[LOG] Montevalno Adventure!
Setting: Aventia, Montevalno
Dramatis Personae: Lucretia, Theophrastus, Ithunn, Dinah, and Addison
A group sails out from Amber to investigate the plague in Montevalno and an adventure breaks out.
The Ten of Swords sails into the harbor of Aventia without incident. Docking is similarly an easy process. Once two crewmen lower the gangplank, however, it is greeted by two men wearing very fine black clothes. One of them carries a sheaf of papers and a stylus. The other holds a small, leather case under his arm. There are four larger men dressed in less fine but equally black clothing standing behind the pair. The man with the sheaf looks up at the ship and says, "Permission to come aboard." He looks at the man with the case. "Both of us."
Cyrus looks down from the wheelhouse and beckons the two men. He looks wary but is attempting not to let it show.
The two men walk up the plank. Neither seems particularly at home on a ship. The one with the sheaf says in Thari, "I am Fra Pietro. From her Grace's ministry of health. What is your business here?"
Muttering to Lucretia, Theophrastus hangs back near his sister, as he has for the majority of the trip. "... this normal?"
Cyrus looks to Lucretia as if to say, "It's your show." He remains in the background and looks at the buildings in the distance.
Dinah finishes tending to the Ten's sails quietly, working about with the same ease she has for the entire trip. She looks over to Cyrus with a lifted brow, and then to the funeral procession.
Addison tugs on Lucretia's arm and says, "Lucretia. Don't sign anything until you read the entire document."
Lucretia is on the deck, having shouldered her way into a brown leather pack, pulling a hood up over her hair. She shrugs to Theo in a 'your guess is as good as mine' sort of way, eyebrows raised as she turns to the health officials. "Lady Lucretia de'Mandrake and Lord Theophrastus de'Mandrake, of Amber," she greets them crisply. "Our business is closely linked to yours, Fra Pietro; we're here to render assistance in fighting and containing plague. I believe Princess Rosamund sent word of our coming?" The usual carefree flirtatiousness is not in evidence; she turns to blink at Addison, then nods, turning back to the men. "He's with us."
Fra Pietro says, "You have letters?" He nods to the other man who steps forward and hold out an expectant hand.
Lucretia nods, taking a packet from her bag and holding it out to Fra Pietro. "I will require it back, of course," she answers politely.
Theophrastus exchanges very interesting expressions with Addison, then steps up behind Lucretia and tries to look lordly.
Addison just shrugs at Theophrastus and tries not to look like he's interesting.
Dinah continues to tend to the duties of putting things on the ship in order, and tries not to look like she's armed to the teeth.
The silent official takes the packet and opens it. He flips through each page deliberately. He pauses over one in particular, brow furrowed. He whspers something to Pietro who looks towawrd Cyrus for a moment and then nods impatiently. The other man hands the papers back to Lucretia with a curt nod.
Cyrus tries not to look so Cyrus-like.
Fra Pietro says, "Everything seems to be in order." He nods to his silent partner who walks down the gangplank and joins the well-dressed thugs. Pietro continues, "You'll want to see the hospitals, then."
Lucretia accepts the papers back with a placid smile, putting them away carefully. "Among other things," she agrees. "We'd also like the details as to present plague management, casualty rate, affected districts, and so forth. The more we know in advance, the more effectively we'll be able to help you."
Theophrastus says, "Civil matters also. How do your people get their water?"
Fra Pietro bristles slightly and draws himself up to his full, average height. "That information is kept in the Hall of Records. I am afraid your letters of introduction are insufficient for such an intrusion."
Theophrastus glances significantly at Lucretia.
Addison says, "Excuse me, can I see that paperwork?"
Lucretia doesn't stop smiling. "No? I'm sure Princess Rosamund will be sorry to hear that. In any case, there are people presently ill, are there not? Tell me, Fra Pietro, where are your own family members? I do hope they're safely out of the contagion zone. Of course, we'll do everything we can for any of your family members who do get ill." She looks the man up and down, with an equally significant glance to Theophrastus. "You know, you don't look at all well, Fra Pietro. How are you feeling? At a guess, clammy skin, feverish, maybe a bit of a stomach pain?"
Dinah looks over to Fra Pietro at the mention of the Hall of Records, one brow lifted. "I'm sure that the Princessa Rosalynd would be quite upset to hear that we were barred from knowledge that could help us in our matters," she offers after Lucretia speaks. Some how, those simple words almost sound a threat.
Addison steps over to Fra Pietro. He says, "Father, can I have a moment of your time and access to the paperwork, please?
Lucretia calmly and unostentatiously draws the cowl of her gown up over her mouth and nose, adjusting a cinch at the back of her neck.
Theophrastus sighs, clearly regretful. He begins moving throughout the crew of the ship, handing out tightly-woven cloth masks.
Fra Pietro furrows his brow and pointedly ignores Lucretia's questions. He moves toward Addison and hands him the sheaf. He nods sideways toward Lucretia, "Please show this man the letters...milady."
Addison gives Lucretia a nice expectant look with extra look at the glee of about to screw someone over.
Ithunn is with the crew of the ship, plain grey cloak covering her very distinctly Kitezh dress, including sword and arm rings. Her hood is up and she puts out a hand for one of the masks.
Lucretia does not immediately move to cooperate, maybe because her hands are full with adjusting her cowl. "Those are the early symptoms. Early warning, you might say. Depending on when initial symptoms manifested, you /probably/ have between six hours to three days before the manifestation of secondary symptoms : severe cough, bloody sputum, extreme abdominal pains, bleeding sores, and, of course, failure of one or more major organs leading up to and culminating in death." Her eyebrows lift, and she takes the packet out of her bag again, offering it to Addison. "Of course, there's always the cases which buck the odds and skip the intermediary symptoms and go straight for the big finish. Still - we'll hope that's not the case with you, Fra Pietro. Montevalno /needs/ its bureaucrats."
Fra Pietro clears his throat primly and mutters something in his native tongue as he stops beside Addison.
Addison flips through the paperwork. He carefully reads the first page, and then the second page, and then the third. And he says, "Ah, yes, Father, I see that it has absolutely nothing here covering the House of Aventia, only common visitors to these shores. As the future Count of Aventia, and Countess Rosamund's bethrothed, perhaps I can have a word? In private, of course."
Theophrastus hands Addison a mask. "You may want to wear this, m'lord."
Theophrastus says, "Just in case."
Fra Pietro moves with Addison to the port side of the ship. He looks nervously at the mask before doing so.
The brute squad and the silent brother are still on the docks.
Theophrastus hands the last mask to Ithunn. He has kept none for himself.
Addison takes the mask. He puts it on. Theatrically. As if he thinks Fra Pietro is horribly diseased and Addison cannot be at fault with infecting the precious Countess. Then he moves over to one side to have low words with Fra Pietro, the five very interesting loopholes in the paperwork involving the current group, especially the clause for missions of mercy under which this clearly falls, and how the Countess would be ever so disappointed to hear that Fra Pietro, and Fra Pietro personally, will be held at fault should these good people not be allowed to continue on and do what they've come to do. "Disappointed," he says, very deliberately, "in you. You personally." Then he shows how these signatures are quite all in order and how everyone should be allowed to disembark.
Mask on, Ithunn moves up behind Theophrastus and Lucretia. "What's that?" She's pointing across the docks and into the harbor to a burned out hull of a ship. It looks suspiciously like a Kitezh longship.
