Mists over the Musarde [IC]

[Adam]

Bennedict nods.

"Yes, herr dwarf. I know of a place nearby that is well suited to clandestine discussions of an ill nature." In his memory, the archivist returns fondly to a meeting in a nearby abandoned tower long ago with a certain female client who had been very, VERY grateful for the return of her great grandfather's original writings. His mind had been occupied with physical pursuits at the time, but his recollection of the building was of it being mostly inhabited by those who don't care particularly what anyone around them is doing, and that it featured a fine place on the roof for a lookout should one be required. "It should suit our purposes nicely." Bennedict reaches for the door to the Sign of the Goat, opening it and gesturing for the prisoner to step through.

"After you."

[ewancummins]

M. Renault stands up, a bit unsteadily, and moves towards Bennedict. He holds his open plams out at his side.

''Alright, I'll go with you. ''

[ewancummins]

Perhaps twenty minutes walk through the moonlit streets and you arrive at Ben's chosen spot. It's a tall tower, perhaps seven storeys, standing in one corner of a cobble strewn vacant lot, near the intersection of two streets. In the moonlight, the pale stone takes on an yellowish-white coloration, rather like old bones. You can see that the tower has a massive wooden double door at the base, hanging just slightly ajar. Narrow windows with closed shutters are spotted along it's height. One great window, like the unblinking eye of some awful giant, stares out at the street corner, its pane of greenish glass reflecting moonbeams in such a way as to suggest movement. No lights shine from within the tower and the area about it is quite still and empty.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Cirdan has been happy with just walking along the others,
still visibly proud of his heroic deed in hacking down a man with a dagger...

At the house, he doesn't try to hide his disgust. "Your place, Sir ogre?"

[Adam]

"If this place is not to your liking, herr elf, you have obviously not been in Pont-a-Museau for long. You will find far more buildings in even worse a state of repair than this scattered throughout. In any case, I do not believe we will remain here for long." He casts a sideways glance at their reluctant companion. "That assumes cooperation on your part, monsieur."

Bennedict then leads the motley crew to a secluded room in the building, and waits for others to get settled before asking questions.

[ewancummins]

The room is about half of the third floor- enough space for everyone in the party to comfortably stretch his legs and walk about. A door, loose on its hinges and half rotted away, hangs loose on sqeaking hinges. The only other egress is a shuttered window that faces the main boulevard. Three large wooden chests are stacked against the far wall. Some random furniture lies scattered about the chamber, in various states of disrepair. A faint odor of persimmons fills the air.

[ewancummins]

Renault has torn a strip of cloth from his blue cloak atop the middle chest with his back against the far wall, he looks about at you, his captors.

He speaks,

''This is about the shipment, of course. I told Clement that was an accident, blast it! I've never cheated him- does he think I am a fool? Why don't you men let me go? Tell your boss I'll recompense him for everything that was lost. I just need a little more time.''

[steveflam]

" We ain't here bout no shipment, ya dullard" Norzak spits on the ground then continues. "People nabbin' wimmin taint no better than murderers. I don't care bout no shipment 'n' I don't surely care 'bout yer health. Gimme a reason to keep ya in one piece, otherwise ya start losin' digits. After that I think I'd like ta use yer body as a sharpness tester..... See how I kinna puncture skin n bone with me blade."

Norzak advances on Renault and moves his hand to the scabbard at his hip.

[ewancummins]

''Not about the shipment? ''

Renault looks confused for a moment, but Norzak's words seem to clear things up.

''Women? You mean the girl- the red head? Why should you care? I'm sure you're no relation to her, dwarf. ''

[steveflam]

Norzak stands right in front of Renault, eyes on the man's. Faster than the blue cloak can react, Norzak's hand flies out and he grabs the man by his partials. "You sicken me, mack." His hand near to his scabbard, removes his short sword. "Just like ye've no care for wimmin, I've no care for you, ya dimbulb. Now pray to whatever god ya pray to, else I lop yer head off."

The short sword touches the man's neck, barely nicking it, showing Renault he means business. "Careful how ye talk to me, I might slip n end it now."

[ewancummins]

Norzak's sudden assault throws Renault into a panicky fit of apologies and oaths-

''Merciful Ezra! Please , no! See here, I'll tell you whatever you want to know, just let me go. I won't bother Evangeline again, I swear it!''

[Le Noir Faineant]

Cirdan will gently nudge Renault with the tip of his sword.

"More etiquette, Sir, or you'll find one hanging from your toe.
Just stop making noise."

[ewancummins]

Renault quiets down.

''You have my word I won't bother the girl. I'll pay you to let me go free. What else do you want? '

[Le Noir Faineant]

"Who's that Clement you are talking about? - And what accident? - Why do you engage in criminal activities when your butt is apparently worth a price to someone? - And, indeed, how much?"

Cirdan suddenly stops and, in resignation, puts a hand over his eyes.

"I think I am getting a slight headache. You go on questioning that peasant."

[Adam]

Bennedict's eyebrows shoot up inquisitively. "So you know the mademoiselle in question? Perhaps you should begin there, sir, and make it fast. If the dwarf has made anything clear today, it is that he has a bizarre fetish for cutting off body parts, and is quite eager to act upon it."