Tracking Smugglers

[gatheringstorm]

WHO: Korrin, Fenris, Julian, Adasse
WHAT: Hunting down slavers for fun and profit.
WHEN: At some nebulous point in the first half of the month.
WHERE: Ayesleigh
NOTES: CW: Slavers, violence, to be updated as need be.

It's a long trip to Ayesleigh, but the uneventful nature of it gives plenty of time to plan for the assignment ahead. The Inquisition has tasked Korrin and Fenris -members of the Northern Powers project- with following up on some leads regarding slavers in the region. Said leads have been accused of kidnapping, but lack of evidence has them still walking free. With some discussion of plans and a bit of luck, the Inquisition's agents might go further than what local authorities have been able to manage.

That's where the trail begins, though Korrin reminds everyone that they might have to expand their search, depending on what's discovered. The use of force -lethal or otherwise- isn't forbidden, but it's made clear that they must do their best not to leave a trail of blood leading directly to the Inquisition. Whatever must be done, it ought be kept discreet. (Fenris is likely reminded of this more than once.) Force isn't the only resource available to them, however; thanks to Julian and Adasse, connections and stealth might open an number of doors otherwise closed to them.

It's early morning when their ship finally reaches port, travelers streaming down onto the docks and disappearing into the crowds. The hunt begins.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

Given how Korrin is at least a foot taller than anything not qunari, she knows well how she could easily be a problem in this scenario. Sighing, she keeps her pouch ready if bribaries are needed...and even if not, she'll still hang back and do her best not to draw attention.

"Don't wonder if I'm hanging back...way back. It's better that she doesn't see me, if at all possible."

[insatiably]

Julian pauses and moves beside Korrin. While it's true that he's a noble that tends to mix a bit more due to his merchant ties, he's still a clean, well-dressed man in the wrong part of town.

"I might raise a few eyebrows myself. I could possibly pass myself off as a debauched man of privilege, out with my bodyguard as I visit the brothels or some such thing, but I'm probably the wrong person to deal with our target here too."

[lyriumcarved]

"I don't blame either of you. I might be too obvious, myself. But perhaps most of us can still keep an eye out for guards on patrol... it seems like we've passed quite a few." Crooked ones, he'd imagine, corrupt and using that power to let the likes of this Lignago woman do as they please. He loathes just how strong that influence seems to be. They'll have to keep alert for sure.

"I wonder just how much gold might get her talking..." It sounded like bribery might be the name of the game around this area.

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Adasse, on the other hand, is right at home. Mostly because the dregs of society is where he grew up and he hasn't know much better. His gaze is sharp as he looks around, making sure their profile is staying low enough.

"I've heard of this bird - she's considered the best in the city." He looks thoughtfully at the rest of them, "We might want to sweeten the bribe with a job. So and so much gold to meet us here, talk about stealing something from some duchess, la-tee-da. Money up front is always a good motivator."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin nods at the plan, though is quick to add a warning. "Not too much money without haggling, though. If we seem eager to offer a lot up front without doing that, it'll raise a lot of red flags. We can let her drive up the price somewhat, but not without at least seeming to fight for it."

[insatiably]

Julian rubs at his chin and chuckles. "Duchesses do tend to have so much that they don't notice when something is taken, unless it's their prized possession." He's pretty sure some of his family's valuables have been stolen at some point. Probably an inside job. But when you have that much stuff, it's a part of life, really. You just replace it and hope that next time it's not something you really like.

"It is a good plan. I could play the role of some pompous fool who stupidly wears all his wealth on him instead of investing, hoping to stick it to someone higher up as if one robbery will ruin their lives." He draws a hand down his expensive jacket, as a way to explain away who he is. "A noble wanting to get into a slap fight with another noble. I would be eager, and you can draw me back with the haggling bit."

[lyriumcarved]

"That seems like it could work. Get her talking about this job to drop her guard... and then we can start to pull out the real information from her once we have her where we want her." He's all for dealing with that 'extract information' part. He rubs his head, a little bit weary by this point, given that she doesn't seem to be the ultimate one pulling the strings. Not yet. But surely she'll give them the name of the one who is.