Dinah smiles at the brute squad, and gives them a slow look over. Her head tilts slightly, and her gaze lingers over on the silent brother. "It's a lovely day, isn't it, boys?" is called down to them.
Fra Pietro clears his throat and looks utterly crestfallen. "Yes," he says. "You're right, of course. How could that have slipped past me?" He tucks his own papers under his arm and looks significantly to the docks where the large, armed men wait.
The aforementioned large men look up at Dinah almost in perfect unison. Their expressions are as impassive as human faces can be. The silent brother, on the other hand, looks nervous.
Dinah sidles on up to Fra Pietro, quietly.
Addison says, smile full of daggers, "Now, now, Father, it isn't so bad. Simply take your men and go your way and this entire incident will be forgotten."
Dinah whispers to the Fra, "Do you need those four to become...indisposed?" She seems to mean the brutes.
Lucretia eyes the armed men below, then glances to watch Dinah's motions. She turns to Ithunn, murmuring something to the thane.
Fra Pietro nods very subtly to Dinah. He murmurs, "No death. If you can help it...If we can be away from them for a couple of hours, though..."'.
Lucretia mutters to Ithunn, "... no... And to think I... worried about..."
Ithunn shakes her head and answers Lucretia quietly. "There's no need to worry about that, Lady. I give you my personal assurances on it. As for this.." she stares at the brutes, then makes her way toward Dinah, whispering something to her.
Cyrus moves about the deck and mutters to a couple of his crewmen as he gives Dinah a significant look.
Dinah, using the Fra as a shield for her hand, draws a dagger out of where it was hidden up the back of her shirt. She smiles, brilliantly. "Oh yes, I'm quite looking forward to setting foot on the ground, here. It's so /lovely/." Leaning over to Ithunn, she lets out a little laugh, tilts her head.
Ithunn purses her lips, replying to Dinah. "Pity that." Her hand moves under her cloak to reach for her short sword, but she keeps it hidden.
Fra Pietro's expression moves from Crestfallen to Terrified but he does not move from his spot which is conveniently blocking the view from the docks of the section of the ship containing Ithunn, Dinah, and Addison.
On the docks, the large men stir but do not break formation.
Addison says, rather helpfully, to Fra Pietro, "If you would like, I can begin writing up imprisonment and arrest letters for her Grace to sign upon my return. I'm sure she'd be interested to hear that you held up medical treatment for her people. Now. We can do this a very easy way, Father. Just turn around, go down to the dock, and take your men. Or we can do it the hard way. If I were you, I would say, yes, I will let you good people through, and perhaps a good word will reach her Grace."
Fra Pietro has all the signs of a man on the horns of a dilemma. A very pointy, uncomfortable set of horns.
Addison reaches out a friendly, comforting hand and puts it on the Father's shoulder. And he starts to guide him, firmly, toward the gangplank.
Dinah switches the grip on her dagger so that the blade is hidden against her arm, and wraps her free arm companionably around Ithunn, guiding the woman around Fra Pietro. "We're allowed to disembark, yes? Paperwork all in order?" She winks down to one of the brutes, a gleam of wicked intent dancing in her eyes. "It's been /so/ long since I've ...sampled Montevalno."
Dinah murmurs to Ithunn, "I'll take the two on the left."
Fra Pietro moves toward the gangplank and nods like a man walking to the gallows.
Fra Pietro says, "Of course. By all means, disembark..."
Addison says happily, "See? Her Grace the Countess will hear all about your fabulous service to Aventia. I will personally make sure of it."
Ithunn smiles pleasantly to Dinah. "Of course our paperwork is in order. Addison arranged it so. And I need to stretch my legs." She gives a hint of a nod to Dinah.
Dinah moves herself and Ithunn infront of the Fra. Her hips hold more swagger to them than is needed as they move down the gangplank. "I wonder if I can take confession," she wonders towards the brother on the dock. "It's been too long since I've had one."
Ithunn follows after Dinah, smiling brightly. "What's that?" she asks in an all too chipper voice. Hidden by her cloak, she has loosened her short sword in its scabbard.
The silent brother looks completely perplexed. For about three seconds. Then he looks to Pietro and moves a step to his left which puts him further from the bully boys.
Lucretia trails behind the other women, something about her eyes suggesting amusement. She says helpfully, "And if you show up at the hospital, I'll even check your lymph nodes."
Theophrastus falls into step with Lucretia, not very amused at all.
Addison leads Fra Pietro down the gangplank, all friendly like.
"It's when you tell a priest all your misdeeds," Dinah offers to Ithunn, sweetly. "Mine usually take a while." Then, lower, "And I feel another sin coming on." She saunters over towards the silent brother, but a last minute shift has her throwing a punch toward Brute on the Left Number 1.
There's a split second of warning as Ithunn turns and hisses to Lucretia and those who follow, "stay back!" A moment later she is rushing down the rest of the way, short sword drawn as she tries to barrel into the brute on the far right.
Addison just lets Fra Pietro go and stands back with the Mandrakes.
The brutes are taken completely by surprise and one of them, the one Ithunn slammed into, is off balance. The three who remain standing rally quickly and draw wicked looking daggers. The guy who was punched by Dinah brings up the rear.
Once the altercation begins, Fra Pietro moves with a grace rarely seen in the holy orders. He runs down the docks beckoning Lucretia and Theophrastus but seeming to include anyone else who wishes to follow. "This way," he hisses.
Theophrastus glances at Lucretia for a brief confirmation, then legs it after Pietro.
Addison gets a rather confused look, but then follows Theophrastus at roughly the same speed, his satchel bouncing along.
Lucretia is all for getting out of fighting range. It might not be the wisest decision - but Lucy's never been accused of -always- exhibiting common sense. Angels of mercy, onwards! She skips off after her brother and her lawyer.
The fight on the docks is nearly an even match now that the fallen brute is back on his feet.
Dinah looks delighted at the sight of daggers. "Oh, good! They drew steel first!," she chimes, even if Ithunn had already drawn her blade. And then Dinah's own dagger is in plain sight, gleaming with its sharpness. Of all the things Dinah is, a clean fighter isn't one of them.
The silent brother stands near a wall, observing.
Fra Pietro moves down the docks and then ducks into an alleyway between two warehouses.
Theophrastus keeps Pietro in sight, trusting his own follower to keep him in sight, thus keeping the chain strong.
Addison keeps after Theophrastus, confident that should danger arise, Theo can light them on fire with his mind.
"Absolutely!" Ithunn answers in reply to Dinah. "I just fell off balance and accidentally knocked into that one." She doesn't take her eyes off the men, waving her short sword at them, trying to press forward and drive them back without actually inflicting any harm.
Lucretia fears no danger. Or not this kind of danger, at least. Besides, if they get arrested, they've got a lawyer with them. Lucy bounces along cheerfully, doing her best to do so /quietly/.
Aboard the Ten of Swords, the crew have moved into defensive positions so as to effectively block entry to the ship to anyone they don't take a liking to. Her Captain is nowhere to be seen.
Fra Pietro leads the Adventurous Professionals on a merry chase through the narrow, dark streets of Aventia's dockside district. After nearly ten minutes of running and ducking about, all four people find themselves in what appears to be the back room of a tavern. They are surrounded by wine casks.
