Home again, home again [PC] Firebug

[sfliegel]

The group paused in front of Sminner's cabin as they spoke. Firebug ran a hand over his stubbled chin, he thought for a second that he really should shave, then glanced up to Kursaville, "that is.., illogical. If he was looking for iron and stumbbled across gold, then he has the right to claim it has his own. No one else bothered to look there. He should be able to have his charter expanded to include gold or to have a new one for gold. Worst case he could charge others for the right to did in his mine. Besides, I was down there and saw that mine. There was no way it was an accidental finding. The tunnel was dug and reinforced with heavy timbers. That halfling could not have done that by himself, no matter how long he had been down there. It was done with care like the rest of the mine, not something that was rushed."

Siff stepped between the two of them, "hey we're here. Maybe we should ponder this indoors?" She motioned for them to move toward the cabin.

Firebug and Kursaville both fell silent as they realized that they both must have been getting pretty loud. Kursaville was the first to reach the door, he unlocked it with a key from the folder from Ritage then pushed it open.

The cabin was dark and musty from having been shut up tight in this heat. Inside the cabin was filthy and it was hard to tell if it had been ransacked or just unkept.

Kursaville stood beside the door and motioned for Firebug to be the first to enter, "come Firebug, let's see if we can use those abilities of yours."

Firebug walked slowly inside and went straight to opening the windows to let in some light and to let out some of that funk. "Did Ritage give you that book of Sminner's that he found? I'd like a chance to look through it if he did."

[Game Master]

"Yes, it's here in the folder as well." Kursaville gave it a once over. "Looks like its full of dates, times and lists of numbers." He handed his partner the book knowing Firebug might be able to gleam things that merely reading it ever could. Siff seemed interested to see Firebug do his thing as well. She stood patiently by, staring at him.

[sfliegel]

Firebug thumbed through the pages of the book quickly, scanning it for a moment. He checked for loose pages or notes that might be slipped between pages, and checks for the binding for possible hidding places. He then took a seat on the bed and held the book firmly with both hands on his lap, and closed his eyes.

[Game Master]

Firebug's mind settles and focuses on the book. CURIOSITY, FEAR, EXALTATION, TRIUMPH!
Firebug sees events unfold from Sminner's eyes. He is in the forest. The castle of Garrotten can be seen in the near distance. It is dark but the moon is full. Sminner is jotting down the date and time in the log. Ogres and orcs and Dwarfs can be seen at what looks like a cave entrance. The dwarfs are given a large chest. A short time later the Ogres wagons are loaded with long creates.

FLASH!

The scene repeats itself. Forest, castle, moon, log book. Ogres, dwarfs, chest, wagon, crates.

FLASH!

Again the scene repeats itself. No! The moon is different. The date in the log is different. Its not the same night, just the same events.

FLASH!

Again...

FLASH!

Again...

FLASH!

It begins again, but this time Sminner is seen. He runs, he is chased. He makes it to town. Has he lost his pursuers? He is nervous. He opens his log book and writes another date in his book. His hands shake while he writes.

When Firebug awakes, it is later. MUCH later. Siff is sitting on the bed looking very concerned. Kith is at the door looking out into the street. Somehow Reeks and Gaul had arrived and were playing a game of 'Crown Royal' with a Royal deck of cards. Reeks appeared to be winning if his pile of gold crowns was an indication. "He's up!" Siff exclaimed a little to excitedly. Firebugs head throbbed with pain. He had never had a vision that long. This book was important to Sminner. Very important. With out even thinking of it, Firebug mumbled an incantation. However, nothing but his piece of magical paper flared the tell tale blue of magic.

"You all right Mystic?" Kursaville asked turning around to face him.

"How.." was all the Psi-Mystic could summon to say. His mouth was dry.

"You've been under for three hours. We've searched the place from top to bottom but other then a wedding band, this place is empty."

Siff was by Firebugs side a moment after she declared him awake. She was feeling his forehead and holding his wrist. she seemed very motherly at that moment. "Does it hurt when you...do what you do?" she asked in wonder.

Reeks just snorted and Gaul raised his hands in exasperation. "You cheat!"

"Ha! I don't need to cheat to beat a dimwit like you Gaul. Haha, sore loser!" Reeks glanced over to Firebug and winked as he slipped a playing card into the top of his boot.

[sfliegel]

Firebug tried to explain his vision the best that he could while it was still fresh in his mind, in between gulps from his waterskin.

He sat up straight and looked to Siff, "it doesn't hurt, in fact I feel nothing except the emotional strain of what occurs in my visions."

