Palace Road North: Cairhien, Cairhien

A large wall toward the north tells you that this street borders the northern gates, heading out of the city. The streets are paved with smooth stones, to allow for easier travel. Inns, shops and other buildings line either side of the street, beckoning for people to take a look or to enter them, each decorated in a different theme or fashion to be eye pleasing yet tasteful. Toward the south, one can see the Towers of the Sun Palace looming in the distance.

A cool spring breeze flitters through the air, making the area pleasant to be in. Several blooming trees and flowers line the street, giving off a fragrant air. Merchant stands appear to be closing up for the evening, and shops closing their doors. Smells of freshly cooked meals permeate the air, perhaps reminding you that supper time is nigh.

The street to the north leads toward the North Gates and outside the city. Heading south, you will find yourself within the Palace Square and before the looming towers of the Sun Palace.

Briana hovers near Lyren always there to aid him. She remains quiet however at least for now.

Lyren waits near the outskirts of the group.. He looks far different from his usual courtly appearance. Much more.. tense. Like a horse waiting to be released to run free, perhaps.

Lyren mutters to Briana, "I... this,... Sedai.. this... very quickly."

Juste comes up from the south, out of the palace square.

Thad arrives from the direction of the Estate District. He is accompanied by a few servants in Filderryn livery, but nothing too showy or grand. He smiles at the group assembled and heads over to a small wooden crate by the Inn. Stepping up on top of it, he raises his hands to get the group's attention and, when he has it, speaks. "Good day to you all, I'm happy to see you all here today to help find our missing Princess. We all know the reward is quite a bit of gold, but I hope that we will all remember to look after the Princess before our purses." He pauses, looking over the dozen or so. "Remember that these people are armed and we must consider them dangerous, so be careful. Now, I think we should best begin by heading over to River Road, near the warehouses. There have been reports that there is a girl there who ought not be. Does anyone object or have questions?"

Briana looks to Lyren and frowns, "As long as you insist on going I will go with you. Part of my duty is to protect you.

Decklan is settled low in the crowd, quiet and unassuming. Except, of course, his unsuitable wardrobe. His armour is definitely of a noble vintage, and then he is also wearing an expensive looking sword. Someone should tell him that it might be better to be a bit less...flashy.

A few murmurs in the crowd, but nothing said clearly. Everyone seems anxious to go and find the Princess and get their money.

Drem comes up from the south, out of the palace square.

Briana lets her gaze linger over those she does not know.

Lyren just looks for a long moment at Briana, then he sighs and nods. "Well.. truthfully, your presence is appreciated Aes Sedai." So he says. He turns, then, paying attention to Thad.. though really, he's more eager to be off.

Briana nods slightly and looks to Thad now.

Gareal walks away from a well-groomed path, exiting the stable yard of the Silver Star Inn.

Gareal glances around uneasily, saying, "Nice weather ain't it?"

Valdan slips into the group in silence, and just examines those around him, with a slightly pensive press of his lips.

Thad nods and says, "If we could all go to River Road then. I believe that would be a good place to begin our search." The young yellow-eyed noble steps off his box and heads out toward the Palace Square. His servants watch the crowd a little uneasily and follow along.

Drem walks into the street, and upon finding Thad frowns, and shakes his head.. Slowly approaching the party he looks to a few whom he hasn't seen before.. Shrugging his shoulders, indents in his jacket can clearly be seen, Where a heavy pack was for a few days.. Leaning on his staff he stops by Thad, looking over those gathered.

Gareal just looked at you.

Decklan steps quickly, following the Lord Thad with a bold step, not wishing to seem as if he were hiding in the crowd. He has come to represent his family in this noble search. One hand on the hilt of his sword, he swaggers forward.

Gareal seems to display a complete lack of awareness to his surroundings. ..obviously new in town. Gareal says, "A princess...is there a reward?"

At last! Lyren pauses only to gesture forwards for the benefit of Briana, offering, "Shall we, Briana Sedai?" and then he is off and following as well. Tonight may not be the night, but Lyren dearly hopes it is.. there's an odd feeling to his bones.

Drem shrugs and begins walking along with Thad, in a more relaxed, yet wary form of cat crosses the courtyard for those whom would know..

Gareal says "hmm...well i guess its better than standing around here all day looking at the sky"

Lyren heads into the Palace Square to the south.

Valdan leans on his staff and watches those that leap to follow Thad, and those who fall behind, searching each face, or.. around each person. Finally when about three quarters have moved out, he follows himself.

Drem heads into the Palace Square to the south.

Briana heads into the Palace Square to the south.

Valdan heads into the Palace Square to the south.

Decklan heads into the Palace Square to the south.

Gareal heads into the Palace Square to the south.

