"Well, master dwarf, I think we are being kindly asked to leave. My dear lady, your friend's friend appeared to be planning a bit of mischief, at our expense. I wholeheartedly admit that I was rash in trying to make sure that his planning didn't in some way become some action." Turning his back on her to check the status of the tied up guest, making sure he is actually alright. Once he sees that the wharf rats hadn't skewered him, Kellermyre turns back around. "I was intending for him to stay until such time as we weighed anchor in the morning. But, since you asked nicely, and you are already here, I suppose he could return with you now. I did promise him a gold piece if he would be a quiet, cooperative guest until the dawn. Since the dawn has not come yet, I think a silver piece would do instead." Pulling out the coin purse that is his own money, Kellermyre fishes through, stalling just slightly and pulls out a silver piece. Once all the sailors and the captain are on board, he turns to shout up the gangplank over his shoulder, "Untie our guest and send him down." Returning his focus to the halfling, "I assure you no harm was intended for him, as long as we were allowed to leave with our belonging safely. As you can see from the mess here on the dock, I was right to suspect trouble of some kind tonight. Luckily for him, it was not from his comrades."
Once the weasel of a guy makes it down the gangplank, Kellermyre flips him the silver coin. "You didn't make til sunrise, so that will have to do for your troubles."
The halfling smiles a rather off-kilter smile. "'Mischief,'" she repeats, greatly amused by your choice of words. "No, Mr. Stormforge. I can assure you that Declan was not up to 'mischief.' 'Mischief' is, in fact, my job, and if I may say so myself, I'm rather good at it. Declan was simply gathering information for Mr. Cato, because information is what these port towns run on. And there's one like him in every tavern in every port town between here and Jirago. Actually, that's incorrect. There are usually two: one of ours and one of theirs."
She pauses momentarily, gathering her thoughts. "Let me explain how things work here. We make our money off the custom of the sailors and by using discreetly gathered information to make, shall we say, 'informed purchases' on the Venzan markets. We do not interfere with the ships or their cargo, and we endeavor to keep the streets safe. It is in our best interest to keep the ships coming -- all of the ships coming. Despite our other differences, the Western Sea Syndicate and King's Crew agree on this basic principle. Or rather, we agreed so far as yesterday evening, anyway. Sadly, Mr. King and his crew seem to have been enticed by a rather generous offer that House Boraga made. Mr. Cato, on the other hand, felt that accepting would have negative long-term ramifications. Thus, once it became clear that King's Crew was mobilizing, Mr. Cato instructed that your sailors be collected and returned before something ... unfortunate befell them."
She examines her nails. "The Western Sea Syndicate will continue to keep watch over House Gabbiano's shipments and people in order to make sure that nothing untoward happens to them. However, given the circumstances and the additional difficulties involved, well ... Mr. Cato has a small favor or two that need doing over in the west. Taking care of these things would help maintain a good working relationship."
Uder frowns, clearly disliking the halfling's attitude. Peet, on the other hand, seems somewhat worried. She catches your eye and nods urgently. Her meaning is clear: Say yes.
"Well, from what I have heard of the House Boraga, that is not unexpected. Neither is the the knife in Mr. King's back once he has completed his current assignment in their schemes. And what would these small favors perhaps be?"
The halfling seems pleasantly surprised. "Nothing that would offend your delicate sensibilities, Mr. Stormforge. At least, insofar as we understand them. We confess you are somewhat of an unknown quantity." She holds up three fingers. "First, there is a former member of our organization who fled west with a fair amount of company funds. His name is Tenpenny Lakshi. The funds are irrelevant, but the betrayal cannot be tolerated." She cocks her head. "I suspect you might be tempted to believe Mr. Lakshi is a good man on the run from an oppressive corporate culture. That would be a mistake. Mr. Lakshi is what you would consider a very bad man, Mr. Stormforge, and you would be advised to be on your guard if you find him. In any event, Mr. Cato would like his necklace as proof that he has been ... disciplined.
