Back on The Case: LIV
"Riu?!" Herod drove forward grabbing Riu who had fallen to the ground. What the hell happened? She looked at Markos.. Used her spell and.. "What.. Did you see?" He slowly turned his head towards Markos who was standing in the background, his eyes full of concern. Riu's head sputtered for a moment looking around in both confusion and horror. Her head gently tilted up, shocked icy blue eyes gazed back at him.
"I.. I'm not sure.. But.. I saw something on you.. A.. a fox.. A.. a deer." Riu frowned almost accusingly. "What.. what was that?" Herod didn't like how quickly Markos was brushed off however the mention of Vulity.. Puderis caught him off guard.
"The Deer, it's the form of my god, Puderis. The three tailed fox is my sword's spirit symbol of the gods chosen one."
"Chosen.."
"Are you ok?!" Andraste had reached forth grabbing at Riu, along with many others of the party all concerned of what happened to her. Riu's head turned so slowly.. She opened her mouth as if intending to say something.
"I.." Riu paused, gazing to her right Herod could see Markos just barely clearly that was where her vision lay. "I'm fine. Just, the spell took a lot out of me." Herod creased his brow confused, if she saw something bad why wouldn't she tell them? Either way Herod decided to study his party members a bit closer from then on out. He liked Markos, hell the cultist had actually become his friend especially since they were living in the same room, so this.. Silence puzzled him.
"Let's get you to your bed then..." Andraste whispered, Herod nodded, slipping a hand under Riu's legs and another under her back to carry her.
"Who.. who is your god?" Riu asked softly, he ascended the stairs pondering on Riu's question. Who was his god? Someone who saved him, someone who gave him strength.
"Puderis.." he replied, the name was so familiar yet foreign as if he had not become accustomed to saying it. "The lord of virtue.. Within the Pantheon of Vironum.. He's.." He trailed off, Riu held such a look of bewilderment Herod was unsure what she was thinking.
"Never heard of it.." Riu's soft voice sounded far away. Herod opened the door to her room and set the Aasimar gently on the bed. 'That sounded about right.' Herod thought, not everyone had. Hell he hadn't even heard of Puderis, Vercun, or Ilgentie until it was on his doorstep. He narrowly closed the door to Riu's room, leaving for the others.
"This can go over there." Andraste pointed to two boxes and then at a spot in the tavern. Herod's legs buckled when he picked the box up, Vulity, it was heavy.. Skeemo had decided to really pack the last of his shop into that cart, odd for a man who was so keen on getting out, that he would take so many trips. However.. The Zhentarim told them what day to go and the gnome was dead.
"Most of this is.. Garbage.." Asher spat, Herod nodded in agreement. The back of the cart held what seemed to be old empty boxes. Rows of empty potion bottles, mundane featureless potions which needed an alchemist touch, a set of old weapons and a few potion books. Those were just the most memorable things however, Herod picked up a small container in the back reading its label..
"Guys!" Herod yelled. "Yo, I think this is something we're gonna want." he placed the small white container on the bar. It had a silver lock on its face with tiny letters. "We may not have gotten all trash.."
"Let's crack her open nimrods, see what's inside this sucker." Adleth leaned over the counter with a pair of lock picks in hand. Shit she had beaten him to the punch Herod thought. He slowly tucked his pair of lock picks back into his pouch. What would have taken him ten minutes Adleth did in twelve seconds. The clicks of pins could be heard while she fidgeted, the pretty elf made a sly smirk and turned the lock. "Open sesame, bring me some money!"
"Well, comrade, a thief is always.. Useful." Alekzandr sounded pretty disapproving.
"About as useful as a Drunk." Adleth replied, Herod smirked a little. The case's door swung open revealing a litany of bottles..
"Potions." Asher affirmed. Hell he was right, they had actually gotten their hands on potions.. A single elixir could range from seventy to hundreds of dragons.. And dragons weren't something they had in spare, though there was one rumour in Waterdeep that an old lord stashed away nearly a million dragons somewhere. Probably just folk lore to excite stupid adventuerers at the yawning portal. Herod reached in pulling out two of the potions while Asher did the same. Assembled on the table he counted around nine potions in total on top of that there was some unknown.. Powdery substance in three small pouches. Some gnarly green root, and this odd black sap that Herod felt as if he had seen before.