Palace Square: Cairhien, Cairhien

The streets appear to be paved with smooth stones, to make the path easier to travel for those that wish to move along it. All along the square, one can note buildings of various shapes and sizes, many of them appearing to be mini-palaces themselves, out shined by the splendour of the Sun Palace. Various shops and elegant inns appear to line the street as well, catering to the nobles who visit the city. Several lamps can be seen lining each side, used at nightfall to light the way. The various cultivated shrubs and bushes that line this street appear to be in full bloom. High above, several birds can be heard singing a chorus or two, welcoming the season of rebirth. There is a buzzing murmur all around you, of various people holding conversations, or pausing to look at various wares from the shops lining the square. One would have to be blind not to miss the bustle of activity that the street holds in the midday hours. Several roads stem from the square, each leading off into a different direction. Running north, east and south, one may find ones' self walking along Palace Road, while to the west, they will find ones' self heading toward the river as they follow River Road.

Briana leans close to Lyren, "Who is that man in the armour I don't think I've met him."

Drem heads west towards the warehouse districts and the docks on the river.

Gareal heads west towards the warehouse districts and the docks on the river.

Lyren heads west towards the warehouse districts and the docks on the river.

River Road: Cairhien, Cairhien

The streets are paved with bits of cobblestone, lined in a perfect manner. Buildings all around appear to be the same, dull gray colour. Some are finely made, and some are in dire need of repair, but not so much as those kept within the Foregate. Several shops and inns line the area as well, with signs indicating their place of business. Several lamps can be seen down the street, used at night to keep the area lit. A soft breeze blows past, bringing with it the fragrant smell of blooming flowers, reminding everyone spring is here. The square appears to be full of people, as the midday hour arrives. Shops along the street appear to be packed, and several nobles' sedans move through the area, carried by servants. Streets appear to span out in all directions from this small square. Running north and south, both directions take you to various warehousing areas. To the west, you head for the Royal Docks, while to the east lies the Palace Square. Decklan comes in from the east, onto the River Road.

Decklan comes in from the east, onto the River Road.

Briana comes in from the east, onto the River Road.

Valdan comes in from the east, onto the River Road.

Gareal says "Could anyone tell me a bit about this princess?"

Briana peers curiously at Decklan.

Lyren glances at Gareal, and answers in a.. well, rather cold voice for him at least. "She is my niece and heir to the vacant throne of Cairhien."

Drem walks a bit ahead of everyone, turning to look about only once in a while.. His staff makes a soft *click-click* as it hits the stone.

Gareal says "really? Well then I hope we are successful in our quest...how long has she been missing?"

Decklan stands near the front of the group, looking at the Lord Thad, waiting for his further instructions. As Lyren speaks, the young Heir turns to take in the nobleman, knowing him by reputation and a few words from around the Avendoraldera. Only then, does he notice Briana Sedai, and see her watching him.

As the group pauses, Valdan again leans on his staff, which he seems to be using mostly as a walking stick, and watches those in the group intently. You can almost see his ears swivelling to catch all the conversation bits around him he can. Compared to the rest who are busy making conversation, he is quite silent.

Gareal's feet seem almost to contest with each other in an effort to trip him up as he walks along. His gaze constantly straying to his surroundings

Gareal's face flushes with a little colour that almost makes him seem alive "I hope that we donıt run into too many difficulties along they way...I was mugged shortly after entering the city and am not feeling too lucky today."

Briana looks to Decklan, "Greetings Milord, I am Briana Sedai Advisor to the Royal Line."

Thad moves to the front of the small group and says, "Now, we've heard rumours she's in one of the warehouses. But, we don't know which district. Choose which you would like to search - north or south - and go ahead. I will be going to the north district and invite you to all come with me. Perhaps there is strength in numbers. But, I won't stop you if you want to search anywhere else." He moves to one side to wait for those who would come with him.

Drem lowers his voice and seems to mumble.

Decklan has been living in a city where hiding your emotions are second nature. However, even at this, he cannot stop the look of disconcertion that crosses his face. Nearly a sneer, almost. The man is not crazy. "I have heard of your wisdom and grace, Briana Sedai. I did not expect to witness your youth and beauty." A proper response from a proper Lord...and then, Thad speaks and claims his attention.

Gareal glances about uncertainly and waits to see what the others present do.

The majority of the commoners and nobles who are here simply for the money mumble and then file off to wherever they'd like to go first. Only one or two stay to go with the Filderryn Lord, the rest go off to do their own searches.

Lyren looks to Decklan as Briana addresses him.. and is, likewise, in a situation similar to the Delaseur lordling's. Tonight, however, is no night for courtly quips, in his opinion, so he hardly offers Decklan a nod before returning to what's important. The search. Ah, north, or south? "We will go north, Aes Sedai. Thad knows what he is about."

Gareal shifts from one foot to the other before coughing quietly "I think that your instincts as to the whereabouts of your niece may be better than mine m'lord"

Valdan says nothing, indeed calling no attention to himself at all, except by his silence perhaps, and looks after some of those who go off to search other places. Nothing of interest.. of whatever he may have been searching for captures his attention, but Thad.. Thad.. Valdan falls in behind the group the Filderryn lord leads.

Briana nods her head, "Very well then let us follow his lead. Thad's instincts are very good."

Gareal slips a hand inside his tunic and mutters something to himself, presumably. You think that you noticed something moving about under his sodden rags...but perhaps it was your imagination.

