(2023-09-11) Interlude: Troubles in Theramore, Part 2 (Cobalt Blade)

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	The Cobalt Blade continues their investigation, following up on a burned shield and a deserter who appears to have been near the scene of the crime.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Cobalt Blade

Tadget, Zaara and Thalstan are having a good time in the Theramore inn common room while they wait for people to arrive. There is dancing, possibly on tables.
Tadget thinks Zaara is a sexy devil.
Thalstan bursts into dance.
Zaara blows Tadget a kiss.
Tadget blows Zaara a kiss.
Zaara blushes at Tadget.
Tadget winks slyly at Thalstan.
Vesyllah comes down the stairs and sees her teammates.
Vesyllah does an obligatory "Ugh".
[Tadget]: Oh, the party pooper's here.
[Tadget]: I'd know that 'ugh' anywhere.
Vesyllah sighs melodramatically.
They stop dancing and settle down for a Cobalt Blade adventure.
[Thalstan]: I've no' seen Art yet.
[Thalstan]: Might be we should get started an' he can join in when he wakes up?
[Zaara]: I have not seen Art either!
Zaara giggles.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
Thalstan peers at the stairway up to the rooms.
[Thalstan]: Yeh've never seen Art, Booty.
[Tadget]: Man like that needs his beauty sleep.
Art comes down the stairs. He was getting beauty sleep, apparently, because he’s beautiful now.
[Tadget]: Oh hey there!
[Thalstan]: There 'e is!
[Arthur]: Hi.
[Tadget]: I forget what we're doing today. I might've had too much whiskey last night.
Vesyllah siiiighs. For some reason. Who knows.
[Arthur]: Good deeds, done expensively!
Tadget cackles maniacally at Arthur.
[Tadget]: That should go on the posters.
[Thalstan]: We got all th' clues about the burned down inn, and we're meant to check up on what Captain Vimes's team members have figured out.
[Tadget]: Right, right.
[Thalstan]: I was gonna suggest we head to the blacksmith first, Twosprocket. See if he's got any info on that shield you found, Ves.
[Tadget]: That sounds like a gnome name.
[Arthur]: Won't be surprised if you're right.
They head to the smithy. To no one’s surprise, especially not Art’s, there’s a gnome there.
[Vesyllah]: Yup. Gnome.
[Thalstan]: Hah, gnome it is. There's one there. Twosprocket?
Caz Twosprocket says: That's my name, don't wear it out!
[Tadget]: I knew it.
[Tadget]: Sup, gearbag!
[Zaara]: Sup, gearbag!
Twosprocket cackles. "Sup, knife-bag."
Tadget cackles maniacally at Caz Twosprocket.
[Vesyllah]: Gnomes are so weird…
[Thalstan]: We're here about the shield Captain Vimes sent down?
Caz Twosprocket says: Oh, yeah, the burned up one?
Caz Twosprocket says: Now that was an interesting find. Definitely not made by any of the blacksmiths I know over on this side of the sea, and it's certainly not my work.
Caz Twosprocket says: The leather strap on the back must have been burned off, but it seems like it was made to fit a large person. I'd guess a tauren, actually.
[Thalstan]: A tauren?!
[Vesyllah]: A tauren? Hmm.
[Tadget]: That would explain the hoofprints.
[Thalstan]: No' a centaur?
[Tadget]: Centaurs don't use shields.
Caz Twosprocket says: I'm no centaur expert, but I gave you my best guess. Wish I could narrow it down further than a species!
[Tadget]: Well that's better'n nothin I guess.
[Thalstan]: Yeah, so we're after some Horde folk. Good ta know.
Tadget lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Vesyllah]: Hmm…
[Tadget]: If the Horde could try NOT being @#$holes for like, five minutes that would be awesome.
[Thalstan]: We should report back to Vimes, see if he's got any leads back from the tracker or on that Paval Reethe fellow.
Tadget salutes Captain Garran Vimes with respect.
[Thalstan]: Mr. Vimes, Captain.
[Thalstan]: Twosprocket says the shield's tauren-make.
Captain Vimes says: Tauren? Well, that's something at least.
Captain Vimes says: Hopefully some of the other pieces of this mystery will fall into place, and paint a more helpful picture of what happened.
Tadget remains standing at attention. Good little soldier.
Captain Vimes says: I bet Tesoran has Reethe's file ready now. Can you see if there's anything more to learn there?
[Tadget]: Sir, yes, sir!
They head over to the records table.
Thalstan salutes Captain Garran Vimes with respect.
[Tadget]: Anything on Paval Reethe yet?