"This was in the waggon, not really useful as of right now." Asher held an open box with three distinct objects in it, a large iron rod with tubes running off it, a silk rope, and a large blue vat.
"Hold on.." Adleth remarked, "That's a poisoner's kit." Adleth rushed over reaching into the box she grabbed the blue vat. "Oh I am so keeping this."
"That is strange.." Alekzandr declared. "I.. have seen this kind of potion before.. Red bead going back and forth.. My friends.. We have some healing potions." Herod reached out gripping one of the four red potions, a gorgeous crimson hue with what seemed like a whirlpool at its center bouncing a bead of air back and forth across it. Potions of healing..
"This is a greater healing potion." Markos held up one of the two other red potions except one.. Held such a bigger bead at its center, shit Markos was able to identify that. "There's two of them.. Asher? You want one?" he offered one of the larger elixirs to Asher who steadily accepted.
"Never really know when you might need to pop one of these suckers." Asher jested. Herod agreed and took one of the healing potions. In total there were four vials of healing, two vials of greater healing, and three other elixirs that had yet to be identified. He picked up the black sap on the counter, it was wrapped in a little parchment paper yet still visible.
'Its a drug! From death, head willow trees!' Herod grinned at Vulity's voice, he had a leg up on everyone when it came to the identification. He pocketed the sap carefully in its baggie.
"Potions of healing can hurt like a bitch." Alekzandr scoffed, "They physically repair you.. At such a rate well, trust me whatever it feels like going at you? It's going to feel like leaving you." That made enough sense to Herod, it was a pretty basic analysis of magic.
"What are these two?" Andraste spoke up pointing to the final two potions.. Hold on, Herod thought, weren't there three remaining elixir's? Why were there only two? He gave a good look at the two remaining potions, a bright blue elixir, and a harsh orange one brimming in their egg shaped bottles. He gripped one staring at it intently.
"This.. is a potion of growth." Herod announced holding the orange potion. "Doubles your size and weight for a while.. Pretty useful at times." He slipped the potion into his pocket calling dibs. Adleth was next grabbing the blue elixir.
"Potion of diminution.." the elf whispered. "It's essentially the opposite of that one." Adleth also pocketed the potion but again to little objections since they were all getting something.
"You know your potions." Asher remarked.
"I used to transport them for some.. Less than savory people, let's put it like that." Herod rolled his neck while Andraste grabbed the large alchemist kit in the box.
"Theki Root." Herod gripped the green roots taking a small whiff of them. "This thing is gonna give you some very needed advantages against pretty much all toxins.. Used to grow it near my village, seen guys harvesting it most of my life." Herod wrapped the root and set it carefully behind the counter preparing it for another day.
"Funny you say that." Alekzandr replied, "I've only tasted Theki root maybe.. Once or twice, terribly bitter. Worst thing you can chew on before a fight." Herod watched Asher give Alekzandr a fist bump in agreement.
"I say our front line fighters take the greater healing potions.. Everyone else may take a normal one." Alekzandr said.
"That was kind of obvious already." Adleth replied she picked up one of the healing potions as did the rest of them. Herod already felt more secure at this point combat had been tricky but if they were managing with potions as a fail safe their health could keep up.
"If we're done here.. I gotta run down to Steam and Steel, pick up an order." Asher announced. Herod raised an eyebrow trying to remember what Asher had actually ordered at Steam and Steel.
"I should probably head outside too." Herod agreed. "Afterall who's gonna make sure the whores are clearing the street? I just want a world where everyones has time and virtue." Herod shrugged. Asher seemed to roll his eyes, but he didn't care; he planned to follow them out at the very least. Herod exited troll skull Asher and Markos already ahead of him strolling towards the direction of Steam and Steel. Adleth was behind him, apparently she wanted out of the house as well, made sense. That cone of cold would make anyone wish for some warm sun of summer. The alley was filled with smiling figures, small tents and stands, plenty of little knick knack shops. That's when a familiar figure caught Herod's eye. In the far distance he spotted Renaer waving his arms and talking to some guard's.
"I wonder what that's all about.." Adleth trailed off when Renaer began pointing at the manor.. Crap.. Herod thought. Asher and Markos had already left his sight but Herod knew he could probably see what was going on. The two of them carefully approached the situation.
"Listen I know, I know.. It was a messy scene.. But they were at work for me. Don't worry." Herod heard Renaer's panicked voice before he really saw him. The two guards he was talking to looked pretty upset.. Definitely not happy at that minute. "Nothing too serious.."
