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<blockquote data-quote="Iron Sky" data-source="post: 5705950" data-attributes="member: 60965"><p><strong>Big Tarrok's Broy House, Harbor Precinct, Balic</strong></p><p></p><p>Sarin set down his last cracked cup of broy and stared at the bottom of it balefully, feeling the empty purse at his side. His knee still hurt from where that oaf Kroth had dropped a crate full of wooden peg-nails as they carried across the <em>Saurium</em>'s gangplank yesterday and they still had half a hold to empty today. The first bottle of broy had taken the edge off, but it still hurt like a-</p><p></p><p>The canvas flap across the door swung open and everyone grumbled and cursed as a hot morning wind full of silt swirled in, causing the torches to gutter. Whoever it was wasn't closing the flap either, causing a few rowdies to stand up, ready to teach whoever it was some manners.</p><p></p><p>When everyone's eyes adjusted to the bright early-morning light haloing the three figures standing in the door, the grumbles stopped and the rowdies quickly sat back down.</p><p></p><p>"On orders of Praetors Kar Jerrek and Darus Sandstone no one leaves. Anyone interfering will be assumed as accomplices while anyone aiding in the investigation will be rewarded."</p><p></p><p>The black-haired Praetor in heavy chitin armor held up what looked like a wanted poster showing a foppish looking man... a man that looked very familiar.</p><p></p><p>"I seen him, in the back, just leaving," Sarin said, standing up from his table. He got some dark looks from some of the other Dockers nearby, but he didn't care. He'd heard some of the Praetors rewarded informants handsomely and a full purse might buy him a few days time to nurse his knee back and enough drinks to keep the pain at bay until it was better.</p><p></p><p>The three figures - a human, a mul, and a figure in a cloak - walked through the crowded broy house, a path miraculously clearing before them. Sarin spotted the Legionnaires standing at ready outside the door behind them - as did everyone else in Big Tarrock's judging by the dark looks in that direction.</p><p></p><p>"Everyone just sit and enjoy your drinks. Don't get involved. Anyone leaving will be charged with interfering with a Praetorian investigation. Stay put and this will be over quickly."</p><p></p><p>The young Praetor turned towards Sarin, a faint smile coming to his face while the Mul just stared at Sarin indifferently.</p><p></p><p>"Praetor Jerrek," the human Praetor said, shaking Sarin's hand. "You say you've seen this man?"</p><p></p><p>Sarin looked down at the proffered poster and nodded. "Yah, he's right this way, follow me."</p><p></p><p>Sarin limped towards the back room and stopped at the door. He turned and extended his hand towards the Praetors.</p><p></p><p>The mul - presumably Praetor Sandstone - snorted and Jerrek shook his head. "We'll pay you if your information helps us."</p><p></p><p>It was Sarin's turn to snort. "I've heard that'n before."</p><p></p><p>The smile faded from Jerrek's lips. "You have the word of Praetor Kar Jerrek."</p><p></p><p>He shouldn't have been, but for some reason Sarin was reassured by that, nodding as he stepped out of the way.</p><p></p><p>The Praetors and the cloaked man stepped through the door. Curious, Sarin waited a moment, then snuck in behind, finding a hiding place amongst the shelves of the large storage room to see what would transpire.</p><p></p><p>Amidst the shelves, half-a-dozen burly Dockers stood beside the largest, a man that probably had a bit of giant blood in him. Sarin hadn't seen them around Big Tarrock's before - they'd come in with the man the Praetors wanted.</p><p></p><p>"We're heading a Praetorian investigation," Jerrek said. "Anything you could-"</p><p></p><p>"Your kind isn't wanted around here. Go back to hide underneath Andropinis' skirts." The Dockers laughed at the big one's words, sneering at the Praetors.</p><p></p><p>From his perspective, Sarin saw Sandstone start to reach for one of the big axes strapped on his back and Jerrek motion him to stop. "No need to be hostile, if you'd just be willing to cooperate-"</p><p></p><p>"If you hadn't noticed, we're not cooperating. Up in the Praetorium, you're all big, but down here your the same as everyone else."</p><p></p><p>"With Andropinis' blessing, the Praetors work to keep the city safe. His rule is the only reason-"</p><p></p><p>"The city is ruled by the people, Praetor," the big one said, shouting the Praetor down and pointing an accusing finger. "You aren't wanted, or needed-"</p><p></p><p>It was the young Praetor's time to cut the big man off. "Regardless of what you want or need, this is a Praetorian investigation. Anyone resisting is an enemy of the-"</p><p></p><p>A crude wooden spear flying past Jerrek's head put an end to the discussion.</p><p></p><p>The fight didn't last more than fifteen seconds. The big one's thugs rushed the Praetors while the big one rushed the cloaked man. The Praetor's weapons flared with light and flame and twisting shadows and they cut down the Dockers bearing their crude cudgels with practiced efficiency.</p><p></p><p>After slipping back behind the Praetors, the Praetor's man produced what looked like a long flute from which he fired a dart into the big one's neck. Sarin scoffed at the puny weapon until the big man's face blackened and he toppled over. The last Docker went pale, dropped his club, and raised his hands.