Firebug takes another long swallow from his waterskin then returns it to his belt. "I fear that I will have to wait on "reading" the wedding band. Before his death, Sminner had told me about how his wife's death was connected to the goings on in town. The emotions in that ring might be a little too strong right now."

Moving to leaving the bed Firebug found he was really tired. Once back on his feet he moved passed Gaul and Reeks, "when you lads are ready we need to getting moving. Kursaville, I would like to see the place when Sminner's body was discovered."

Kursaville was still jotting down some notes in the file as Firebug moved toward the door, "I can not wait until I get a scribe to do this for me. Sure, follow me. It's not far from here."

[Game Master]

Kursaville was nose deep in the case file while the group walked down to the docks where Sminner was found.

"Listen to this," Kursaville started. "It appears that Sminner and his wife Jessika both worked for the Baron in the castle some time ago. Jessika was a chamber maid and Sminner was the stable master. That explains why the Baron wanted Ritage to handle this himself originally I supose. Sminner was released half a year ago, two months after his wifes death in the last Ogre raid to attack Garrotten. The details of his release are vague. Something about his inability to do his duties."

[sfliegel]

Siff replied, "that's terrible, his wife is killed and then he lost his job. No wonder he was drunk all of the time.'

Firebug scratched his head as spoke his thoughts absent-mindedly, "he must have first stumbled across something back then." He then went back to the journal and looked at the first date in the book.

Kursaville closed the file and turned to Firebug, "are you implying that Sminner was fired from the castle because he might have found out about this weapon smuggling?"

Firebug glanced up quickly to look at Kursaville as he closed the journal, "well without more details about his release I can not be certain. However, that was the last raid which in itself is rather odd given the frequency of the previous raids. Follow me on this, your wife is killed in a raid and you notice that the weapons that the raiders used were of the same craftmanship as the ones used by your own army. You attempt to bring this is someone's attention but you are either ignored, laughted off or over heard by someone involved. To avoid suspicion you are released from you duties with only vague details, just to keep you quiet."

Reeks stroked his beard in a thoughful motion, "I think you might be reaching a little on that one lad."

"You might be right, but I do know that there were two dwarves involved in Sminner's death. And Sminner thought enough of it to hide a dagger that Halfhelm has identified as coming for his forge." Firebug spoke softly, looking from face to face.

Kursaville tucked the file under his arm, "this is where Sminner was found. What are we looking for?"

Firebug ran his fingers through his hair and tucked it behind his ears and thought for a moment then replied, "okay, Sminner was brought here by a pair od dwarves. It is highly unlikely that they carried him here so he probably struggled or even tried to fight back. I want everyone to start about 50 yards from the edge of the water and at double arm intervals we will move slowly toward the water looking for anything out of the ordinary. I'd be surprosed if we don't find at least drag marks around here as they brought Sminner to the water and drowned him. Also watch out for things like torn cloth or a shoe or even jewlery that might have been lost in the a struggle during the night. When we reach the water's edge I want everyone to search carefully from the bank for anything that might have been dropped or maybe came loose while Sminner was being drowned."

Everyone moved back about 50 yards and held up their arms to make sure they were double arm distance from the next person. Firebug was centered on the spot where Sminner was found with Siff to his left and Reeks to his right. All exchanged glances for a moment and stepped off together moving slowly searching the ground around their feet.

[Game Master]

It was a grueling exercise. The banks of the river were muddy and littered with bits and pieces of this and that. The group came across a broken bottle, a shattered earthen mug, a wooden button, two buttons crudely carved from bone. A bit of rabbit fur, a twisted length of metal, a broken crate, and what may have been a weaved basket made from reeds. Foot prints ran this way and that. The group found what looked like drag marks that may or may not have been from Sminner and his killers. In the end there seemed to be nothing conclusive to Sminners demise. Firebug handled the collection of odds and ends wondering if any of them would pan out.

Lord Kursaville chose that moment to speak what had been on his mind all day. "Firebug, I need to know when we plan on telling Constable Ritage about our Weapon smuggling theory. While your visions can hardly be considered hard evidence. I firmly believe that Sminner was killed when he discovered or was discovered by this weapons smuggling operation. We have a cave, Wagons seen leaving the castle at odd hours and being loaded at said cave, a log book that unless I'm mistaken tracks those shipments. A possible dwarven smith as a suspect, Orcs, dwarves and Ogres all working together. This is big."

