Chapter 1: A Knife in Darkness

[Rex]

Lathi

Lathi has an explorers pack, he will put the Rhino in there.

[Monsieur Rose]

Xara

"Now we're talking. I can't wait to get undressed and put these on. Nothing like the feel of fine metals on your skin, you know." She repacks the necklaces in the silk bag and moves to gather the others. She follows the light towards Anathotesh and Ishbak.

"We've got to hurry, time is not our friend." Then she looks up at the chest corridor and lets out a low whistle. "Ummm. This could take a while."

[Scott308]

Ishbak Arus

Well...there's gotta be something in these. The trick is finding the good stuff. Ishbak will go to the nearest chest and quickly inspect the contents if it is unlocked.

[ravenn4544]

Og suggests, "there is quite a bit of loot here - do we want to leave and come back, umm, legally - and take what is owed to us without a hassle?"

[tibbius]

The chest is unlocked. It contains clay tablets and papyrus scrolls marked with numbers and abbreviated words. Records of caravan loads and payments, similar to the manifests of ships that the pirate Ishbak has taken. If all of the arm-sized chests contain similar documents, Akhtesh Behruz was a truly successful merchant.

... wait. Ishbak chances on a plain flat paper signed and sealed. It is a contract between Akhtesh Behruz and "one who wears a priestly gown," for "acceptance and disposition of assets." Marked "PAID" with an impressed seal.

Another contract, this one between "A.B." and Jabdar Laughra, for "safekeeping of assets." It promises payment of one-half of one hundredth the value of the assets, per month, "to be obtained by liquidation of assets in case not timely paid in cash, remainder of liquid value to be disbursed to A.B. or his estate." Maybe "A.B." had a morbid mind.

[Scott308]

Ishbak Arus

Ishbak will take the two contracts and close the chest, leaving everything else as it was. OK, I think we have spent enough time in here, we can go.

[ravenn4544]

Og is ready to go, "where we headed?"

He continues to scan as he goes for any portable treasures that he can pocket.

[Rex]

Lathi

"We could go back to my room, we never really searched it well, maybe something is hidden there."

[Scott308]

Ishbak Arus

That's as good a plan as any other. Let's go. Ishbak will also be on the lookout for anything that might find its way into his pocket.

[tibbius]

On a whim, with his toe, Ishbak flips open the lid of a sturdy round-topped chest. Within it are fist-sized, heavy-looking bags of silk. He bends and hefts one. It is surprisingly heavy, heavier than sand, and somehow feeling softer and warmer. The grains and tiny nuggets inside the bag rasp against each other making minute metallic music. The bag weighs between three and five pounds.

[Scott308]

Ishbak Arus

The pirate will pocket a bag, then close the lid.

[tibbius]

Getting back out the window and dropping down to the street is not particularly hard, though the stack of crates does shift a little under your feet as you clamber up.

The sky is turning a paler shade of purple, especially above the south end of the Pleasure District behind you, as you travel back to the Prison Gate that connects Trades & Crafts to Residential. The guards at the gate stop you.

"What are you rough lot doing at this hour, trying to get into the residences?" asks the guard captain, whose red sash drapes loosely around a rangy frame. His eyes are bloodshot and dark-circled and his cheeks are stubbly. His breath smells like a long night.

[Rex]

Lathi

"We were out celebrating my new room, which is where we are headed now to get some sleep."

[tibbius]

The guard captain measures you each with his eyes, more carefully assessing your appearance and condition.

"And how did your celebration involve bleeding?" he asks after a few moments. He seems more alert than he initially had.

[Rex]

Lathi

"I think every good celebration involves bleeding doesn't it? Party Hard!"

[ravenn4544]

Og will fake a big yawn...

[tibbius]

"Where was your party?" asks the guard captain. He motions casually to his men. They both approach, hands on their swords. Although outnumbered by your group, they seem relaxed.

[Rex]

Lathi

"Some place selling drink, I just came here when I learned I had inherited a place to stay and don't know it here very well."

[Monsieur Rose]

Xara

Xara looks surprised and looks at Og. "George! You didn't say you got hurt when you tripped over that drunk!" She turns to the lead guard and addresses him. "I'm from the Temple of Belet-Lil, my friend is more hurt than he let on. Please allow us to continue on to this man's house so I can tend to his wound." Xara moves to Og's side and caresses his chest.

She smiles slyly and purrs the next words. "Surely you wouldn't want to interfere with a priestess' healing?"

At this moment, she will cast Thaumaturgy and cause a voice calling "Guards, guards!" to come from an alley in the direction our group came. (further into the Trades & Crafts)

[ravenn4544]

Og raises his eyebrows and a smile comes to his twisted face. He looks at the women then back to the guards "We're done here, right?.."