The setting is the dockhouse. There is a larg boat in here with a bank of six oars. It is currently being serviced by a boatwright, but looks as though it could push out the big double doors into the harbor in a moment's notice.
The dockhouse sits half on the water and half on the land. The big boat takes up most of the water space, but it looks as though a smaller boat could also moor here. The land area is a carpentry shop and storehouse for river gear.

[EDITED on Sat March 1, 2003 @9:17 AM (PST)]

Nuyok has barely begun healing Mako. Perhaps fifteen minutes have gone by (Nuyok, you can give me your projected time and final rolls separately. As long as Mako does not move too much, he will not hinder your operations by talking).
The landward doors fly open and in rush Soldier Able, Celeste and Beka.
The latter too begin to talk, but Able steps in and catches his commander's attention.
"Sir, I have a report to make. Today, about an hour after noon, I let one of the travellers out by the sally port."
"You did? Which one and why?" Mako's stare is icy.
Able swallows hard. "Well sir, it's like this. The big fella, Rath is his name, told me their party hasd asked him to scout the road. He wasn't at the strategy meeting, so I figured if he gets captured he can't reveal anything, and if he returns, we'll get some intelligence. Now I learn from Scarface here that nobody gave him any such orders. He was acting on his own.
These two ladies want to run out and catch him up. I figured I'd done enough damage already and came to see you. Sir."
Mako does not look any happier. "I see. We'll have a chat about gate protocol later, soldier. For now, let's try and minimize the damage.
"Leathergirl, Scarface, You're needed for the wall defense. Why should I let you out to risk your own necks for that fool? What was he thinking?"

I'm sorry sir. I think he is trying to protect me. We've been friends for a long time. He thinks it's his job to look out for me. He knows I'm not terribly excited to meet a reaver and he's probably trying to figure out what they want here so he can make them go away. We move a bit faster than him and I think we can catch up and bring him back before he gets in too much trouble.

Mako sighs.
"All right. All right. You're not military and you don't really know anything critical. Except about the spirit chain being down. If you're captured, they can torture that information out of you."
He notices Celeste about to protest. "Even you, Scarface," he says with a wry grin. Houma's a sick bastard and can find some way of making you talk.
All right, wait at least until I hear a report from the chain salvage crew. If they think they can get it up before sundown, you can go.
"Able!"
"Yessir!"
"Go out to the dock and see what the blazes is going on. Ask John how long he thinks that mess is going to take to clean up."
Able scuttles out of the dockhouse, grateful to get away from Mako's piercing gaze.

Celeste lets Beka give a response to Mako about Rath's possible reasons for leaving.

Pulling Beka over to a corner so as not to disturb Nuyok with his healing of Mako, and out of Mako's earshot, (like on the soap operas, where nobody hears the conversation even though they are only 5 feet away) Celeste whispers, "Beka, does Rath think he's immune from a second dose of Reaver or what? Even if he were to find riven or Reavers out there, it doesn't mean they would still be there when we finally pass that way. Or that if the way seems clear, that it will still be clear. And what could he possibly think he could do, one person alone against that many?"

He's probably trying to get some information. He probably thinks he can sneak up on them and hear all their plans.

.oO(I guess I shouldn't have pretended not to hear him sneak up on me after the pit fights. He used to think that was so funny though.)

.oO(AAUGH! Did I just think of him in the past tense?)

(a slight quiver coming into her voice) We have GOT to go find him! What was he thinking? He's just a little... ummm... person.
(voice rising slightly) Can you track? I can't. How will we find him? What was I thinking bringing him out here!
(no more pretense of whispering) I will never forgive myself if something happens to him! What if he's in trouble? How can we save him?

Full Panic Mode! Unable to think clearly! Worry, Worry, Fret. AAUGH!

Worry, Worry, Wait

Celeste's eyes sharpen at Beka's words about Rath being a 'little---person.'

