Chapter 1: Adventures in Babysitting

Gern remains standing beside Tom as they question Jardeth, as she is still not convinced that Anwyn should go with him.

She scans the ground around them to see if Jardeth has come alone, or if anyone else is paying them much attention.

Selena looks at the man claiming to be Fens caretaker darkly. "Why should she be going with the likes of you anyway? If ye hurt her, you'll have to answer to me and Captain Kidd's crew of cutthroats. Prove to us that you will not harm her and that ye have no foul intentions with her and we will hand her over. Otherwise, bugger off, ye scurvy bastard!" Selena
growls after spitting to the ground.

"Lie to me again..." Crow fixed Jardin with a hard glare. He drew a line directly to the shady individual, once more putting himself between the interloper and his newfound ward. This growl under his breath.

Crow wasn't going to deny the instincts of the group. He was already suspicious when Anwyn hid her face, she had stared down a horse drawn carriage unblinking. "She's scared of you, but I'm not." He stood on the balls of his feet poised but relaxed wagging his left index finger. "Try again, Geezer!"

Tom blinks, surprised at how quickly this has escalated into open hostility toward the man despite his efforts.

There seems to be little to do now but watch how it plays out, and carefully observe whether Martin reacts like someone who is a trustworthy guardian for the girl or like someone who is guilty and deserving of their scorn.

"Dubious claims to be Chondathan nobility, and expect me to hand her over without proof? If you don't see how sinister that looks you're dim."

Crow placed Anwyn gently on the ground behind him and pushed her over to Tom, who was on his right, gesturing he should shield her as he drew out, on line, Martin pointing him out as he returned Martin's scowl with a steely glare. "So, Geezer, you got proof you're a blueblood?"

Tom looks Martin over carefully as makes his case for them to hand over the girl, searching for clues in the colors and any designs or insignia on his clothes, the accent and manner of his speech, and the general way he carries himself in an attempt to determine whether he fits the mold of any of the local houses' staff.

Gern remains beside Tom, getting nervous at how the interaction has gone from them being cautious to antagonistic to Martin so quickly. She continues scanning the crowd around them to see if anyone else is paying attention.

"I wonder where the mother is?" she whispers to Tom as she tucks Anywn behind the pair of them.

Slinking to the back of the group as if to go further unnoticed, Fen sidles up to Oshgal and places a calming hand on the cat’s bristling shoulders. Probably best to the let the rest handle discussions at this juncture. She steals a glance towards the little girl and her current bodyguards, keeping a keen eye and ready to leap into action in case she needs to scoop up the child and make a hasty, mounted retreat.

"I don't know," Tom whispers back to Gern. "But it may be wise for us to be wary."

He nods towards Martin. "His house is known for hiring out their retainers as muscle--he could as easily be a soldier sent to fetch her as a baby-sitter."

.

"Show us proof, mister or we will call the guards over and tell them that you are up to no good or would you rather I take you to Captain Kidd and see what he has to say about any of this? "Selena replies with a sly smile. She grasps onto the hilt of her sword preparing to draw it in case things go bad.

Tom nods at Selena as Martin retreats in response to her challenge. "Hmm, for me, the mere fact that he gave up so easily doesn't strengthen his case."

As the man retreats, Fen turns immediately to Anwyn, bringing Oshgal around to shield the child on an additional side.

"Show me somewhere happy?" She asks the child, aiming to distract the girl from the tense situation they all just encountered. "Want to ride kitty?"

Crow flips the retreating Martin a very offensive gesture, baring his teeth he stuck the tip of his thumb in he mouth and bit it. Flicking a small trail of saliva at Martin. "Berkanan!" He muttered in Chondathan then sighed shaking his head. "Okay now I am seriously concerned." Hunkering down next to the Oshgal he scratched her ears and then fixed his eyes on Anwyn's.

Waving Selena to close the circle he nodded to her sword. "You're real brave, but threatening is a two edged sword. If we don't follow through on threats of violence it makes us look weak. Can't afford to be seen as weak with this one as our charge." Patting Anwyn's head for empasis he smiled at the kid and affectionately pinched her cheek. "Midweek Mass is our best chance of getting Anwyn to her rightful guardians. But that is a few days away and judging by how pushy Martin was, I will say we might need a good sword arm."

He brought it full circle. "Noone needs to take the risk other than me, but I sure could use the help. Anyone got ideas how to shelter the Tyke until then?"

Tom frowns, "I could certainly ask my father for assistance, but the Watch would likely then take any decisions out of our hands."

As the group discusses next steps, Tom digs through his bag and pulls out a pen and paper. Using one of the tables set out for diners, he motions at Anwyn and has her watch as he does a brief sketch of his home. He motions to her with the pen. "Would you like to draw your house or anywhere you like to play?"