(026) Happenstance in Ket

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Two grubby faced little boys and then two girls, one slightly older -- but no more than 10 surely, pause in their mad frolicking as the glint of Josiane's silver catches their eyes in the rare sunlight.

The three younglings come tumbling over to her in a great ruckus of excitement, but the eldest girl hangs back across the street.

"Wowww! Is that silver?" exclaims the first urchin, a boy with muddy blonde hair in a crazy disarray and boggling brown eyes.

"Can I have it?" asks the second boy, without waiting on an answer.

"No, me!" says the green-eyed girl, reaching out to point at the shiny coin with with a pudgy pink finger.

While Josiane is occupied with the children, Mads dispassionately notes the girl across the street glancing up and down... perhaps nervously?

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:

Fathoming here plan, Mads reluctantly digs out three pieces of silver from the little purse and hands them over to Josiane.

"This purse will be empty ere sunset, I swear," he complains from beneath the hood of his robe...

Josiane simply smiles, and when the group of street urchins make their next galloping pass she draws their attention with the silver...


Of course, Josiane is well aware that she has 10 copper pennies remaining in her own purse.

O.O.C: Josiane would willingly sacrifice her copper for the cause, but she suspects silver will be far more effective here. And she did offer to buy lunch... [img]images/smiley/smiley.png[/img]

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:

Two grubby faced little boys and then two girls, one slightly older -- but no more than 10 surely, pause in their mad frolicking as the glint of Josiane's silver catches their eyes in the rare sunlight.

The three younglings come tumbling over to her in a great ruckus of excitement, but the eldest girl hangs back across the street.

"Wowww! Is that silver?" exclaims the first urchin, a boy with muddy blonde hair in a crazy disarray and boggling brown eyes.

"Can I have it?" asks the second boy, without waiting on an answer.

"No, me!" says the green-eyed girl, reaching out to point at the shiny coin with with a pudgy pink finger.

While Josiane is occupied with the children, Mads dispassionately notes the girl across the street glancing up and down... perhaps nervously?

"There is a silver coin for each of you, dear ones," says Josiane kindly; "And another for your playmate yonder". She holds out a hand to Mads for another coin while smiling encouragingly at the older girl across the way.

Then, to the younger ones again; "Now, can you help me? My friends and I seem a little out of our way. We were told there was a club to be found in the Glib Court, but for the life of me I can see no sign of it. Do you know of any such place?"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The older girl can't be coaxed, and seems to be urging the others to hold their tongues by shaking her head.

But there's no stopping them.

"It's over there," decrees the youngest lad, eager to prove himself.

"In the building," confirms the girl, pointing directly across the cul-de-sac.

"But they sleep til bed time," warns the other boy sagely.

The eldest girl scampers off into the traffic without waiting to see anymore, and the three younger urchins chatter happily and paw Josiane for her silver...

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Josiane takes careful note of the building they're indicating.

"They sleep till bed time? How odd! Why do they do that, do you think?"

She is still smiling winningly, but keeping half an eye in the direction the older child disappeared off in, watchful for any trouble heading their way...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The children shrug, and babble on, all reaching for the silver coins with many excited hands...

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"Here," says Josiane, handing each child a bright silver piece; "You have been most kind and helpful. Run and play, now. The blessings of the Lady be upon you."

Once they have run off, she turns to her companions.

"Best we leave now, I think. Back to the inn and let us make further plans there."

She will keep a watchful eye out on the way back, looking to see if they're being followed...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
"That was silver well spent!" complains Mads unhappily, as both he and Percy follow Josiane back the way they came through the narrow streets.

Within ten minutes they are back at the mill on Bow street with the scent of resign and saw dust in the damp air. The sunny patch has given way to a grey cloud cover once more, and there is a forewarning of rain to come... it is approaching mid afternoon.

"We might be better off investigating Grumolg's place while it's empty..." muses Percy as they trudge along.

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:

"That was silver well spent!" complains Mads unhappily.

"We might be better off investigating Grumolg's place while it's empty..." muses Percy as they trudge along.

"I'm so glad you think so!" says Josiane, beaming at Mads without the slightest trace of irony.

To Percy's suggestion; "Perhaps, but I fear the eldest of those poor children has passed word that questions have been asked regarding this Grumolg's 'club.' Our enemy, if such he be, may be on his guard for intruders. If so, our invitation to tonight's proceedings may be a safer way to proceed." She frowns. "Although I dislike the thought of further subterfuge."

She ponders matters for a moment.

"I am unsure. What do you think?"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Percy and Mads deliberate internally...

What to do?

If it's true that "they" sleep til bed time, then the club might be rather quiet until after sundown.

If the young girl is an informant for Grumolg, he might not be informed of anything until he rises. She may simply have been afraid, or else be informing for someone else entirely?

Many unanswered questions remain.