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| Details |
| Author: | OzmaAsimov |
| Summary: | The Cobalt Blade receives an urgent summons to the Stormwind Stockade from Warden Thelwater. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: The Cobalt Blade
[Tadget]: Sup.
Zaara yips.
Tadget gently pats Zaara.
Vesyllah stands with her arms crossed, looking grim. She is the Night…at midday.
[Tadget]: Here comes Trouble.
Vesyllah bows her head reverently to Arthur as she accepts the Gift of Water. "Shaha lor'ma dula Luvas'alith."
[Thalstan]: So, they changed their tune, eh? *Thal mutters as he rides up*
[Tadget]: Sounds like maybe they should've let us in there earlier.
[Vesyllah]: This is why I usually don't bother with bureaucracy.
[Tadget]: Your idea might have worked, except for the stupid Cobalt Company Code of Conduct.
[Tadget]: It explicitly says that we can't get thrown in jail. Sigh.
[Tadget]: Sometimes I really miss the 7th Legion. Captain Tyrrell totally would have let me go to jail.
Vesyllah shrugs at Art. "It wasn't a bad thought."
[Arthur]: I mean, it would have worked, right up until everyone started using it against Sir Elohad. And with the goings-on…he doesn't need that.
[Tadget]: Oh yeah, some human political crap, right? Good luck with all that.
[Vesyllah]: Oh? I don't pay attention to politics.
[Tadget]: I pay attention to everything. Because, scout.
[Zaara]: What is the crap?
Zaara tilts her head, interested.
[Thalstan]: We've got ta support Lord Ference! He's our guy!
[Arthur]: Plenty of kids thought I was a lost noble. Because of the rumours. Untrue, of course. But you know stories.
[Tadget]: Um, they're trying to put a bunch of new people on the House of Nobles. It's kinda like that thing you guys used to have, with the Exarchs?
Thalstan nods at Arthur, he does seem noble to Thal.
[Tadget]: But there are like twenty of em and now they're down three. Uh, four. So they need to fill those positions and everyone is like, aaaaaaaaa.
Tadget makes aaaaaaaa hands.
[Zaara]: That is so many Exarchs.
Zaara frowns.
[Thalstan]: Bit like the dwarven senate when there's open seats. Going to be a bloodbath. Metaphorically speaking.
[Zaara]: Blood bath?!
[Tadget]: Right? Why not just let the smartest guy lead everybody and leave it at that? Works for us.
[Vesyllah]: I agree…and the smartest guy is Elune.
Vesyllah smirks.
Tadget laughs at Vesyllah.
[Zaara]: Then the humans will fight about who is smartest guy, and because smartest guy will stay out of fight, we will never find him.
[Arthur]: he means it's usually quite nasty. and sometimes bloody, but that's duels and such.
Tadget laughs at Zaara.
[Zaara]: How do gnomes decide smartest guy?
[Tadget]: Oh man, lemme know if there's gonna be a duel.
[Tadget]: Well, it's obvious by his accomplishments.
Arthur winks slyly at Tadget.
[Vesyllah]: The Warden's looking like he's about to throw up. Should we let him stew a little longer?
[Arthur]: promise i will.
Tadget cackles maniacally at Vesyllah.
[Zaara]: Sir Elokhad is not smartest guy? He is so accomplished. Oh! Warden! Do not make a stew!
Warden Thelwater has a grim countenance and dark circles under his eyes.
[Arthur]: Let's have a little mercy.
[Tadget]: Sigh. Fine.
[Tadget]: As long as he fully understands his mistake.
Tadget surveys Thelwater with folded arms.
[Arthur]: Mercy now, stabbing sooner.
Warden Thelwater says: Thank you for coming so quickly, Blade. The situation went belly-up faster than anyone realized.
[Thalstan]: 'Lo there, Warden Thelwater. What seems ta be the problem? Is it th' jailbreak we warned yeh of already?
[Tadget]: Who could have foreseen this.
[Zaara]: We did.
Arthur looks innocent.
[Tadget]: The blind gal did.
[Zaara]: I am not even Farseer.
Warden Thelwater says: Jailbreak? No…it's a war.
Thalstan nods at Tadget and Zaara, trying not to smile. This is serious.
[Zaara]: Or seer.
[Zaara]: Person who sees.