"I just hope she finally gets us to the end of this whole business."

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

"Right-o. That just means we need to find a local boyo to slip a coin to." He looks around, brown eyes narrowed before he reaches out and snags a small boy about ten, all scrapped knees and wary eyes.

"Oi. Silver for you, if you can find my master the Ghost. Tell her that we've got work for her. Well paying work."

[gatheringstorm]

The boy immediately perks up at mention of coin, but offers his hand out, clearly expecting payment beforehand. Korrin rolls her eyes and reaches for a silver in her pocket. "And another one when you fetch her."

She shrugs as the boy darts off wordlessly, then looks to the others. They have their way in now, hopefully. Otherwise, one silver is no great loss.

[insatiably]

Julian watches the boy go, feeling a bit of a tug at his heartstrings at his grubby appearance. But like most nobles, he figures if he gives the child some gold, it will just go to waste: either drank away by an alcoholic father or lost by a gambler mother. No one ever hears stories of successful people who were given a helping hand out of poverty and did good with the money.

Crossing his arms, he starts to pace back and forth as they wait, trying to think up some lines to say when the Ghost arrives. After a minute, it occurs to him that someone as sly as her might send a spy first, or be watching them from the shadows, so he puts some impatience into his walk, throwing down his arms and sighing dramatically.

"Really; how long am I expected to wait? I'm a busy man."

[lyriumcarved]

For now, to wait. Fenris is as wary as ever, stretching and pacing a bit as he waits, unable to just stay in one spot. Especially here in these surroundings. He hopes that their plan will work, that this woman can't see right through them. He wonders whether or not any rumors of their questioning the others has reached her. Who knows? People like this tend to be listening everywhere...

Soon enough, the boy returns, making a line straight to Korrin. "She's here. Gimme my coin."

There's no sign of anyone following the boy, though, oddly enough. A couple of quiet, uncertain moments pass, and still, no one emerges.

Fenris's face darkens as he looks around. "I see no one here. Do you take us for fools?"

"The true question is, do you take me for a fool?" The voice comes from the opposite direction of the boy, from a hooded figure clad all in dark, shadowy clothing. She approaches them slowly, and as quietly as her nickname suggests.

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Adasse, for his part, leaned against the wall and watched the boy as he scurried over to Korrin. He let his eyes close as they waited, even though he could hear Fenris starting to get nervous. Honestly, he knew this was happening. They were being checked out, after all.

He tips one eyeball open when the voice came from the other side, and then leaned upwards. Tipping his head to the side, his tone drawling. "Not sure, just yet, but my Master thinks you're going to be one to help him with his ... issue."

[gatheringstorm]

"Yeah, yeah. Here." Another silver, as promised, and she's keeping a large hand on her remaining coin. Too many pickpockets have already tried to lift it, and he's not getting the rest.

Hearing the new voice, she turns and fall silent for now, appraising the woman as Adasse speaks.

[insatiably]

Taking this as his cue, Julian straighten up, addressing the woman. "We've heard you're the best, and I need discretion for this endeavor. The Duchess of Urbino has wronged me, and I want my revenge." He rubs his hands together eagerly. "I'm willing to pay handsomely if you can steal something from her estate here in the city."

Sorry, Duchess. Julian's never even met you, but he's sure this will hardly ruin your week.

[lyriumcarved]

Making sure he's got his hood up, Fenris slinks to hang out in the back of the group, yet again. It's at least much easier and far more comfortable, trying to hide in this shadowy place, as opposed to that gaudy noble estate they'd just been in. He'll never be at ease in that kind of setting. But here… even the whole notion of a swift escape, if needed, is easier to plot out. And he does just that, vaguely running through possibilities, should this go wrongly.

But so far, so good.

The woman known as the Ghost doesn't show much reaction, clearly someone who plays her cards close. There's a moment of silence while she appears to be thinking it over. "That's it, hm? I'll need to hear more of the terms, first. What, precisely, do you need stolen? And… I always ask for half of the payment, up front."