A Bright Day in Marn!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:32 am

Sebek arrived at the gates of Marn in broad daylight, with a smile on his face and a pen in hand. With a flourish and a poignant dot into the book which he carried under his left hand, he finished a general note about the city, then opened a flap of his robe to place the book into its normal hiding spot.
With renewed vigor, he added a little bounce to his first step as he walked towards the wall, and two very frightening looking guards. They didn't worry him so much, because he had nothing to fear from the law, but the glint of the sun coming from the armor of one was making it hard to see. He raised a hand to block the glaring ray of light, and hailed the guard.
Before he walked through, he stopped at the gate and listened. The sounds coming from within were marvelous; children laughing, people buying and selling down the road, horses pulling carts. Then he smelled. Even though it was not as fair smelling as he was used to, it was delightful in the differences it presented. Then he looked: and he realized that the guards were giving him a funny look.

Gargash Grassthrower · Post by **Gargash Grassthrower** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:02 am

The guard dug a finger underneath his left pauldron, trying to reach an itch that didn't want to go away. There was a beating, constant heat that boiled his chalky, half-troll skin and caused an endless release of sweat, trapped underneath a suit of ill-fitting armor. There was a constant, annoying roar from the crowd through the gate behind. His eyes were sore from the horrid brightness flooding down from the creeping sun directly overhead. There was a stink in the air, floating from a sewer grating near the gate. Only one more hour, Gargash reminded himself, until this double-shift is over.

His partner at this gate was a scrawny, rat-like human with an inflated sense of his own strength. But he was smart, and he quickly nudged Gargash at the sight of a cheery kid scribbling notes in a notebook, which met item number seven in the Spies and Traitors Awareness Manual: writing down notes near military-fortified areas. He obviously wasn't a spy, they knew, but for identifying a suspect, they would receive double rations for two days.

As the kid passed, Gargash drew a heavy greatsword and blocked his path, nudging the dull, rusted blade against the kid's stomach. The other weasely guard did the talking. "Nice day, isn't it? We have something very neat to show you. Just follow the big guy there." Gargash sheathed his blade and grabbed the collar of the kid's shirt.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:08 am

Sebek did not flinch as the guard grabbed his collar, even as he noted his size. It was foolish, but his training and lack of experience in such matters kicked in at that moment. Though it would have been better to have just let things be, Sebek could not. Sebek's personality would have allowed the intrusion of space, but his quick hands and ingrained training would have none of it.
The next events happened in a single fluid motion, appearing as one watches a drop of water hit hot pavement and sees it steam and disappear before his eyes. For even as the guard grabbed his collar, Sebek had ducked down and out of it, leaving nothing but cloth in the guard's hand, and immediately assumed a defensive stance, feet ready to move away, hands ready to block an incoming blow.
His common sense kicked in at that moment, and he realized that it had been an extremely foolish action to even show himself as remotely threatening to a guard, so he immediately dropped his fists and stood at ease. The fact that he was in his underwear had not occurred to him yet, but even had he remembered that he was almost completely bare, it would have not disturbed him.
And despite his relatively small frame, he had remarkable tone to his muscle mass. It was the body of one who had trained and worked day in and day out, perfecting himself. He was not embarrassed by his body.
Nevertheless, he was embarrassed. This brash action would have been scolded by his mentors, of that he was sure. So, it was with a heavy head that he spoke.
"Please, don't touch me. I will go with you wherever it is you desire to send me, but I will go peacefully or not at all. And if it is not too much trouble, I would have my robes back as well. Within are important documents that I must protect at all costs."

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:13 am

The troll had his greatsword out. This wasn't good.

Krevster's normal reaction to seeing a troll waving a greatsword at a man in his underpants would have probably been to find a good seat and enjoy the show, and for a moment...a very long moment, he considered doing just that. Unfortunately duty took that luxury away from him.

The unrobed man did not seem the least bit intimidated by the towering Gargash and was in thoroughly sound condition. To Krevster, this screamed "warrior" and told him that something about this situation was utterly wrong.

