ThirdWizard
First Post
The group emerged from the storm drains and into the rain. Pulling their cloaks on tightly, they found themselves on the edge of the Lady’s Ward and Lower Ward, once again in territory familiar to the group. By this time it was late and darkness had taken over the streets. There was no sun in Sigil, just a brightness that grew and then faded from view. Peak and anti-peak. The sparse pedestrians ran here or there, trying to get out of the rain using anything they could find as shelter. Shops had closed at this point, but the Lower Ward bars still teemed with activity as the group passed, and drunken residents loitered under the buildings’ overhangs smoking and laughing as the rain poured out in front of them. Several drunkards stumbled about, cursing the falling rain as they tried and failed to stay dry. Without a word the group fell into a quick pace toward the Heralds’ house, passing all of this by in a blur.
The Lady’s Ward was different. There is no wall or gatehouse between Wards in Sigil. The city’s just too big for anything like that, there’d be no point in it either. But, as soon as you go from the Lower Ward to the Lady’s Ward the streets are cleaner, more maintained, and straighter. The buildings are nicer, with less cracks and more paint.
The group pulled their hoods on more tightly here. They were traveling with someone with a known bounty on their head through the most patrolled area of Sigil. While it was likely that not every Harmonium in the city kept perfectly up to date with every wanted individual, it was good business to at least pretend like that were true. That way, when something went horribly wrong, at least a basher couldn't say that they didn't see it coming. You always saw it coming. They kept their eyes out, and indeed they did pass by several Harmonium patrols marching through the streets. When they saw one, they slowed their pace and stayed on the side of the street. For once the rainy weather in Sigil was in their favor as it didn’t look particularly odd for a group of people to be clutching cloaks at the moment. Each Harmonium patrol marched by without even giving them a second glance.
At one point, they thought someone might have caught a glimpse of one of their faces, but they didn't think they were being followed. They didn't see Red Wake anywhere, which was relieving. Those two were probably in the original shop by now, wondering what was going on. Or, more likely, fully realizing what had happened. They turned another corner, Mehen leading the way through the familiar streets. He was close to the Courthouse where he worked at this point. The Herald house was just a few blocks ahead. They ducked into an alleyway as a shortcut, and popped out in a side street. Did someone follow them down the alley? No, they were being paranoid. Two more blocks to go.
Passing by Fortune’s Wheel, one of the higher end of the higher end pubs in the city, a cart passed them by at a rapid pace, the reckless driver headed in their direction to the Noble District, where the richest people in the city lived. This was where the Herald house stood, and finally, without issue, they arrived at the impressive manor. It was a large two story building with a fence and courtyard encircling it. A couple of tower-ish third stories extended in two places, and the architecture was a sort of noble practicality that one might find in one of the more lawful of the Upper Planes. The group had, perhaps, underestimated the importance of their client.
“We should have negotiated payment,” said Jer dryly.
It was the first time any of them had spoken since leaving the sewers, and finally at their destination they could feel the tension start to evaporate. They had made it, and nothing had happened. They were inside the gates, walking up to the front door, and they hadn't been attacked or stopped by a patrol, or hipped through some portal to be taken out one by one. They started to feel a cautious optimism come over them. They doubted it would last.
They were expected and quickly escorted inside, water-logged boots and all. A servant, a tall man immaculately dressed who didn’t seem to notice them other than to motion for them to follow, took them into a well maintained library and left them to presumably tell someone that they had arrived. Dripping all over the fine rug, Mehen felt a bit out of place and stood to the side where he would cause the least damage, but Jer plopped into a cushy chair beside the roaring fire fire while they waited for their client. Mozzy walked over and stood by the fire, warming herself and trying to get dry. Aurian walked about the room seeing what kind of literature was kept in their library, nodding or shaking his head occasionally as he perused the titles.
“I have to admit. You got me here,” said Tesa as they waited.
“It was easy,” said Jer, not turning toward her.
“Still. You’ll need to get me to the next destination.”
“Where is that?” asked Mehen. “I think one of those men mentioned something about another safe house? You’re moving the shop.”
She nodded. “That’s right. We have several locations in waiting. You’d be surprised how citizens in the city are willing to aid one such as myself.”
“I don’t think I’d be surprised at all,” said Mozzy, turning to look at the drow. “The question is would I be surprised by who they are.”
Tesa just shrugged. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”
“So, where are we going next?” asked Aurian. “After you’re done here, that is.”
“The Prison.”
“Wonderful,” said Jer.
Soon Colin Herald came down a staircase into the room, hesitating at seeing Tesa was a drow for only a fraction of a second. Ignoring any pleasantries, he spoke quickly. “You’re the curse breaker?”
“It is what I do,” said Tesa, matter-of-factly.
“Follow me.”
“Would I be able to join you? I’m very interested in purification and the removal of curses,” said Mozzy.
“I’m sorry,” replied Colin. “If you would all stay here except for you,” he motioned for Tesa to follow him.
The two left, up the stairs. The group waited. And waited. Thirty minutes had passed when one of the servants came in with a tray of food and drink. They were famished, and finished off every bite in only a few minutes. Then, with that distraction gone, they occupied their time once again by pacing, trying to dry themselves, and worrying that something upstairs was going terribly terribly wrong. They had just brought this person into their client’s house and left him alone with her. Perhaps that wasn't the best option. Maybe they should have insisted on going with them a bit more strongly. Maybe they shouldn't have trusted her so implicitly because a crazy man in the Gatehouse said that she helped him or that someone like Carmine would never lead them astray. Or that they hadn't been followed and were perfectly safe in this house.
