Goriel and beyond, part 3

[Alberich]

Although it was interminable, the audience with Lord Arman Ilyich Duravsky was in the end uneventful. Argus had chosen a safe and courteous route in leaving Desiree with her new hosts, Lord Arman was well pleased to leave Kirassia where she was, and everyone was able to depart with too many words but no incident of substance.

[OOC: I imagine that Therese and her escorts are gone by the time Argus & Co. emerge, just because of the wordiness of it all.]

On their way out, there was ample opportunity for these guests to speak quietly to each other and plan their next move - even in the courtyard, Argus found he could subtly make use of his dampening cube to prevent all eavesdropping, and openly attempting to listen in on them would've been rude anyway.

Kirassia took that opportunity to reveal what she'd learned. "Last night, at the feast, I asked Tatiana about the man you were looking for. She hadn't heard anything there, but after the exchange this morning, she asked Irina, the head girl here. And Irina did a little asking around among the men in the course of her duties. And apparently - there is a rumor that a stranger came to town, to visit Clan Gibazov, arriving not long before you did; and that they swiftly provided escorts, to take him north to their ruby mine -- which is where they'd take anything they wanted to guard, that being their prize possession. And they seemed to be pretty secretive about it. It may not be the man you're after - but it sounds like someone important." She looked speculatively at Desiree, to see if she'd have to add something about not unwisely telling this to Dina.

Of course, Rose had already proposed having a look at the recently-robbed Gibazov museum - the coincidence of that was one of the factors that had led Father Boris to suspect Zukalin above all - and perhaps other ideas would occur to them. But here was their chance to discuss matters together, unheard, before splitting up once more.

[Graybeard]

[OOC: Gone, but not forgotten ... Let this be happening as the crew are wrapping up with the PM, but per the previous OOC comment, not in time for Rose to intercept Therese and the goons on the way out and intervene directly -- yet.]

Therese smiled. "But of course. An enemy of the most distinguished clan of our city-state is an enemy of Clan Borisenko. Let us proceed." And once we're outside these grounds, your asses are mine, if necessary ... although I still hope it won't come to that. As she stood to leave the building, with a polite gesture to the goons who would be joining her, she soundlessly sent the tiniest pulse of magic off to a certain artifact.

Which, as it happened, Sister Rose was able to sense as, equally silently, it started to emanate magic from Argus' rear pocket. That's Therese's signal to guide us to our meeting place, she thought. Not very subtle; it'd stand out like a beacon in Kiyoka, or maybe even Emerylon. I guess they can use it here, what with the magical limitations of Goriel. But there's no need for that. We know where she is; she's right here. Unless...

There was a minor commotion outside the compound, barely to be perceived through the walls and windows of the Duravsky inner sanctum. She couldn't make out any of the details, but the pieces fit neatly into place.

Unless she's in trouble.

[Alberich]

In an attitude of skeptical amusement, Malyuta gathered up four rough friends for a little foray into the foreign market. They brought not only weapons, but cudgels and materials for making fire. Whether they ended up burning down a shop or thrashing a stupid insolent boy, they were going to have some fun! Life could get dull around here sometimes. And though they didn't reflect on it, there was always a background music of fear - it could never be escaped by those who lived so near Lord Arman - and it called for the release this little mission promised.

[OOC: You know Therese's plans and capabilities -- Malyuta is a tough and determined fighter, with more experience than you might think, the others less so and hindered by overconfidence. Malyuta will die before showing fear, whether he feels it or not. The others know they face disgrace, and possible torture or death, if they show cowardice, so they won't flee too easily. All are well armed. One of them is carrying the mystery bundle. None of them has any magic. One of the guys will keep a hand on Therese's shoulder 'til he has a reason not to. So - how this situation resolves and what the disturbance is, that's for you to say.]

[Drusia]

That man that argus vouched for... there's something about him. He's... intense. I liked the way he looked at me - appreciative of my beauty, but not leering like the rest of the gorelians. I wonder who he is - someone they've met while I've been here, apparently.