Theophrastus does not seem winded at all, but does seem a little confused by the destination. "Bit of a fuss for a drink, sir."
Addison looks around at the wine casks. "I suppose it is always a rather good time for a drink."
Lucretia leans up against a cask, leaving her cowl laced over her mouth and nose first. "Glad I've been working out with Ras lately. Oof, my side."
Fra Pietro is somewhat out of breath but seems to be recovering. "Something terrible is going on," he says. "We don't have much time."
Theophrastus says, "Besides the riot that's starting on the dock?"
Addison says, "This is a hell of a welcome to the place I'm supposed to be moving to."
Lucretia says, "More terrible than just ordinary plague?" She looks at her brother. "We should've brought a bigger boat."
Theophrastus says, "I'm not the one who hired Cyrus."
Addison is looking at the wine casks. "Nothing wrong with Cyrus except his mind gets all fuzzy around all things Minosian."
Fra Pietro makes a dismissive gesture. "All in a day's work for a Ministry man, I'm afraid," he says to Addison. He nods in the vague direction of the docks, "Those chaps are outsiders." By which he seems to mean 'not from Aventia'. Then to Lucretia, "I need to take you to the Hall."
Lucretia's eyebrows raise. "Oh really? Who are they? And all right. Will there be more armed men at the Hall? I'm not upset, I just want to know how many of my weapons I need to have ready."
Addison has a feeling that going to the Hall means meeting Rose's father ahead of schedule without Rose. He thinks about this for a moment, decides it's a terrible idea, and says, "Then take us to the Hall."
Fra Pietro looks a question to the room at large, seems to get an answer and stands. "Very well, then," he says and walks further into the mass of barrels.
Theophrastus looks sidelong at Lucretia, but follows along. From time to time, his hand brushes his sword hilt.
Addison follows Theophrastus, his hand going into his satchel and withdrawing a perfectly harmless looking letter opener.
Lucretia's hips sway in a way some might mistake as invitation as she moves to follow Fra Pietro. The wiggle, however, seems to aid her in reaching into a cunning pocket; two fingers dip in, pocketing a slender, awkward-looking little knife of the throwing variety. Once an adventuress, always an adventuress, it seems.
Meanwhile, on the docks, the fight is still going on. Dinah seems to be trying mightily hard not to actually switch to tactics that'd leave the brutes in little pieces along the docks, using only the hilt of her dagger when it comes to landing actual blows. The approach leaves Dinah taking a few dagger-cuts and bruises herself, but eventually the fight tilts to her favor, blows being knocked wide. An uppercut knocks one brute back, a left hook takes out the other. "GET ME SOME BLOODY ROPE!," is called up to the crew of the Ten.
The bureaucratic brother fiddles around behind a cask which opens at the halfway point to reveal a narrow tunnel. Pietro lights a torch and moves forward quickly if cautiously.
Theophrastus says, "Secret tunnels. That's good."
A coil of rope sails through the air and lands a yard from Dinah's left foot. There is a flower on the end.
Addison says, "Welcome to Aventia. We have thugs, bureaucracy, wine, and secret tunnels!"
Lucretia's eyes brighten noticeably. "Oh, I /have/ missed this."
Theophrastus says, "Really? I was being sarcastic."
Ithunn has her own hands full, trying to fend off dagger swipes from the brutes, who seem to have figured out that the thane is not in a killing mood. After one particularly daring attack slashes her arm in a nasty cut she roars, rushing foward to close the distance between herself and the brute. The two tumble to the docks, punching and scrambling, Ithunn's sword inches from the man's throat.
Lucretia purses her lips. "Well, I could do without either the bureaucracy or the thugs. But what's an adventure without wine and secret tunnels?"
Dinah blows a kiss up to the deck of the Ten, and takes up the rope. The flower is tucked behind her ear, and she clears her throat. "I just /love/ this place," she chimes, tying up her two unconscious foes.
Theophrastus says, "Safe?"
Addison says, "Comfortable?"
Several minutes of prowling through tunnels later, Fra Pietro stops and whispers, "Up there." He points to a staircase that looks to have been hewn from bedrock. "I can't be seen with you if I want to keep working against the Council. There will be...resistance."
If they were not crawling through a wine tunnel, Theo would give Addison respect knuckles.
The brute with the sword at his throat drops his knife to the wood of the docks and tries to move away from the blade.
Addison decides there is nothing for it, really, and heads up the stairs carved from bedrock. Although somehow he thinks that /working against the Council/ may be naggingly bad.
Lucretia looks at Addison, then at Fra Pietro. "Council?" she inquires sotto voce. She gives Theo one of her 'for THIS I studied to be a doctor?' looks.
Ithunn's sword has clattered aside, but that's probably for the best. She takes out her rage -- and it is slowly starting to turn to the Kitezh blood rage, though it's not there yet -- with fists that bloody her opponent's face, breaking his nose. Then she looks up, lunges for her sword and sets her eyes on the last thug--who is now beating a hasty retreat.
Theophrastus shrugs to Lucretia, with a 'What's a little rebellion?' expression.
Addison gives Lucretia a tiny shrug. "Rose hasn't really told me all that much about Montevalno and I've been too distracted with the secrets of the universe to get past Go! Montevalno. And we all know that guidebooks are bunk."
Fra Pietro says, "Try not to kill anyone." He puts special emphasis on the word Try. "Also," he adds, "I must ask that you not remove any of the records you find in the seventeenth cabinet along the eighth aisle."
Lucretia mms. "Always nice to know where not to look," she murmurs lightly. "All right. Making no promises. For god and for gynoplasty?"
On the docks, the silent brother moves out of the shadows and beckons the two warrior women towards him.
Theophrastus looks at Lucretia. "Ew?"
Addison says, in a tone that he intends to do the exact opposite, "So noted. No removing records from the seventeeth cabinet along the eighth aisle."
Fra Pietro gives Addison a nod of complete bureaucratic synchronicity and moves away from the group.
Dinah gestures to the heap of now-subdued brutes to one of the Ten's crew. "Keep an eye on them, hmm?" Then, smoothing out her clothes and flashing a grin to Ithunn, she moves toward the silent brother.
Ithunn wipes her sword clean on the brute with a broken nose before she sheaths it. She's bleeding in more than a couple of places, blood running down her own face, but she doesn't bother with it--following Dinah to the silent man.
Addison just follows along, certain that he is walking into the Death and Pasta All You Can Eat Buffet.
Lucretia mutters, "Next time I come here, I'll change into my plague-fighting outfit only after I've made sure I won't be fighting for my life." She sighs at her own lack of foresight, moving forward.
The quiet bureaucrat walks slowly but confidently down the docks. He does not look back to see if the ladies are following him.
Ithunn follows, wiping blood from her face with one hand.
Theophrastus says, "I didn't even bring mine. Thought it might have given the wrong impression."
Dinah follows along, slipping her dagger back into its hiding spot, paying little attention to the various cuts on her. "Lovely day," she asides to Ithunn, softly.
The rough staircase leads into an enormous room with high, vaulted ceilings and row upon row of cabinets, shelves, and cubbyholes. The aisles are easy enough to count.
Lucretia cocks up an interrogative eyebrow, casting around for signs of life.
Addison starts patiently counting down the aisles until he finds magic number seventeen. Once he does, he starts hunting for the eighth cabinet.
Ithunn flashes a grin to Dinah. "It's been a pleasure having tea with you, Lady Dinah. We really ought to do this more often."
