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

[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."