Drem raises his head, and shifts his scabbard on his back.. Nodding to Thad he decides to stay with him for the time being..

Decklan of course, as his reputation indicates, decides to take the headstrong approach. With no care for where Thad wishes to go, he sets off at a brisk pace to the south. Unheeding of the danger of being alone, or of the foolishness of being so curt with an Aes Sedai.

Gareal evidently fancies his chances for success lie more with the group and moves closer to Thad

Thad waits just a moment longer before heading into the north district.

Gareal heads north into the warehouse district.

Decklan heads south into the warehouse district.

Decklan comes out of the Southern Warehouse District and back onto the river road.

North Warehouse District: Cairhien, Cairhien

The north warehouse district of Cairhien is a mess of storage houses and alleyways that open up towards the river and the docks. This area is unworthy of any cobblestones, and the dirt here is packed down a great deal from goods being carried by the sailors from the ships to wherever they are being stored. There is a mild smell of fish in the air as well, though the docks are still a bit distant so it is far from overpowering. The buildings that line the road here are very plain and some grow quite shoddy as they slip into further disrepair. Tall and looming, some even seem as though they might fall, but yet they remain from one winter to the next without any complaints. The spring air is inviting and warm after the cold, crisp winter. Some days temperate, and others still slightly chilly, the workers wear breeches and their shirtsleeves are rolled to cuffs and open in the front. After returning from lunch, the workers are back in full force, fighting to get their work done, perhaps in the hopes of taking an early evening at an inn or tavern. To the west lie the city's north docks, along a small road, and to the south is River Road, leading to more scrupulous parts of the city.

Drem comes in from the south, off the river road.

Lyren comes in from the south, off the river road.

Briana comes in from the south, off the river road.

Valdan comes in from the south, off the river road.

Gareal pauses to allow you all to catch up with him. As he does a small feral head pokes out from under his tunic and regards you all with dark unblinking eyes. Gareal mutters "Nothing to fear Slinki" before pushing the weasel back under his rags.

Drem smiles unnoticeably at Gareal, wondering what that other smell was.. Looking about, he looks to the large warehouse.. "Well, any plan or we just going to go on in?"

Gareal mutters, "Hardly a place where we are likely to find a Princess is it Slinki? Methinks that perhaps these fine folk are playing tricks with us me does" His only response is a squeak.

The warehouse district is not a pleasant place, and would most likely be distasteful to the more refined nobility. Here are there the homeless sit on corners, begging for money or food. Barefooted children run between buildings, over Light knows what. They still play, children are children, but they are dirty, thin and wearing rags.

Gareal says "Wherever you think m'lords... Gareal is ready to help out have no fear. yes ready to help we is..."

Briana reaches out to hold Lyren's arm gently and pauses a long moment as she does thing only visible to those who hold the power, "Your Grace, there is a shield of power around you now we may proceed."

Gareal mutters something about witchcraft under his breath and looks up to find Briana glaring at him. "No Slinki the nice lady isnıt a witch! Forgive him m'lady..he is superstitious" An ingratiating smile creases his pallid lips.

Drem breaks away from the group, casually moving towards the warehouse.. standing a few yards from the door in he turns and looks at the rest.. Shrugging his shoulder harder his sword makes a small *click* as it pops almost all the way loose from its lock.. Blinking a few times he waits, patiently..

Thad does not look pleased with this place. In fact, he looks almost disgusted. Not with the commoners, but with the way they are force to live. He heads out along on the main streets pausing now and then to watch a child or a particularly seeding-looking individual.

Gareal dogs Thad's footsteps glaring at any who dare to come close.

Lyren, of course, feels nothing, but of course that surprises him none. He even offers the Aes Sedai a touch of a smile. "My thanks, Aes Sedai.. fortune permitting, I won't need it.. but then, fortune certainly hasn't been kind to me lately." He focusses on the warehouses, and, unlike Thad, hardly even notices the surroundings. No distaste, disgust.. no nothing. He's a man with a mission. Much, some might whisper, like Tamikan can be at times.

Valdan reaches into his pocket as he follows and takes out a small vial of something, turns it upside down, as if checking it's colour, and shoves it back into the folds of his swathing and loose clothing. He too might carry a hint of displeasure on his smooth almost Saldaean face. He comes here on occasion, to dole out medicines in quietness. Fortunately, dressed more like a nobleman than on those occasions, no one on the streets calls attention to him. He pads after the group, about half back.

On one of the corners is a man standing surprisingly straight. He may be dressed in rags, but he almost acts like a general or a noble of some kind. Strange thing is, instead of preaching about this or that, he is speaking in a normal voice. "But the dragon, oh the dragon knows what he's to do. He'll swallow that girl up, he will, and the laughing dog too. He told me he might, you know, once upon a time when I was a young man and the moon was blood red, but not hanging there like that." The old man stops and looks at Thad and the group. His eyes go wide and he says, "But the girl! You don't understand what she's like. Her hair is so soft, but... her eyes are so sad, so sad. Makes me wish I could help her, the little princess. My da used to say to watch out for the princess you can help, he said that, he did...."