</p><p></p><p>Sandstone grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into a shelf, rattling the ceramic cups and bowls.</p><p></p><p>"Darus, wait!" Jerrek said, stepping in and putting a restraining hand on the mul's arm. "We need information."</p><p></p><p>He turned to the Docker, his expression grim. "I promise that if you tell us all you know, you will not suffer the tortures of the Praetorian dungeons."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, everything!" the last surviving Docker said, dropping to his knees. "I'll tell you everything I know!"</p><p></p><p>Jerrek nodded and waited for the man to compose himself.</p><p></p><p>"The Director, the one with all those wanted posters all over, he was just here with the other one, the witch!" At the mention of a witch, Sarin made a sign to ward off the evil eye, wondering if he'd overheard too much. "They headed to a ship called... uh... uhm... called the... the <em>Shrike</em>!"</p><p></p><p>Sarin didn't wait to hear more, quickly sneaking back into the common room.</p><p></p><p>No sooner had he made it through the door than did the Praetors push their way through, the mul dragging the stumbling Docker along by his collar. The cloaked figure trailing behind them paused and glanced at Sarin, making a <em>come along</em> gesture with his finger.</p><p></p><p>With a gulp, Sarin followed, stepping outside just in time for the Jerrek to order a Legionnaire off to the harbor with orders to "shut down the port for an hour and the ship named <em>Shrike</em> to be stopped by any means to apprehend the Veiled Alliance terrorists aboard."</p><p></p><p>The Praetors started to head off towards the harbor himself, but as the Legionnaires seized the Docker, the man cried out, "your word Praetor, you gave me your word!"</p><p></p><p>Jerrek stopped and turned, nodding solemnly as he walked back. "Indeed, I did. Forgive me; in my haste I almost broke my word. You shall not suffer."</p><p></p><p>The Docker sobbed in relief until Jerrek drew his sword and drove it into the man's heart. Behind him Sandstone nodded.</p><p></p><p>Jerrek's voice was soft as the Docker crumpled to the sand. "Sorry, my friend, but assault on a Praetor cannot be tolerated."</p><p></p><p>Sarin tried to shrink into the wall, not even caring about his reward anymore, wanting to be anywhere else.</p><p></p><p>He sighed in relief as the Praetors turned and jogged off towards the harbor, but as he turned to go back into Big Tarrok's the cloaked figure was there blocking his way, the man's hood pulled back to reveal a hard expression and flat, cold eyes above a black beard.</p><p></p><p>The man reached into his cloak, sending Sarin backing away with his hands raised. Before Sarin could escape, the man seized Sarin's wrist and pressed a small leather coin pouch into his hand.</p><p></p><p>"The Praetor keeps his word," the man said softy before turning away and pulling up his hood, leaving Sarin staring at his back and shaking until the man disappeared into the busy, dusty streets of Balic.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Iron Sky, post: 5705950, member: 60965"] [B]Big Tarrok's Broy House, Harbor Precinct, Balic[/B] Sarin set down his last cracked cup of broy and stared at the bottom of it balefully, feeling the empty purse at his side. His knee still hurt from where that oaf Kroth had dropped a crate full of wooden peg-nails as they carried across the [I]Saurium[/I]'s gangplank yesterday and they still had half a hold to empty today. The first bottle of broy had taken the edge off, but it still hurt like a- The canvas flap across the door swung open and everyone grumbled and cursed as a hot morning wind full of silt swirled in, causing the torches to gutter. Whoever it was wasn't closing the flap either, causing a few rowdies to stand up, ready to teach whoever it was some manners. When everyone's eyes adjusted to the bright early-morning light haloing the three figures standing in the door, the grumbles stopped and the rowdies quickly sat back down. "On orders of Praetors Kar Jerrek and Darus Sandstone no one leaves. Anyone interfering will be assumed as accomplices while anyone aiding in the investigation will be rewarded." The black-haired Praetor in heavy chitin armor held up what looked like a wanted poster showing a foppish looking man... a man that looked very familiar. "I seen him, in the back, just leaving," Sarin said, standing up from his table. He got some dark looks from some of the other Dockers nearby, but he didn't care. He'd heard some of the Praetors rewarded informants handsomely and a full purse might buy him a few days time to nurse his knee back and enough drinks to keep the pain at bay until it was better. The three figures - a human, a mul, and a figure in a cloak - walked through the crowded broy house, a path miraculously clearing before them. Sarin spotted the Legionnaires standing at ready outside the door behind them - as did everyone else in Big Tarrock's judging by the dark looks in that direction. "Everyone just sit and enjoy your drinks. Don't get involved. Anyone leaving will be charged with interfering with a Praetorian investigation. Stay put and this will be over quickly." The young Praetor turned towards Sarin, a faint smile coming to his face while the Mul just stared at Sarin indifferently. "Praetor Jerrek," the human Praetor said, shaking Sarin's hand. "You say you've seen this man?" Sarin looked down at the proffered