Adjutant Tesoran says: Lieutenant Paval Reethe, yes. Joined the Theramore guard along with most of the recruits that came across the sea with Lady Proudmoore.
Tesoran taps a file on his desk.
Adjutant Tesoran says: Enlisted with the marines of Kul Tiras at the age of sixteen. Distinguished service, promotions… Listed as… missing.
[Tadget]: Hm.
[Thalstan]: Huh, Kul Tiran sailor.
[Tadget]: *coughdesertercough*
[Thalstan]: I reckon the Kul Tirans aren't so pleased with the Lady Proudmoore here, after the Admiral died.
[Tadget]: Ya think?
[Vesyllah]: Think he could be a deserter?
Tadget lets out a hacking cough.
Thalstan nods at Ves, and at Tadget. "Seems like what missing might mean."
They head back over to Vimes.
Thalstan waves at Captain Vimes. "Right, so, the fellow’s likely a deserter. Kul Tiran lad. Not sure how it ties to our inn burning."
Captain Vimes winces.
Captain Vimes says: We usually try to say 'missing', but noted. We had a problem a while back with fools so blindly loyal to Admiral Daelin that they turned traitor.
[Thalstan]: Alrigh', that's what Tesoran said. Missin'.
Captain Vimes says: Given Lady Proudmoore’s recent actions at the Undercity, it’s raising a lot more of that kind of angry sentiment, even among those who stayed loyal after the Admiral’s death.
[Thalstan]: I can see tha', yeah.
Tadget sighs deeply. "What a mess."
Captain Vimes says: They want a war with the Horde, and Lady Proudmoore is determined to prevent that from happening. Isn't that a delicious irony? The deserters accuse us of betraying the Alliance.
Captain Vimes says: As to what he has to do with the inn, I have no idea. If he's still alive, maybe we can find out.
Arthur shakes his head and sighs.
[Tadget]: Well you can count on our loyalty at least, sir.
[Zaara]: Cobolt Blade!
Captain Vimes says: I expect so, Slipshank. And Cobalt Blade, all of you.
[Tadget]: We bleed Alliance blue! Maybe literally in Zaara's case, I dunno, I never stabbed her.
[Tadget]: Oh, it's Sharpgear now. *She shows him her wedding ring.*
[Zaara]: Do not stab!
Captain Vimes says: I'd recommend you not give it a try, because, you know, loyalty.
Tadget laughs at Captain Garran Vimes.
Tadget salutes Captain Garran Vimes with respect.
Captain Vimes says: Sharpgear? Ah, my information's out of date. Congratulations, and I wish that man the best of luck.
Vesyllah smirks.
Tadget cackles maniacally at Captain Garran Vimes.
Captain Vimes says: Back to the investigation, I can't call in this Reethe traitor, but I can send you where you might find him.
Captain Vimes says: We've tried to maintain defensive watchtowers, but it's difficult in the swamp. We've had to abandon several.
[Tadget]: Yeah.
Captain Vimes says: The latest information and scouting reports I have received indicate that a group of deserters has squatted in our abandoned tower at Lost Point, southeast of the inn.
Captain Vimes says: You might try there, see if you can find Reethe or at least some indication of what he was up to at Shady Rest Inn.
[Tadget]: Sir, yes, sir!
Tadget salutes Captain Garran Vimes with respect.
[Thalstan]: Yes, sir!
Thalstan salutes Captain Garran Vimes with respect.
Vesyllah nods.
They head out to track down the deserter Paval Reethe.
[Thalstan]: So, Tadget, you knew this fellow back in 7th Legion days?
[Tadget]: Oh, a little.
[Tadget]: We didn't work together directly or anything but my Captain had a ton of Theramore contacts and he was one of 'em.
[Tadget]: Decent dude.
[Thalstan]: Ah, makes sense. Musta made an impression, tha' he remembered yer name.
[Tadget]: Of course I did.
[Tadget]: I mean, look at me.
[Vesyllah]: Hope it wasn't a knife-shaped impression.
[Zaara]: No!
Thalstan grins at Tadget and says affectionately. "Mayhem."
Tadget cackles maniacally at Zaara.
[Thalstan]: Let's fly down to the goblin town and go from there? Bit closer.
Tadget nods at you.
They fly down to Mudsprocket and ride north. A crocolisk comes careening out of the swamp and takes Thalstan off his ram in a flying leap. Cobalt Blade rallies to the defense and kills it. Except Tadget, who stays on her mechanostrider.
[Thalstan]: These croc's got a bite on 'em.
[Tadget]: Do I gotta get off my mechanostrider?