Warden Thelwater says: The Defias have raided the Stockade and we're pretty sure they're after Decker Canton and his whole crew. At least…that's what those few of my men that got out were able to report.
Zaara considers. She may not be paying good attention.
Tadget gently pats the No-Seer.
[Thalstan]: Shame we didn't get a chance ta talk ta him before.
[Tadget]: Yep, quite a shame.
Warden Thelwater sighs.
[Arthur]: oh. well that sounds exciting. And you want us to save Decker?
[Thalstan]: But alrigh', you need a team ta go in, clean things up?
Warden Thelwater says: Like I said, Canton has loyalists in there with him, so naturally the whole prison has turned into a warzone.
[Tadget]: We're experts at cleaning up messes we might have prevented in the first place.
Warden Thelwater says: Yes…this has gone beyond my ability to control. I need… a strike team.
[Zaara]: That is us! That was also us last week.
Warden Thelwater says: Canton's people control the west block. The east block has been taken by the invaders, led by a man called Bastion Thorn. Worse still, this orc mercenary we arrested has his own little faction in the north block!
[Zaara]: But continues to be us.
Tadget cackles maniacally at Zaara.
[Arthur]: Lucky for you, we happen to be…
[Arthur]: COBALT BLADE!
Warden Thelwater says: Take 'em all down, Cobalt Blade. Best you start with Thorn and Gartorr, the orc. Unless you want a couple small armies at your back while you try to interrogate Canton.
[Zaara]: COBOLT! BLADE!
[Tadget]: Your friendly-but-annoyed neighborhood strike team.
[Vesyllah]: You are all such cheeseballs.
[Zaara]: Cheeseballs!
[Zaara]: Coooool.
Thalstan nods proudly at Arthur and Zaara, swishing his beard aside briefly to show the Cobalt wings.
Tadget just cracks her knuckles. It's business time. Not that kind of business. The other business.
[Thalstan]: Let's get on with it, then. I hope Decker Canton's still breathin' when we get there.
[Vesyllah]: Alright…as the tauren might say, SKODEN!
Warden Thelwater says: If the Captain finds out, it'll be the end of me.
[Thalstan]: SKODEN!
[Tadget]: You speak Taurahe? Cool.
[Vesyllah]: Nah…just like two or three words.
[Zaara]: Coool.
[Thalstan]: Well, now I speak one word.
[Thalstan]: Thanks fer that.
[Thalstan]: Alrigh', I see angry people up ahead. You lot ready?
[Zaara]: I am a lot ready.
[Vesyllah]: If they come at us, we take 'em down, yeah?
[Vesyllah]: I mean, I'm hoping any non-Defias prisoners are stayin' the hell out of the way.
Defias Prisoner attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Convict attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: They are just comin' one after another!
[Thalstan]: Whew. Think we ought to check in these cells? Folk running out of 'em at us.
Tadget nods at Thalstan.
[Tadget]: I think it's safe to say everyone in here wants to kill us.
Defias Prisoner attempts to run away in fear!
[Vesyllah]: You all should just surrender now.
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Take that! And one a' those!
[Thalstan]: Guess this is just the perimeter.
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: oh shoot
[Tadget]: Whoa.
[Tadget]: Big guy.
Gartorr the Merciless goes into a frenzy!
[Vesyllah]: Aw crap, he said the orc was in the north wing!
[Tadget]: I guess he gets around.'
Thalstan and the team knocks the Orc to the ground, towering over him.
Tadget pokes the orc.
[Arthur]: Well. I expect that's our Crimson Coterie orc.
[Tadget]: Hey, who's the leader of the Crimson Coterie? Hey, are you dead?
Tadget nudges him with her boot.
[Thalstan]: Guess the situation was developin'. You there! You answer our questions!
[Thalstan]: Start with hers!
Gartorr the Merciless groans and spits blood on the floor.
Thalstan points at Tadget.
[Tadget]: We'll tell them you fought bravely and stuff.
[Tadget]: With honor or whatever.
Gartorr the Merciless says: Huh…well fought, warriors.
Zaara whispers loudly to Art and Vesyllah, "I should heal him?"
[Vesyllah]: No!
[Zaara]: Oh.
[Tadget]: Maybe.
Gartorr the Merciless sits up and leans against the doorway, clutching his wounds.
[Tadget]: So who should we tell how bravely you fought, with honor and all?
[Zaara]: For talking, it is better. Then we kill him more after.
