RP:Hired Eyes

From HollowWiki

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc


Summary: Josleen hires The Steel Collective mercenary group to look into the two clues the spirit of Andurla provided during the seance (held byTalyara). The clues are ‘fermin’ and ‘illusionist’. The Steel Collective are to find the illusionist (likely a fermin) associated with Macon. The orer are to spy, report, or capture alive--not kill!

The Belfry Tower, Cenril

It was Kelovath who told Josleen of Aarika and her group of mercenaries. The paladin believed the woman to be sympathetic to his plight, though there was no way for him to be certain. Reaching out to The Steel Collective was a gamble. What if they back Macon? Still, with few options and fewer allies, Kelovath and Josleen decided to take a risk. And so, under a pseudonym, Josleen wrote to Aarika. Her letter read: “Miss Aarika Wyn, I heard from the innkeep at The Whaler’s Bar that you are a mercenary based out of Larket. I have some trouble in Larket that you may aid me with, an investigation. I cannot travel to Larket myself, but would be grateful if you could meet me in Cenril at [time], [date] at the Belfry Tower in the Cathedral of the Divine Three. I will be wearing a poppy. With hope and in need, Mary Rose Delicate.” Thus, Aarika would be forgiven if she were surprised to find in the tower Josleen. Although the women have never met, Kelovath’s high profile in Larket, and his courtship with the Thane of Frostmaw, have spurred gossip a plenty about the bard. What more, as Macon’s accusations and evidence against Kelovath stuck, the gossip about Josleen turned from banal to conniving, from girlfriend to succubus who corrupted the once squeaky clean paladin. The evidence proving the Josleen-as-succubus theory is scant, and mostly supported by her gender. Women, am I right? But Joslen looks different from her typical public attire. Instead of wearing her usual floral dress, hyper feminine accessories and make-up, the bard dons tight leather pants and a loose gray blouse that’s pilled and moth bitten. A poppy is pinned to her blouse. The pants fit too snugly around the bum and hips, for they are borrowed. When Josleen and Kelovath fled Larket they took few things with them, among them no clothing. And so Josleen has resorted to borrowing clothes from her on-again-off-again best friend Skylei, who is much slighter than Josleen, especially in the hips, thighs, and rear. She also wears no makeup, and the only jewelry she wears is a pendant of the Xalious Tree made in Frostmaw with native materials, such as blue iron and flourite. She kneels before a painting of Lore as if in prayer, but her mind is far from the gods and close to Larket, and her future. Everytime the doors open, she glances to meet the next visitor. Priest, priest, young widow, priest, aha. Finally. Armored ladies, it must be Aarika and a colleague. She stands and makes eye contact with Aarika, waits for the woman to recognize the poppy, then nods as if to say, ‘Yes, it’s me.’ She leads Aarika to a quiet nook in the room and says, “I apologize for the deception. I was afraid my letter may be intercepted.” It’s likely that by now anyone who has so much as passed through Larket would know that Kelovath and Josleen are wanted by the Larketian Guard.



Grizelda followed closely behind her friend, slightly out of breath, as keeping up with anyone bigger than she has always been a bit of a struggle. Upon entering she gazes around her at the beautifully crafted tower and lets out a breathy, "Wow!" which echos off the walls. Her voice beng louder than she expected she quickly covers her mouth and looks around to make sure nothing has been disturbed by her sudden rudeness.



Aarika lofted a brow down towards the half pint as a smirk brushed across her lips, Grizelda was always something amusing to the mercenary and it was hard to take her serious, which made her a perfect secret weapon. That and her front as a baker in Larket, she did have the finest sweets. Aarika's oceanic gaze caught the poppy pinned to Josleen as the woman moved right for her, the flower she searched for, easy enough. Josleen confessed her deceit and it piqued the mercenary's curiosity so instead of returning from which she came she followed after Josleen, cautiously. Her gaze swept over the large tower looking for any and all signs of extra company or eaves droppers while she remain in pensive silence. "I understand the lengths one must go sometimes." She spoke with the gentle hum of a whisper as her eyes studied the woman committing the female to memory to the last detail. Perhaps she was stress eating and that's why her cloths seemed out grown however her diet wasn't the reason for her presence, "What can we do for you?" Out came another soft stream of words as the hilt of her blade was released leaving the woman to lace her fingers together before her slender frame, taking a less defensive stance.



