be sure I'd have an instructor before laying down the.. ah.. necessary gold."

Holland comes trudging up the gangplank, his battered face obvious to all that see him. Holland first asks Raken, grimacing slightly as he speaks, "You wouldn't have any healing available to you would you?"

"Hmmm, you always seem to find trouble, don't you?" Raken asks. "May Celestrian heal your wounds," Raken says as he lays his hands on Holland.

Holland smiles, "Thank you Raken," with an impish grin Holland continues, "Trouble always seems to find me.."

As he heals the mage Raken turns to Deigatt. "I think Ferric did the right thing. For one thing, I don't trust this fellow. Not yet. Another, I'm wondering how wise it would be to continue searching for the Chalice. We haven't been here but a few days and everyone knows we are searching for it. Undoubtedly these pirates know we seek the Chalice, and will wait for us. They undoubtedly have agents in town. They know who we are and a fair estimate of our numbers. We are not so privileged. They will ambush us at the first opportunity. We don't even know what type of ship they own, what their numbers are, or where their base of operations is located. We could be in way over our heads on this one," Raken says.

Grigree says "How do they know we are? As I understand it, the town is full of adventurers looking for the Chalice. And we certainly fit that description. But I don't think we stand out any more then the crews of that dragonfly or wasp."

Holland scans them quickly and asks, "Where is Leera?"

After quickly explaining, Deigatt says, "Perhaps, Comrade Jamila, you should follow Comrade Leera to the tavern to make sure she does not get hinto hunexpected trouble. She has disguised herself has han holder human woman." Turning his gaze over the railing, the minotaur remarks, "Hour neighbors looked hupset by Comrade Leera's transformation. We should keep a watch hon them hand be ready to hact hif hany hof them head toward the tavern." Deigatt stands close to the boarding plank and watches the galleon.

"Ajami." Jamila says with a look towards the heavens. "Always looking for trouble."

"Leera said she only.. ah.. planned on being gone a short while," Kain interjects as he watches the activity of the market.

Sighing Holland says, "Well, the trip to the Shrine was not a complete waste. I was able to verify that the pirates did steal the Chalice; however, since the others were keeping the Priest off-balance, his thoughts were pretty scattered. I was not able to determine the location of the pirates."

With a slight chuckle Holland says, "Billy, I would stay away from the Priest in the future, if I was you. He has a great dislike of halflings and was thinking about sacrificing you on his altar. The only reason he didn't was because of all of the potential witnesses."

Billy laughs and claps his hands, "He did hate me didn't he! I must go down below and change before someone recognizes me in this getup." Billy looks down at his raggedy clothes. "Be back in a... giff." He skips down below decks.

Holland loses his smile and says, "Though the Priest also thought we were agents of the Guard or of the Priests of Ptah. He wondered who talked, giving up his connection to the pirates. He finally threatened us with a weapon and then cast a spell of holding upon the three of us. Thankfully, due to the fact that the others had already left and would be suspicious, he turned us over to the Guard."

"Why did the priest of Ptah suspect him?" Grigree wonders.

Holland replies, "Probably for the same reason that we investigated the Shrine. Everyone seems to know that the Shrine is associated with the Shipwrecker Fellows. The Priest even thought at one point, 'everyone knows the pirates took it.'"

"That's backwards. We went to check on him _because_ the Priest of Ptah said he suspected the pirates were involved with the shrine. That Ptahite priest is the only one whose associated the two. If that's so why is the shrine still standing? I think we are not catching something here." Grigree replies.

Holland rubs his now healed lips and says, "I think that it would be wise to get some information on these 'Fellows', it would seem that everyone knows of them. Who would like to go out and try to glean some knowledge from the masses?"

"Maybe this fellow Periander knows something about 'em," suggests Billy.

Holland frowns and says, "The Guard doesn't like Mages that much. One of them thought to give me a little reminder of his feelings toward me.. They also took all of our coins as a 'fine'."

"The Grey Cat you say." Jamila says looking towards town. "Would someone like to buy me a drink? I'm a little short of coin." she asks those gathered on deck with a smile. "I would look very out of place in a tavern without a drink."

Holland says, "This fellow that says he knows of the location of the Chalice... I think that it would be wise to take him up on his offer. Though, I temper that with the fact that we need to use a few scrying spells on him to determine if he is carrying anything that has magical properties to determine if he has any devices that can mask detection, and if his words and thoughts ring true."

Kain nods in acknowledgment, "I.. ah.. agree, we should go speak with our sailor-friend at noon. But.. well.. how many of us should attend the.. ah.. meeting?"

Holland asks, "Does anyone here but I have the means to read men's thoughts? If so, then they should use it on this fellow."

"Sorry, no. Celestrian does not grant spells that pry into another's privacy." Raken responds.

"I don't think 'Pate or I should go ashore to meet this guy, I'd like to avoid the watch for a bit." Holland says, "I am going to relax and restudy some spells. I'll be below."

"I'd better be off, there's no telling what trouble an ajami could cause." giving Holland a wink she heads down the gangplank and starts off towards the tavern.

She's only gone a few yards however when Middle-aged Leera comes out of the Grey cat and returns to the ship.

Date/time: 9:10 am 1st day of the 5th Month, 5049 OC