[Tadget]: Zaara shush!
Zaara shushes.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
Gartorr the Merciless says: The leader of the Coterie. So…you don't know.
[Tadget]: We didn't even know the Coterie existed until like, last week.
[Tadget]: You guys are terrible at PR.
Gartorr the Merciless chuckles…then hacks up more blood.
[Thalstan]: So who is it? And what they got on the Defias?
Tadget points to the blood. "I stabbed that lung myself!" she says proudly.
[Zaara]: Good job, Mayhem!
Gartorr the Merciless points to the sigil on the Cobalt tabards.
Gartorr the Merciless says: She's an old friend of your boss.
[Tadget]: Wait, which boss? Jo?
[Tadget]: Jo has HORDE FRIENDS? … actually she probably does, she'd make friends with an actual venomous basilisk.
Gartorr the Merciless says: What? No…not the gnome. The other…the human! Lord Fence, whatever his name is.
[Tadget]: Oh. Him.
[Tadget]: Wait, HE has Horde friends?
[Thalstan]: Huh, he does not seem th' sort.
Gartorr the Merciless says: She wasn't Horde then….
[Thalstan]: A defector?!
[Tadget]: So one of those ellllves I bet.
Gartorr the Merciless grins with amusement.
[Thalstan]: Oh. Right,.
[Tadget]: A girl elf. Is she hot?
[Arthur]: Probably.
Tadget giggles at Arthur.
Gartorr the Merciless says: She's an elf…so…no. But others seem to think she is.
[Thalstan]: Or more important, what's her interest in the Defias?
Thalstan nods at Gartorr. Those tall, flimsy elves.
[Tadget]: Give us that, and the name, and I'll help you with that whole "bleeding to death" thing.
[Zaara]: Oh. I heal now?
Gartorr the Merciless says: Her interest? None. I was hired by the Defias. She doesn't know anything about this.
[Tadget]: No, Zaara, I got this. I'm a first aid expert.
Tadget is, actually.
[Tadget]: He tells us what we wanna know, I stop the bleeding.
[Thalstan]: Aha! Then tell us her name and then what the Defias wanted!
Gartorr the Merciless eyes Tadget with a knowing smirk, but just nods.
Gartorr the Merciless says: Just tell your Lord Fence…it's the Crimson Lady. He'll know her.
[Tadget]: Ooooh, the Crimson Lady. How dramatic.
Gartorr the Merciless says: As for the Defias…you don't know? Aren't you here for Canton, too?
[Tadget]: Yep.
[Tadget]: But we don't know why he's so freakin special.
[Tadget]: I wish I was special.
[Thalstan]: So why're you after him?
[Tadget]: Wait, I am special.
Gartorr the Merciless says: Neither do I. I don't ask questions. I was hired to take him out.
[Tadget]: Okay, so that's nothing we didn't already know. The Defias want him dead. Got anything else helpful?
Gartorr the Merciless says: I doubt it. Hey…gnome. Do me a favor.
[Tadget]: Unlikely. But what.
Gartorr the Merciless says: When you…'tend my wounds'…lemme be on my feet.
Gartorr the Merciless is looking like he can barely sit, let alone stand.
[Tadget]: Uh, I'm not tall enough to reach your wounds if you're standing up.
[Tadget]: Zaara, come lift me up I guess?
Thalstan reaches a hand forward to help the orc up.
Gartorr the Merciless grips Thalstan's hand. Though weakened, the strength of the powerful orc is still quite evident. But he's in no state to do much more than slump against the wall as he stands.
Zaara stoops and takes hold of Tadget around the waist to hoist her up. Too high! That's too high. Watch your head, Tadget.
[Tadget]: Little lower.
Zaara lowers Tadget slightly.
Vesyllah watches with narrowed eyes, hand gripping her dagger.
[Tadget]: Okay, here we go! *Tadget stops the bleeding by driving her dagger into his heart, up to the hilt.*
[Tadget]: There we go. No heartbeat, no bleeding. Easy peasy.
[Zaara]: Oh! Fifteen pearls.
Zaara gets it now. She nods sagely and sets Tadget down.
Gartorr the Merciless doesn't flinch. He just grunts, then makes a gurgling sound before blood spills from the corner of his mouth as he collapses back to the floor.
Tadget wipes off her dagger.