The silent brother eventually leads Ithunn and Dinah to the grand staircase of a building that looks more like a cathedral than a government office. He withdraws a note from his pocket and hands it to Dinah.
Theophrastus says, "Hey, Addison," his voice low. "Keep it down, alright?"
Addison counts, "Five... Six... Seven... Eight. Eighth cabinet, Seventeenth Aisle." He opens the cabinet and begins to paw through the paperwork in it.
Ithunn looks toward the brother, then toward Dinah. "What does it say?"
The silent brother smiles and bows once to each lady. He gestures toward the building and then begins to go on his way.
Dinah lifts a brow to the brother, then looks down to the note. She unfolds it, slowly. "It's from the Minister of Nautical Affairs," she tells Ithunn quietly, then nods to the brother in thanks.
Lucretia shakes her head a little, keeping a careful eye on the direction of the corner. She takes a step back, throwing knife held somewhat less than casually. "I've heard of needing papers to practice medicine, but..."
The silent brother might have just winked before turning to go.
Ithunn looks surprised at the wink--or what might have been a wink. "Do we go in that building? What does the note say?" She keeps her voice very low.
Dinah just grins as she reads the note. "We go in," she says to Ithunn, tucking the note away and starting up the stairs with a swagger.
Ithunn says, "All right," following Dinah up the steps with a no swagger to her movements.
Addison comes out of the aisle with his hands full of paperwork. "Huh," he says quietly as he approaches the Mandrake's. "I cannot read Montevalnan. You know, we have a perfectly good Chantris with us, but it means going back to the boat. There's something here about land use. Maps and drawings. Also medical information."
Lucretia sighs, holding out a hand. "I can read Montevalnan." She says it almost irritably, though the irritation does not seem aimed at Addison. "...Just, make sure nobody shoots me while I'm reading?"
Theophrastus nods. "No one's going to shoot you."
Addison hands the paperwork to Lucretia. "I haven't actually gotten around to learning yet..."
Theophrastus says, "I'll be right back."
Theophrastus moves away from Addison and Lucretia, cutting across the aisles.
Lucretia does not look keen on Theo's dashing off, for some reason - but he's gone before she can protest. She begins skimming the documents worriedly.
Addison just sort of hangs around looking for anyone who is going to wander in and say 'Hey YOU!'
From several aisles away from Addison and Lucretia somebody says something in Montevalnan. It has a distinct 'hey YOU' tone.
Lucretia hms, reading as quickly and thoroughly as she's able to under the circumstances. "If we can actually get into a hospital and start seeing some actual damned patients, we should be able to figure out treatment. Mayb-" She looks up, muttering something under her breath in a foreign language. It sounds like it might be profane.
The lobby of the Hall of Records is grand. So is the hallway leading from it into the Minister of Nautical Affairs office. The secretary at the desk of that office is less grand. In fact, he's kind of a jerk. "Yes," he sneers. He does, however, say this in Thari.
Dinah is all smiles for the secretary. "Hello," she offers, cheerfully. "I'd like some charts."
The secretary continues sneering. "And I'd like a pony, dear."
"I don't believe you understood," Ithunn smiles at the secretary. She tries hard to keep the threat out of it, probably not succeeding. "She'd like some charts."
Addison clutches his letter opener at ready. This may look a little silly.
In the record room, the sounds of heavy footfalls can be heard very clearly.
Dinah doesn't loose any of her pleasant demeanor. "You're a bit old for a pony," she says with a wink. "And yes, I would like to see some charts." She tisks. "Don't make me invoke the treaty."
The secretary's next remark is cut off quickly. He seems to realize that he is smarting off to a well-armed Kitezhka and her equally dangerous-looking, legally-educated Minosian friend. "What treaty is that?" he asks in a failed attempt to sound brave.
"The Treaty of Antika," Dinah offers, batting her lashes.
The secretary gulps audibly. "Fine," he says. He scribbles something on a piece of paper. "Go down the hall. Third door. Ask for Lucia. She will show you what you want." He looks sick.
Dinah gives the secretary a smile that's all pearly white teeth. "Thank you," she chimes, with the joy of someone rubbing salt in a wound. And so, down the hall, third door, she goes.
Lucretia mutters to Addison, "Quick - what's the proper protocol in order to be legally entitled to be here?"
Addison hisses to Lucretia, "I've no idea. I will make something up on the fly. Dammit, I should have spent some time learning about Montevalno."
The heavy footfalls in the record room are exchanged for the *sching* of metal and the scuffling, shuffling sounds of footwork. Occasional grunts, thuds, and one or two muffled cries precede two much louder thuds.
Lucretia gives Addison an accusing look. "You're the -lawyer-! Fine, fine." She turns towards the direction of the voice, preparing to switch languages to the local one, drawing herself up imperiously. It wouldn't be the first time she's tried to bluff her way out of a bad situation. She pauses, then looks back at Addison quizzically. "...Next time, let's work out some legalese in advance. Sounds like our problem's been resolved."
Addison follows Lucretia and says, "Just because I am Corwin's bloody lawyer doesn't mean that I'm this jack of all trade tool that can be used in any situation or to open any inconvenient bottle, Lucretia! Just... look impressive, yes?"
Theophrastus comes around the aisle, shaking his right hand. "Jaws like damned rocks. Did we find what we needed?"
Addison's eyes get a bit wide. He looks at Theo and says, "I think so. I'm not sure but I think so."
Theophrastus nods. "I'm no expert, but I think they'll probably be coming around within ten minutes or so."
Addison says, "Then we bloody hell need to get out of here, don't we?"
Lucretia draws herself up to her full height, resting one hand on her hip, papers in that hand. She holds the throwing knife up by the tip in the other, a hip jutting out. "Honey, I was /born/ impressive." She turns to Theo, switching to a professional mask without seeming to need to shift gears through third. "Information which if we get to see actual victims should lead to treatment if not cure. Also, the poor are being shunted to plague camps out of the cities; don't know who, but someone familiar with Montevalno should be able to figure it out. Shall we get out while the getting's good?"
A door on one of the far walls opens and a female voice speaking Minosian with a heavy Montevalnan accent can be heard.
Theophrastus says, "Plague camps. Well, that's a mixed blessing. Let's get out of here. Back through the tunnel?"
Addison makes a "ladies' first" gesture toward the back tunnel.
Dinah's boots click distinctively as she walks across the floor. She speaks in Minosian as well, the language rolling off her tongue musically. She looks delighted.
Lucretia holds up a hand. Voice lowered, she whispers to the men, "That's Cyrus' fiancee."
The Montevalnan woman says something chipper and then her footsteps recede toward the door.
Addison asks, "Do you want us to stand here and wait, then? Or get the hell out of here?"
Theophrastus says, "And?"
Lucretia shrugs cheerfully. "If we have the time, I'd say we could arrange a place and time to meet up after we skedaddle? You know. In the interests of not getting separated in the wicked maze of bureaucracy."
The far door closes.
Dinah clears her throat. "Perhaps after this I'll go to that little coffee shop I saw by the docks and have a cuppa," she muses in Thari, before setting to looking through some charts.
Lucretia beams. "A practical woman. Right after my own heart. Right. Let's go." She marches towards the tunnel.
Theophrastus shakes his head, heading into the wine-destined tunnel.
Addison just trails afterward, giving all the nice paperwork a last fond look. If only Mostyn was here.