"This looks bad on the guard." One of the men sighed.
"I know, I know.. Look, for your troubles." Renaer handed one of the two guards a small pouch that jingled a little. "Just.. let me handle the situation.. Ok? They're working for me.." one of the guards nodded slowly and turned on his heel.
"Let's not make it a habit ok?" the second man said in a gruff voice. Renaer gave him a smile. The guard left. Once Herod was sure the two guards had completely left the scene, Adleth gave a small hand signal.
"Hey Renaer!" Herod cried, the two took a few steps in his direction. Surprisingly he gave them a pretty warm smile. Renaer was dressed in fine clothing with a simple clock across his back at his side Herod spotted an elegant Rapier, he shivered, those swords always felt too light and silly in his hands he could never understand the appeal.
"Oh hey.. One of.. Oh two of them." Renaer paused his smile however didn't waver when Adleth entered the frame.
"I'd almost feel insulted.. Nice save rich boy." Adleth joked. "So what was all that about?" she pointed at the direction the guards had run off too. Herod thought on it.. Well, they did just.. Kill a wanted criminal in broad daylight with so many witnesses so.. It was probably that.
"I.. was convincing the guard to not arrest all of you. They kept going on and on about how; The Keepers of Chaos would be some new terrorist threat." Renaer looked a little worried like he was preparing to give the group a proposal but the guards had shaken them.
"Well, thanks for not having us arrested!" Herod piped up, "honestly. Jail is boring, lacks chicken, no orange juice and they even try to take your weapons away." Herod gave a shrug tapping his trusty blade. But in seriousness he did not want to go to prison.
"I wouldn't know." Adleth replied, "Never dumb enough to get caught in my crimes." Herod frowned, seemed like a personal attack. Didn't matter though.
"Heh.." Renaer gave a nervous chuckle, staring at the ground. "Funny I ran into you.. I actually had to talk to you.. Well your whole group that is. I understand the city guard told you to not investigate the whole fireball incident that happened two days ago?" Herod and Adleth looked at one another.
"Yeah, the fucking pigs said if we persue they might have to arrest us.. Not a citizen's job apparently."
"On top of that.. I'm sure whoever did it is probably either caught or long gone by now." Herod added. The surrounding festival wouldn't let you know that however. The scorch marks of the fireball were carefully hidden under numerous stands, and the bodies had been cleaned up a long time ago. Renaer looked as if he was pondering something.
"I'm not sure how much of that conversation you caught.. But.. I was also asking the guard to turn a blind eye to that as well.. You see.. I have been getting some reports.. Sightings of those Nimblewright's you described, both by the dock ward, and.." Renaer looked around him. "Near an old noble's house.. The Gralhund villa." Herod frowned, what was the..
"Gralhund's?" Adleth puzzled. "What.. why would there be sightings there?" Renaer smiled.
"I'm not sure.. But lots of reports are saying people haven't seen the Gralhunds for several days now.. Almost like they're gone. I know I just asked you all to be Harpers.. But as the Keepers of Chaos, and as my friends. I have to ask you to investigate both of these reports.. Find out who triggered the fireball and killed my fathers informant.. I'm afraid.. Someone is after something involving my dad." Renaer spoke with a tone of urgency and he breathed heavily.
"Yeah we'll investigate it for you." Herod answered. Adleth didn't even need to talk, she was the most upset with the fireball, hell she installed a damned bell because she thought knocking was the problem. Renaer broke out in a grin.
"I'm going to caution you though.. If you break into Gralhund villa.. It'll be a death sentence.. Be careful about that one.. Not even I can save you from the watch." Herod rolled his eyes to Renaer's words. Like that mattered.
"Then we investigate the docks. Today." Adleth reassured. "I'd rather go down there.. Take a look around. Maybe kill a guy.. Or two." Renaer started chuckling but Adleth didn't laugh. Herod smiled, oh yeah she was definitely gonna be a good friend. "We're gonna bid you a farewell now rich boy, Herod lets go tell the others to pack up and get ready to find some wooden bots."
"Oh, Oh ok well. You guys be careful, be sure to report anything you find.. Don't die! I'm starting to like you all." Renaer said, waving. Herod turned around walking backwards. Holding his hand out on either side of him.