[Thalstan]: Fifteen pearls? *Thal looks down at the orc sadly.*
[Tadget]: I love killing big guys.
[Tadget]: Ogres are best, but orcs'll do.
[Vesyllah]: Mercy for Gartorr the Merciless. Probably better than he deserved.
[Thalstan]: It's a shame, but… he was workin' for the Defias and the Horde.
[Zaara]: Fifteen silvers. When I have told the goblin we will give him fifteen silvers and then you all said No, Zaara, no! so I give him one, and say it is fifteen.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Zaara]: To be ha ha I am bad at counting! This is like what Mayhem did.
[Thalstan]: Ah. I see. I think.
Tadget pats Zaara's shin.
[Tadget]: Couple of wicked little imps, you and me.
[Zaara]: A fibbing. We are fibbing!
Tadget nods at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: Well, we'd best carry on. Decker Canton's still in here, I hope. And alive.
[Vesyllah]: We'd better keep moving. Gartorr's faction is gonna be scrambling to take sides now. We should take advantage of the chaos.
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Prisoner attempts to run away in fear!
[Arthur]: I thought you really were going to give him fifteen pearls!
Defias Convict attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: Best clear Gartorr's folks out of the north first?
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Whatever you say, Valor.
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: Now we got east and west…
[Thalstan]: Uh.
[Thalstan]: Which way is which?
Tadget giggles at Thalstan.
[Vesyllah]: He said Bastion Thorn was set up in the east.
Vesyllah points down a corridor…presumably east.
[Thalstan]: We head thataway first?
[Zaara]: To this way, east! Yes.
[Tadget]: The blind leading the beard.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Insurgent attempts to run away in fear!
[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!
[Tadget]: Hm, think I'll use a different poison…
Defias Insurgent attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: heheheh, try to run NOW, suckers.
Defias Convict attempts to run away in fear!
Thalstan glances at Tadget. "You got a poison ta stop runnin'?
[Tadget]: Well, hinder.
[Vesyllah]: I should invade prisons more often. So much justice to dispense….
Defias Convict attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Insurgent attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: You're right scary sometimes, Mayhem.
[Tadget]: Thanks!
[Tadget]: Ooh a dwarf.
Kam Deepfury attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: Dark Iron *Thal's face looks stony.*
[Thalstan]: Wonder what one of them's in the Stockades for.
[Tadget]: Nothing like the smell of urine on stone to really make you wish you were anywhere else.
[Zaara]: Anywhere but where you're in.
Vesyllah peers ahead. "Oh, great. Well, Tadget, you said you like taking down big guys…."
[Thalstan]: Mm. Ogre ahead.
[Vesyllah]: They brought a damn ogre.
[Thalstan]: Reckon that's not our Canton.
[Tadget]: YES!!!
[Tadget]: I was JUST saying.
Tadget cheers!
[Thalstan]: 'Less Defias is become a bit more open in membership than I recall.
[Thalstan]: Let's kill it?
[Tadget]: I'm gonna climb him like a cliff.
Hamhock says: I'll crush you!
[Vesyllah]: Elune, smite this hamhock with your punishing light!
Tadget cheers!
[Vesyllah]: Ugh…I prefer the urine stench to that.
[Tadget]: Ogre loincloth. Not my favorite cologne, no.
[Thalstan]: Let's cclear this place out.
[Tadget]: Got your back, Valor.
Defias Convict attempts to run away in fear!
Tadget gently pats Arthur.
Defias Insurgent attempts to run away in fear!
[Arthur]: SHOOT!
[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!
[Thalstan]: More from behind on Art!
[Tadget]: Wheeee! Mayhem!!!
Bastion Thorn fights to the death!
[Arthur]: that was trouble.
[Tadget]: Aw, I don't get to talk to this one.
[Tadget]: His soul still around to get yoinked back?
[Tadget]: Either of you can tell?
[Thalstan]: Well. Still've not found Canton.
Zaara kneels by Bastion Thorn’s corpse.
Tadget looks between the Tall Girls.
[Vesyllah]: Seems weak to me.
Vesyllah sneers.
[Zaara]: No yoink. No.
[Tadget]: Wimp.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
[Vesyllah]: And that's supposed to be a Defias leader? Huh.
[Tadget]: The first time I died, I got brought back by JUMPER CABLES.
[Thalstan]: Reckon Canton's back here somewhere?