Drem hears the man talking loud and clear and slowly turns his head towards him.. He looks back to Thad, as if asking something..

Gareal moves closer to the man and peers at him "You have seen the princess? You must tell us if you have...these fine folks seek her!" Gareal cocks his head to the side and regards the man with a wild look in his eyes. Gareal says to the others, "He knows something he does..."

The rambling man takes a step away from Gareal and continues to speak, "Princess?? There was a princess once, and she danced and danced with the old man who never saw a thing. Sometimes there are voices in the night that sound like children laughing, but I know they can't be children... no children would live here if they could help it. You must help the children! They haven't a thing to wear! No princess' gowns or little prince's shoes or happy horse's saddles for them...." He turns, shaking his head.

Thad frowns and watches the old man rant. He turns and moves nearer Briana and Lyren. "What do you think, Sedai? My Lord?? Should we ask him further?"

Gareal ponders "Danced with a blind man did she? Where do these voices come from old man?"

Briana says "I do not know..ask him if he knows Nessa."

Lyren scowls very darkly.. had his sword been at his hip, he'd be clutching the blade right now. His eyes watch no one save the blithering man in rags.. but he's not unaware of those around him. "Will we understand anything he says? Probably not.. but.. if he truly knows something.. yes, we will question him."

The old man turns again and starts walking toward the group. He looks each member over and then walks nearer Valdan. He eyes the Ostlyn lord with grey eyes that seem to look... into space, really. "But you're the one, I think... you're the one who can change the moon back to the way it was. Have you ever seen that laughing dog, my friend?"

Gareal turns to Thad, Briana and Lyren "Leave him to me an' Slinki and we'' ferret the information out of him...Slinki has a nose for this sort of thing he does" Somehow he seems less sane than ever...if that is possible.

Drem watches the man approach the group and a scent of cautiousness and watches Gareal. He tilts his head and looks back to the Aes Sedai..

Gareal shakes his head and mutters "laughing dog. What madness is that? Crazed by the moon he must be. Yes crazed...perhaps we should seek our answers elsewhere m'lords...he is obviously insane!" Gareal regards you with a lop-sided grin.

Drem watches the man approach the group and a scent of cautiousness wafts from him.. Swivelling his head he watches Gareal. He tilts his head and looks back to the Aes Sedai, casting a questioning glance at her, looking once at the warehouse door again he moves closer, and puts an ear up to the warehouse walls..

Valdan considers the old man gravely as the attention of the fellow settles on himself somewhat unexpectedly. He nods tentatively, "Perhaps I have.. friend? What can you tell me of the laughing dog? Or the moon?" The Ostlyn lord seems to be looking around the old man, and not at him.

Thad nods at Lyren's direction and turns to face the old man. He waits to see what Valdan has to say before moving to stand beside the young lord. Thad says nothing just yet, instead watches the old man.

Lyren's fist continues to clench and unclench at his hip. He doesn't seem so close to snapping anymore, though.. he takes deep and long breaths.

Gareal paces around behind the old man. his gaze wanders over the others who go about their business here.

Briana says "Pardon me sir..have to seen a little girl named Nessa?"

Valdan flinches, swallows and turns his gaze onto the fellow's face, instead of examining the air around him. To remember? To forget? His expression is snapped down tight against revealing anything.

The old man laughs, revealing a mostly empty mouth and some yellowed teeth. "The laughing dog, my friend, he's the one to look for. He'll know where your precious water is. Yes, he's the one you need to see. He's over in that building there," he says, pointing to one of the older buildings. After that, he laughs giddily and wanders down the street, not paying any attention to anyone at all. He continues his ranting.

Gareal stares at the back of the departing old man and shakes his head slowly. "Madness Slinki...madness". The weasel pokes his head out from under Gareal's tunic and scurries up to perch on his shoulder.

Drem watches the man walk away, calming down a bit, yet he never seemed excited really.. Looking back to Gareal and Slinki he makes an odd sound at the weasel, unnoticeable really though... Maybe he was just clearing his throat..

"The Light save your soul, and hope of rebirth.." The Ostlyn Lord murmurs for some reason, under his breath as he turns back towards those that have joined him. "Could it hurt to try that building first, Lord Filderryn?" He queries softly.

Thad shakes his head slowly and turns to the side. He's looking at the group and says, "Well?? What do you say? Should we go into that building or keep looking? I've not known any madmen, so I don't know how often they are reliable."

Madness indeed. Lyren watches the madman wander off, then he turns to Valdan. "Well?" he snaps, then almost immediately regrets it. "My apologies, Lord Valdan.. but.. I must know what you make of this."

Gareal glances nervously at Drem and mutters to the weasel "No Slinki I'm sure he wasnıt insulting you. no Slinki you cant do that to the nice man!" petting the weasel on its head he smiles across at Drem. Gareal says "I've known my fair share of madman m'lord and I can tell you that they are an untrustworthy bunch...Stick with me an' Slinki and you will do all right."

Drem parts his lips in a grin and waits for the rest of the group, still..

