RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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ewancummins
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RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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A LEAVE-TAKING IN PONT-A-MOUSEAU
MORNING ON THE WATERFRONT

Ash falls like sooty drizzle in the muggy, windless air.

Charlotte kisses Benn. “Please come to Mordentshire as soon as this is done. Please.”

"Big boat!” Benn’s son stares wide-eyed at the massive dirty-white paddle wheeler that rattles and hums in the water.

Lorna says her own goodbyes to Dorgio, holding up little Sandor to receive a paternal and priestly blessing, and then standing on her tip toes to press his lips with her own. “I’ll look after them all. Just you look after yourself, love.”

Two swart boatmen haul the last of the travelers’ luggage over the gangplanks and onto the cargo deck.
The shrill whistle blasts three times.
"All aboard!"

Hurried last words, some lost in the noise and bustle, parting embraces, and then the separation.
The bulky vessel moves slowly at first, then faster as the wheel churns the river and the chimney spits smoke.

From the waterfront, Benn and his companions watch the Briar-rose as it steams upriver.
Charlotte, visible against the gray-white cabins in her black dress, stands on the rear upper deck behind a railing, waving her handkerchief to her husband. Lorna, standing beside her, waves, and then turns away to take the children below deck.

And then the boat passes round a midstream island covered in buildings, and passes out of view.

Shortly after the departure of Benn and Dorgio’s wives and children, and before the group has departed the wharves, a body of nine armed men draw near.
SPOT DC 12
VIEW CONTENT:
They've been hanging around the area since before the Briar-rose departed.
They wear swords and light armor, and no livery or badges to indicate affiliation. Scarves and wide-brimmed hats hide their faces.
The man in the lead walks right up to the party and draws something from the sleeve of his jack. A piece of paper. He squints at the paper, then looks over the party. His gaze settles on Benn.
"Sir, our mistress has need of a word with you, if you please."
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Bennedict arches an eyebrow. "Your lady has a name, I presume?"
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Adam wrote:Bennedict arches an eyebrow. "Your lady has a name, I presume?"
The man flips the paper around so that Benn can see it.

A well-made drawing of Benn.
VIEW CONTENT:
It looks like the sort of thing a talented amateur artist could do with the model seated in plain view and close.

Something very familiar about it...

A little fading and rubbing, some wear at the corners, suggests it was made some time ago.
''She said to say it's been far too long.''
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Bennedict swallows deeply, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing up and down.

"Ah," he says, "Well, in that case, I am at the Madam's disposal."
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Adam wrote:Bennedict swallows deeply, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing up and down.

"Ah," he says, "Well, in that case, I am at the Madam's disposal."

''We go by water, sir."
The swordsman indicates a long rowboat moored at a nearby pier.
He looks at Dorgio and the others.
" My apologies, but we were instructed only to bring the gentleman scholar, Bennedict Gehrman, and not any others. We've time to spare if you all wish to arrange a rendezvous. Our mistress is aware of the important work your group does in protecting the city and its people, and would not wish to unduly hamper your efforts."

After the party has a chance to make any such arrangements
VIEW CONTENT:
, the swordsmen escort Benn to the longboat, unmoor it, and row out into the Musarde...
Last edited by ewancummins on Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Before the huddle

"Has the lady given you an idea of how long she will require me? This would make scheduling a rendezvous somewhat simpler."
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Adam wrote:Before the huddle

"Has the lady given you an idea of how long she will require me? This would make scheduling a rendezvous somewhat simpler."
BEFORE THE HUDDLE

The swordsman says,
''An hour, perhaps, though you must allow for rowing, sir. Certainly, we can row you back here, or anyplace along either bank within the city bounds, before noon."
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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He turns and looks to the other. "Shall we say, meet back up for lunch then? I know a charming cafe."

He'll give directions to a cafe and then turn to join the "escorts."
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Kat emerges from the Alchemists in thoughtful mood. She did not know Hornsby especially well, but he seemed a decent fellow. She wandered slowly towards the docks, aimlessly slowly, but alertly, using her apparently wandering course to check carefully for any who might be following her.