[Thalstan]: Knocked me straight off my ram.
Tadget cackles maniacally at you.
[Tadget]: I knew you could handle it.
[Tadget]: I'll jump in if it's serious, of course.
[Tadget]: Yep, if it gets serious, I'll help.
Tadget fixes her hair.
[Thalstan]: Reckon we can handle a few wild animals.
Tadget grins at you wickedly.
Thalstan grins wickedly at Tadget.
They ride merrily on, trailing a few crocolisks and other creatures. Then they arrive at the tower, and are promptly attacked by like a dozen people in military uniform. Things are actually serious now, so Tadget gets off her mechanostrider.
[Vesyllah]: Suffer the pain you have inflicted!
[Tadget]: DESERTERS I'M GUESSING???
Tadget fights fervently from under a pile of dead crocolisks.
Tadget yells: WHAT THE WHAT?
The fight is intense, but the deserters and random wildlife fail, leaving Cobalt Blade with a pile of bodies.
[Tadget]: Hey, I did say I'd jump in and help if it got messy. That was MESSY.
[Vesyllah]: Well…fuuuuck.
Arthur needs a minute.
Zaara cheers!
[Tadget]: What the WHAT was that???
[Zaara]: We have bad asses!
[Arthur]: Deserters.
[Thalstan]: Uh, okay, I dinnae know if we can talk with these fellas.
[Tadget]: They had the same uniforms!!!
[Tadget]: That's just wrong.
[Arthur]: If they knew we were coming, they would have baked a cake.
Tadget laughs at Arthur.
[Vesyllah]: We have amazing asses, thankyouverymuch. But I take your point.
[Tadget]: My !@# is both the best and the worst, depending on context.
[Thalstan]: I have a nice a%$ myself, it's been said. *Thal does not seem to think this is boasting*
[Arthur]: Okay! We're fighting our way in I guess!
The team surveys the many deserters they’ve already killed.
[Vesyllah]: Think Reethe is among the dead here?
[Tadget]: I am extremely incensed at these deserters.
[Thalstan]: Uh, if so, I think our lead's now a dead end.
[Tadget]: Let's kill them ALL and then take names.
[Vesyllah]: Tadget…maybe scout ahead?
[Tadget]: Sure.
[Tadget]: SIGH.
[Tadget]: Scouting…
[Thalstan]: Maybe we can fight our way in till we find someone willin' ta talk.
[Vesyllah]: Let's find out if Reethe is here.
Zaara yells: GOOD LUCK SCOUTING!
[Thalstan]: Zaara! Subtlety!
Perhaps as no surprise to anyone, the shouted encouragement has the opposite of the intended effect. Tadget comes running back trailing several angry deserters.
[Vesyllah]: Crap.
[Tadget]: Eep.
[Vesyllah]: They're too alert after the…uh…massacre.
[Thalstan]: Rule one o' scouting, don't yell to tell folk somebody's scouting.
They survey the new pile of bodies, then Thalstan turns to Tadget.
Thalstan stage whispers, "Anybody got a nametag says Reethe?"
[Tadget]: I listened in, didn't hear the name, but.
[Tadget]: Let's just kill em all.
[Thalstan]: Alrigh' That I can do.
They commence with the ‘kill em all’ plan, until…
Balos Jacken says: Alright! Alright! We surrender… Just put your weapons down, I'll cooperate!
[Thalstan]: Finally!
[Tadget]: Cool.
[Vesyllah]: Oh a smart boy.
[Thalstan]: Are yeh Paval Reethe?
Balos Jacken says: Who? No. I'm Balos Jacken.
Balos Jacken says: I'm the leader here.
Tadget snickers. "Jacken."
Balos Jacken says: Here, I'll come outside a little ways with you, so you don't kill any more of my people.
[Tadget]: I'd suggest outside a LONG ways then.
[Tadget]: Like maybe in Theramore.
A few more deserters attack on the way out. Cobalt Blade has to kill a few more of his people. Just a few.
[Zaara]: These are so angry men!
[Tadget]: So angry men.
[Vesyllah]: I am vengeance!
[Vesyllah]: I am the night!
[Zaara]: I am Booty!
[Tadget]: I am Mayhem!
[Arthur]: I am Trouble!
Tadget grins wickedly at Arthur.
[Vesyllah]: You're all ridiculous.
[Thalstan]: I am Valor, and he is Balos Jacken.
[Tadget]: Is Ridiculous like, our family surname then?
[Tadget]: Mayhem Ridiculous.
[Vesyllah]: Definitely.
