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Claims; Part 2: The City of Four
Topic Started: Mar 11 2012, 07:47 PM (1,043 Views)
Brackenwood
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The night was still fairly young as Nathaniel Left the feast to go for his walk. The streets, though still somewhat crowded, were nowhere near as full as they had been earlier. There were still a great many merchants peddling their wares to passers by, and groups of wandering drinkers still made their rounds to all their favorite taverns. Some of the more friendly drunks even managed to stumble up to Nathaniel and shower blessings upon him, wishing he and his family well in all their future endeavors. It was unlikely that any the well-wishers even knew who he was, but all the same, it made for a merry atmosphere. And then came the tap on his shoulder, as a meek voice tried desperately to be heard above the din of the streets.

"M'lord. P-please, pardon my interruption on your walk and forgive me for being so bold as to touch you! It's just....The guards told me it was you who last spoke to my husband..."

Edited by Brackenwood, Jun 18 2012, 09:19 PM.
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Damon
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Nathanial turned and looked at the poor widow. He sighed, and nodded.

"I met him. We were speaking business, and I did not know him very well. But I can say that he was a good man. I can't imagine your grief. Are you safe? I asked the Watch to look after you."
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Brackenwood
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The woman that now stood before Nathaniel was, as her voice suggested, a very meek and frail human being, perhaps in her late 20's to early 30's. Standing at average height for a woman she was thin. Had Nathaniel wanted to He could very easily have encircled her wrist and much of her forearm with his thumb and middle finger. Her face, despite it's gauntness, was quiet pretty, long black hair that extended well beyond her shoulders framed her face beautifully, and two large grey eyes full of sorrow stared into the young lords own. She wore a dress of grey silk that matched her eyes perfectly. The material interwoven with white strands that caught the the light of the torches, making it glimmer. All in all the mousey young woman gave off a strangely ethereal quality that was as alluring as it was unnerving.

Yes, thank you M'lord. my children and I are fine but. The woman broke of with a slight sob before continuing. "The guards wouldn't tell me how he died, ,Ser. Only that he was dead. Please, please! If you know tell me, I must know!" At this point the woman broke down fully, sinking to her knees in the street, managing to ask one last question between sobs. "Did...did he...suffer?"
Edited by Brackenwood, Jun 20 2012, 12:20 AM.
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Damon
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Nathanial sighed, keeping his eyes on her. He spoke plainly, flatly.

"Your Husband was murdered. If I am any judge of wounds, I should say he felt little, but that does not change the heinous nature of it all." Nate turned and looked about. "You should allow me to provide your family with new lodgings for the time being. This is not the place to talk, and I don't want you in harms way."
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Brackenwood
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For a moment, the woman stopped her sobbing, gaining some measure of self control again. "M-Murdered?!" She managed to say with minimal interruption. "That...that makes sense..." as if a switch had been flipped somewhere deep inside her mind the woman abruptly ceased her sobbing as she fell into a deep contemplative silence. She rose from the ground without a word, and brushed herself off, straightening her dress and brushing some of her ebony hair from her eyes.

"If my husband was indeed murdered, then I think i know by whom. Ser, I will gladly accept your offer of new lodging. My children and I are not safe where we are now." Moving in close the woman put her hand on Nathaniel's shoulder, whispering in his ear, "I don't know if you've noticed, but the city guard is rather incompetent."
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Damon
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Nathanial feigned a stretch of the neck to look around before responding.

"I know just what you mean. Perhaps we had best talk in a more private place." He said, in a lower tone.
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Brackenwood
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The woman smiled at Nathaniel and and bowed to the young noble. "Of course Ser. I know of a place that may just suit our needs. On the far side of the city, towards the wall. There is a small Inn, more of a tavern actually, called the Black Dog. If you would, please meet me there in about an our. It's just down this road a ways, you can't miss the sign, The owner has a bit of a flair for the dramatic. We can talk more freely there. The patrons can't be trusted, but the owner respects coin, my husband used to do business there quite often when he needed certain discrete transactions to stay....discrete."

With one last bow the woman turned her side to Nathaniel and began to walk towards the side of the street, "When you arrive simply ask the Owner for Valdis, he will lead you to me." as she moved her destination became clear, a small side street, covered in shadow and barley visible from the main road. With just a few steps the woman vanished into the murk and once again Nathaniel found himself alone with some time to ponder on this latest and...rather odd chance meeting.
Edited by Brackenwood, Jun 26 2012, 12:47 PM.
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Damon
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Nate looked around, and decided to return to the castle and arm himself more thoroughly before meeting this woman. He'd grab his sword, and ask one of his men at arms to shadow him throughout the night. One of the subtler ones. Since he was better protected, he'd restock his coinpurse as well.
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Brackenwood
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After preparing himself at the keep Nathaniel set out for the inn, his guard always keeping his distance but never loosing sight of Nathaniel. Following the Valdis' directions Nathaniel found the inn easy enough. After all, it must have been the only building in the city to have a massive wooden carving of a sitting hound right outside the door, a sign with the Inn's name hanging from a chain clutched in the beasts jaws. Stepping through the door two things became immediately apparent to Nathaniel. the first, arriving in the form of a thrown chair that just barley missed Nathaniel as it sailed by and crashed into a wall, WAS that this was indeed more of a tavern, not an inn. And the second, arriving in the form of an all-out brawl soon following the thrown chair, was that, indeed, the patrons were not to be trusted. Making his way carefully through the ever-shifting maze of waring drunks Nathaniel finally made it to the other side of the tavern, where a man that he could only assume was the owner sat, counting some coin behind a counter, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him.

