Café de Nuit

ewancummins wrote: These cards aren't Tarokka cards, Benn is pretty sure of that. None of the major identifiable characters are present.

Of course, that would be too simple Benn thinks.

Being short on time, he scoops up the deck of cards and stuffs it back into the snatchel, grabbing it and turning towards Norzak.

"Are you hurt? I think we should follow Sir Cirdan, but I will tend to your wound if it will slow you down."

Evangeline's father issues orders to a trio of servants, who have since come out to investigate the ruckus in the backyard.

''...and be quick about it! Now, you two take her inside and let her rest. I think she'll be fine, now. Don't admit any strangers to the house or grounds, execpt the gendarmes, of course.''

Denys walks over to join Benn and Norzak, while two of the servants carry Charlotte inside, and the third races off on his errand.



'' I've instructed the servants to summon a coach and four- it will be here very soon. We'll make better time in a vehicle than plodding along on foot, and the driver ought to know the streets of the city even better than I do.
I've also sent a runner to the gendarmes,of course, but I don't think waiting around for them is a good idea.''

ewancummins wrote:The strange old man continues speaking -

''They weren't all wearing armor, just two of the six. The girl had red hair. Those are the folks you're looking for?''

The strange old man seems to take a bit of Cirdan's thundering rage off.
Rather bewildered, the half-elf will just ask: "Where did they go? - I must hurry, or they might harm the girl!"

Rafael wrote:

ewancummins wrote:The strange old man continues speaking -

''They weren't all wearing armor, just two of the six. The girl had red hair. Those are the folks you're looking for?''

The strange old man seems to take a bit of Cirdan's thundering rage off.
Rather bewildered, the half-elf will just ask: "Where did they go? - I must hurry, or they might harm the girl!"

''I'm sure I know where they have gone. It isn't far away. Why don't you follow me? ''

The old man hops down on the other side of the mound. His head and shoulders are still visible, but the rest of his form is concealed by the pile. He turns back to face Sir Cirdan and says,

''Just this way....''

Meanwhile, at the Sancerre house.....


While all three of you [Norzak, Benn, and Denys Sancerre] are conversing, the expected coach-and-four arrives. The driver, a portly fellow with a peaked hat and drab overcoat, remains seated while an attendant seated beside him climbs down and briskly walks over to your group. The young man executes a quick bow and says,

''We are at your service, Mesieur Sancerre. Where would you like to go?''

Denys starts to speak, then turns to you both and asks,
''Where should we begin looking?''

"I ain't hurt bad, Benn. Let's catch up ta the elf. Them varmints are cruisin' fer a bruisin'." Turning to Mr Sancerre he says "We'll get lil missy back. Them gendarmes ain't done much good but we seem to be doing their job!"

Bennedict gestures in the direction Sir Cirdan sped. "I believe that way is our best bet." Without delay, the archivist hustles into the cab of the coach.

Norzak quickly follows.

Denys takes his seat, and the driver urges the team into a canter. The coach is soon rumbling along, headed east. Denys opens the curtains on the window nearest him. He mutters to himself as he stares out into the streets.

''Nothing....''

ewancummins wrote:''Just this way....''

Cirdan grins coldly and dismounts from his horse.
The blade still raised and ready to strike, he nods to the strange old man.

"You lead the way."

Should this proove to be a trap, he will make sure that the other one doesn't leave with life.

Norzak concentrates and begins uttering arcane phrases and moving his fingers in intricate patterns. When done he focuses his attention on elves.

Rafael wrote:

ewancummins wrote:''Just this way....''

Cirdan grins coldly and dismounts from his horse.
The blade still raised and ready to strike, he nods to the strange old man.

"You lead the way."

Should this proove to be a trap, he will make sure that the other one doesn't leave with life.

As Cirdan follows the old man down the alley , he hears a scraping, scampering sound behind him. Looking back, he spot a pack of feral dogs sniffing about the far end of the alley- possibly the same animals he'd seen earlier,devouring the dead sheep.

''Don't you worry about them. Friends of mine. They won't bother you as you walk. Sure, they know when men mean to do killing, and are only looking for their share of the meat.''

tarlyn wrote:Norzak concentrates and begins uttering arcane phrases and moving his fingers in intricate patterns. When done he focuses his attention on elves.

As the coach rolls down the street and enters a mostly abandoned part of town that lies to the east of the Sancerre house, Norzak begins to see streaky, faint glimmers of an elfin aura. It isn't much, just fading gossamer traceries, hanging almost invisible in the air of the street.


[OOC Of course, Benn and Denys cannot see what Norzak sees. They will probably notice that he has enacted some sort of little ritual and appears to be concentrating on something outside of the coach window.]

ewancummins wrote: As Cirdan follows the old man down the alley , he hears a scraping, scampering sound behind him. Looking back, he spot a pack of feral dogs sniffing about the far end of the alley- possibly the same animals he'd seen earlier,devouring the dead sheep.

''Don't you worry about them. Friends of mine. They won't bother you as you walk. Sure, they know when men mean to do killing, and are only looking for their share of the meat.''

Cirdan won't respond, just ride on.

Those dogs better stay away from my horse.

The stranger frightens the half-elf enough to sweat.
Should the old man make any suspsicious move, then Cirdan won't hesitate to inflict the maximum damage possible.

in the empty quarter, with the strange old man and his friends, the feral hounds....


Cirdan's guide comes to a stop beaneath the shadow of a broken aqueduct. He points across the street to a tall building with a crumbling marble facade. The place has the look of a public building, perhaps a library or a temple of some sort?

The old man faces Cirdan and smiles, his brilliantly white teeth looking oddly elongated[a trick of the shadowy illumination beneath the great arch? ]. He says,

''In there.''