Balos Jacken says: So I am. You're after who, then? That coward Paval?
[Tadget]: Yep.
[Thalstan]: Coward, huh.
Balos Jacken says: Indeed. We threw him out of camp because he insisted on raiding the supplies of the ogres up at Brackenwall Village. We're not so many in number that we could stand up to those mindless brutes.
[Thalstan]: Uh… are yeh sure he's the coward?
[Zaara]: Ogres. Bah.
Jacken glares at Thalstan.
[Tadget]: I love fighting ogres.
[Tadget]: It's like fighting plus mountain climbing all at once.
Balos Jacken says: Right, I've never been a fan of mountain climbing, either.
Balos Jacken says: Okay, but the point is, he crossed the line one too many times, so we left him to fend for himself. Now, I helped you out… So, why don't you help us out and forget you bumped into us?
[Vesyllah]: There really aren't enough of you left to forget, I'd say…
[Tadget]: HA.
[Zaara]: Also why all of them are men? Are women not deserts? Why all of you are men?
[Tadget]: Don't get me started on men.
Balos Jacken says: Look, maybe I don't have time to get into gender disparity in the human militaries.
[Tadget]: If not for Finn I would be totes gaybags.
[Zaara]: Why 'maybe'? You do or do not have time?
[Zaara]: Because if you have time I will like to know.
Tadget giggles at Zaara.
[Tadget]: We should make Zaara our official interrogator.
[Vesyllah]: I…strangely agree.
[Zaara]: Yes, I will say, 'You tell me what I want or I give you the gnome.'
Balos Jacken says: I do not have time. But I would be thrilled if a bunch of women decided to… be deserts.
Tadget stares at Balos.
Vesyllah smirks.
Balos Jacken says: Preferably women who don't want to start wars with ogres.
[Tadget]: Are you sure we can't kill this one?
Balos Jacken says: I surrendered! You wouldn't kill a surrendered foe, would you?
[Tadget]: I do whatever my captain tells me to do.
[Tadget]: But I keep ending up with stupidly honorable captains.
[Zaara]: Do you think just because this women who hypothetically become deserts are common cause with you, they will like you desirably? Because that seems not likely.
Balos Jacken says: Look, we're just trying to do our own thing, and convince the people in charge to destroy the Horde. Is that so bad?
Tadget cackles maniacally at Zaara.
[Tadget]: Yes, that's so bad.
[Tadget]: I mean it is literally a hanging offense, as I understand it.
Balos Jacken pales.
[Tadget]: Just sayin'.
[Tadget]: Oh for–
Another deserter attacks and dies. Seriously, folks, the team is trying to be peaceful here.
Balos Jacken says: Just… forget you saw us here. Please. I'd give you Reethe if I could, but he's not here.
[Tadget]: FINE.
[Tadget]: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Balos Jacken says: And there is no reason a hypothetical desert woman would not be into me.
[Zaara]: I can tell you five reasons.
[Zaara]: But maybe I do not have time right now.
Tadget cackles maniacally at Zaara.
Vesyllah bursts out laughing!
Zaara smiles sweetly.
Balos Jacken says: Hah! Do you or don't you?
[Tadget]: Seriously, can I stab him a LITTLE?
[Thalstan]: I think we should probably head back ta Vimes.
[Tadget]: Yessir.
Balos Jacken says: Okay, just… tell Vimes I cooperated, okay?
[Vesyllah]: Jacken…you and what's left of your pathetic crew should probably pick up and find a new hidey-hole. I make no promises about forgetting you.
Tadget agrees with Vesyllah.
Balos takes a nervous step back, eyeing the night elf. "Right-o, then."
The team heads back toward Theramore.
[Tadget]: JEEZ LOUISE
[Vesyllah]: Usually I can get behind someone questioning authority. But…those guys are hopeless.
[Thalstan]: Well, Reethe wasn't much of a lead. Not sure what else we got.
They arrive in town and realize Tadget is gone. Then, she reappears!
Tadget runs back from somewhere. "Vimes is busy right now. We should check back later."
[Thalstan]: Maybe we can wait and see if that tracker brings back any good news next time?
[Arthur]: Well, all right.
[Arthur]: I should go, I have an exam!
[Tadget]: Okay!
[Zaara]: Good luck!
[Tadget]: I'll be in the inn!
[Thalstan]: Hope ya ace it!
[Vesyllah]: We can take some time and go over what we know and bring it before Vimes when he's available.
[Tadget]: Lemme know when we get a lead and/or Vimes is done doing Vimes stuff.
[Thalstan]: Will do! See yeh next time, Blade!