As though there was anything right with half-troll menacing a man in his underpants.

He quickened his step from the usual guardsman's stroll and marched towards them with alacrity. He considered shouting to grab (although sieze might be a better word) their attention, but he knew that in full voice he could startle almost anything, and the culprit could use that brief moment to make a break for it.

People got out of his way. They did that. Maybe it was the armour. Blackened steel plates marked him out from all the other guardsmen, and the way he wore it implied officer rank, an assumption he exploited mercilessly.

'Care to explain what you did to upset one of my guards?' he demanded to the suspect.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:22 am

Sebek's attention was so focused on the big guy in front of him that he forgot that he was in a strange city, so it didn't immediately occur to him what was happening. He chided himself for having tunnelvision, and then backed up to face the officer while keeping the big guy in the corner of his eye. The man approaching was wearing a different uniform, so he was more than likely an officer, especially considering the respect he commanded with his voice.
"Sorry, sir. I was just...startled, is all. If I can have my clothing back I'll be on my way. I don't want any trouble."

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:07 pm

A faint smile flashed across Krevster's face. He couldn't tell if the deference was being feigned. He suspected it was, judging by the man's obvious...currently very obvious, physical condition and by his composure in the face of an armed troll. Such a calculated reaction in that case, and like a true paranoid maniac, nothing alarmed Krevster like false respect.

'That doesn't answer my question now, does it?' he pressed, 'And why would you think there was any trouble?' asked the warrior innocently, as if the man had not just been disrobed by a nearby troll.

Perhaps the man suspected a shakedown? Although only arriving part-way through the event, Krevster was pretty sure that trolls did not go around randomly undressing people on the street. If they did then it was something he did not want to think about. There had to be a good reason why the troll was holding the stranger's clothing, not that it mattered that much; finding cause to bring the man in would count towards earning a bonus. If he was innocent, no harm done and the men would still gain the extra pay.

'I'm going to have to know who you are.' Krevster stated, then he turned to the troll, 'And I'd like you to tell me what happened.'

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 3:30 pm

"My name is Sebek, and really, I don't mean to cause a scene. I will comply with whatever demands are asked of me, though I do not understand the reasons for which I was grabbed in the first place."
With that, it was apparent that the group was indeed drawing quite a crowd of onlookers. A half-troll, a man in his underwear and an officer of the Guard confronting on the streets. The ruckus around them was making it hard to hear each other, now, and Sebek had to almost shout over the din of voices.

Gargash Grassthrower · Post by **Gargash Grassthrower** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:30 pm

Gargash held the limp robe like a dead fish, looking at it in blank confusion. As the kid raised his fists, Gargash unsheathed his greatsword a second time. He glanced around, waiting for his partner to do the talking, but there was no sign of him. The little rat seemed to have scurried away when trouble came up. "Well," Gargash began, taking it upon himself to resolve the situation, "You see, officer, this human 'ere was jottin' notes near a Military Fortified Area. And when we was to take 'im into apprehension, he jumped out of 'is clothings and put up 'is fists, resistin' us, see, and he says 'very important documents' in the robes, which we needs to look upon to determine this one's motivation and follow procedure by bringin' 'im into questioning." Gargash seemed satisfied in this explanation, throwing the robe over his shoulder, and staring towards the kid with menacing, hollow eyes, waiting for furthur compliance.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:28 pm

Sebek laughed. It was too much for him. It wasn't out of spite or annoyance. He just realized that he must have looked fishy for the first time. Is THAT what this is about? He thought to himself.
"Is THAT all? Well, you can take a look at the documents yourselves, I have absolutely no problems with that at all. It *is* a bit drafty out here in the open air, however, so I would appreciate my clothing, if you would be so kind, Mr. ..." he let it hang in the air, trying to cue an introduction from the large brutish fellow.

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:55 pm

YOU WILL STAND DOWN AND RETURN TO YOUR TASKS THIS INSTANT!!!

Then silence. Lots of silence.