Dramatis Personae: Lucretia, Theophrastus, Ithunn, Dinah, and Addison
A group sails out from Amber to investigate the plague in Montevalno and an adventure breaks out.
The Ten of Swords sails into the harbor of Aventia without incident. Docking is similarly an easy process. Once two crewmen lower the gangplank, however, it is greeted by two men wearing very fine black clothes. One of them carries a sheaf of papers and a stylus. The other holds a small, leather case under his arm. There are four larger men dressed in less fine but equally black clothing standing behind the pair. The man with the sheaf looks up at the ship and says, "Permission to come aboard." He looks at the man with the case. "Both of us."
Cyrus looks down from the wheelhouse and beckons the two men. He looks wary but is attempting not to let it show.
The two men walk up the plank. Neither seems particularly at home on a ship. The one with the sheaf says in Thari, "I am Fra Pietro. From her Grace's ministry of health. What is your business here?"
Muttering to Lucretia, Theophrastus hangs back near his sister, as he has for the majority of the trip. "... this normal?"
Cyrus looks to Lucretia as if to say, "It's your show." He remains in the background and looks at the buildings in the distance.
Dinah finishes tending to the Ten's sails quietly, working about with the same ease she has for the entire trip. She looks over to Cyrus with a lifted brow, and then to the funeral procession.
Addison tugs on Lucretia's arm and says, "Lucretia. Don't sign anything until you read the entire document."
Lucretia is on the deck, having shouldered her way into a brown leather pack, pulling a hood up over her hair. She shrugs to Theo in a 'your guess is as good as mine' sort of way, eyebrows raised as she turns to the health officials. "Lady Lucretia de'Mandrake and Lord Theophrastus de'Mandrake, of Amber," she greets them crisply. "Our business is closely linked to yours, Fra Pietro; we're here to render assistance in fighting and containing plague. I believe Princess Rosamund sent word of our coming?" The usual carefree flirtatiousness is not in evidence; she turns to blink at Addison, then nods, turning back to the men. "He's with us."
Fra Pietro says, "You have letters?" He nods to the other man who steps forward and hold out an expectant hand.
Lucretia nods, taking a packet from her bag and holding it out to Fra Pietro. "I will require it back, of course," she answers politely.
Theophrastus exchanges very interesting expressions with Addison, then steps up behind Lucretia and tries to look lordly.
Addison just shrugs at Theophrastus and tries not to look like he's interesting.
Dinah continues to tend to the duties of putting things on the ship in order, and tries not to look like she's armed to the teeth.
The silent official takes the packet and opens it. He flips through each page deliberately. He pauses over one in particular, brow furrowed. He whspers something to Pietro who looks towawrd Cyrus for a moment and then nods impatiently. The other man hands the papers back to Lucretia with a curt nod.
Cyrus tries not to look so Cyrus-like.
Fra Pietro says, "Everything seems to be in order." He nods to his silent partner who walks down the gangplank and joins the well-dressed thugs. Pietro continues, "You'll want to see the hospitals, then."
Lucretia accepts the papers back with a placid smile, putting them away carefully. "Among other things," she agrees. "We'd also like the details as to present plague management, casualty rate, affected districts, and so forth. The more we know in advance, the more effectively we'll be able to help you."
Theophrastus says, "Civil matters also. How do your people get their water?"
Fra Pietro bristles slightly and draws himself up to his full, average height. "That information is kept in the Hall of Records. I am afraid your letters of introduction are insufficient for such an intrusion."
Theophrastus glances significantly at Lucretia.
Addison says, "Excuse me, can I see that paperwork?"
Lucretia doesn't stop smiling. "No? I'm sure Princess Rosamund will be sorry to hear that. In any case, there are people presently ill, are there not? Tell me, Fra Pietro, where are your own family members? I do hope they're safely out of the contagion zone. Of course, we'll do everything we can for any of your family members who do get ill." She looks the man up and down, with an equally significant glance to Theophrastus. "You know, you don't look at all well, Fra Pietro. How are you feeling? At a guess, clammy skin, feverish, maybe a bit of a stomach pain?"
Dinah looks over to Fra Pietro at the mention of the Hall of Records, one brow lifted. "I'm sure that the Princessa Rosalynd would be quite upset to hear that we were barred from knowledge that could help us in our matters," she offers after Lucretia speaks. Some how, those simple words almost sound a threat.
Addison steps over to Fra Pietro. He says, "Father, can I have a moment of your time and access to the paperwork, please?
Lucretia calmly and unostentatiously draws the cowl of her gown up over her mouth and nose, adjusting a cinch at the back of her neck.
Theophrastus sighs, clearly regretful. He begins moving throughout the crew of the ship, handing out tightly-woven cloth masks.
Fra Pietro furrows his brow and pointedly ignores Lucretia's questions. He moves toward Addison and hands him the sheaf. He nods sideways toward Lucretia, "Please show this man the letters...milady."
Addison gives Lucretia a nice expectant look with extra look at the glee of about to screw someone over.
Ithunn is with the crew of the ship, plain grey cloak covering her very distinctly Kitezh dress, including sword and arm rings. Her hood is up and she puts out a hand for one of the masks.
Lucretia does not immediately move to cooperate, maybe because her hands are full with adjusting her cowl. "Those are the early symptoms. Early warning, you might say. Depending on when initial symptoms manifested, you /probably/ have between six hours to three days before the manifestation of secondary symptoms : severe cough, bloody sputum, extreme abdominal pains, bleeding sores, and, of course, failure of one or more major organs leading up to and culminating in death." Her eyebrows lift, and she takes the packet out of her bag again, offering it to Addison. "Of course, there's always the cases which buck the odds and skip the intermediary symptoms and go straight for the big finish. Still - we'll hope that's not the case with you, Fra Pietro. Montevalno /needs/ its bureaucrats."
Fra Pietro clears his throat primly and mutters something in his native tongue as he stops beside Addison.
Addison flips through the paperwork. He carefully reads the first page, and then the second page, and then the third. And he says, "Ah, yes, Father, I see that it has absolutely nothing here covering the House of Aventia, only common visitors to these shores. As the future Count of Aventia, and Countess Rosamund's bethrothed, perhaps I can have a word? In private, of course."
Theophrastus hands Addison a mask. "You may want to wear this, m'lord."
Theophrastus says, "Just in case."
Fra Pietro moves with Addison to the port side of the ship. He looks nervously at the mask before doing so.
The brute squad and the silent brother are still on the docks.
Theophrastus hands the last mask to Ithunn. He has kept none for himself.
Addison takes the mask. He puts it on. Theatrically. As if he thinks Fra Pietro is horribly diseased and Addison cannot be at fault with infecting the precious Countess. Then he moves over to one side to have low words with Fra Pietro, the five very interesting loopholes in the paperwork involving the current group, especially the clause for missions of mercy under which this clearly falls, and how the Countess would be ever so disappointed to hear that Fra Pietro, and Fra Pietro personally, will be held at fault should these good people not be allowed to continue on and do what they've come to do. "Disappointed," he says, very deliberately, "in you. You personally." Then he shows how these signatures are quite all in order and how everyone should be allowed to disembark.
Mask on, Ithunn moves up behind Theophrastus and Lucretia. "What's that?" She's pointing across the docks and into the harbor to a burned out hull of a ship. It looks suspiciously like a Kitezh longship.