"Come on now Renaer, you said it yourself. We're the keepers of.. Something or other!" Herod laughed. He and Adleth walked swiftly through the setting festival sliding past a few angry carts. "One sec I gotta grab this." Herod reached over, tossing two silver on the table he took a long stick with slices of cooked chicken on it.
"How on earth are you not fat?" Adleth chuckled, grabbing one for herself and.. Also a third one. Herod shrugged and dug into the meat savoring the juicy taste. He grabbed the door knob before Adleth since she was carrying two chicken kabobs. The sound of clicking heels on the cobblestone road was a tad distracting, not that much more distracting than Vulity's constant vulgarity.
'Kill a whore! Come on! We haven't killed any yet! Ughh who cares about this, I'm itching!'
"Welcome back comrades! I see you have once again; not brought us food." Alekzandr gave Herod a joking smile. In the back he saw Markos and.. Asher. On one table Asher was holding what seemed to be brand new blades. Twin longswords about an inch longer than Vulity they looked pretty gnarly. Each one had an elegant black leather wrapped handle with a guard that resembled a wolf's open mouth with V angels on the sides for easy spin in the grip. The pommel on the swords had a design Herod couldn't quite make out from the distance. Every few seconds Asher would rotate the blades in his hands muttering to himself, at the base of the blades each side held an odd insignia again Herod couldn't make it out.. But he was sure they were different symbols on either side. The metal itself was deep and suky like Vulity's but only a little less perfect. A dark Damascus steel with a pattern Herod had never seen before in any craft. He slowly realized these were the sword's Asher had been carrying on his back.
"We just spoke to Renaer." Herod cleared his throat. In the back Adleth had shifted over to Markos who was looking just.. Utterly terrified.. She handed him one of the kabobs. The cultist nearly damn lost his mind. He looked as if he hadn't seen food in months.. And also still pretty scared of getting it. The half-elf tried to deny the stick but... she was. Uh.. persistent.
"And?" Asher inquired, Herod realized he had lost his train of thought.
"And.. sorry, and he asked us to go and investigate the nimblewright further.. The thing that blew up some people? He.. spoke to the City watch and gave us two locations we could investigate."
"The watch banned us from going any further.. Now Renaer wants our help?"
"Yes." Herod replied. "He wants to know why one of his fathers men was blown up right in front of our establishment.. He said there were sightings near the dock ward.."
"And the Gralhund villa." Adleth added, she seemed a bit preoccupied since she kept snapping her eyes at Markos making sure he was still eating the kabob. Herod nodded pointing at her.
"So, here's what I think.. We head down to the docks.. Look for some Nimblewright's."
"Adleth, do you still have the tracker?" Alekzandr asked hastily, the man pivoted on his stool to face Adleth in the back of the bar, Herod took that as an opportunity to sit down. "We will most likely need to investigate immediately.. By the sounds of it we should not be asking the watch for help like last time comrades. Let us explore the dockward." Herod wondered how the Nimblewright could even still be out there. 'It's been like.. Three or four days, how on Toril have they not caught it? And didn't it steal something? How was it not done?' It made no sense.
"I still have the tracker. Also someone should wake up Riu." Adleth held up a small umbrella topped device.
"Can someone explain what's going on?" Andraste pleaded, oh.. That was right she wasn't there for the explosion. Herod sighed not wanting to waste precious time explaining something again. Seriously, how hard was it to just go along? Especially if you were gonna be staying in the house.
"A nimblewright, blew up some people in front of our house." A familiar voice said. Riu stood on the final steps of the stairs. "When we went to investigate, the guard told us to stop.. I'm awake.. And I heard at least half of that.. Shall we get going?" Andraste looked as if she wanted to raise some objection but Herod shrugged, happy to see Riu recovered.
"I also vote to leave. Get there as quickly as possible.. It has been two days, the trail could very well be cold by now. We must track our prey." Alekzanr remarked.
"Ominous.." Asher added, "I like it. But Alekz is right. This thing could be anywhere.. I say we're leaving now." Asher spinned his swords pushing them away into his sheaths. Markos got up, hopping quickly over to Herod.
"You good?" He put a hand on his friend's shoulder. Last night Markos had practically jumped in bed screaming, it took nearly two hours to calm him down.
"Yeah.. just.. Loud.." Markos pointed to his head. Herod pulled out a small piece of chocolate and offered it to the cultist.
"Yeah. let's get going.. To the Dock ward." Herod clarified. "Let's find the fucker who blew up our windows."