POVERO

[ewancummins]

GERTIE, and anyone tarrying with her, catches the end of the public announcement.
The reader runs through the text of an ordinance regarding an increased fine for dumping any waste into the underground water supply. Minimum of seven silver pence.

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This is the equivalent to a whole week's wages for a workingman. But of course many men are not paid the full value of their work in cash.

Those unable to pay the fines will be put in the stocks and then set to hard labor for a period corresponding to the size of the fine, as assessed by the magistrates.

[Adam]

Alfonse arches an eyebrow. "Fascinating," he drolly replies, "Is this a common issue in the city?"

[ewancummins]

Alfonse arches an eyebrow. "Fascinating," he drolly replies, "Is this a common issue in the city?"

A man in the crowd laughs, saying," It won't be so common with that fine. A small sum for a man of means, but the lazy poor can hardly afford it."

[VAN]

Tom tries to listen the announcement as well.

"That's a lot of money! Maybe this city has water problem and the underwater supply is vital for them. Meaning they might need guards or people to look out for it."

[alhoon]

Fild seems completely uninterested in the water littering problems and yawns. "I thought we would go look for a job so we could afford to not be part of the lazy poor. I totally plan to litter around daily once we have the means to afford it."

[VAN]

Tom was ready to reply when far away listens something. He tilts his head to the right and says:

"Have you heard it guys? Something seems to came from down an alley nearby, pounding feet, the clash of metal on metal and then it was gone. Lets go check it out."

He moves towards the direction he heard the sound.

[steveflam]

"An alley? That will not end well, big brother," she mumbles to herself, as she follows after her brother. Tapping him on his shoulder, she waits for him to turn around before they even arrive at the said alley.

"Tom, wait up. Don't go rushing in. Let's sneak up to the alley and scope it out. I may be younger, but I don't have a death wish, big brother." She whispers to him.

[VAN]

Tom stops and thinks her words.

"You are right. Better try to go unnoticed."

Turning to the otehrs he says:

"Wait us here, if you hear battle noises come to check on us!"

[ewancummins]

THE ALLEY


The alley runs between two tall buildings for about twenty paces and opens into a side street.
Off the Bay Road, the heavy street traffic drops off to just a few people coming and going, and none of these few pedestrians appear alarmed.
Gem starts to bark.
The dog growls, pricks up his ears, sniffs the air.
He seems intent on another alley across the way, narrow, dim, covered by a tiled roof.

[ewancummins]

GERTIE


Crossing the street and then creeping along from one hiding spot to the next--here behind a wagon wheel, there pressed into a shadowy corridor--Gertie sneaks toward the mouth of the covered alley.
Once there, she peeks in and sees

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Six men with small weapons, clubs and daggers, facing off against a lone swordsman who stands with his back to a brick wall that cuts across the back of the narrow, deep alley. The man fences well, parrying club blows and dagger thrusts. He uses the narrowness of the alley and the superior reach of his sword to hold off his assailants. For now.
The men with clubs and daggers keep up their attack...

[VAN]

Tom follows Gem and hides near Gertie and whispers.

"Lets go help this man I don't like how this may end."

[steveflam]

Gertie whispers Yeah as she reaches for her whip and sneaks into the alley with Tom, to help the lone swordsman.

[ewancummins]

ALLEY FIGHT


Tom flat-blades one goon right on the top of his head. The man goes down at once, slumping onto the cobbles.
Gertie cracks her whip at the backs of the robbers, causing them to jump and curse in surprise.

The lone swordsman darts forward and lashes out with renewed force, driving his attackers back towards the alley mouth where Tom and Gertie attack their rear ranks.

Gem barks and snarls. The dog jumps up and bites one of the ruffians on the seat of his pants.

''Run, boys!"
One of the men shouts.
In a moment, the masked

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crude disguises, just strips of burlap with eye holes cut

robbers all turn and shove through the alley mouth, taking pommel blows from Tom and getting whipped by Gertie.
Five of the six men make it out, leaving their stunned companion lying on the pavement.
The gang runs full tilt down the street to the west. One man's bare arse shows through a big ragged hole in his breeches.

Gem brings Tom a swatch of slobbered, ripped up cloth. The dog drops it at his master's feet and barks.

The swordsman in the shadowy alley leans against one wall, panting hard.
"Thank you." He sounds winded.

[steveflam]

Gertie grins. "That was fun!" Her goggles have fallen into place in the heart of action.

She takes Tom's rope and giggles as she undresses the man, then ties him up, relieving him of all his possessions.


She is still giggling when she turns around to see how Tom is faring with the man.

[ewancummins]

Gertie approaches the man cautiously. "That was fun!" Her goggles have fallen into place in the heart of action.

"If you don't have a rope, use my whip to tie him up." She holds her hand out with the whip. IN Thief Cant "Also relieve him of any coins he may have."

Gertie binds the man who lays in a puddle of muck.

The swordsman laughs as Gertie strips the man and binds him.
''Naked! Hah, the guards will find that amusing."
"Thank you both for helping me. I'm Aldron. What say we get out of this dank hole and retire to a public house? I'm buying."
He sheathes his sword.

Though the alley is dim, Gertie and Tom can see that the man before them wears good quality clothing, a doublet and hose. He looks trim, athletic, and handsome.