Valdan steps a hair closer to Lyren and leans his head slightly closer to murmur something intended for the prince only, though there are those in the party who might manage to hear. He mutters to Lyren, "... not... I cannot shake the... he... tell..."

Briana looks about, "I think perhaps we should at least check it out..yes?

Thad nods and moves over to the old building mentioned. He waits for the others to catch up and then walks in.

Gareal smiles weakly "If you wish m'lady. But best not to get our hopes up....obviously mad he was"

Lyren purses his lips.. not pleased at all, though his ire is certainly not directed at Valdan. For him, Lyren has a nod.. "Thank you. It would probably do us no good to apprehend the man." He sounds almost.. sad. "Well.. we shall have to remember what he said.. but for now, let us follow the Lord of Filderryn."

Warehouse: Cairhien, Cairhien

This building is decrepit. The walls are rotten and holed, there is rubbish all over the floors. The windows are all cracked, some broken. There are a few old barrels in the corner, a few rats scurrying about here and there. The place smells, like... mildew and trash and... homeless people.

Briana steps into the Warehouse.

Gareal steps into the Warehouse.

Valdan steps into the Warehouse.

Lyren steps into the Warehouse.

Gareal glances about the room. Slinki's bright eyes peer from Gareal's shoulder. Gareal says "See no laughing dog...told you he was mad. We go now yes?"

Drem proceeds in, ahead of the others. Making close to no sound he breaks away, scouting the area for others..

Thad walks in, wrinkling his nose at the smell. He moves around the place slowly, looking around for something. He says, "Perhaps there is a clue to her whereabouts. This place looks as though someone has been here recently." He motions to the floor and says, "The footprints there are newer than most of the others here, I think."

Gareal lets out a shout of "Come back here Slinki!" as the weasel darts off his shoulder and disappears into a pile of rubbish chasing a rat. moment later Gareal himself goes blundering off amongst the garbage in search of his pet.

Drem nods to Thad.. "I am going to look over there.." indicating the barrels.. He begins to trot across the large space..

Valdan glances over at Lyren as the group cautiously enters the building 'of the laughing dog', as if he would ask the prince something-- yet there is not time to do so. Or perhaps it's a private matter. "Some dogs laugh more silently to the moon than others.." Valdan murmurs under his breath at the odd raggedy man's comment.

Lyren glances at Valdan, then strides out to the front of the small group, joining Thad and the others in close examination. The cold hiss of steel heralds the arrival of his blade in hand.. no, he's not planning to fight.. it's the rats. They look... mean. "What do you make of it?" he asks of the Filderryn. "How old, do you think?"

Briana nods kneeling down to take a look, "Yes I think there is at least one person in here besides us."

Thad shakes his head. "Days at least. But, the mud wears off the boots over there, so there's no way to tell what he did while here." The tracks point at least generally, to the stacks of barrels that Drem is investigating.

Gareal appears from beneath a pile of rubbish struggling weasel in hand. "give it up Slinki, whatıs that in your mouth? Your cant go swallowing that now..."

Drem stops by the barrels and raises his head and.. sniffs? the air.. Frowning he says.. "More than one recently I'd guess.." Drem traces a set of long gouges on the floor, seemingly fresh.. Frowning again he looks to Gareal and smiles faintly.. "See anything over there?"

Gareal looks up distractedly "not really...but Slinki has something stuck in his mouth...give it up Slinki...ouch!" he raises his finger to his mouth and sucks at a small cut without regard to the dirt encrusting it.

Lyren almost snarls.. almost.. and he looks around him. As though looking for a rat to skewer. Unfortunately, none are close enough. So he starts a search of his own.. he may not have the 'talents' of others.. but he can look, dammit.

Drem motions to Gareal and Slinky too.. "Come here a moment.."

Briana looks about carefully.

Gareal sidles over to Drem and regards him warily.

Drem motions to the lines on the floor, gouges it seems.. "What do you make of it..? It looks as if something heavy was moved here.." He looks to Thad again.. Waving him over..

Someone's found something? Lyren jerks his head around.. abandoning his own search to go and see these gouges. "Was there anything in the barrels?"

Gareal nods sagely "Perhaps those crates there...could they have been moved to cover something?

Thad sees Drem waving to him and rises from his crouch. "Shall we go take a look?" he says to Valdan and the others. The Filderryn Lord moves over to the barrels. Thad pushes one of the barrels. It's heavy and barely moves at all. The contents sound liquid though, probably dirty water or.. worse. "Here, help me move these. I think they made the gouges in the floor," he says to Valdan.

Gareal continues his battle with the weasel and is rewarded when a small golden ring pops out of its mouth and rolls across the floor.

Drem looks to the two smaller men and bends down, pushing as well with his large frame.

Briana moves a hand and the barrel suddenly feels much lighter as if pushed by an unseen hand.

Drem stops immediately when he sees a flash from Gareal's hand.. Looking up he almost falls when the barrel flies from his hands. He turns and looks back to Briana wryly but dismisses it..

One by one the barrels are moved to reveal a passage in the wall to another room.

