03 Return to Dawnsmoor

Here we go... Khurza says nothing.

Whilst Pomin does not pick up on anything unusual Khurza and Jabari note that as Darlane greet you all a number of the people that they previously assumed were patrons seem to relax somewhat and surreptitiously remove their hands from the hilts of weapons.

As you all enter the room she closes the door behind you and gestures for you all to take a seat before settling into one herself. "Good to see you two again" she says to Pomin and Khurza before addressing you all more generally "To be honest I wasn't expecting to see you this soon given what you said you were looking into. What brings you to my door then?"

"Well you said to look you up because of the favor we did you. Hopefully you got your guards back on the up and up and nothing else happened. Also I'm a bit curious if you've heard of a fellow that denizens refer to as 'Long Beard', that deals in more shady trade, disrupting trade routes, or possibly try and rob and kill merchants such as yourself."

Darlane is quiet and looks at Pomin for a long few moments before responding "Aye, I did say that and I do have something set to one side for you but things have been a little.....tense here since I got back". She runs a hand through her hair and leans forwards "Can't say the name rings any bells, could be any number of shady sorts here abouts, I can ask about though but you should probably know what else has occurred since we got back to the city. Once we arrived I pretty much handed our feline friend over to the watch here and filed a report on what had happened. I figured that would be best and they'd meet a swift end once the magistrates here were done with them but things didn't go down that way.". She pauses again, trying to collect her thoughts "I put the matter out of my mind for the moment, I had business to attend to and my crew were itching for a bit of downtime. Next thing I know Ruben, one of my guards got killed in a bar fight. Again I didn't think too much of it, it sucks but things like that do happen. The next night though another one of mine were killed in an alleged mugging. Things were starting to stink at that point so I managed to get a look at the body, for someone that had just been mugged they looked like they'd been fairly thoroughly worked over which made me think someone was trying to get something out of them. Whilst I was looking into that a....friend in the watch passed a message onto me that the catfolk had been released the same day I handed them over. Apparently someone they know has quite deep pockets." she sighs and leans back "Since then I've kept my crew holed up here, where we can watch each others backs.". As she finishes speaking she looks to each of you waiting to see your responses.

"Forgive me, Madam, if this is a stupid question, but I'm not from around here." Jabari smiles, then leans in. "Are we sure someone paid to get these Catfolk out of jail? Maybe they were released by a kinsman? My people are very family-oriented."

Darlane just grins slightly "Well I asked around after I heard they'd been released and I was told by the watch sergeant, not the one who was on duty when I handed the catfolk in, that they didn't know what I was talking about. So I assume someone paid a few people off to get them out"

"Well your company or you oddly enough seem to be targeted for a reason. Specifically not just as a random merchant. Granted we may want to look into others that have recently died in similar professions... Well you've no doubt been on a knife's edge literally as well as your employees... Since we're free from the Lord's mission are you in need of our employee? Either to fill in as guards or possibly to suss out your feline assassin duo again?" Pomin deduces before giving off an impish smile stroking his chin at the possible smell of further employment.

Darlane thinks for a moment before nodding "I think the only way to be sure what the furry bastard is after is to find him so if you're up for it then tracking him down seems to be the best bet. How much for you all to track him down and get some answers? If you're not wanting to be involved in putting the screws on him then just bring him to me and I'll see what I can get out of him"

"Yeah I'm not good at torture... we could shave em head to toe before we start talking... " Pomin admits before looking to the others.

"Anyone up for kidnapping killers?"

Jabari strokes his chin for a moment, regarding Darlane. "Yes, I think we're up to the task. Honestly, Madam, I'm not from your realms and don't know your coin. How much do you think is fair for such a job?"

"...I have nothing better to do." Khurza responds with crossed arms, trying to look big and intimidating.

Darlane thinks for a few moments "300 shields for finding and bringing him to me. I'll take it up to 600 shields if you manage to shake any info out of them before you come back to me" she glances at Pomin with a slight grin "in the event that you have a change of heart on that front". She leans back and takes a sip of her wine whilst you consider the offer.

Pomin nods and looks to the others. "It was a male and female pair before... we might need to get some rope or shackles..." Pomin ponders aloud.

Jabari huffs. "Any restrictions on what we do with the knowledge we learn?" Jabari asks the woman. "The princes of this city might like to know about corruption in the watch."

Darlane shrugs "You can do what you will with it for all I care. I get to know anything you wring out of him first though" she takes another deep pull on her drink.

"Oh, of course." Jabari grins, taking a draft of his own. He looks to his companions. "Maybe we should make use of this daylight while we have it."

"Coin does not wait for those who delay." Khurza cracks her knuckles, a small grin adorning her face.

" Well lets hit the streets and see what is on and about in the area."