Dinah smiles at the brute squad, and gives them a slow look over. Her head tilts slightly, and her gaze lingers over on the silent brother. "It's a lovely day, isn't it, boys?" is called down to them.
Fra Pietro clears his throat and looks utterly crestfallen. "Yes," he says. "You're right, of course. How could that have slipped past me?" He tucks his own papers under his arm and looks significantly to the docks where the large, armed men wait.
The aforementioned large men look up at Dinah almost in perfect unison. Their expressions are as impassive as human faces can be. The silent brother, on the other hand, looks nervous.
Dinah sidles on up to Fra Pietro, quietly.
Addison says, smile full of daggers, "Now, now, Father, it isn't so bad. Simply take your men and go your way and this entire incident will be forgotten."
Dinah whispers to the Fra, "Do you need those four to become...indisposed?" She seems to mean the brutes.
Lucretia eyes the armed men below, then glances to watch Dinah's motions. She turns to Ithunn, murmuring something to the thane.
Fra Pietro nods very subtly to Dinah. He murmurs, "No death. If you can help it...If we can be away from them for a couple of hours, though..."'.
Lucretia mutters to Ithunn, "... no... And to think I... worried about..."
Ithunn shakes her head and answers Lucretia quietly. "There's no need to worry about that, Lady. I give you my personal assurances on it. As for this.." she stares at the brutes, then makes her way toward Dinah, whispering something to her.
Cyrus moves about the deck and mutters to a couple of his crewmen as he gives Dinah a significant look.
Dinah, using the Fra as a shield for her hand, draws a dagger out of where it was hidden up the back of her shirt. She smiles, brilliantly. "Oh yes, I'm quite looking forward to setting foot on the ground, here. It's so /lovely/." Leaning over to Ithunn, she lets out a little laugh, tilts her head.
Ithunn purses her lips, replying to Dinah. "Pity that." Her hand moves under her cloak to reach for her short sword, but she keeps it hidden.
Fra Pietro's expression moves from Crestfallen to Terrified but he does not move from his spot which is conveniently blocking the view from the docks of the section of the ship containing Ithunn, Dinah, and Addison.
On the docks, the large men stir but do not break formation.
Addison says, rather helpfully, to Fra Pietro, "If you would like, I can begin writing up imprisonment and arrest letters for her Grace to sign upon my return. I'm sure she'd be interested to hear that you held up medical treatment for her people. Now. We can do this a very easy way, Father. Just turn around, go down to the dock, and take your men. Or we can do it the hard way. If I were you, I would say, yes, I will let you good people through, and perhaps a good word will reach her Grace."
Fra Pietro has all the signs of a man on the horns of a dilemma. A very pointy, uncomfortable set of horns.
Addison reaches out a friendly, comforting hand and puts it on the Father's shoulder. And he starts to guide him, firmly, toward the gangplank.
Dinah switches the grip on her dagger so that the blade is hidden against her arm, and wraps her free arm companionably around Ithunn, guiding the woman around Fra Pietro. "We're allowed to disembark, yes? Paperwork all in order?" She winks down to one of the brutes, a gleam of wicked intent dancing in her eyes. "It's been /so/ long since I've ...sampled Montevalno."
Dinah murmurs to Ithunn, "I'll take the two on the left."
Fra Pietro moves toward the gangplank and nods like a man walking to the gallows.
Fra Pietro says, "Of course. By all means, disembark..."
Addison says happily, "See? Her Grace the Countess will hear all about your fabulous service to Aventia. I will personally make sure of it."
Ithunn smiles pleasantly to Dinah. "Of course our paperwork is in order. Addison arranged it so. And I need to stretch my legs." She gives a hint of a nod to Dinah.
Dinah moves herself and Ithunn infront of the Fra. Her hips hold more swagger to them than is needed as they move down the gangplank. "I wonder if I can take confession," she wonders towards the brother on the dock. "It's been too long since I've had one."
Ithunn follows after Dinah, smiling brightly. "What's that?" she asks in an all too chipper voice. Hidden by her cloak, she has loosened her short sword in its scabbard.
The silent brother looks completely perplexed. For about three seconds. Then he looks to Pietro and moves a step to his left which puts him further from the bully boys.
Lucretia trails behind the other women, something about her eyes suggesting amusement. She says helpfully, "And if you show up at the hospital, I'll even check your lymph nodes."
Theophrastus falls into step with Lucretia, not very amused at all.
Addison leads Fra Pietro down the gangplank, all friendly like.
"It's when you tell a priest all your misdeeds," Dinah offers to Ithunn, sweetly. "Mine usually take a while." Then, lower, "And I feel another sin coming on." She saunters over towards the silent brother, but a last minute shift has her throwing a punch toward Brute on the Left Number 1.
There's a split second of warning as Ithunn turns and hisses to Lucretia and those who follow, "stay back!" A moment later she is rushing down the rest of the way, short sword drawn as she tries to barrel into the brute on the far right.
Addison just lets Fra Pietro go and stands back with the Mandrakes.
The brutes are taken completely by surprise and one of them, the one Ithunn slammed into, is off balance. The three who remain standing rally quickly and draw wicked looking daggers. The guy who was punched by Dinah brings up the rear.
Once the altercation begins, Fra Pietro moves with a grace rarely seen in the holy orders. He runs down the docks beckoning Lucretia and Theophrastus but seeming to include anyone else who wishes to follow. "This way," he hisses.
Theophrastus glances at Lucretia for a brief confirmation, then legs it after Pietro.
Addison gets a rather confused look, but then follows Theophrastus at roughly the same speed, his satchel bouncing along.
Lucretia is all for getting out of fighting range. It might not be the wisest decision - but Lucy's never been accused of -always- exhibiting common sense. Angels of mercy, onwards! She skips off after her brother and her lawyer.
The fight on the docks is nearly an even match now that the fallen brute is back on his feet.
Dinah looks delighted at the sight of daggers. "Oh, good! They drew steel first!," she chimes, even if Ithunn had already drawn her blade. And then Dinah's own dagger is in plain sight, gleaming with its sharpness. Of all the things Dinah is, a clean fighter isn't one of them.
The silent brother stands near a wall, observing.
Fra Pietro moves down the docks and then ducks into an alleyway between two warehouses.
Theophrastus keeps Pietro in sight, trusting his own follower to keep him in sight, thus keeping the chain strong.
Addison keeps after Theophrastus, confident that should danger arise, Theo can light them on fire with his mind.
"Absolutely!" Ithunn answers in reply to Dinah. "I just fell off balance and accidentally knocked into that one." She doesn't take her eyes off the men, waving her short sword at them, trying to press forward and drive them back without actually inflicting any harm.
Lucretia fears no danger. Or not this kind of danger, at least. Besides, if they get arrested, they've got a lawyer with them. Lucy bounces along cheerfully, doing her best to do so /quietly/.
Aboard the Ten of Swords, the crew have moved into defensive positions so as to effectively block entry to the ship to anyone they don't take a liking to. Her Captain is nowhere to be seen.
Fra Pietro leads the Adventurous Professionals on a merry chase through the narrow, dark streets of Aventia's dockside district. After nearly ten minutes of running and ducking about, all four people find themselves in what appears to be the back room of a tavern. They are surrounded by wine casks.
Theophrastus does not seem winded at all, but does seem a little confused by the destination. "Bit of a fuss for a drink, sir."
