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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 5-5, What's In a Name?

The group spent over twenty minutes examining the scene looking for any clues regarding the disappearance of Kesst. In the end, it was Sanmer who came up with the greatest number of indications of what most likely happened, so it was up to him to explain things to the party as they settled in to compare notes. He waited for everyone to take a seat so he could have the attention of the entire group.

The Fox remained standing, pacing calmly as he recited what he surmised to have happened and the evidence he had to support it. "The thief came in through the window-- the fact that it was open and the door was still locked is clue enough. There were scratch marks on the window sill, which leads me to believe that our suspect has semi-prehensile feet... or at least talons with three clawed fingers. Whoever did it was strong-- able to carry Kesst away in the sack we used to transport him."

Sanmer was about to continue but the first inquiry from the group caused him to pause; it was from the Marten Marcelle. "Do you believe that our suspect stayed on the roof tops or fled via the street?"

The Fox nibbled on one of his claws, "I would rather assume he stayed to the roof. Considering Kesst's weight he woulda had to have dropped the bag down to street level-- nobody could climb down a building holding something THAT heavy."

Julius raised an arm, one finger extended in a questioning gesture, "Three clawed digits... that means it is possible that a Dragon may have done it. If the Dragon were large enough and powerful enough then flight is always an option."

The rogue shook his head casually, "Nah... anybody pulling off something like this would want to be as subtle as possible. The only Dragons who fly are Churchies... and ANYONE in this part of town would notice a Church Dragon flying out of the third story of an inn with a huge bag clutched in his arms."

Nicholas nodded and crossed his arms, "So we're back to somebody breaking in specifically to steal Kesst... and running off along the roof tops."

Sanmer nodded, "Pretty much."

The sailor snorted and slammed an open palm down on the table, "That's just plain stupid! Who would steal something THAT big?!?"

The Fox frowned simply, "SomeONE that big."

The Human rolled his eyes, "You know what I mean! Whoever stole him wouldn't know he was anything other than a mechanist's art project... and that kinda thing AIN'T easy to fence."

The rogue let out a deep breath, nostalgia overcoming him enough that he wasn't able to reign in a wistful, "Don't I know it?"

Marcelle stood, "Then we're wasting time here. I need to go submit a report."

Julius nodded to the Marten, "I can check in at the University and speak with some contacts there to keep an eye out for anyone who might be asking around about construct parts."

The swordsman nodded, "Then my men and I will meet up with you and your team tomorrow morning by the First Scholar."

Nicholas glanced at the Marten. "The what?"

Theo answered, "The First Scholar is one of the statues in the University Square. It depicts Charl--"

The sailor interrupted the explanation, "Statue. Got it."

Sanmer waited until the Marten and his men had left before he chose to speak up, "I can take everyone to see some of my contacts around town... I'm sure someone in the right area will know about anything coming and going through the fences."

Roaring-Flood's ears raised as a confused expression flowed across his muzzle, "Why fences? I thought Stone Tribe built walls."

The Fox glanced to the well-built Bear and smiled at what most people would call an 'ignorant savage', but Sanmer had long since learned to not judge based on first impressions. After all, if he had, then the fisherbear never would have had the chance to make an impression on HIM... or was it IN him? The rogue licked his muzzle at the thought as Professor Blackburn spoke with the Black Bear, likely explaining the underworld meaning of 'fence'.

In the end it was Enarork who spoke for the Tribals, "That is the best idea. If whoever took Kesst tries to make money off of selling him we will find out about it."

Theo spoke up for the first time with an opinion to voice, unfortunately, it was not in a helpful way. "I don't think we should visit those kinds of people... they're less than reputable... which means they're dangerous."

Professor Blackburn, rather than agreeing with a fellow scholar, instead defended Sanmer's idea, "Actually, Theo, it isn't quite as dangerous as you may think... especially if you have the right kind of guide."

Sanmer bowed as the Bear motioned his way. "A lot less dangerous than, say, attending one of those University reveals."

The Ermine scowled, obviously catching the hint as it related to the damage done to the city during the University's most recent blunder. The scholar's tone, however, remained neutral, "Be that as it may, how do we know that they won't backstab us or blackmail us once they find out what we're looking for?"

The Fox rolled his eyes, "A code of honor, obviously."

Theo sniffed haughtily, "Funny-- I didn't know thieves had honor."

For whatever reason, that comment obvious displeased Nicholas, who stood up from his seat and spoke over Sanmer's planned response, giving the Ermine a light poke in the chest with a finger. "Hey, Prissy Paws-- watch it. Just because someone didn't go to some fancy school or spend their life behind a desk doesn't mean that they're out to get you... more often enough it's scholars who prey on the common folk, not the other way round."

The scholar frowned, "That's NOT what I meant."

The two continued arguing back and forth, but Sanmer's attention was redirected to Roaring-Flood... mostly because the large bear put a finger on either side of the Fox's head and rotated it to face his direction, "What is wrong?"

