The Evil Eye - IC

[HolyMan]

Jiles sits on a barrel his head thrown back against the wall of the building. As he hears Raul approach he starts speaking but doesn't turn to look at the man, even if he did his eyes would be able to tell Raul that Jiles is looking far away, to another place another time.

"Raul have you ever been trapped with a hard decision? One you knew no matter what you decided people were going to be hurt by the outcome?" he asks not really looking for an answer as he continues.

"I have, and only once mind you. I promised myself I would never make another without all the facts and then only if I checked them twice over. It was in a place called N'Jast. Don't know if you have ever been there, but it is where The Cold Road and The Long Road meet. Ha! I think there's an inn there called The Long Cold Road."

Jiles smiles a little as he remembers playing at the inn. And then the smile fades. "No one should ever make a decision or go on someone's word about something. You always need the facts. And if you don't have them then you need to go find them till you do or you know for certain they don't exist."

"Those pea-brained, trussell-skirts just jump up and don't care about the truth or who they hurt by deciding they know they are right before knowing the facts."

*sigh*

"Not my problem," he says jumping up. "I... we have bigger problems and we need to get about them."

"Where to?" he asks eager to get the duel out of his mind.

 

[kinem]

The woman simply nods as Jiles curtly replies.

Raul follows him, still carrying Nikko.

"You're right" he tells Jiles. "In these accursed lands, one learns to be cautious about everyone. And perhaps those fools are not worth worrying about. The first one cheated with a poisoned blade, while the other may well be guilty, as he didn't seem any more eager for an investigation."

The next inn is called the Laughing Maiden. Inside, patrons gamble at various dice and card games, while others eat and drink.

Among the latter, you notice none other than Matton Blanchard. Alone at a table, he waves you over.

 

[HolyMan]

Jiles nudges Raul and a smile crosses his face. "Here's something to liven up our stay. Come on."

"Well met Master Blanchard. Enjoying the carnival?" Jiles says as he steps up to the table.

[sblock=OOC] Had something grander in mind but then EnWorld was unavailable and I didn't write it down on paper. Drawing a blank now. [/sblock]

 

[kinem]

Raul follows Jiles to Matton's table.

"Well met, Mr. Du'Lamir. And ... ?"

"Raul."

The nobleman seems less haughty now. "The carnival is fine. But I did not find ... what I sought here today.

Hmm ... Perhaps you are just the people who could help me. I'd pay, of course. Shall we go to a private booth where we could discuss it? And your lunch would be on me."

 

[HolyMan]

"Well, well." Jiles says smiling broadly. "This I have to hear. I could use something to keep my mind occupied, and off the troubles of this place."

"As for that lunch we can only stay if they have something we can feed Nikko," he says indicating the baby. "But if they do and your buying lunch, then I will by the first round."

OCC: Will try to ask a waitress if they have goat milk for the baby. If not Jiles will give her 4 silver and as if she can go find some.

 

[kinem]

The waitress agrees to go find the goat milk. Sooner than you expect she returns with it, as she explains that it's an ingredient in one of the chef's recipes.

The private booths are well secluded from the busy gambling hall. As Raul feeds Nikko and you enjoy roast pork and ale, Matton tells you

"I'm trying to find a woman named Gabrielle Aderre. You see, I still love her.

She's an unusual woman. She ruled this land ... maybe still does.

Before her, Invidia was ruled by an evil man named Bakholis. And he was not just a man, but a werewolf. Gabrielle was captured by him, you can guess why, but she turned the tables on him. With the help of her spells and a silver dagger, Gabrielle slew him, and took Castle Loupet for her own.

Being a nobleman myself, I naturally sought an audience with her when I first came here. It was love at first sight. She's beautiful, of course. Half-Vistani, which is unusual in itself.

We had a time of happiness, but one day, a stranger came to the castle. He was tall and dark. As he tried to enter our private chamber, I tried to stop him, but I was no match for his unhuman strength. I am certain this was no man, but a demon. After he defeated me, he took her inside the room and forced himself on her. I heard her screams.

I set forth on a quest to find the stranger and take revenge, but have found no sign of him, no tales resembling my own. So I have returned.

But now I can't find Gabrielle. She's not at the castle and from what I hear she hasn't been there recently.

Carnival is her favorite time in the city, and the Wine Garden her favorite place. She wouldn't miss it. Yet no barman or socialite I've asked has seen her yet this Carnival.

I fear that she's been kidnapped, perhaps held by that fiend.

But I don't think he would have killed her. He could have done that the first time if he'd wanted to. I think he's holding her prisoner, perhaps on the outskirts of town. If so, there's a chance that someone may have noticed something - unusual noises, lights in an abandoned house, perhaps sightings of a mysterious woman trying to signal for help.

Or maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. Maybe she's in hiding to avoid the fiend, or maybe I've just had bad luck so far in looking for her.

Now, Jiles, you seem like a smooth talker and I'll bet you both can handle yourselves if you need to poke into a rough part of town. And as newcomers you can probably use some coin. If you're willing, I think that five gold per day - each - is reasonable pay to help me look for her."

 

[HolyMan]

"Well, well. That explains a lot about your recent demeanor. I am sorry for your failure in finding out anything, and I will help. If nothing else the tale that comes from this will be one for the Book of Exalted Deeds even if it should fail."

"So are you sure she is in town? Me and Raul here, had ourselves quite the run in with a pack of wolves a ways up river."

Jiles finishes his meal and sets to pondering what he knows of fighting beasts like the one he and Raul encountered in the forest.

 

[kinem]

"I will help too" Raul says "though I'll have to find a babysitter or nanny."

"All right. And thanks. While I can't be certain she's in town, it's the place to start. She liked being here, among people. If she's not in town, she could be anywhere, so we have no choice but to look here first.

We'll cover more ground if you investigate in your own way while I do my own search. Let's meet here again tomorrow, same time. I'm staying here tonight, if you find anything or otherwise want to contact me sooner."

Matton reaches into his pouch and lays ten gold pieces on the table.

 

[HolyMan]

After finishing lunch and scooping up the coins Jiles hands five to Raul and stands giving Matton a slight nod of the head. "Then we are off and will meet you back here around this time if not sooner. A lot to do and still a few hours in the day to do it. Come on Raul, looks like a nanny may be the first thing we need to find."

OCC: If nothing further will head outside and question the first passers by he sees asking after a orphanage or nunnery near by.

 

[kinem]

You take your leave of Matton and head outside.

You ask a passing couple but they shake their heads in confusion.

The man says "I can guess what an orphanage is but I don't know of anything like that in town. Would be nice if they could be kept off the streets. As for a nunnery, I have no clue what that would be."

If you ask others you receive similar responses.

Raul says "Things here are different than in your home. From what Matton told us, the city used to be ruled by evil, and no doubt that has shaped much of city life. Though I admit, I also have no idea what you mean by a nunnery.

In any case, I think a more private arrangement is called for. Ideal would be a young mother who could share her own milk. The only problem is I don't know who in this town is trustworthy.

If you wish, I could go on my own quest to find suitable arrangements - which will likely not be very interesting - while you gather some information for Matton. We could meet back here in a few hours."