As Nathaniel approached however, the man looked up, eyed him, then eyed his guard who had slipped in behind him. With a slight shake of his head we waived them both around the counter without a word, leading him into a back room filled with boxes and crates, before shutting the door.

"You're here about the Woman, Valdis, yes? I know. She said she was expecting a friend, a noble, and you absolutely reek of noble. You couldn't have at least ditched the fancy sword? Mussed up your hair a bit? At least your guard dresses the part, But a guards a guard, they all walk the same, just like nobles all walk the same. Buuuut it's none a' my business. Go over to that corner, move the boxes away from the crate there an open it. There's a false bottom and follow the stairs, they'll lead you right into their room.'."

Without another word the man left allowing Nathaniel and his man to continue unhindered. The room in question was large, made entirely of stone, and smelled terribly of mold. A large fire place on the left wall was the only source of light, but it was enough. 4 beds had been placed on the far wall, a large wash basin and curtain against the right. And directly in the center of the room around a circular oaken table sat Valdis and three others who turned to see their visitor. Each was clad in leather armor and carrying some form of weapon.

"Welcome, Nathaniel Knyre"
Valdis smiled warmly as she spoke. "Don't mind my children. Please, have a seat. We may speak freely here, and I'm sure you have questions."
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Volksgeist
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OOC


- Please wait for the Tourney thread to be put up! -
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Volksgeist
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-- The Grand Tourney thread is up. Please post turn your attention there as a noble.--
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Volksgeist
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It was only a short walk before Nathanial found his Uncle, Lord Addam Knygrove, and the guards he had been searching for. Lord Addam was stoic faced, as were most of the family and the guard, though Lady Lizbeth had quite obviously been crying not so long ago. The rain was falling lightly. Lord Addam turned to greet Nathanial in the most melancholy of ways before announcing to the party: "We will be heading back to our inn until the funeral tonight. Until then, please refrain from departing the inn. there is a murderer on the loose, one that is powerful and has a taste for noble blood. We must stick together through this." He turned to Nathanial.

"Will you be joining us?"
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Damon
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Nathanial felt put in an odd position. His uncle had a valid point, and it would seem rash and strange for Nate to not obey. However, there was something that he wanted done before the Funeral. However, he could likely accomplish it with the help of a trustworthy messenger.

"Of course, Uncle. We I should not like to wander about on a grave day such as this." Nate said, falling into line with his Uncle and their guard afterwards.
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Volksgeist
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It was not a long walk to their inn, and soon the entirety of the Knygrove and Knyre parties were safely within the bounds of the place. There was the orange glow of crackling fires in the hearths to keep them warm and keep the growing darkness at bay, but it was impossible for the fire to keep the darkness from invading their hearts and minds. Nathanial was left with his guard in a backroom off of the main tavern area - a place of seclusion with no windows. The walls were stacked high with barrels of ale and various other implements for the tavern, but for the most part the center of the room was wide open, and allowed for him and his men to sit easily and drink freely without worry. Lord Addam was above them, on the third floor of the inn in his room, if Nathanial needed him. There was some time before the funeral began, so if Nathanial wished to send a messenger, he was more than able to, and would easily have enough time to get word back.
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Damon
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Nate took pen in hand and carefully wrote out a message. He'd have to leave as little trace as possible in case it were compromised. The Black Roots were not the type a Lord should openly associate with. When finished, it would read.

Code:
 

My Friend,

No doubt you've heard the news. There is an errand I need done, and the upcoming commotion is likely the best time to do it. There was an arrest today. A Templar was jailed. I should like to see him freed, and have a private word with him by nights end.
He is held in Alabastar Keep. Though since he has been cooperating, he may be lightly guarded during the funeral. I recognize the risks with this job, and will provide ample reward for overcoming them. Try not to kill anyone though, it might not sit well with the Templar.

Yours,
N.



Nate sealed the letter with wax, not using either his or his Uncle's house seal. He pocketed it, and stood up to find the man for the job.
Edited by Damon, Jul 29 2012, 09:05 PM.
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