> Jarran flexed his arms and legs to work out the stiffness. The idea of
> curling up in gnome-sized beds had not been appealing, so they had slept
> in their bedrolls on the floor. Mazzy could have slept in one of the beds,
> but she had refused out of a sense of camaraderie.
That was nice of her... But now she has a backack too! I guess the jansens thought a prunice floor would be cheaper than carpeting.
> Jarran swore. The dire pronouncement hastened their steps, and before long
> they were at the Jysstev estate. Jarran used his most charming manner to
> wheedle their way in. Luckily the butler remembered him from his previous
> visit to see Sir Sarles.
Ah, Jarran could take out that stick-boy butler any day of the week!
> Her jaw fell open, and her eyes widened in horror. “The Hidden? How do you
> know of him? Only the Enlightened Ones are permitted to speak of him.”
You know, I've always wondered about those Enlightened Ones and what her part in it all was... Sadly the game was not forthcoming with details...
> At the inn, they surreptitiously examined all the walls in the common area
> and checked the sleeping chambers. Since their search was unsuccessful,
> Jarran managed to persuade Lehtinan to allow them access to the guarded
> rooms by implying that he had a great deal of gold to spend. They quietly
> continued their examination.
Ah, Lethinan is still in charge? I'm guessing there'll be two quests for the price of one here!
> Jarran heard himself growl. “They're using slaves for entertainment?
> Someone is going to pay dearly for this.”
Heheheehehehehehe... *starts rubbing hands in anticipation to read about Jarran kicking slaver-rump*
> Anomen said, “Truly this warrants our attention, my friend, but let us do
> what we can for Jaella first. Then we will return and cleanse this vile
> den of vermin.”
But, first things first, of course!
> “The proprietor of a dingy flop-house in the Docks District called the
> Sea's Bounty knows where they can be found. Tell him that you are a seeker
> and he will tell you what he knows.”
And the thumb is in with the EO too! This is getting complicated!
> Valygar gave a wry smile. “I hope it more comfortable than the floor of
> the Jansen home. A pity the Cowled Ones are still pursuing me, otherwise I
> would invite you to stay at my home.”
Oh, yeah! Valygar has a lovely place at the docks! I didn't remember that one...
> The Hidden hissed, “Inquisitive fool! Can you not see the obvious?” The
> man's face melted away, and Jarran's eyes widened in horror as he saw a
> mind flayer standing in front of him. After a brief moment, the human face
> returned. “There is your answer. Puzzle through it at your leisure. You
> have served me, and I have served you in return, so at this point we have
> no quarrel with each other. But if you tell others of what you know of me,
> I will kill you. Do not doubt this.” The Hidden strode away into the
> shadows of the sewer.
Uppity Illithid...
> “Vaelag's here. He…he wants us home.” She took the girl's hand and they
> left.
Vaelag should have his chest-cavity pierced by a sharp, long and shiny metal object...
> “You've been traveling too much, boy. You don't know who you're talking
> to. Guards! Give him a lesson in manners.”
> The two guards started forward, then stopped. They found themselves facing
> a wall of angry adventurers as Jan's five companions stepped between them
> and the gnome. All activity in the home ceased as the Jansen clan watched
> the confrontation. Jarran had his axe in his hands and gave the guards a
> wicked grin. “Try it. Please.”
ROTFL! "Do you feel lucky, punk? Well? Do ya?"
> Anomen looked especially unhappy. “For years I admired my mother's
> patience and endurance for remaining with my father. Now I see… she was
> simply too weak to leave.”
*rips off a piece of duct-tape and smacks it over Anomen's mouth*
> Jan stirred, and looked indignant. “Lissa isn't weak! She's just… in
> love.” He turned to Jarran. “Now that you've met Vaelag you know what a
> violent bastard he is. I have contacts in the city and if I find out that
> he's hurt her again, I'll hurt him. If it comes to that, will you help
> me?”
> “Of course I will, Jan. Anyone who would harm a child deserves whatever
> they get.”
> Mazzy said sternly, “I do not wish ill upon Jaella or her mother, but the
> sooner we have an excuse to remove them from that fiend's clutches the
> better.”
Amen!
> Jarran gave him a grim smile. “And speaking of clutches, we have slaves to
> free. Let's go.”
Yay! looking forward to the next part!
---Weyoun