Josleen ‘s lips moved but no sound came forth for several words, until at last she spoke and the sounds around them died so that Aarika and Grizelda could hear only Josleen. “I’ve made it so our voices don’t carry past a small radius around us.” Bardic magic, handy for espionage and whatever else Josleen has been able to dream up. “When you speak, take a breath before speaking so I can catch your words. If you speak too quickly, it may elude me and leave my bubble of silence. She keeps her back to the priests so no third party notices she is speaking without sound (from their perspective). “Kelovath is innocent,” she says, getting right to the point. “Macon has framed him for murders and attacks he’s never committed. One of Macon’s victims was the late councilwoman Andurla. Few know this, so I trust your discretion as professional mercenaries…” She hesitates, and briefly considers not taking this risk, but what other options do they have? “Andurla’s spirit haunts this plane yet. Through a medium, a good witch for hire, I was able to speak to Andurla’s spirit. She gave me two clues: fermin and illusionist. I believe an illusionist is helping Macon frame Kelovath. I want you to find the illusionist.”



Grizelda listens intently as Josleen speaks, surprised to hear of what their own clansman is up to. She turns her gaze to Aarika as Josleen finishes, "What do ya think?"



Aarika nodded along with the details of the contract and as a certain name was said, Macon, Aarika locked her gaze to Grizelda's. Though she was sure to keep her features stoic to not reveal and indication of their being a closer connection. She remembered to take a breath before she replied, Josleen becoming the center of attention once again, "An illusionist huh? Is that all you require, a name, or a body?" There was a cant of her head then she took another breath, "No job is too small I am just a bit confused as to what exactly you want us to do. Report back or take out?" Then she would bend down towards Grizelda and whisper something about the towers structure while point towards an arch, this was just part of the act.



Josleen glances between the women as they exchange looks. It’s all too clear to the socially astute bard that the name ‘Macon’ triggered their exchanges. She answers the last question first, somewhat hesitantly. “Observe and report back, any information that could lead to the illusionist’s capture or capture it if the opportunity presents itself… We don’t… I’m… We don’t kill. That’s what Macon does. We just need this illusionist to confess… but… What is it? Has Macon hired you for something as well?”



Grizelda looks up where Aarika is pointing and nods while attempting to look fascinated by the arch, then looks back at Josleen before taking a breath. "We can do that, most certainly we can do that."



Aarika offered Josleen a sly smile that spoke for itself, 'you know better then to ask' though the words that came with her expression were more professional, "We are strictly confidential, I do not discuss contracts or the ones who place them nor do my mercenaries." Her face relaxed back to a natural state as she continued, "I hope this puts you at easy to know you too are protected. Grizelda is correct though, this is something we can do and in privacy. I give you my word." Truth be told she too was curious of this illusionist, seemed to be news to her.



Josleen nods uneasily at the mercenaries’ reassurances. “I do hope so. An innocent man’s future is on the line.” As is Josleen’s, her future tethered unbreakably when she decided to run from the law and aid and abet an escaped prisoner. “Is there any other information you should need from me? I suggest looking into the fermin. This all started with that fermin plague. I believe there is a connection.”



Grizelda raises her hand slightly, "I do have one question...." She looks at Aarika then back at Josleen. "We know what to do with the illusionist when found...but what is it you'd like us to do with Macon?"



Aarika gave a soft smirk as she looked up from the marbled floor, "The only other thing we require is gold then we will do the rest. Keep your eyes peeled on public boards when we have information I will leave a note for poppy then you will know to seek us out." Her hand raked through her thick half braided mane, "Seeing you are in hiding and all."



/ looks Grizelda over as she answers, trying not to hold prejudices against dwarves, reminding herself they are capable and intelligent people too, “Simple find evidence of a link between the illusionist and Macon. He doesn’t need to be captured or harmed. We’re not fighting this dirty, we just need evidence to clear our names from these false accusations. You’re helping us gather that evidence, which we will then take to the authorities in Larket.” Then to Aarika, she says, “I’ll have the gold.” This is the upside to have a queenly rich dragon for a best friend. Queen Hildegarde already agreed to cover these costs, but Josleen doesn’t share that fact. Frostmaw’s involvement remains under wraps. “How much?”



Grizelda whispers something in Aarika's ear.



Aarika shot the dwarf a look and gave a shake of her head, "20,000. Half now and half after we deliver all the information you have requested. Change in demands can lead to change in price." She then nodded to the woman and would have extended her arm but seeing the secrecy their word would be their bond. Hopefully the payment would be enough to get the clan intrigued enough to tail one of their own.



Josleen doesn’t walk around the dangerous Cenril streets with 10,000 gold on her person, especially not when the full extent of her magic is manipulating sounds, only, and she can’t even throw a punch properly. Instead, she writes instructions to find the gold, through a fence, in the seedy south western quadrant of the city. She palms the note to Aarika. “You’ll be paid there.” {