Addison looks around at the wine casks. "I suppose it is always a rather good time for a drink."
Lucretia leans up against a cask, leaving her cowl laced over her mouth and nose first. "Glad I've been working out with Ras lately. Oof, my side."
Fra Pietro is somewhat out of breath but seems to be recovering. "Something terrible is going on," he says. "We don't have much time."
Theophrastus says, "Besides the riot that's starting on the dock?"
Addison says, "This is a hell of a welcome to the place I'm supposed to be moving to."
Lucretia says, "More terrible than just ordinary plague?" She looks at her brother. "We should've brought a bigger boat."
Theophrastus says, "I'm not the one who hired Cyrus."
Addison is looking at the wine casks. "Nothing wrong with Cyrus except his mind gets all fuzzy around all things Minosian."
Fra Pietro makes a dismissive gesture. "All in a day's work for a Ministry man, I'm afraid," he says to Addison. He nods in the vague direction of the docks, "Those chaps are outsiders." By which he seems to mean 'not from Aventia'. Then to Lucretia, "I need to take you to the Hall."
Lucretia's eyebrows raise. "Oh really? Who are they? And all right. Will there be more armed men at the Hall? I'm not upset, I just want to know how many of my weapons I need to have ready."
Addison has a feeling that going to the Hall means meeting Rose's father ahead of schedule without Rose. He thinks about this for a moment, decides it's a terrible idea, and says, "Then take us to the Hall."
Fra Pietro looks a question to the room at large, seems to get an answer and stands. "Very well, then," he says and walks further into the mass of barrels.
Theophrastus looks sidelong at Lucretia, but follows along. From time to time, his hand brushes his sword hilt.
Addison follows Theophrastus, his hand going into his satchel and withdrawing a perfectly harmless looking letter opener.
Lucretia's hips sway in a way some might mistake as invitation as she moves to follow Fra Pietro. The wiggle, however, seems to aid her in reaching into a cunning pocket; two fingers dip in, pocketing a slender, awkward-looking little knife of the throwing variety. Once an adventuress, always an adventuress, it seems.
Meanwhile, on the docks, the fight is still going on. Dinah seems to be trying mightily hard not to actually switch to tactics that'd leave the brutes in little pieces along the docks, using only the hilt of her dagger when it comes to landing actual blows. The approach leaves Dinah taking a few dagger-cuts and bruises herself, but eventually the fight tilts to her favor, blows being knocked wide. An uppercut knocks one brute back, a left hook takes out the other. "GET ME SOME BLOODY ROPE!," is called up to the crew of the Ten.
The bureaucratic brother fiddles around behind a cask which opens at the halfway point to reveal a narrow tunnel. Pietro lights a torch and moves forward quickly if cautiously.
Theophrastus says, "Secret tunnels. That's good."
A coil of rope sails through the air and lands a yard from Dinah's left foot. There is a flower on the end.
Addison says, "Welcome to Aventia. We have thugs, bureaucracy, wine, and secret tunnels!"
Lucretia's eyes brighten noticeably. "Oh, I /have/ missed this."
Theophrastus says, "Really? I was being sarcastic."
Ithunn has her own hands full, trying to fend off dagger swipes from the brutes, who seem to have figured out that the thane is not in a killing mood. After one particularly daring attack slashes her arm in a nasty cut she roars, rushing foward to close the distance between herself and the brute. The two tumble to the docks, punching and scrambling, Ithunn's sword inches from the man's throat.
Lucretia purses her lips. "Well, I could do without either the bureaucracy or the thugs. But what's an adventure without wine and secret tunnels?"
Dinah blows a kiss up to the deck of the Ten, and takes up the rope. The flower is tucked behind her ear, and she clears her throat. "I just /love/ this place," she chimes, tying up her two unconscious foes.
Theophrastus says, "Safe?"
Addison says, "Comfortable?"
Several minutes of prowling through tunnels later, Fra Pietro stops and whispers, "Up there." He points to a staircase that looks to have been hewn from bedrock. "I can't be seen with you if I want to keep working against the Council. There will be...resistance."
If they were not crawling through a wine tunnel, Theo would give Addison respect knuckles.
The brute with the sword at his throat drops his knife to the wood of the docks and tries to move away from the blade.
Addison decides there is nothing for it, really, and heads up the stairs carved from bedrock. Although somehow he thinks that /working against the Council/ may be naggingly bad.
Lucretia looks at Addison, then at Fra Pietro. "Council?" she inquires sotto voce. She gives Theo one of her 'for THIS I studied to be a doctor?' looks.
Ithunn's sword has clattered aside, but that's probably for the best. She takes out her rage -- and it is slowly starting to turn to the Kitezh blood rage, though it's not there yet -- with fists that bloody her opponent's face, breaking his nose. Then she looks up, lunges for her sword and sets her eyes on the last thug--who is now beating a hasty retreat.
Theophrastus shrugs to Lucretia, with a 'What's a little rebellion?' expression.
Addison gives Lucretia a tiny shrug. "Rose hasn't really told me all that much about Montevalno and I've been too distracted with the secrets of the universe to get past Go! Montevalno. And we all know that guidebooks are bunk."
Fra Pietro says, "Try not to kill anyone." He puts special emphasis on the word Try. "Also," he adds, "I must ask that you not remove any of the records you find in the seventeenth cabinet along the eighth aisle."
Lucretia mms. "Always nice to know where not to look," she murmurs lightly. "All right. Making no promises. For god and for gynoplasty?"
On the docks, the silent brother moves out of the shadows and beckons the two warrior women towards him.
Theophrastus looks at Lucretia. "Ew?"
Addison says, in a tone that he intends to do the exact opposite, "So noted. No removing records from the seventeeth cabinet along the eighth aisle."
Fra Pietro gives Addison a nod of complete bureaucratic synchronicity and moves away from the group.
Dinah gestures to the heap of now-subdued brutes to one of the Ten's crew. "Keep an eye on them, hmm?" Then, smoothing out her clothes and flashing a grin to Ithunn, she moves toward the silent brother.
Ithunn wipes her sword clean on the brute with a broken nose before she sheaths it. She's bleeding in more than a couple of places, blood running down her own face, but she doesn't bother with it--following Dinah to the silent man.
Addison just follows along, certain that he is walking into the Death and Pasta All You Can Eat Buffet.
Lucretia mutters, "Next time I come here, I'll change into my plague-fighting outfit only after I've made sure I won't be fighting for my life." She sighs at her own lack of foresight, moving forward.
The quiet bureaucrat walks slowly but confidently down the docks. He does not look back to see if the ladies are following him.
Ithunn follows, wiping blood from her face with one hand.
Theophrastus says, "I didn't even bring mine. Thought it might have given the wrong impression."
Dinah follows along, slipping her dagger back into its hiding spot, paying little attention to the various cuts on her. "Lovely day," she asides to Ithunn, softly.
The rough staircase leads into an enormous room with high, vaulted ceilings and row upon row of cabinets, shelves, and cubbyholes. The aisles are easy enough to count.
Lucretia cocks up an interrogative eyebrow, casting around for signs of life.
Addison starts patiently counting down the aisles until he finds magic number seventeen. Once he does, he starts hunting for the eighth cabinet.
Ithunn flashes a grin to Dinah. "It's been a pleasure having tea with you, Lady Dinah. We really ought to do this more often."
