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]

"Just go." Korrin gives Adasse a curt nod, wishing she could follow, but the whole point of pretending to be a bodyguard is that she goes where Julian does. If he asks, she'll pass on what was said but otherwise won't interrupt the two nobles. Crossing her arms, she locks gazes with Fenris. Her own is sympathetic, but just for a moment; that aura of an alert bodyguard has to make its return. As their host finally makes himself known, she hangs back just a little and notes the abundance of jewels, the worth of which could easily feed and clothe the desperate of Kirkwall. Of course she will remain standing, naturally not included in the offer to sit and as a bodyguard, wouldn't think to do so.

[insatiably]

Julian sits down with a flourish, stretching his arms over the back of the settee like he's right at home, which isn't too far off the mark. However, his own family wouldn't be sporting fake smiles like this one.

"Ah, thank you, thank you. My associates will stand. How long has it been? Was it Lady Antonia's First Day party or further back? Lord Horatio's Saturnalia celebration? I swear I blacked out for three days by the end of it!" He lets out a laugh at his own ridiculous behavior, but it's simply meant to show himself as a bit of a cad to hopefully get Bombelles to open up.

[lyriumcarved]

Fenris is more than glad to stay well toward the back, standing near Korrin, not about to get any closer, lest the man potentially recognize him for who he is. Who knows, with these nobles? The whole place leaves a bad taste in his mouth, though, knowing that this man's riches had to be in part earned by his smuggling of slaves. He hates this so much. It's all he can do not to rip the man's chest open.

Instead, he shares that gaze with Korrin, hoping that Adasse has some kind of good plan in mind. Idly, Fenris looks around the room, taking account of how many windows and doors there are. Just… just in case. He's never one to go anywhere without a good escape plan. Old habits and all.

Bombelles is no fool, of course, he wouldn't have survived this long if he was. But if he suspects anything at all, there's no sign of that. He seems perfectly content and at ease discussing social topics. "Oh, yes! Yes, yes, of course, you know, Lord Horatio is always a superb host… I believe many of us came to the next morning, draped around his parlor with quite the confusion… I woke up under a settee! But that was perfectly fine, given who I woke beside…" He smiles brightly as he recollects the whole incident. "We really must do that again. Or perhaps go on a hunt together, do you enjoy hunting?"