The two half-demons, Gwyn and T’aria, as well as Alicia, make their way quickly to the west side of town. A quick scan of the city shows that it isn’t remarkably kept up. A few neighborhoods look fairly clean, trash kept picked up and windows washed, but most are in varying states of squalor. If there are any city laws dealing with cleanliness, or any requirements for the structural integrity of the roads or buildings, they aren’t being enforced. But when the reach Gorgon’s Way, they find it’s one of the nicer roads and nicer neighborhoods. The long road, curving twice forming a large thin S, runs through a residential area. Not really the sort of place where girls are likely to work the streets... maybe they go door-to-door?
Besides the residences, there is a candle shop, a book store (by it’s sign, apparently specializing in recipe books), both closed at this late hour. There’s also a small open market with empty stands, which are probably filled during daylight hours. The only eye-sore on the Way is a large blackened building, obviously the victim of fire sometime in the past.
While strolling the Way, the three party members are passed by a horse-drawn carriage, which stops at a house perhaps 100 feet ahead. The driver, after reining in the horses, seems to wait patiently while a woman steps out of the carriage. She is dressed extravagantly, in a glittering formal dress and tied up hair. She gives a short wave to the driver, then tries to walk elegantly to a house, presumably her home, but she stumbles a bit, unsteady on her feet. The driver watches her for a bit, getting ready to stir the horses into action again. T'aria and Gwyn are both experienced enough to know that either the driver or the resident might have seen ladies working the street.
Meanwhile, Alev and Sunedilar are having a chat with the robed man. He doesn’t approach any closer, staying in the street, and says “Tavern at th’ edge of the world? Well, I don’t know ‘bout the edge, but there’sh a great tavern just down thish road.” He points down a road perpendicular to the path Alev and Sunedilar were taking. “You’ll like it there. Ain’t nuthin’ good down that road”, indicating their chosen path. Speaking to Sunedilar “You don’t hafta be rude, you know. I’m just tryin’ to help. Ya look like you could use a drink and relax.” Sunedilar notices [default Spot rolled 15] the man seems to have one hand squeezed into a fist, although not making any threatening motions.
Aligor, at the bar, foregoes finesse and sinks his axe into the leg of the man he’s fighting [Rolled 15+7=hit AC 22. Damage rolled 8+3=11], almost removing it with one blow. The man is amazed at the amount of blood that gushes from his wound. “You… you… how could you… you’re going to die for that, dwarf!” He stabs at Aligor and finds a weakness in his armor [Hit AC 18, 7 pts of damage including sneak attack damage, poor roll for him, lucky for you
] His taller brother says to the bar’s owner “Rusty! This was just between you and the boss! We’re going to hurt you bad for bringing this red-bearded maniac into this.” He swings at Rusty who blocks the attack with his crowbar [Hit AC 10], but then has trouble bringing the piece of metal back around [Rusty rolled 1, missed]
[Initiative, damage, and position:
Aligor Init-16, HPs-24/37, flanked
Thug, taller Init-14, Hurt, flanked
Thug, shorter Init-14, Very Hurt
Rusty Init-8, Unhurt]
Back at Madame Brie’s, Accalon’s tender suggestion of another night with Loni elicits a quick smile and a reponse “That... would be nice. Being held would be very nice. I’ll tell Madame Brie that, um, my tomorrow night is scheduled.” She’s been trained to watch for johns who become too attached. And she think this may be happening here. But Accalon is no pathetic stalker, she’s sure. He’s clearly a professional. He doesn’t get
too anything, attached or otherwise. So maybe, she thinks, if the feeling exists that someone may be getting too close, the person investing too much of their heart may not be Accalon.
Valasia, carrying two large sets of clothing is grateful for the help, saying “Thank you, sir! You are far too kind. I’m glad my sisters were able to entertain you; they are so skilled, aren’t they? Madame Brie takes so much time with them, and teaches them so much.” A wistful look crosses her face for just a moment.
Downstairs, the place is much emptier now. Madame Brie is pouring some hot tea for Aeweth and Lydia while they wait for Valasia to return with their new attire. Brie says “So, you both seem like two ladies of culture. I have met a great number of cultured women that I would have loved see working here.” She looks slyly at both women. “They were resentful, that my girls had more power over their men than they did. I hope you aren’t like them and have enough power over this man stealing from me that you can at least find him.”
A bell is heard, one attached to the front door. Madame Brie rises and says “We have customers… unfortunately you aren’t dressed yet. And Valasia isn’t here to greet them, either. What’s keeping that stupid girl?” Brie moves towards the door to greet these clients, but they didn’t mind entering on their own. Two men stand in the doorway. Both are quite handsome, one thinner and immaculately dressed, the other more rugged looking. The slim one says, in a cultured voice, “Ah, Brie, Valasia didn’t greet me at the door. I’d be insulted, but I think it’s good that you’ve finally put her to work. That was such a waste. And I hope you don’t mind, I brought my new bodyguard. As long as he’s watching out for me, he may as well watch me having a good time. And, what’s this? New mea… I mean, you have new girls, I see. Lovely to meet you both.” He gives an apprasing eye over Lydia and Aeweth