Drem stops immediately when he sees a flash from Gareal's hand.. Looking up he almost falls when the barrel flies from his hands. He turns and looks back to Briana wryly but dismisses it..

One by one the barrels are moved to reveal a passage in the wall to another room.

Briana moves forward to peer within, "Now this is odd..." She looks back towards Lyren and Thad, "I think we have found something here shall we go inside?"

Drem looks at what he stumbles his foot on and looks down into the passageway.. Frowning he draws his large sword.. Nodding to the Aes Sedai hr hurries and jumps ahead of everyone, walking in the dark with relative ease..

Thad nods and heads toward the passage, making sure Lyren is behind him and cannot go rushing off, sword drawn.

Gareal grins and says "See Slinki I told you they had been moved to cover something! yes she is a powerful witch...no I'm sure she doesnıt want to hurt you!" so saying he moves to pick up the small gold ring.

The passage is dark and leads to another room. The secret room is a high enough that even Drem can stand straight, but it is a little small length and width-wise. In one corner is a little girl, tied and gagged in a chair. She looks scared, but doesn't say anything. In another corner is a dirty looking man, asleep in the chair, snoring away.

Briana moves her hands quickly looking at the man. Weaving flows of air around him and binding him fast into the chair. "It is safe now."

Gareal whispers, "Safe? How so safe?"

The man wakes with a start, but can't do anything. "Hey! What's going on here! You can't take her, she's ours!" He shouts. "Who are you?" The girl begins to cry silently and struggles against her bonds.

Briana says "No one needs to do anything...I have him..we will take him to the palace for questions."

Gareal looks incredulously at the man struggling against thin air and then back to Briana. A thoughtful expression crosses his face and he seems to regard her in a new light.

Valdan pushes forward from the back, and kneels before the chair, quickly unknotting the cords that bind the girl to it, perhaps more foolish as the physician of the bunch. Or just bolder when a child is concerned.

The girl wraps her thin arms around Valdan's neck and clings to him, sobbing. Literally, Valdan could spin in circles and the girl would still be stuck on him.

Briana holds the old man easily with the one power. Wrapped in weaves of air he cannot move to escape, attack, or even harm himself. "Is it ..her?"

Gareal edges forward into the room to get a better view.

Drem lets the others deal with the two new found persons.. He walks with Gareal around the small room..

Lyren's eyes have bulged wide.. and he would have been rushing forward, had there been a way. As it is, he is ordering, in no uncertain terms, that Thad get out of his way.. and he's moments away from using physical force to get by. "Let me by!"

Valdan has no intention of dislodging the weeping child from him, and lifts her up in his arms, though she does not look quite right to him for Nessa. Yet he's been away for some time and can't be certain. "I am not sure.." he turns around so Lyren can see.

Thad moves out of Lyren's way and lets him through. He heads over to the kidnapper and helps him to his feet, if a bit roughly. "Drem, bring me that rope and we'll tie this one up and take him back for questioning."

Lyren looks intently at the child... then the anger and rage is replaced by major disappointment. "No. It is not her. I.. I know this child, but she is not Nessa."

Valdan pats the child's back, and attempts to soothe her as Lyren's way suddenly becomes clear of the yellow-eyed lord that was blocking it.

Briana says "I will release him to you now." Briana frees the man from her power so he can be bound by natural means.

The question that rises to Valdan's lips is, "Who is she then?" Turning his eyes on the girl clinging to him, he asks, "What is your name sweetheart?" with substantial gentleness, a by-product of his time spent in healer's garb.

Thad nods and is ready to tie the kidnapper up. "I'm sorry Lyren. We'll find her, don't worry about it. Perhaps this one can give us a hand in that?" The knots are tight and secure. The dirty man isn't going anywhere.

The dirty looking man is tied securely and then escorted out of the warehouse and back to the Palace dungeons, where he waits to be spoken with.

A few hours pass from the man's capture and Thad and Valdan are on their way to meet Lyren to speak with the prisoner.

Thad nods. "There is always risk in telling a secret, Valdan, even to the woman I love, there is always the risk that what I say will change her heart. Without risk, there is no gain, I believe." He motions to the stairs and heads down.

Valdan enters from the narrow, dark stairway leading up to the barracks building.

Valdan follows Thad down into the heart of the dungeons, though as they near, the echoing of their words might become more discernable. "I agree m'lord. there is always a risk, especially in Cairhien. But I am sure I do not need to tell you this."

Thad nods, but doesn't respond when he spots Lyren. "Ah, you're here. I take it the Sedai and the prisoner are having a private moment inside?"

Lyren sits on a bench, outside of the cell, brooding.. staring long and hard at the solid door. He nods to Thad's inquiry, though he doesn't look up. "She was very eager to see to him."

Thad nods. "Good. Well gentlemen, let us get this done with, shall we?" With that, he walks into the cell.

Valdan and Lyren enter the room after opening the door with a metallic 'click'

In a way, Valdan is quite glad there was something to occupy his time in the care of the girl who was recovered, till the heat of his anger had cooled, invisible as it was. Children strike a certain soft spot with him, perhaps as the older brother who was forever looking after his own siblings, mischief and pranks notwithstanding. And it would have been unfortunate had the prisoner not lived to see questioning. The hand that saves also destroys. Some of these thoughts might be manifest in vague emotional form to Thad through his sense of smell.