[sfliegel]

Firebug thought the best of odds and ends and had Gaul put eveything into an empty pouch to be looked over later. He then turned toward Kursaville, "you are correct, absolutely correct. This is huge and Sminner was either the only on the outside who knew about it or was the only one to try and do something about it. Either way, it ended up getting him killed. Ritage doesn't trust me and I can deal with that. I don't know how much to trust him. He could be a part of this and he might not even know it. If there is a mole in his office and we brief him, then the word will spread and we could all be in danger. But if we keep this thing quiet we stand a better chance of figuring out who is involved."

Kursaville fired back, "you must be mad! If Ritage were involved why would he give us the Sminner case?"

Firebug looked up toward the sky for a moment, "what if Ritage is involved in the weapon smuggling at some level? He knew nothing of Sminner's watching of the cave and wagons. Sminner ends up dead, he would have to find out why, as he would for any other citizen. If tell him the cases are related and he is involved he could panick at possiblity of being exposed. We need to stall until we can gather more information. Can you give me one more day before you check in with an update."

Kursaville stared at Firebug as he drummed his thumb against the file, he hated psi-mystics, but this has been proving to be useful at best, "I'll give you one more day, but what can you learn in one day that we don't already know?"

Firebug smiled as he turned to Gaul and Reeks who then shot each other a glance, "that all depends on what our boys here can learn about Sminner at the stables. How about it lads? Do you think you could dig up something at the stables about Sminner?"

Reeks stared hard at Firebug, "lad are you asking us to ask the very folks that may have done old Sminner in about Sminner?" He then smiled wide, "I sure hope that is what your are askin' 'cause I'm itching for a fight." He then slapped Gaul on the back, "come lad, we got work to do." The two then hurried off toward the castle.

Siff smiled as she watched the two walk away, "I know they would never admit it but I think they have become good friends. Now what about us? What should we do until they get back?"

Firebug rubbed the stubble on his chin, "I don't want to explore that secret entrance in Halfhelm's without the whole group and we need to be watching that cave exit tonight. So, I'm going to get a shave, have a little lunch, then get some rest for tonight. I recommend the both of you get some rest as well, this could be a late night."

Siff was taken aback by the thought, time off? "I think I'll visit the church for awhile since I have the time. I'll prey that the Lord gives us the strength to make it through this."

Kursaville smiled at the thought, "thank you Siff, I think you have the right idea. However, I too could do with a nice shave and will be joining Firebug. We should all meet up at the inn tonight before heading out to the cave."

They all nodded in agreement then headed off.

[Game Master]

Siff and FireBug got back together an hour before Sundown. Kursaville was next and he started right in with his reasoning. "You know FB that this stake out probably wont turn up anything. I believe we still need to do it for thoroughness, but lets face it. Most likely those dates refer to the smuggling shipments and we already know that Reeks and Gaul saw one not two days ago. That means in all likely hood tonight will be a bust."

FireBug found it hard to argue the point but like the Knight said. They had to be thorough to do this right. Only minutes later the terrible twosome waltzed in as if Gaul had swallowed the Canary and Reeks had fed it to him.

"You'll never believe this one Gents and Lady." Reeks bowed deeply and then pointed at Gaul. You are looking at the newest recruit for the smuggling operation."

The looks of confusion on everyones faces made Reeks bellow so loud he had to hold his stomach. When he was done he rubbed his palms together and settled into story telling mode.

"There we were, see, me and greenie here. We enter the castle and split up to cover more territory. We keep a visual on each other though in-case one of us falls into trouble." Reeks begins.

"I find Orc stable boy with loose tongue." Gaul adds, interrupting the dwarven merc.

"Hey Pig nose! I'm telling the story here." Reeks points at himself, obviously upset at the interruption. "So Gaul finds this orc slave cleaning up after the horses in the stable. Turns out this orc who's barely entered his manhood has more rocks for brains then ground licker here." Pointing to Gaul as if no one knew who he was referring to. "I come up dry, no ones talkin, but Gaul gives this kid some stuff out of his sack and sure enough he starts talking to his new friend."

"Him, me, talk of slaves and food, and fight..." Gaul gets smacked in the shoulder by Reeks, but it only makes Gaul's grin widen. He seemed to be enjoying ruining the dwarfs tale. After all, it did seem to be all about Gaul.

"And.."

"And..."

"Stop it."

"No. Gaul story."

"You can't tell a bloody story."

"Yes Gaul can!"

"You have no flair for the dramatic!"

"What drammamic?"

"Lord! Your one stupid orc!"

"Reeks fat, smelly dwarf!"

"I'm trying to make you look good here pal."

"Gaul not pale. Gaul dark green!"

"AAHHHH!" Reeks throws up his hands and sits down with a hurrrummph. "Tell your bloody story then!"