He gets led off in a rather unfriendly matter - I find myself hoping that no harm comes to him - and we go to meet the Prime Minister. He is still smiling, but he doesn't pay me any attention this time. Just as well. Also, he gets to see that Lillith also has ears like mine - that they aren't so uncommon in my clan after all.

After the meeting, Kirassia shows me up. So much for sublty - she spoke with Irina about it directly. I was worried that such actions would be too direct, but she learned - from the people I've spent the past day with - in a few minutes - what I couldn't. I'd be catty about it, but then again I'm not supposed to be making inquiries like this at all, so better to continue remaining quiet.

"It may not be the man you're after - but it sounds like someone important." She looked speculatively at Desiree, to see if she'd have to add something about not unwisely telling this to Dina.

I nod slightly. I won't mention this to Dina - or anyone else. Since they have Kirassia doing my job, I'll just stick to doing hers. Safer that way - well, it is up until I attempt to steal Anfisa. One thing at a time.

-- Desiree

[Graybeard]

"Turn to your right, about a quarter of a turn," Sister Rose said to Argus. Getting a quizzical look, she added, "I'll explain later."

As Argus complied, she noticed the strength of the magic from the bracelet in the rear pocket of his pants. It was stronger, no doubt about it; a directional homing device, obviously. She revised her assessment of Therese's magical capabilities upward. This was something very few of the Special Ops people could do, and they'd have to be much closer to the person they were following to do it. Just what were this woman's real capabilities? That would be a question to return to ... but first, they had to find her.

And to get her out of whatever trouble she'd gotten into at the compound, because Rose was just certain there'd been some.

"Good," she said. "Now back the way you were, then a quarter of a turn left." The magic homing signal was definitely weaker now.

Satisfied, she called everyone to gather around. "We have a little rescue mission to do." (Ironic, that; she was unaware of the way "rescue" figured into Therese's main activities.) "Someone we -- want to do business with has gotten into trouble. Fortunately, she left us a direction finder..." And suddenly she got a terrific case of the giggles.

The silence really only lasted a couple of seconds before Brad broke it. "Rose? What's up?"

She did her best to get serious again, not entirely successfully. "Oh, it's just that the direction finder calls for -- behaving in character." She giggled again. "I will simply be standing behind my lord husband, following him worshipfully, watching his butt and figuring out which way to go from there."

As the others were reacting in whatever way they did, she reached out and patted Argus' cheek (which "cheek" is left as an exercise for the reader). "It'll be fine, and no hardship at all. You see, it's such a cute butt..." And she blew him a kiss. [OOC: Five points extra credit if you recognize the reference.]

[Alberich]

Tim held his peace, not liking this much -- he wished those two would just actually get married. Couples that lived in sin, well, sometimes they stayed in sin. (In the big city; in a town like Umbertiel the neighbors didn't tolerate it, and the pressure got heavier 'til folks just gave in and got honest. It didn't take long and the church was right there.) No doubt as a Reformist she thought herself supremely sophisticated on these matters, knowing which laws "really" mattered and what was "really" important according to her unaided human mind, tempted by her fleshly human body. But a good, simple determination to follow the Good Father's laws -- he'd take that over "sophistication" and sophistry any day.

Be that as it may, if there was going to be a rescue of anyone from anything these Gorielian heathens did, he was for it.

[OOC: Whether or not it matters, the sequence ran: Kirassia talks to Tatiana (previous night before the feast), Tatiana talks to Irina (after the exchange early this afternoon), Irina goes off and talks to other people (also this afternoon), and then Kirassia talks to Irina (shortly before this meeting); so Irina didn't have the information before. It was quite wise of Desiree, a relative stranger, not to ask that question directly; the "geteroi grapevine" doesn't work as well for newcomers, and this latest development in no way reflects on her.]

[Drusia]

Satisfied, she called everyone to gather around. "We have a little rescue mission to do." (Ironic, that; she was unaware of the way "rescue" figured into Therese's main activities.) "Someone we -- want to do business with has gotten into trouble. Fortunately, she left us a direction finder..." And suddenly she got a terrific case of the giggles.