Thad walks into the cell, looking all-business. He moves to stand in front of the prisoner and just glares at him for a long time. Those yellow eyes would make most innocent men nervous.

Lyren hangs back, just inside the cell. Never in his mind, since they apprehended this villain, has he doubted that this man must know something. "How is Larissa?" Lyren asks of the girl.. in an almost idle manner.. almost. In truth, it's all too calculated.

Valdan hangs back slightly, allowing the Filderryn Lord to conduct the questioning as he sees fit, though his baby smooth shaved features have a hard set to the jaw as he watches. Lyren's question however causes green eyes to flash precipitously as he answers without looking to the side at all. His voice is smoothly pleasant, so pleasant it ought to be frightening in that it might infer a bit of insanity almost. "She will recover, my prince. Fortunate for this one that she will." Thad might smell the emotion boiling up in a very cold way from the young lord.

The prisoner sits idly in a chair when the three men walk in. Under Thad's glare he becomes quite nervous, and seeing Lyren's sword makes him sweat. "What? What do you want?? I.. I already told that witch that, I didn't have nothing to do with your princess's disappearance... you can't just keep me here!" He decides to go on the attack with Thad.

Thad simply glares at the man. "Oh yes, I'm sure you had nothing to do with Nessa's disappearance... The thing of it is, you see, that's her uncle there and, well, he is none too pleased at finding another girl in your control. A smart guy like you, I'm sure, knows when he's beaten and he knows that information can be just what he needs to get things a little easier. So.. tell us what you know about a little girl about the age of Larissa being taken."

Lyren resists the urge to bare his teeth.. no, that's Thad's job. He just keeps watching the prisoner, more than a little pleased with Thad's approach. "And I wouldn't go thinking that we can't keep you here forever.. that wouldn't be smart at all."

The captive man seems to be thinking about something. He looks at each of the three men again and then says, "If - IF - I knew something... maybe I could walk out of here without a punishment. See, 'cause that would be the only way I would say anything IF I knew anything." He leans back in his chair, apparently pleased with himself.

"Oh I don't know. There's always the grave as a way out." Valdan whispers to Lyren, loud enough for the prisoner to hear. "After a bit of pain and torment of course." He folds his arms.

Thad maintains eye contact with the prisoner and says simply, "Look, I'm not the brutality type of man. I can hold my own and will fight for things if I believe strongly, but I'm just not a killer or even a fighter. The one I said was the girl's uncle? See, he's mad and he would have no problem smacking you around until you gave us what we wanted. The other one? He's a healer, he can make it last and last if you would like. Me? I wouldn't be able to watch, I'd probably just walk out that door and not come back. Now, I'm not saying that you're in any danger NOW, but... I think maybe you should give us something, don't you?? Just to calm them down a little if nothing else."

The man pales a little as he takes a good look at Valdan and Lyren. "But.. that Aes Sedai witch... she said I wouldn't get hurt at all...." He nods quickly as he tries to convince the three men. "Maybe.. but maybe if I gave you something you might be able to make one of them leave the room??"

Valdan pulls a small array of vials from his pockets, as if he's totally forgotten the conversation, and holds each one up to the feeble light, before finally selecting one and shaking it. This is completely calmly done. Yet underneath, the young lord is furious almost to the point of quaking.

Lyren quirks a humourless smile in response to Valdan.. "Oh yes.. that always is a possibility." Women may scoff at men for letting emotions rule them from time to time.. but the method has it's uses. It ought to be clear that Thad is the apparent buffer between the prisoner and.. well.. unpleasantness. "The Aes Sedai... she means well, but she doesn't rule here. I would start talking were I you... perhaps... /perhaps/ if what you tell us has worth.. one of us may consider leaving. If what you tell us isn't satisfactory, however.. perhaps it will be him.. " Lyren waves idly towards Thad.. ".. who leaves."

Thad shrugs and says, "See?? Now you can't say I didn't warn you. And don't worry, I have some jobs that the guards outside can do outside of the dungeon, no sense in them getting curious why there's all that screaming, I think, it would only worry them and I'd rather not do that." He begins to pace slowly and then says, "I'm going to count to five. If by then you haven't said something that I'm happy to hear, I'm going to step outside and count to a slow 100." Thad counts slowly, "1......2......3....."

If the man was nervous before, this has got him sweating bricks. "I don't know what happened to your niece!" he says as Thad reaches 3. By the time Thad's at 4, he's already saying, "Okay... I heard man talking, he was drunk, we all just thought he was joking.... I don't know his name or where he is or even whether he's from here.... He was just bragging about stealing away a rich girl, that's where I got the idea."

Amazing how many things Valdan seems to have in his pockets, as empty handed as he looked when he arrived. He sits down calmly, and fishes for a few more ominous looking things, a needle, some thick black thread for sewing up any wounds that bleed too much, for instance. All of course, where the fellow can see them. The laughing dog. The crazy guy got that right apparently, from the smug way the prisoner was talking at first. And well, he's dog meat.