[Tadget]: That's hardcore.
[Thalstan]: He did go down in the face o' the might that is COBALT BLADE.
[Arthur]: I have a set.
[Vesyllah]: Thelwater said Canton's faction was holed up in the west side.
[Arthur]: haven't had to use them yet!
Defias Convict attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: I'm afraid I can't allow you to use them on me, Art.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: I have a whole fetish about it now.
[Tadget]: It would be awkward.
Vesyllah smirks at Tadget.
[Vesyllah]: That's adorable.
[Thalstan]: Alrigh', so we've took out the ones who want to take out Canton.
[Thalstan]: Now we just got to find the fellow himself.
Tadget nods at Thalstan.
Tadget whispers loudly "Sometimes he just uses them on me for fun, now."
Thalstan looks oddly at Tadget. "I wouldnae trust goblin tech."
Tadget giggles at Thalstan.
[Tadget]: That's what makes it exciting!
[Thalstan]: I'm afraid I dinnae share yer fetish, Mayhem.
[Tadget]: Awwww.
[Vesyllah]: I'm tempted to try it…
[Thalstan]: Now, down this side.
[Tadget]: If you're into gnome assassins, maybe I could set something up.
Vesyllah gives Tadget a coy smirk.
[Tadget]: I get a finder's fee if I bring him cute girls.
[Tadget]: And by finder's fee, I mean [censored for the sake of the children and all that is holy].
[Vesyllah]: Who said anything about 'him'?
Vesyllah chuckles.
[Tadget]: Oh. Unfortunately he's the guy who knows how to work the cables.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Insurgent attempts to run away in fear!
[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
[Thalstan]: Think we're gettin' near the end o' this hallway.
[Thalstan]: Best keep an eye out fer our guy.
[Tadget]: Your powers of deduction are staggering.
[Thalstan]: I know, Mayhem.
[Arthur]: She snarks because she loves.
Tadget giggles at Thalstan.
Tadget blows Arthur a kiss.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: This is fun.
[Tadget]: It's more like butchery than combat. Big ol' slabs of raw meat.
[Vesyllah]: It's almost unsporting.
[Vesyllah]: I almost care.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Prisoner attempts to run away in fear!
Defias Captive attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Remind me never to get locked up in here.
[Thalstan]: One room left. Must be where he's holed up.
[Vesyllah]: Decker Canton! You in there?
[Thalstan]: Shouuld we take 'em down and then talk?
[Tadget]: We just wanna talk!
[Thalstan]: Now's yer chance to come peaceful!
[Tadget]: We killed all your guys! But we don't have to kill you!
Decker Canton says: I'm no fool! Tell Thorn to suck poison!
[Tadget]: He's dead!
[Thalstan]: Ugh, we're not with Thorn! We killed Thorn!
[Thalstan]: We just want ta talk.
[Tadget]: We're a little bored from all the killing we've been doing.
Decker Canton says: Liars! Leave now and I won't have my men kill you!
[Tadget]: That will not end well for your men!
[Vesyllah]: He's panicked.
Thalstan looks to the others with a shrug. "A little more killin'? Spare that guy so we can talk to him after."
[Tadget]: Fine, I'll only mostly kill him.
Decker Canton says: Kill them!
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
Arthur polymorphs Decker Canton into a sheep.
Decker Canton says: Baaaaa!
Tadget cackles maniacally at Decker Canton.
[Tadget]: So cute.
Defias Inmate attempts to run away in fear!
[Tadget]: Ready to talk now, wool-for-brains?
[Thalstan]: So…, we beat him down then talk to im.
[Arthur]: Cutest he's ever been.
[Thalstan]: If he attacks
Decker Canton says: Baaaastards! I'll kill you for that!
[Thalstan]: Okay, Decker, let's have a nice..
Tadget sighs.
[Thalstan]: Or not.
Tadget stabs.
Decker Canton says: Alright, alright! I surrender….
[Tadget]: Okay. So.
[Thalstan]: Okay! Now we can tell yeh, we jus' want to talk about the Defias with yeh.
[Thalstan]: Why're they after yeh?
[Arthur]: You should have stuck with your growing potential as a sweater.
[Tadget]: Things would go so much easier for people if they just did what we said to begin with.
Zaara hums to herself and waves fingers in the air above her healing stream totem idly.
Decker Canton growls at Arthur's wit.