Discussion of Argus's cute butt aside, this doesn't sound like anything involving me. "I'll just be returning to the zenana then," I say. Argus and Rose are too busy being cute to really acknowledge me, but Lillith gives me a nod. I smile, then head on back.

I've got tonight to get ready for, after all.

-- Desiree

OOC:
[OOC: Whether or not it matters, the sequence ran: Kirassia talks to Tatiana (previous night before the feast), Tatiana talks to Irina (after the exchange early this afternoon), Irina goes off and talks to other people (also this afternoon), and then Kirassia talks to Irina (shortly before this meeting); so Irina didn't have the information before. It was quite wise of Desiree, a relative stranger, not to ask that question directly; the "geteroi grapevine" doesn't work as well for newcomers, and this latest development in no way reflects on her.]

True, but it doesn't stop Desiree from being catty - at least in her own head. Covertcy was supposed to be her job, and to be outdone by someone who didn't even know she was doing it stung Desiree's pride a bit. Then again, Desiree also feels that she's doing Kirassia's job better than Kirassia is capable of doing it - hence the comment. Desiree, nice as she is, can be very petty - at least in her own head. And sometimes in her actions.

[Graybeard]

Therese did everything in her power to project a sense of calm that she definitely was not feeling.

The Sisterhood made sure that everyone who went into the field had a reasonable repertory of combat magic for dealing with situations like this, and she was more adept at magic use than most of her colleagues. She was reasonably confident that she could get out of this situation alive; there were even scenarios in which her assailants remained alive afterward, which was for the best.

The problem was the collateral damage, both physical and, one might say, political. The emergency plan that she formulated as she walked alongside the goons assumed that push would come to shove once they reached the market. (Could she remember where she'd picked up the item? She thought so.) There would be far too many onlookers for her to use any of the really destructive combat magic she knew. The Sisterhood wouldn't tolerate casualties among the uninvolved, no matter how hatefully sexist they might be. They also would be very unhappy about the breach of the rule not to use magic in public. That way lay conflicts they had no interest in involving themselves in. And when they found out that it all resulted from a highly unauthorized intrusion into one of the off-limits clans ...

Well, there were two ways to deal with that problem, she thought. One she'd set in motion before they started off: get "rescued" by the Cleiviein crew, who appeared to be getting treated with some deference here, for reasons the Mothers alone knew. Hopefully that would suffice. If it didn't, Plan B would come into play: magical defenses that didn't look like magic ... and she had just the thing in mind.

The streets were starting to get crowded as they drew closer to the market district. That was both good and bad. It would slow down their movement some, giving Argus Cleiviein and his curiously powerful wife (and also his ... alluring getera) time to catch up. [OOC: Yes, I know that Desiree isn't coming with everyone else. However, Therese doesn't know that. /OOC:] It should also allow at least momentary loss of contact with the goon whose hand was roughly on her shoulder. That was important for what she had in mind. However, that collateral-damage issue ... the more passers-by there were, the more of a problem that would be.

She began quietly summoning magical energy; this was going to be a tough one.

[Jack Rothwell]

"I will simply be standing behind my lord husband, following him worshipfully, watching his butt and figuring out which way to go from there."

"When we find the place, I can get us a look inside." Eli chipped in. "I think knowing exctly what were up against might be an advantage." He tried to keep an edge of sarcasm from his voice, to little avail.

[Alberich]

The crowded streets didn't concern Malyuta and his bully-boys. They were in a tight knot anyway, and they were well known (and well armed) enough that passerby gave them room. Jostling these fellows, or obstructing their path, was the fast road to pain. It took them a little time to make room, so their progress wasn't fast -- but then, Goriel was not a hasty country.

The man with his hand on Therese's shoulder kept it firmly there - it was clear enough to him, as to them all, that this "boy" was being guarded as much as followed, and was going to be held painfully responsible if his story didn't check out.

"So," said Malyuta, his tone never less than friendly, "Which way's our merchant of treason? We're ready to begin his education! Just point the way."