Everything that could possibly go wrong ran through their minds while they waited, unable to take any kind of action. Fights to the death were rarely something one looks for, but at least when you were in that situation, you knew where you stood. When things could go terribly wrong at any moment, it was always somewhat comforting to at least know what it was that was about to go to Hell. All they could do right now was wait and hope.
The Lady’s Ward was different. There is no wall or gatehouse between Wards in Sigil. The city’s just too big for anything like that, there’d be no point in it either. But, as soon as you go from the Lower Ward to the Lady’s Ward the streets are cleaner, more maintained, and straighter. The buildings are nicer, with less cracks and more paint.
The group pulled their hoods on more tightly here. They were traveling with someone with a known bounty on their head through the most patrolled area of Sigil. While it was likely that not every Harmonium in the city kept perfectly up to date with every wanted individual, it was good business to at least pretend like that were true. That way, when something went horribly wrong, at least a basher couldn't say that they didn't see it coming. You always saw it coming. They kept their eyes out, and indeed they did pass by several Harmonium patrols marching through the streets. When they saw one, they slowed their pace and stayed on the side of the street. For once the rainy weather in Sigil was in their favor as it didn’t look particularly odd for a group of people to be clutching cloaks at the moment. Each Harmonium patrol marched by without even giving them a second glance.
At one point, they thought someone might have caught a glimpse of one of their faces, but they didn't think they were being followed. They didn't see Red Wake anywhere, which was relieving. Those two were probably in the original shop by now, wondering what was going on. Or, more likely, fully realizing what had happened. They turned another corner, Mehen leading the way through the familiar streets. He was close to the Courthouse where he worked at this point. The Herald house was just a few blocks ahead. They ducked into an alleyway as a shortcut, and popped out in a side street. Did someone follow them down the alley? No, they were being paranoid. Two more blocks to go.
Passing by Fortune’s Wheel, one of the higher end of the higher end pubs in the city, a cart passed them by at a rapid pace, the reckless driver headed in their direction to the Noble District, where the richest people in the city lived. This was where the Herald house stood, and finally, without issue, they arrived at the impressive manor. It was a large two story building with a fence and courtyard encircling it. A couple of tower-ish third stories extended in two places, and the architecture was a sort of noble practicality that one might find in one of the more lawful of the Upper Planes. The group had, perhaps, underestimated the importance of their client.
“We should have negotiated payment,” said Jer dryly.
It was the first time any of them had spoken since leaving the sewers, and finally at their destination they could feel the tension start to evaporate. They had made it, and nothing had happened. They were inside the gates, walking up to the front door, and they hadn't been attacked or stopped by a patrol, or hipped through some portal to be taken out one by one. They started to feel a cautious optimism come over them. They doubted it would last.
They were expected and quickly escorted inside, water-logged boots and all. A servant, a tall man immaculately dressed who didn’t seem to notice them other than to motion for them to follow, took them into a well maintained library and left them to presumably tell someone that they had arrived. Dripping all over the fine rug, Mehen felt a bit out of place and stood to the side where he would cause the least damage, but Jer plopped into a cushy chair beside the roaring fire fire while they waited for their client. Mozzy walked over and stood by the fire, warming herself and trying to get dry. Aurian walked about the room seeing what kind of literature was kept in their library, nodding or shaking his head occasionally as he perused the titles.
“I have to admit. You got me here,” said Tesa as they waited.
“It was easy,” said Jer, not turning toward her.
“Still. You’ll need to get me to the next destination.”
“Where is that?” asked Mehen. “I think one of those men mentioned something about another safe house? You’re moving the shop.”
She nodded. “That’s right. We have several locations in waiting. You’d be surprised how citizens in the city are willing to aid one such as myself.”
“I don’t think I’d be surprised at all,” said Mozzy, turning to look at the drow. “The question is would I be surprised by who they are.”
Tesa just shrugged. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”
“So, where are we going next?” asked Aurian. “After you’re done here, that is.”
“The Prison.”
“Wonderful,” said Jer.
Soon Colin Herald came down a staircase into the room, hesitating at seeing Tesa was a drow for only a fraction of a second. Ignoring any pleasantries, he spoke quickly. “You’re the curse breaker?”
“It is what I do,” said Tesa, matter-of-factly.
“Follow me.”
“Would I be able to join you? I’m very interested in purification and the removal of curses,” said Mozzy.
“I’m sorry,” replied Colin. “If you would all stay here except for you,” he motioned for Tesa to follow him.
The two left, up the stairs. The group waited. And waited. Thirty minutes had passed when one of the servants came in with a tray of food and drink. They were famished, and finished off every bite in only a few minutes. Then, with that distraction gone, they occupied their time once again by pacing, trying to dry themselves, and worrying that something upstairs was going terribly terribly wrong. They had just brought this person into their client’s house and left him alone with her. Perhaps that wasn't the best option. Maybe they should have insisted on going with them a bit more strongly. Maybe they shouldn't have trusted her so implicitly because a crazy man in the Gatehouse said that she helped him or that someone like Carmine would never lead them astray. Or that they hadn't been followed and were perfectly safe in this house.
Everything that could possibly go wrong ran through their minds while they waited, unable to take any kind of action. Fights to the death were rarely something one looks for, but at least when you were in that situation, you knew where you stood. When things could go terribly wrong at any moment, it was always somewhat comforting to at least know what it was that was about to go to Hell. All they could do right now was wait and hope.