It took the rogue a moment to figure out what the Bear wanted to know until he motioned his muzzle toward the two with a nod of his head. Sanmer chuckled, "Well... not all of the people in Lehsunia act like they're from one tribe... not everyone likes everyone else."

The big black Bear's confused expression made the Fox realize that he hadn't explained things as well as Roaring-Flood would have liked, but Enarork stepped in, speaking to his brother in their own language. The Fox waited patiently until the three bears' attention returned to him and, by that time, Nicholas and Theo had finished their spat.

Julius spoke up once everything went silent again, his question directed at Sanmer, "Do you have someone in mind we should visit with regard to Kesst's disappearance?"

The rogue smiled, leaning his chair back so he could kick his feet up onto the table. He casually pulled one of his braids around so he could examine the hairs at the end, "A few come to mind, of course."

Nicholas took a seat once again, "Alright... what'cha got, Fox?"

Sanmer's smirk continued, "Considering most of the under-the-table business transactions happen north of the docks over in East Town-- and the fact that some of our number don't like the more questionable sort of contacts--" he glanced over to Theo, "I think a good place to start would be a Tanuki monk that preaches over in that area."

Roaring-Flood grunted, "Tan Ooh Key?"

Professor Blackburn spoke two words to the fisherbear.

He looked even more confused, "Raccoon Dog?"

The Fox decided to keep control of the conversation before continuing, "His name is Arlowe... he's a Monk."

Nicholas shook his head, "Yea-- no... I'm not feeling the whole 'Church' thing... especially since they're supposedly after this Dragon Mechanist that made Kesst."

Sanmer shrugged, "He may be a Monk but he's a good one... not like most of the Church. Still, if you don't want the Church we could always go with Professor Alus from the UPU."

Theo nodded, "That's a little more like it."

Nicholas was immediately confused, "Alice? I thought the University doesn't allow women in as Professors."

Theo smirked, "Alus... it's an Ilysian name... he's a foreign professor working with the Air Scholars." the smile slowly faded as he glanced toward Sanmer, "But how do YOU know him?"

The Fox flicked his tail, fondly remembering the time he met the very energetic Lion and how he couldn't sit for three days afterward, "We share some 'similar interests'.... er... outside the 'halls of learning', that is."

Professor Blackburn stroked his muzzle in thought, "It may be a possible lead... although I would assume that the Princess likely would have tapped him as a resource by now if he knew anything... what else?"

Sanmer shrugged and glanced back toward Nicholas, "Alright-- no Church contacts... but does that include Hedge Temples?"

The Sailor shrugged, "Hedge Temples are just fine... it's the Mehnzilian Church I'm thinking we have to worry about."

Enarork glanced toward the sailor, "What is a Hedge Temple?"

The Human sat back in his chair, "What the Church SHOULD be."

Professor Blackburn was a little more precise in his description, "A Hedge Temple is like the Church, but it is full of shamans instead of Men of Symbol."

Sanmer didn't really understand the description but it seemed to put the brown furred Bear at ease, so it had to have been at least somewhat accurate. Theo leaned forward in his seat, "You know where a Hedge Temple is? They're supposed to be really hard to find."

The rogue shrugged casually, "I'm acquainted to one of their benefactors... a working girl."

Theo's ears went up, "A working girl? Like... a seamstress, or a nurse, or a cook? What does she do?"

A huge smile spread across Nicholas' face, "Not a girl that works... a working girl, Prissy Paws... a woman of the streets-- a hooker-- a call girl-- a lady of the night..."

The Ermine became immediately indignant, "A... courtesan?"

The sailor continued, completely unfased, "a tramp-- street walker-- escort--"

Sanmer laughed, "Sounds like Nicholas likes the idea of pumping Sada for information..."

Roaring-Flood was asking questions at that point, and Professor Blackburn didn't seem pleased at having to answer them. Meanwhile, Nicholas wasn't even slowing in his terms, "prostitute-- whore-- concubine--"

The Fox just rolled his eyes and focused in on the topic at hand once more, "You know... considering where we are in town, I think another option is to check in with the locals who know the scene... you know... some of the paws-on-the-pavement sort... guys who live on the streets that see what's going on. How's that sound?"

Nicholas was still not ready to stop. "bawd-- strumpet-- harlot--"

Sanmer simply rolled his eyes; anytime he ever brought up Sada there was at least ONE PERSON who couldn't get past her primary occupation. "Alright... I'll put down Grange and Sauros as a 'maybe' then."

The sailor nodded thoughtfull, though he continued his list of titles regardless, "moll-- tart-- a slut..."

Theo, but that time, had apparently had more than enough, "I GET IT!"

Nicholas stopped leaning back, letting all four legs of his chair back on the ground, "She has sex for money."

The Ermine let out an exasperated sigh, "Can we just move on please?"

Professor Blackburn nodded, returning his attention to the conversation when Roaring-Flood's ears raised at the Human's final statement. The older Bear quickly spoke up, "Yes... lets."