Gaul straightens with pride and begins.

"Gaul talk with Snotgob. Snotgob secret smuggler. Snotgob like Gaul. Offer join. Gaul think this clever. Gaul say yes. Now Gaul secret Smuggler. Gaul meet with other secrets when moon straight overhead." Gaul grinned wide.

[sfliegel]

With jaws agape, Siff, Firebug and Kursaville stare blankly at one another then turn back to Gaul, still baring a wide grin. Gaul got in just like that and there was no questions, almost too easy.

"Great job lad," Kursaville said slapping Gaul on the shoulder, "getting a man..., or what have you, on the inside is usually the tricky part but you pulled it off like a pro."

Firebug stepped up next and shook Gaul's hand, "You will be our eyes and ears into this smuggling issue, great job friend."

Siff looked shocked as she listened to the boys, her face went pale, "I think you are all missing one very important point here. He will alone with an army of smugglers and could be in real danger. Gaul, think about what you have gotten yourself into. You must never let yourself be anywhere that you can not make an escape from, promise me."

Gaul's grin waned slightly as he thought about Siff's words, "Gaul in trouble?"

Kursaville, Reeks and Firebug jump at the situation, "no, no not at all lad we will never be that far away. All you will need do is signal us."

Gaul scratched his head, "signal?"

Kursaville replied, "yes son, we need to have a movement or hand jester that will tell us you are in trouble."

Slipping a finger into his nose, Gaul said,"pick nose?"

Reeks frowned, "no lad, you do that all the time. That would mean you were always in trouble."

Firebug snapped his fingers, "I know, if you are in really trouble, use your right hand, not your left, and pat the back of your head three quicky times and repeat as needed. Can you remeber that?"

Gaul nodded, "yeah, Gaul remember."

Siff shook her head, "I'm sorry but I have a bad feeling about this."

Kursaville put a hand on her shoulder, "Gaul will be just fine, you'll see. Where do you meet with the smugglers next?"

[Game Master]

"Gaul meet at Travelers Inn. Look for Snotgob."


Kursaville scratches his face in thought. "Should we split up tonight to watch both Gaul and the cave?"

[sfliegel]

Firebug looked perplexed, "that's a great point constable. I also don't want to risk putting Gaul in danger by our lurking around and following him, well following to closely anyway. How about if Reeks and you go ahead and set up a lookout point to watch the cave from. Siff and I will watch the tavern and make sure that Gaul makes contact without any trouble. No offense but having the new constable in town watching the newest smuggler, that might raise some flags. All I ask is that Gaul, please be on your toes and Reeks, please mark on my map the location of the cave so we can find you later."

[Game Master]

"Gaul safe. Safe. Safe. No trouble."

Reeks just rolled his eyes and started loading up for his stake out of the cave. "We'll see you all later then." He added.

[sfliegel]

'Reeks, hold a moment. I have had a thought and thus a change of plans. Please return with Kursaville.'

Reeks stopped midstep and his head seemed to drop, "hold it constable, Firebug is calling to come back. He's changed his mind it seems."

"he's what?!"

The two stomped back to where Gaul, Firebug and Siff were still standing. "What's the problem now FB?" Demanded Kursaville, "we're not going to the cave now? Did you get another of your visions?"

"No, no visions, just a recalcuation. Gaul and Reeks have already seen the caravan hauling the weapons out of the cave. Gaul is now on the inside with the smugglers. I was thinking about what you said about the cave, that is can only be opened from the inside. We have been working with Halfhelm and he showed us a hidden enterance to a tunnel from his shop. I believe that if we take that tunnel we will find ourselves in that cave. What say you Reeks? Would you rather sit in the forest and watch that cave again or explore a sercet tunnel and possibly see some action?"

Reeks stroked his beard thinking about the possiblities that a hidden tunnel could hold. He swinted a bit as he leered at Firebug, "if this is a dwarven tunnel how will the rest of you keep up with me? Me and Gaul are the only ones that can see in the dark remember?"

Firebug smiled and looked very confident, "I don't think that will be a big problem. We can also gather a couple torches if the need should arise. But I of the mind that this is a better route to bringing an end to the smuggling, go to the heart of the beast. Again I ask, what say you, what say you all?"

Kursaville nodded, "that does make more sense to me, as long as we have torches that is."

"Is there anything else to be learned from watching the cave again tonight?" Asked Siff.

"No lass I really don't see what there could be." Replied Reeks.

"Gaul want go tunnel too."

"We might need you to be on the outside if things were to go bad for us." Reassured Firebug.