"Next, in your travels, you might find something known as falkenberries. Supposedly, they are dark black and taste like carrots, but have interesting medicinal properties. If such things exist, Mr. Cato would like to have a sample of them before the Venzan alchemist's guild does.
"Last, Mr. Cato has a weakness for old elven relics. Should you find any, he will make his gratitude ... worthwhile."
"Would you please be specific as to your definition of 'disciplined'? It is likely we would only get one opportunity at such an endeavor, and a misinterpretation could leave someone unsatisfied."
The halfling smiles her disturbing smile again. "You're implying that we we have something in mind that's more extensive than a quick death, Mr. Stormforge? Under other circumstances, you might be right, but in this case we'll settle for frontier justice. So it will suffice to know that he is deceased. Offed. Kaputski. We would like you to shuffle him off the mortal coil, Mr. Stormforge. Make him into an ex-thug," she says, repeating Uder's words from a few short minutes before.
The dwarf frowns at her and his knuckles tighten on his axe. "And where were you to hear that, lass?" he asks, an edge in his voice.
She turns back to you, ignoring the question. "It's hardly an imposition, Mr. Stormforge. Mr. Lakshi is bloodthirsty, greedy, and short-sighted. If you run into him in your travels, I've little doubt you will need to defend yourself with violence. All we're asking for is proof of the deed."
"Okay. That makes things clear. We are not guaranteeing that these things will happen, but will put in a good effort towards each of these projects. If Mr. Lashki crosses our path, we will certainly defend ourselves vigorously. Unless there are any other requests, I think it might be time to prepare to get under way."
"It's still a few hours before the tide turns, Mr. Stormforge. Also, your captain is not yet on board. Mr. Cato wanted to talk to him briefly, although I'd guess he'll be here in short ord-- ah, here he is now."
Around the turn comes the captain, escorted by two burly thugs. The captain holds a bulging scroll case, and is clearly fuming. He storms up the gangplank, stopping only briefly to glare at a crossbow bolt stuck in the hull, and then at you. Once on deck, he immediately begins shouting. "Three hours 'til castoff! Those of you who are the worse for drink, get yourselves below! If you can walk steady, then get your sorry carcasses making ready for sail!" Turning to you and the halfing, he snarls, "The rest of you, get off my ship or get out of my sight!"
The halfling bows mockingly. "I am more than happy to oblige you of both, my good captain."
"Well, it looks like my work is done for now. Repel six boarders, make new friends, get sent off cordially to our next destination. Yeah, that is a good night." Kellermyre bows slightly to the halfling negotiator and then starts waiving and shuffling his own people below deck. He waits patiently to make sure the negotiator and her crew make it fully back to the dock and that Peet makes her way on board and down below, before he descends into the ship. "I'll leave you to your work now Captain."
Belowdecks, Peet leans against a wall and takes a deep breath. "Excuse me while I have a bit of a panic attack, boss. About halfway through your little talk, I realized who that was."
"A nosy little blighter with big ears," Uder says with a snort.
"Keep your voice down!" Peet says. "That was Sugar Sweet. She used to work as an enforcer in Tritower until a couple of years ago. I know for a fact that she took down Boss Garret and his brother, and Tonio Bellringer, and Nimblejack. Got Nimblejack on the roofs, no less. And those are just the ones I know for sure. Word was that she had a body count in the dozens, at least."
Uder's about to reply when the captain storms down, waving the scroll case. "Do you know what happened to me tonight? Some big fellows practically kidnap me as I'm looking for my crew, then they take me to see some fancy-pants bigwig named 'Mr. Cato' who gives me letters that I'm supposed to deliver to the other ports along the way! And not just any letters ... letters of safe passage! Suddenly a Venzan ship needs letters of safe passage to stop at an ordinary port!? I don't know what you've got me mixed up in, but I don't appreciate it one bit."
