Chapter 2: Out of the Frying Pan

Froak lets out a reluctant ribbit as he pulls the knife out from his hat.
Holds the knife up to her and keeps his blowgun out of sight as best he can.

Squeaky darts forward to snatch up the knife, clutching it to his chest as though it were his long-lost child. "Lucky I don't slit your blasted throat with it, ye lizardy bastard," he says, apparently unable to keep a whine from his voice even when he's trying to be intimidating.

The leader lets out a quiet snort. "Amphibian, Squeaky. Lizards are..." He trails off, shakes his head. "Never mind. You wouldn't understand," he says dryly.

He puts a booted foot up on a small pile of broken stones, resting his arms on his knee. "Guess it depends, Red. This band of yours seems to have muscle and brains, and The One-Eyed Crows are always hiring. So your choice," he says, looking around to each of the party in turn, making it clear that he's speaking to each of you. "You all either disappear by morning, or you come to the Citadel," he says, nodding his head back toward the tall building you saw on the edge of town as you sailed in. "And sign a contract. Doesn't have to be all of you, either. Who knows, maybe some of you're looking for a change of employment. Show up at the gates, tell them you're here to see Ildemu, and they'll take care of you."

"Looting operation? Who said we were a looting operation?" Ildemu, the leader, laughs. "They jump to conclusions, don’t they, Squeaky? Maybe I overestimated the amount of brains.". He wears an easy, confident smile, as Squeaky brays out a laugh.

"I think I’m a little hurt, Red. You’ve never heard of the One-Eyed Crows?" he asks, and he puts on a disappointed pout. "Brick, you suppose they need education, or should we give them a pass this time around? On the one hand, they seem genuine in their lack of knowledge," he says to the big guy next to him. He pauses, expression turning cool. "On the other hand, I do hate to be disrespected."

Ildemu stares back at Verrian for a long while, until the silence starts to get distinctly tense.

And then he throws his head back and laughs. "Red, I think I like you! You’ve got brass.". He reaches out and slaps Squeaky on the shoulder. "Doesn’t she?"

Squeaky looks up at Ildemu with an uncertain expression, then he too laughs. It’s hesitant, and he looks back and forth between Ildemu and this new, strange arrival, torn between being menacing and being friendly. "Yeah, boss. Heh heh. Brass!"

Ildemu grabs Squeaky by the shoulder and steers him back up the street. Brick and the angry woman follow, though the woman gives you all a singularly hostile look as she departs. As they depart, Ildemu turns, walking backward a few steps. "Hope to see a few of you in the morning.". He touches his first two fingertips to his forehead, swipes them across and points them skyward. It has the look of a salute. Then he turns back and saunters away, still chuckling.

You find yourself alone in the square once more.