The silent brother eventually leads Ithunn and Dinah to the grand staircase of a building that looks more like a cathedral than a government office. He withdraws a note from his pocket and hands it to Dinah.
Theophrastus says, "Hey, Addison," his voice low. "Keep it down, alright?"
Addison counts, "Five... Six... Seven... Eight. Eighth cabinet, Seventeenth Aisle." He opens the cabinet and begins to paw through the paperwork in it.
Ithunn looks toward the brother, then toward Dinah. "What does it say?"
The silent brother smiles and bows once to each lady. He gestures toward the building and then begins to go on his way.
Dinah lifts a brow to the brother, then looks down to the note. She unfolds it, slowly. "It's from the Minister of Nautical Affairs," she tells Ithunn quietly, then nods to the brother in thanks.
Lucretia shakes her head a little, keeping a careful eye on the direction of the corner. She takes a step back, throwing knife held somewhat less than casually. "I've heard of needing papers to practice medicine, but..."
The silent brother might have just winked before turning to go.
Ithunn looks surprised at the wink--or what might have been a wink. "Do we go in that building? What does the note say?" She keeps her voice very low.
Dinah just grins as she reads the note. "We go in," she says to Ithunn, tucking the note away and starting up the stairs with a swagger.
Ithunn says, "All right," following Dinah up the steps with a no swagger to her movements.
Addison comes out of the aisle with his hands full of paperwork. "Huh," he says quietly as he approaches the Mandrake's. "I cannot read Montevalnan. You know, we have a perfectly good Chantris with us, but it means going back to the boat. There's something here about land use. Maps and drawings. Also medical information."
Lucretia sighs, holding out a hand. "I can read Montevalnan." She says it almost irritably, though the irritation does not seem aimed at Addison. "...Just, make sure nobody shoots me while I'm reading?"
Theophrastus nods. "No one's going to shoot you."
Addison hands the paperwork to Lucretia. "I haven't actually gotten around to learning yet..."
Theophrastus says, "I'll be right back."
Theophrastus moves away from Addison and Lucretia, cutting across the aisles.
Lucretia does not look keen on Theo's dashing off, for some reason - but he's gone before she can protest. She begins skimming the documents worriedly.
Addison just sort of hangs around looking for anyone who is going to wander in and say 'Hey YOU!'
From several aisles away from Addison and Lucretia somebody says something in Montevalnan. It has a distinct 'hey YOU' tone.
Lucretia hms, reading as quickly and thoroughly as she's able to under the circumstances. "If we can actually get into a hospital and start seeing some actual damned patients, we should be able to figure out treatment. Mayb-" She looks up, muttering something under her breath in a foreign language. It sounds like it might be profane.
The lobby of the Hall of Records is grand. So is the hallway leading from it into the Minister of Nautical Affairs office. The secretary at the desk of that office is less grand. In fact, he's kind of a jerk. "Yes," he sneers. He does, however, say this in Thari.
Dinah is all smiles for the secretary. "Hello," she offers, cheerfully. "I'd like some charts."
The secretary continues sneering. "And I'd like a pony, dear."
"I don't believe you understood," Ithunn smiles at the secretary. She tries hard to keep the threat out of it, probably not succeeding. "She'd like some charts."
Addison clutches his letter opener at ready. This may look a little silly.
In the record room, the sounds of heavy footfalls can be heard very clearly.
Dinah doesn't loose any of her pleasant demeanor. "You're a bit old for a pony," she says with a wink. "And yes, I would like to see some charts." She tisks. "Don't make me invoke the treaty."
The secretary's next remark is cut off quickly. He seems to realize that he is smarting off to a well-armed Kitezhka and her equally dangerous-looking, legally-educated Minosian friend. "What treaty is that?" he asks in a failed attempt to sound brave.
"The Treaty of Antika," Dinah offers, batting her lashes.
The secretary gulps audibly. "Fine," he says. He scribbles something on a piece of paper. "Go down the hall. Third door. Ask for Lucia. She will show you what you want." He looks sick.
Dinah gives the secretary a smile that's all pearly white teeth. "Thank you," she chimes, with the joy of someone rubbing salt in a wound. And so, down the hall, third door, she goes.
Lucretia mutters to Addison, "Quick - what's the proper protocol in order to be legally entitled to be here?"
Addison hisses to Lucretia, "I've no idea. I will make something up on the fly. Dammit, I should have spent some time learning about Montevalno."
The heavy footfalls in the record room are exchanged for the *sching* of metal and the scuffling, shuffling sounds of footwork. Occasional grunts, thuds, and one or two muffled cries precede two much louder thuds.
Lucretia gives Addison an accusing look. "You're the -lawyer-! Fine, fine." She turns towards the direction of the voice, preparing to switch languages to the local one, drawing herself up imperiously. It wouldn't be the first time she's tried to bluff her way out of a bad situation. She pauses, then looks back at Addison quizzically. "...Next time, let's work out some legalese in advance. Sounds like our problem's been resolved."
Addison follows Lucretia and says, "Just because I am Corwin's bloody lawyer doesn't mean that I'm this jack of all trade tool that can be used in any situation or to open any inconvenient bottle, Lucretia! Just... look impressive, yes?"
Theophrastus comes around the aisle, shaking his right hand. "Jaws like damned rocks. Did we find what we needed?"
Addison's eyes get a bit wide. He looks at Theo and says, "I think so. I'm not sure but I think so."
Theophrastus nods. "I'm no expert, but I think they'll probably be coming around within ten minutes or so."
Addison says, "Then we bloody hell need to get out of here, don't we?"
Lucretia draws herself up to her full height, resting one hand on her hip, papers in that hand. She holds the throwing knife up by the tip in the other, a hip jutting out. "Honey, I was /born/ impressive." She turns to Theo, switching to a professional mask without seeming to need to shift gears through third. "Information which if we get to see actual victims should lead to treatment if not cure. Also, the poor are being shunted to plague camps out of the cities; don't know who, but someone familiar with Montevalno should be able to figure it out. Shall we get out while the getting's good?"
A door on one of the far walls opens and a female voice speaking Minosian with a heavy Montevalnan accent can be heard.
Theophrastus says, "Plague camps. Well, that's a mixed blessing. Let's get out of here. Back through the tunnel?"
Addison makes a "ladies' first" gesture toward the back tunnel.
Dinah's boots click distinctively as she walks across the floor. She speaks in Minosian as well, the language rolling off her tongue musically. She looks delighted.
Lucretia holds up a hand. Voice lowered, she whispers to the men, "That's Cyrus' fiancee."
The Montevalnan woman says something chipper and then her footsteps recede toward the door.
Addison asks, "Do you want us to stand here and wait, then? Or get the hell out of here?"
Theophrastus says, "And?"
Lucretia shrugs cheerfully. "If we have the time, I'd say we could arrange a place and time to meet up after we skedaddle? You know. In the interests of not getting separated in the wicked maze of bureaucracy."
The far door closes.
Dinah clears her throat. "Perhaps after this I'll go to that little coffee shop I saw by the docks and have a cuppa," she muses in Thari, before setting to looking through some charts.
Lucretia beams. "A practical woman. Right after my own heart. Right. Let's go." She marches towards the tunnel.
Theophrastus shakes his head, heading into the wine-destined tunnel.
Addison just trails afterward, giving all the nice paperwork a last fond look. If only Mostyn was here.