As she exits the door, she waits for Beka to follow. "So,
Rath is a 'little person? I thought as much. Rath is far too kind to be grown up. Beka! You have got to stop worrying so much. You will do Rath no good if you are not in control of yourself! We will all die someday, as for me, I would rather die fighting than to die toothless and crippled in my bed. If you are going to carry that sword, then you had better start acting like a warrior and not Like a city dweller. Warriors take the battle to the enemy, not the other way around." Celeste's words have a harsh ring to them, but it is clear that she has Rath's well being in mind as she says them. "Now is not the time to panic. We save that for later."

"Track?," says Celeste with a look of surprise. "No." She looks at Beka, "I thought you could, you are the mainlander, I can navigate a ship. Well then, I can think of no better time to learn. The road to Adala must be somewhat visible, and I don't think Rath would be attempting to cover his trail. I think he may have gone to attempt to convince them he wants to join up, and then get the information we need. That's what I think. "

Celeste glances conspiratorily at Beka, in a soft voice she says, "And I don't particularly want to wait around waiting for their answer about the chain. I'm going now. If you really want to come with me then get your gear. They are going to be too preoccupied with the chain to notice us." With that she turns and exits the building.

(edited for stupid repetition,repetition)

[EDITED on Sun January 26, 2003 @12:47 AM (PST)]

I follow but try to stop you. We are in a fort. We need to get out. We can't just open a door or a gate and leave. That's why we're waiting. (and worrying, and waiting)

"There are ways out through the wall, it is not completely blocked, and we are not subject to the spirit warding...I think. Are you coming with me or no?. Celeste then turns in the direction of the main gate and the wall breach and walks away.

At this point, the delay is making her crazy. Beka tries the brat attack.
High Society, 14-
3d6: 2, 2, 4 (STUN: 8, BODY: 3) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:02 PM (PST)
Conversation, 13-
[d6]
Sorry Commander, we really need to get out there and help our friend. We want to go now. We helped you last night and we shouldn't have to be held captive now.

Trying her best to put on a brave front and at least look like she's in charge or has some inkling of an idea what she is doing.
Acting, 14-
3d6: 5, 1, 4 (STUN: 10, BODY: 2) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:02 PM (PST)
Back to brat.
Besides, that's my hired adept thats helping you, several of my crew defended your gates and I'm still in charge on my caravan.

If this does not work, find a place on the wall and...
Climbing, 13-
3d6: 3, 2, 5 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:02 PM (PST)

forgot the 3 in the conversation roll. Here it is...
3d6: 1, 1, 5 (STUN: 7, BODY: 1) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:04 PM (PST)

ARE MY FIRENDS!!!
(I'm probably really going to need those rolls in combat later)

climbing roll
3d6: 1, 6, 4 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:08 PM (PST)
stealth roll
3d6: 2, 3, 3 (STUN: 8, BODY: 3) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:08 PM (PST)

OOC: leaving for work roll, catch you on the other side of daylight
3d6: 6, 4, 5 (STUN: 15, BODY: 4) Sat January 25, 2003 @3:08 PM (PST)

While waiting for the report and fretting about Rath, Nuyok asks quietly of Mako (from a different thread) what he thinks happened to the chain and why.
Mako responds, "I have my suspicions, Master Nuyok. If you could do me the favor of looking through the window over there and concentrating on that length of chain they've got draped over the gunnels of the boat and tell me what you see."
Nuyok does as asked, he seems to take some time doing it.

"Mako, I have my suspicions as well. As for the what's going on...it is difficult to make out", a look of concern briefly passes over Nuyok's face, returns to his recent look of suspicion.

Beka's effective words (and rolls!) sway Mako.
"All right, you two have until nightfall. If you're not back by then, I can't guarantee we'll be able to open the gate for you. I heard a bit ago that the gate has been repaired. Give the gatekeeper this" he scribbles a note.
Remember, until nightfall. No kidding!"
He waves you both away.