She approaches the docks and glances over the group, beginning to approach as the farewells are ending, and then casually changing course and mingling with the crowd as the group of swordsmen approach. Just another innocent passer by perhaps waiting for the next boat...
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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KAT

kintire wrote:Kat emerges from the Alchemists in thoughtful mood. She did not know Hornsby especially well, but he seemed a decent fellow. She wandered slowly towards the docks, aimlessly slowly, but alertly, using her apparently wandering course to check carefully for any who might be following her.

She approaches the docks and glances over the group, beginning to approach as the farewells are ending, and then casually changing course and mingling with the crowd as the group of swordsmen approach. Just another innocent passer by perhaps waiting for the next boat...




Kat develops the distinct feeling that somebody is shadowing her.
When exactly did she first notice this on a conscious level? It's hard to say, but it was sometime between leaving the Alchemist's shop and spotting the swordsmen at the pier.

The swordsmen at the pier, with Benn and some of the others of her group, don't seem to be paying her any attention. At least not blatantly so.

Scanning the waterfront scene without (she may hope) making it too obvious, she catches a glimpse of a figure who lurking in the shadow of a nearby wooden building, half hidden by a hanging net-- someone who almost instantly turns away from her glance.
She catches a little detail: short red hair, a dark bluish tunic. Not a clear look at the face.
The figure hurries off down the side of the building and rounds the corner, vanishing...
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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With a casual air Kat fades into the crowd then moves swiftly to the corner. As she reaches the point where she might be moving into her quarry's line of sight she shifts from speed to subtlety until she can pick up her quarry, then slides after him, seeking to determine who it is and where they are going, using all her expertise to stay unnoticed, and all of her alertness just in case she is spotted.

She gathers her cloak closely around her, partly against the weather, and partly to hide the fact that one hand is loosening her rapier in its scabbard, loosening her shoulders in preparation for action under the reassuring weight of her undershirt.
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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KAT

ALONE


kintire wrote:With a casual air Kat fades into the crowd then moves swiftly to the corner. As she reaches the point where she might be moving into her quarry's line of sight she shifts from speed to subtlety until she can pick up her quarry, then slides after him, seeking to determine who it is and where they are going, using all her expertise to stay unnoticed, and all of her alertness just in case she is spotted.

She gathers her cloak closely around her, partly against the weather, and partly to hide the fact that one hand is loosening her rapier in its scabbard, loosening her shoulders in preparation for action under the reassuring weight of her undershirt.

KAT spots the tail--now her mark--moving into the crowd of people in a market square down the lane. That red hair, red as her own, stands out among the mostly brunet Richemuloise.
Just the back of the head and flashes of the blue tunic, but it's enough for her to keep track as she hurries along...


...she follows him out of sight of the waterfront, through the little plaza with its crowds and hawkers and stalls, and toward a covered alley that runs between two big brick buildings.

When Kat reaches the mouth of the alley on the left side corner and peeks round, she spots the man's back just as he steps through an open door set in the brick wall to the right.
A quick glance down the alley shows an open street on the far side.



The door in the wall closes behind the man.

The dirty smear of ash that marks some nearby buildings is absent here, with the alley covering to screen the pavement.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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Kat glances along the alley in either direction then slips quietly up to the door, observing it swiftly. Selecting the most likely spot, she presses her ear against the door, trying to hear any voices beyond.

This will look odd to any passers-by, so she can do this only briefly, unless the conversation within is very interesting indeed...

In any case, she notes the location of the house, and intends to do a circuit of the building and then depart, to return at a less populated time.
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

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KAT

ALONE

kintire wrote:Kat glances along the alley in either direction then slips quietly up to the door, observing it swiftly. Selecting the most likely spot, she presses her ear against the door, trying to hear any voices beyond.

This will look odd to any passers-by, so she can do this only briefly, unless the conversation within is very interesting indeed...

In any case, she notes the location of the house, and intends to do a circuit of the building and then depart, to return at a less populated time.
She hears a man speaking on the far side of the door.

"--beautiful, with that hair of hers, the way it hangs against her neck. Red, my favorite. I could just eat her up."
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER SIX

Post by kintire »

Kat pauses, and thinks very fast. Her first impulse is to burst in and confront him... but she doesn't know who else is there or how many, and she remembers with unease Benn's hints that the murderer may be more than human...

In any case, confront him with what? She can't prove he was following her and in any case that isn't illegal, and nothing he has said is proof...

She decides discretion is the better part of valour, slips silently away from the door and makes for the rendezvous at best speed!
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