[Vesyllah]: We're the Cobalt Blade, you idiot. Not Defias. Now talk.
Decker Canton says: So…*cough*…this is the Cobalt Blade. Damn…you've sure made a mess of my men.
[Thalstan]: We could've jus' talked with yeh. If yeh'd stand down.
Decker Canton says: I was at war! *coughs*
[Tadget]: Everyone's at war.
[Tadget]: Cry us a river.
[Vesyllah]: Are all Defias this whiny?
[Tadget]: Pretty much.
[Thalstan]: So now. Why're they comin' ta kill yeh? We stopped 'em, so we deserve ta know that much.
[Vesyllah]: Ugh.
Decker Canton sighs.
Decker Canton says: I was in VanCleef's inner circle. I know where all his treasure stashes are. I mean the big stuff that funded the whole operation. Only Thorn knew as much as I did. But I guess you took care of that loose end.
[Tadget]: We literally came here to save you. So like, nice work, buddy.
Decker Canton says: Guess that makes me a pretty damn valuable prisoner.
[Tadget]: It also looks like anyone who tries to imprison you ends up at war.
[Thalstan]: It does. An' the Stockades clearly can't hold yeh.
[Tadget]: So seems to me you are a pretty damn inconvenient prisoner. If you're asking for a rescue maybe you better make it worth our while.
Decker Canton says: What? Hey, I have vital information! How is that not worth your while?!
Decker Canton looks nervous now.
[Tadget]: Information is only worthwhile if we, you know, have it.
[Thalstan]: D'yeh think Cobalt could keep this fella out of sight?
[Tadget]: Rather than… some guy who says he has it and just sits around attracting Defias mobs.
[Thalstan]: In exchange for yer information.
[Tadget]: Where would we keep him? If the Stockades isn't safe, what do you think Ference is gonna pull out of his butt?
[Vesyllah]: I say let the Alliance interrogate him about Defias matters. We have something else to ask him about, if you recall? The key?
Arthur nods. "I've been wondering about that key forever."
[Tadget]: I don't think he's gonna tell us squat. We should just kill him.
Decker Canton says: Wait, WAIT!
Tadget grins.
[Thalstan]: The key, then!
Arthur smiles at Tadget.
Decker Canton says: Key…right..uh…which key, exactly?
[Tadget]: Anybody happen to bring the key?
[Arthur]: the key that fits a puzzle lock.
[Thalstan]: We found a lockbox in th' Deadmines. A right important one.
Decker Canton pales.
Decker Canton says: You…have the lockbox?
[Arthur]: A lock that keeps changing. Separate keys. Oh, you remember.
Arthur shrugs and looks innocent.
[Tadget]: What's the deal with it?
[Thalstan]: We do. *Thalstan looks at the man threateningly.*
[Thalstan]: So yes, what's the deal?
[Arthur]: it's a lovely little bit of work. Very cunningly designed.
Decker Canton says: I honestly don't know. I don't even know what's inside. All I know is Lady Prestor entrusted the box to VanCleef for safekeeping, and he spread out the keys to his most loyal so no one person could open it.
[Arthur]: Who?
Decker Canton says: Katrana Prestor. Y'know…the lady who turned out to be…uh…
Tadget makes a DRAGON SOUND.
Decker Canton winces.
[Arthur]: Yes.
Decker Canton says: But I don't have my key anymore. After you raided the Deadmines again I headed south to Booty Bay, but our ship was hit by pirates as we crossed the sea.
[Tadget]: Hehehe. Booty.
Decker Canton says: I managed to slip away on a dinghy and made it to Ratchet, but I had nothing. I had to barter the key to a goblin for passage on his personal zeppelin to Mudsprocket.
[Tadget]: Hehehe. Dinghy.
[Zaara]: Booty!
Vesyllah facepalms.
[Thalstan]: So goblins have got the last key?
[Thalstan]: Which goblin was it? You got a name?
Decker Canton says: Oh yeah. The goblin had the most goblinish name I'd ever heard, I'll never forget it. Wixxil Mizzyrix.
[Thalstan]: Wixxil. Tha' does sound like a goblin.
[Tadget]: Oh, of the Mudsprocket Mizzyrixes.
[Thalstan]: You know 'em? *Thal looks to Tadget in surprise*
[Tadget]: No. I was doing a thing.