Let's go, go, GO!

.oO(That which does not kill us makes us stronger. That which kills us... Makes us smelly?)

OOC: Makes us dead

OOC: Dang, those guys are good!

Since Celeste left before this, I guess Beka will have to catch up to her with the 'hall pass'.

Any way to see the note?

PER, 13-
3d6: 2, 6, 2 (STUN: 10, BODY: 4) Mon January 27, 2003 @9:49 AM (EST)

Obviously not trying to look over his shoulder or anything outright like that though

As far as you can see it looks like:

Let the bearer pass the gate.

Mako.

It is dated and the Mako is signed with a scribbly flourish that would make it difficult to duplicate.

edited for font tag

[EDITED on Mon January 27, 2003 @8:27 AM (PST)]

Once that's done (and presumably Beka and Celeste will be long gone), Nuyok will take another look out on the progress on the harbor chain, and tell Mako he's heading to discuss some things with Ash, unless he needs anything else.

.oO(I hope they find that damned Rath, I wouldn't have thought it, but maybe he's involved in the events here...and maybe they are too, if they don't come back, then they must've gone to join him...)

Mako stands and flexes carefully at first, then with increasing confidence. "Do as you like, Master. You've more than earned your leave. I want to check on the gate, myself. Master Ash put a ward on it, but it's still makeshift. I want to make sure it will hold against mundane attack. They may have worse than a megadeezel."
As you head out toward the harbor, you can see some activity on the boat. There is lots of splashing, and John is standing. Hard to tell what's going on, even with spirit sight.

I take it John is still working onthe chain? Does it appear he'll be done by dark (guessing it's mid-afternoon by now?)?

.oO(Hmmm, perhaps one of Ash's servants has something to do with this...or maybe all the other adepts didn't really die...hmmm)

As Nuyok leaves Mako, he asks "How EXACTLY did each of the other linemen die, and are they all accounted for?"

Mako appears intrigued by your question."We had two linemen and a priest who held lines as community service.
Master Ash sent the priest out with the scouts we sent to Tallon for reinforcements. He pointed out that if reavers were attacking, they would need an adept, even a weak one like Father Jeo. I don't know what became of them.
Yakob was at the wall when the Deezel hit. He seemed to feel the wall was weaker over there. Anyway, he was down on his hands and knees, doing some Deus-knows-what with his gift. The Deezel hit the wall. I woudn't have thought it possible, but the wall gave way. Yakob went down in the rubble and then the reavers came in. Bloody evil screamers. You ever see one, Master? Like big bubbles of black nothing, crackling with power. They scream when they chase you. The first one through was the one that got Sandra, the other lineman.
It was horrible; she just seemed to wither, her flesh being sucked into her bones. She may be alive; I hope she's dead. I told the men she was dead, anyway. I didn't want to grind down morale any further; she was well-liked...
Anyway, Jakob had some pretty bad head injuries. Raved a lot about how he could 'see right through it', whatever that means. He died the morning of the day you arrived. I didn't expect him to die. Maybe be a lunatic until he could be taken to the Hall of Healing in Tallon, but head wounds are tricky sometimes."
Mako studies your face intently. "What's on your mind, son?"

"Interesting...something's not right here, and I can't put my finger on it. Horn arrived before the assault which led to the loss of the linemen, yes? How much before that did he arrive?"

"So it would seem we may have a twisted lineman still out there as well...hmmm...And there's been no sign of Father Jeo, but some of his party was twisted?"

"Is Jakob's body available for inspection?"

Mako is still intrigued. He thinks back carefully, speaking in a very linear fashion, as if trying to work things out himself.

"Horn arrived in before dawn a week ago today. We were attacked by reavers that day. That was the only day attack, and there were no riven, just reavers. I thought it was odd that so many would attack at once, and discussed it with Master Ash. He agreed that it was odd and sent one of our boats back to Tallon with Father Jeo and two soldiers.