The voice carried some distance. Probably halfway across the continent.

For the crowd this seemed like a good moment to be finding something to be seen doing. The ruckus and din died, as would have anyone who didn't get back to work very quickly. The effect spread throughout the city. And for a few brief minutes assassins abandoned their targets, pickpockets returned their stolen purses, and everyone became good and honest citizens for the few minutes it took to realise that they heard the shout from upwards of a mile away.

After successfully intimidating an entire quarter of the city, Krevster turned back to the other two with a perfectly serene expression on his face and spoke with perfect courtesy.

'Thank you, Sebek. I am sure you understand the situation. Once I have the documents we will return your robe.' He was already reaching for the robe to search through it.

'As for you.' Krevster said, now addressing the half-troll, 'You have conducted yourself well and successfully identified a suspect of espionage. You will receive the appropriate bonus, and I think you deserve an extra for doing so single handedly. And oh yes, you can have the shifts wages from the weasel who abandoned his post.'

Having sent something of a fortune Gargash's way, back to Sebek, 'Should all be as you say, and I have no doubt that it is, you have nothing to be concerned with. We have an office nearby. I assume I do not trouble you overmuch?'

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:28 pm

Sebek immediately put down his hand at the sound of the officer's voice. His eyes widened a little and he might have even given a little hop on one foot. He hadn't been expecting that; especially not at the volume it was delivered. Within the space of half a second however, he had regained his composure, and was looking towards the officer, who was now addressing him.
Living in the quiet northern mountains hadn't prepared him for such volumes, especially from a human throat, since he lived with monks, as it were, and they were not disposed to speaking, let alone speaking loudly, or, God forbid, yelling. So now his ears were ringing a bit and he was having trouble hearing the officer of the Guard, but he assumed that the guard was saying something along the lines of: 'just let me have a look-see, then we'll get you your things.' He couldn't be sure, so he just said; "Ok!" and hoped that OK could cover whatever he needed to be said.

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:44 pm

So we have deafened the monk. Ah.

OK? OK?

Krevster waited to see if the man would elaborate beyond OK. The stranger, Sebek, seemed more articulate than that.

No one was looking at the group now. In fact, people made damn sure NOT to be looking at the group. This was convenient since it made less an issue of Sebek's state of undress.

Perhaps Krevster had stunned him. It would not be the first time he had done such a thing. That thought gave Krevster an idea. This would be the perfect moment to begin searching those robes for documents while the fellow was too shocked to have any say in the matter.

He did.

Gargash Grassthrower · Post by **Gargash Grassthrower** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:49 pm

"Right," Gargash said, "Thank you sir," and rifled through the robes, bringing out a notebook, which he handed to his superior. He tossed the robe to the kid's feet in a heap, giving a slight smile, and re-assumed his sentinel position near the gate, realizing that this unbearable double-shift seemed to have been worth it after all.

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:58 pm

There was more searching to do. Krevster felt the robes for anything else contained in them. Maybe other, not so innocent documents. In truth, Krevster was already pretty sure about the situation but made a habit of being thorough. After completing his search, Krevster handed the robe back to Sebek.

'Hold!' The announcement delivered with far less force than the last one. 'Since you are the identifying guardsman, you should join us for the questioning. I'll send someone to fill your post.' Krevster had plans for Gargash. This would be a great opportunity to test them out.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:09 pm

*Krevster would have found a Holy Book contained within the robes, btw*

The ringing in Sebek's ears had subsided to a small nuisance at just the right moment to hear "questioning." Though he knew he had nothing to hide, it made him nervous just the same; his first day in this city and he was already dealing with the law; which did not bug him as much as the fact that they had found his Holy Book.
His nerves had tightened, and his muscles flexed into cords when he saw the officer grab the book, just before he threw his robes back. As he slipped back into his rather loose garments he could not help be steel his jaw and expect that the guard had gone. He had not. He was still there as he pulled his head out of the collar and into the open-air. Even though he despised himself for not trusting the guards, he could not be at ease while they held that book.