[Vesyllah]: Ugh…
Decker Canton groans.
Decker Canton says: Look…I'm bleedin' a fair amount here.
[Tadget]: So what do we do with this guy?
[Thalstan]: Right, so, to Mudsprocket. And we best get you to… SI:7?
[Thalstan]: They're right good at makin' folks disappeart.
[Thalstan]: Uh, into safety, I mean.
[Tadget]: Yeah, maybe Shaw will know what to do with him.
[Tadget]: You got lucky today, Canton.
[Arthur]: I think that's the smartest thing. though…
Thalstan nods.
Tadget peers at Arthur searchingly.
[Arthur]: Canton, I hope you don't mind, but i'm turning you into a sheep again.
Decker Canton says: No, no…if you want the key, look to Ratchet. That's where I dealt with Wixxil. He didn't go to Mudsprocket with me. See…I'm tellin' you this in good faith? So…help me out, huh?
Tadget laughs at Arthur.
Decker Canton says: Wait, a sheep?! NOOOO!
Vesyllah grins wickedly.
[Thalstan]: Okay… Ratchet. That we can do. We ha' goblin contacts there already.
[Arthur]: and i'm going to put on my overalls, and i'm going to walk my prize lamb to old town, so anyone looking for you in the street won't see you.
[Tadget]: This is amazing.
[Tadget]: Can you put like, a bow on him?
Thalstan looks at Arthur in amazement. "Tha' is a brelliant plan!"
[Thalstan]: A bow! A cute li'l bow?
[Vesyllah]: Oh, Elune…you have blessed me today.
Decker Canton says: I hate you all…
[Arthur]: Jus' ol' Arthur and his best wool stud. you throw lambs with fleece like warm clouds, you understand?
[Tadget]: What's your favorite color, Canton? We'll make the bow your favorite color.
[Vesyllah]: I bet it's red. Is it red?
[Tadget]: Since you were so helpful.
Tadget cackles maniacally at you.
Zaara claps her hands. She will not be able to see this but it sounds jolly fun.
Decker Canton says: ….lilac.
[Tadget]: Okay, pretty lilac bow for Canton.
Thalstan nods. "Let's do it. An' then our way out."
Tadget pats Canton's head.
Decker Canton says: BANDITS CAN LIKE PRETTY THINGS, OKAY?!
Tadget cheers!
[Tadget]: Damn straight.
Arthur suits up. he looks like a catalogue model in cosplay.
Decker Canton…is a sheep again.
Tadget points at Defias Prisoner.
Defias Prisoner attempts to run away in fear!
The Cobalt Blade fights their way out of the Stockade, mopping up the remaining Defias still hoping to use the chaos of the war in an effort to escape.
Tadget cheers!
[Tadget]: Nice work, everybody.
[Thalstan]: Yes, a good day's work!
Tadget salutes Stockade Guard with respect.
[Thalstan]: Warden, yeh should find all will be in order.
Thalstan does not explain the sheep with Arthur.
Warden Thelwater says: Things sound quieter down there. It's done, then?
[Tadget]: You can always count on the Cobalt Blade.
[Thalstan]: It's done. Yer men can go back in now.
Warden Thelwater says: I owe you an apology, Cobalt Blade. I wish I'd listened to you sooner. At least now another major blow has been struck against the remnants of the Defias. Soon enough they'll be nothing but a memory.
[Zaara]: Cobolt! Blade!
[Tadget]: Apology appreciated.
[Thalstan]: Nothin' but a memory. *Thal nods*
[Thalstan]: Well, I think we'd best be getting on. Arthur, you've got places to take that sheep.
Thalstan salutes Warden Thelwater.
Arthur nods.
[Zaara]: Please enjoy shaving your sheep, Arthur.
Warden Thelwater salutes.
Tadget laughs at Zaara.
Warden Thelwater says: Take care of yourselevs, and thank you.
[Thalstan]: You a'swell.
[Thalstan]: And Cobalt Blade, till next time…. in Ratchet!
[Zaara]: Only one pearl!
Tadget cackles maniacally at the situation.
Thalstan winks at Zaara. She can't see it.
Tadget vanishes!
[Thalstan]: Whoa! See yeh next time, Mayhem!
[Vesyllah]: Back to Ratchet…ugh.
[Zaara]: Ugh!
[Zaara]: Be coool, cheeseballs!