"The second day, not much happened; no attacks, but Horn succumbed to his delirium. Master Ash is a competent psychist and did everything he could, but declared him overwhelmed by grief and horror. He said time might cure him and graciously paid for private room and board at the Gatorhead.

"Day three was the bad day. That was the night the Megadeezel broke the wall, we lost Sandra and fifteen of our own. Most of them were riven, including Houma. There were some riven in that attack, but not many. Could have been Father Jeo's party, but my theory is that they were the members of Horn's caravan.

"Day four I sent out my own messenger just before dawn. My fastest runner went towards Tallon. We spent most of that day hauling rubble around to fill the breach. That was the day the rain began. Damn chore hauling those stones around in the mud.

"Day five, come night, was the big attack with Riven. Our soldiers found it difficult to fire on their former comrades and some nasty thing crawled up the wall and killed several men. No one saw it clearly. We also lost a couple to arrow fire. No one was riven that night; no reavers breached the walls.

"Day six was yesterday, the day you came. Lineman Jakob died that day.

"You still haven't said what you're thinking."

"My thoughts are that something is attracting the Reavers, and it may have something to do with Horn's caravan. But the only thing I know of that affects Reavers is Adepts, so possibly Horn's caravan is either coincidence, was in possession of something made by an Adept that affected them, or had an Adept that is involved. Regardless, one with the powers of an Adept would seem to be involved, whether directly or indirectly, and the best place to start in narrowing that down to me is with those closest to the situation, i.e., the linemen or possibly someone with Horn's caravan, but the latter seems unknowable. Could I examine Jakob's body?" While saying all this, Nuyok closely studies Mako's reactions, to see if he seems suspicious, might know more than he's saying, or if something is triggered by what Nuyok says.

PER, 13-
3d6: 5, 2, 2 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Tue January 28, 2003 @4:12 PM (EST)
Spirit Sense, 13-
3d6: 1, 4, 6 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Tue January 28, 2003 @4:12 PM (EST)
Detect Hostile Intent, 11-
3d6: 3, 5, 4 (STUN: 12, BODY: 3) Tue January 28, 2003 @4:12 PM (EST)

"You can ask Stout about Jakob's body. It should be wrapped, but... available. I've got to get back to organizing the defense. I've been on my backside so long I 've got moss on me."
He pauses, starts to speak, and then considers his words carefully. "Do you think Master Ash might be... able to shed some light on the problem?"

"Master Ash may know something, but perhaps not everything. If his thoughts are as mine, he could even be wondering whether I am involved, and so has not shared such speculation with me. Presumably he might trust you to discuss it further though..."

OOC: Reasonable for my paranoia to extend to thinking well of Ash, but also think he might have doubts about me? Truly twisted If so, Nuyok would want to find some way to listen in on any Ash-Mako conversation to see if Ash doubts him; perhaps by climbing the outside wall of the manor stealthfully and listening in (presumably Nuyok would be hidden by the warded wall from Ash's spirit sight, if I understand how it works?

"I think that might be a good idea. Pardon my saying so, Master, but you seem a bit... distracted today. Maybe you'd better rest. We may need you tonight.
We may damn' well, indeed..."
With those cryptic words, he stands up and leaves the building.

Nuyok will lead out as well, and pause to take a look at the harbor activity, while casually keeping an eye out on Mako. If Mako heads somewhere, Nuyok will keep tabs on him, following as necessary, especially if he heads toward Ash's. If Mako lingers to oversee events, Nuyok will head back, initially in the direction of Ash's, but may pass it by and go to the inn (IIRC, the front of the inn has seating (where Horn was) and has a direct view the Ash's manor front door?).

It looks like Mako is lingering a bit. As you move off, I'm moving you to a new thread.

Mako indicates that Jakob has been wrapped and preserved for a trip back to Tallon and a cemetary burial.