poster and nodded. "Yah, he's right this way, follow me." Sarin limped towards the back room and stopped at the door. He turned and extended his hand towards the Praetors. The mul - presumably Praetor Sandstone - snorted and Jerrek shook his head. "We'll pay you if your information helps us." It was Sarin's turn to snort. "I've heard that'n before." The smile faded from Jerrek's lips. "You have the word of Praetor Kar Jerrek." He shouldn't have been, but for some reason Sarin was reassured by that, nodding as he stepped out of the way. The Praetors and the cloaked man stepped through the door. Curious, Sarin waited a moment, then snuck in behind, finding a hiding place amongst the shelves of the large storage room to see what would transpire. Amidst the shelves, half-a-dozen burly Dockers stood beside the largest, a man that probably had a bit of giant blood in him. Sarin hadn't seen them around Big Tarrock's before - they'd come in with the man the Praetors wanted. "We're heading a Praetorian investigation," Jerrek said. "Anything you could-" "Your kind isn't wanted around here. Go back to hide underneath Andropinis' skirts." The Dockers laughed at the big one's words, sneering at the Praetors. From his perspective, Sarin saw Sandstone start to reach for one of the big axes strapped on his back and Jerrek motion him to stop. "No need to be hostile, if you'd just be willing to cooperate-" "If you hadn't noticed, we're not cooperating. Up in the Praetorium, you're all big, but down here your the same as everyone else." "With Andropinis' blessing, the Praetors work to keep the city safe. His rule is the only reason-" "The city is ruled by the people, Praetor," the big one said, shouting the Praetor down and pointing an accusing finger. "You aren't wanted, or needed-" It was the young Praetor's time to cut the big man off. "Regardless of what you want or need, this is a Praetorian investigation. Anyone resisting is an enemy of the-" A crude wooden spear flying past Jerrek's head put an end to the discussion. The fight didn't last more than fifteen seconds. The big one's thugs rushed the Praetors while the big one rushed the cloaked man. The Praetor's weapons flared with light and flame and twisting shadows and they cut down the Dockers bearing their crude cudgels with practiced efficiency. After slipping back behind the Praetors, the Praetor's man produced what looked like a long flute from which he fired a dart into the big one's neck. Sarin scoffed at the puny weapon until the big man's face blackened and he toppled over. The last Docker went pale, dropped his club, and raised his hands. Sandstone grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into a shelf, rattling the ceramic cups and bowls. "Darus, wait!" Jerrek said, stepping in and putting a restraining hand on the mul's arm. "We need information." He turned to the Docker, his expression grim. "I promise that if you tell us all you know, you will not suffer the tortures of the Praetorian dungeons." "Yes, everything!" the last surviving Docker said, dropping to his knees. "I'll tell you everything I know!" Jerrek nodded and waited for the man to compose himself. "The Director, the one with all those wanted posters all over, he was just here with the other one, the witch!" At the mention of a witch, Sarin made a sign to ward off the evil eye, wondering if he'd overheard too much. "They headed to a ship called... uh... uhm... called the... the [I]Shrike[/I]!" Sarin didn't wait to hear more, quickly sneaking back into the common room. No sooner had he made it through the door than did the Praetors push their way through, the mul dragging the stumbling Docker along by his collar. The cloaked figure trailing behind them paused and glanced at Sarin, making a [I]come along[/I] gesture with his finger. With a gulp, Sarin followed, stepping outside just in time for the Jerrek to order a Legionnaire off to the harbor with orders to "shut down the port for an hour and the ship named [I]Shrike[/I] to be stopped by any means to apprehend the Veiled Alliance terrorists aboard." The Praetors started to head off towards the harbor himself, but as the Legionnaires seized the Docker, the man cried out, "your word Praetor, you gave me your word!" Jerrek stopped and turned, nodding solemnly as he walked back. "Indeed, I did. Forgive me; in my haste I almost broke my word. You shall not suffer." The Docker sobbed in relief until Jerrek drew his sword and drove it into the man's heart. Behind him Sandstone nodded. Jerrek's voice was soft as the Docker crumpled to the sand. "Sorry, my friend, but assault on a Praetor cannot be tolerated." Sarin tried to shrink into the wall, not even caring about his reward anymore, wanting to be anywhere else. He sighed in relief as the Praetors turned and jogged off towards the harbor, but as he turned to go back into Big Tarrok's the cloaked figure was there blocking his way, the man's hood pulled back to reveal a hard expression and flat, cold eyes above a black beard. The man reached into his cloak, sending Sarin backing away with his hands raised. Before Sarin could escape, the man seized Sarin's wrist and pressed a small leather coin pouch into his hand. "The Praetor keeps his word," the man said softy before turning away and pulling up his hood, leaving Sarin staring at his back and shaking until the man disappeared into the busy, dusty streets of Balic. [/QUOTE]
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