At last... this seems to be getting somewhere. "More." Lyren demands. "That's enough to whet the appetite.. but we need more. Where did you hear this man? When? What did he look like?"

"In... the bar... the One-Eyed Queen," he says shakily. "He was there and drunk and going on about how he had the perfect plan to get himself some gold and he was asking about what a young girl needs. Food and clothes and so forth. He said that he even found himself a rich employer who was going to pay him MORE gold to do it and then he'd also have the ransom." The man shakes his head a little and says, "I.. don't know what more to tell you."

Valdan cuts off a bit of twine and threads the needle with it, apparently not paying attention, or appearing not to.

Lyren makes a show of looking to the others.. seeing what they feel about the information the man has spilled. It's something, alright.. but enough? Not hardly. He looks back to the prisoner. "The One-Eyed queen. There were others there who saw this man?"

Thad paces a little more, his fingers steepled in front of him, tapping his lips occasionally. He looks deep in thought.

"If it were my niece, I wouldn't feel it enough." Valdan comments, as if the prisoner were not listening, knotting off the dark thread and testing the needle's end with his finger, perhaps a reminder of what it will do to the fellow to be stitched up with no anaesthetic.

The man laughs and says, "If you think you're going to find someone who would admit to hearing anything in that place... you've no idea how the world works outside of these walls. Yeah, there were people who heard, but none who will tell you they did. You might be able to get the bartender to tell you something, but he'll make you pay and dearly."

No price is too dear to Lyren right now.. but he knows enough not to say any such sentiment. "I agree." No, he doesn't say this to the prisoner, but to Valdan. "I don't think this man truly appreciates the position he is in. Doesn't fully believe the lengths that some men will go to get what they want, no matter how against their nature it might be."

Thad says almost disinterestedly, "I know what you mean. I've seen some very desperate acts. Like the stealing of a little girl from her family and bed in the middle of the night just for some gold." He continues to walk back and forth.

"Look! There isn't anything more I know! He just said he was hired by someone with money to steal away a girl from a noble family and then ask for a ransom. He didn't say any names, which is just as well because I don't think I would want to be the one to tell you who it was."

Valdan puts away the twine ball, making it vanish into his pockets as if never was, and gets up, walking with a measured pace towards the prisoner, that threaded needle dangling over his open palm, just the thumb holding it in place. In the other hand, a vial of liquid red enough to be blood.

"I want everything you can remember." Lyren tries to make that plain and clear. While trying to seem as unbalanced as Thad is suggesting. It isn't that hard.. he's almost already there anyways. "When he asked about supplies.. did anyone answer him? Give him the names of stores that sold such things?"

The man just shakes his head and replies, "No, no one told him anything. We all just laughed at him, thought he was just bragging about something. Besides, how would we know what a little girl needs??" He seems to be telling the full story now, as he's too desperate to avoid the strange pair's.... ministrations.

Valdan clears his throat softly and sits down next to the prisoner and starts to roll up his raggedy sleeve for him, awaiting the signal from Thad or Lyren that they feel it's all out in the open to desist from this little game. "You managed to steal one yourself. Were you going to let her starve perhaps?" He comments pointedly.

Thad turns to watch Valdan as he raises a very good point. He says nothing, but sits down on the prisoner's other side. Hopefully, Lyren will follow suit and crowd the front.

The man clears his throat and says, "No.. I mean.. of course not. No one's good to you in they're dead, right?" As if suddenly realising how close to that /he/ is, he clears his throat and says, "I was going to go out and get something for her this afternoon, actually. Something warm like stew...."

Lyren could almost laugh.. if only the prisoner knew how poor that wording choice was. Well, if the man knows anything else, it's locked down so tight that he's going to have to be squeezed something fierce. So.. following the others' examples, Lyren strides forward, and remains standing, staring down at the prisoner. "We could always turn him over to the Children of the Light. After all, only a Darkfriend would stoop so low as to kidnap a child.."

At the mention of the Children, the man pales to match their fabled cloaks. "Light, no... I'm no Darkfriend... just.. a common criminal. I'm no Darkfriend!" The man looks to be on the verge of tears, or at least, soiling his laundry in fear.

Lyren takes a deep breath.. perhaps for the prisoner's sake, or perhaps for his own. Finally, he nods, and looks to Valdan. "Save your blends.. we may have need of them yet. This man can stew in here.. perhaps he will remember something new tomorrow."

Valdan rubs his chin, and acquiesces, though giving the impression of reluctance. "As you command my prince, so it shall be done." He takes the needle and threads it with a few deft stitches through the collar of the man's shirt as a reminder and snicks the needle off with a knife from somewhere. He pats the fellow's arm. "Remember something new for me tomorrow." And he gets up.

The three lords leave the prisoner in the cell to await the questions about his own crimes.

Thad looks to Valdan and Lyren and says, "The next person we talk to should be that bartender, obviously. I'll start looking around for it, I'll let you two know when I've found the man we're looking for."