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[Iituem]

Juan holds his hat in his hand and gives a slight nod.

"Lady Antalagila?  I'm sorry for the disturbance but I'm afraid I have news, m'lady, regarding your husband.  May I come in, ma'am?  You may wish to sit down for this."

[filiusenox]

Spoiler: Franz's fight roll. (click to show/hide)

[5+1+1] Vs.[1+1] ((-1 health for Awalia))
Franz strikes Awalia with a quick gash, cutting her scaly skinned arm and bruising the flesh underneath.

[3+1+1] Vs. [1+1+1] ((-1 guard for Awalia))
Three guards rush into the room, and quickly notice the fighting...actually its less of a fight and more of Franz hacking at Awalia viciously. One guard, most likely thinking she'll get a promotion for saving her boss, jumps in. Franz whips around in time to cut into her neck.

[3+1+1] Vs. [2+1+1] ((-1 guard for Awalia))
Franz notices the other two guards and deals with one by chopping into his face with the cleaver.

[5+1+1] Vs. [1+1+1] ((-1 guard for Awalia))
The other guard promptly gets his neck slashed by Franz and hits the floor with a thud.


[4+1+1] Vs. [4+1] ((-1 health for Awalia))
Franz turns around, just in time to dodge a rabbit punch from Awalia, and then to hack at her ribs.


[4+1+1] vs. [6+1] ((-1 health for Franz))
Awalia returns the favor by smashing her fist into Franz's ribs. He hears a crack as one of his ribs is broken by the impact. Ouch.

[6+1+1] Vs. [3+1] ((-1 health for Awalia))
With a final hack to the thigh, Awalia is driven into the ground. She is now at Franz's mercy.

[Dwarmin]

Juan holds his hat in his hand and gives a slight nod.

"Lady Antalagila?  I'm sorry for the disturbance but I'm afraid I have news, m'lady, regarding your husband.  May I come in, ma'am?  You may wish to sit down for this."

[5]

A sudden look of subdued anger darkens her delicate features. Then it passes. She opens the door the rest of the way with a small frown.

"All right...you can come in."

[Ardas]

The "gang solution" could wait. It was depending on Hugo and his info, which meant nothing could be done without his say so for now.
Nikephoros received the note.  He went to the council chamber.

"What is it Kathos? have you planned something ?"

[Iituem]

Juan enters, ideally making his way towards a sitting room or similar.  He studies the surroundings, exits and any loose objects, then indicates for the lady to sit.

"I am sorry to inform you that this evening, just after dusk, your husband was found dying.  Within a few minutes he was dead.  Murdered."  Juan paused to let this sink in.  "No doubt this will distress you, ma'am, and I apologise.  From what I understand, the door was forced open and there appears to have been a struggle.  Your husband was stabbed multiple times before the killers fled.  When he was found, he was barely able to speak from the blood loss but he mentioned your name.  His last words were mostly babbling, but he seemed to be saying he was 'sorry' about something.  I'm afraid I'll have to leave that up to you to decide what.

"I'm afraid telling you his murder is only a courtesy ma'am.  As his presumably separated widow, you are a suspect, but the good news is that we found indications that the murder was gang related.  All I need from you tonight is a witness to corroborate your presence this evening at dusk and you should be clear of any suspicion.  I apologise for the intrusion and disturbance in this matter.  Is there anyone who was with you this evening at dusk?"

Juan studies the room for furnishings, exits and all loose objects.  He spins his story and watches Erin, waiting for a response either way whilst retaining a respectful stance.

[Dwarmin]

Juan notices the large living room has two exits-one leads out the door, into the street, and the other into the dining room, with the open air kitchen area beyond is separated by a low bar made of marble.

As for objects, Erin Antalagila is sitting on one of three soft couches-facing a table made of hardwood. You can see a deck of cards spilled out across the table, along with two fine crystal glasses and dirty plates within hands reach. From there, it's a few feet to a cold fireplace-though Juan can see a few streamers of smoke, indicating it was recently lit-and a hooked iron poker lies on the shelf above it. Other than that, there is a sizable wooden case in one corner of the room, currently closed.

Erin seems to be thinking very hard about your question. Her face seems to veer from a small amount of pity, to a bitter satisfaction.

But mostly it's relief at the thought of him being gone.

"I can't say I'm surprised. As they say, he always swam with the sharks....it was only a matter of time till they devoured him, then.

...you didn't tell me who you were. An investigator, I suppose?"

She hears your response.

[?]

She stops to pull her robe a bit tighter. Cold, maybe? Or maybe she suspects something.

"Anyway, this evening I was ordering dinner with Ms. Becca Spring, over at McGonals. There's enough witnesses that can attest to that fact, Mr. McGonal and his wife certainly enough. I didn't stay to eat, but we had it boxed, and came back here...together."

She looks up at Juan defiantly.

[Iituem]

"Yes.  Well, no."  Juan scratches the back of his neck.  "I'm muscle and a dogsbody.  First week, actually.  The investigator will be here in the morning, very much more officially.  I'm here because he and all the other investigators are busy elsewhere in the city.  I have to tell him what you tell me so he doesn't have to bother sending any guards to ensure you stay put.  Which I'm sure will not be needed, ma'am.  Have you not been into the lower city lately, ma'am?  Gang troubles are on the rise.  We've had six incidents tonight alone.  The scum are getting nervous.  If I were you, I'd hire some bodyguards."

Juan listens to Erin's testimony and nods.  He scans the room again, the edge of his mouth tilting down slightly at the lack of heavy, portable objects.  Instead, he unclips his scabbard and holds it up, running his hands along it.  He moves to within striking distance of Lady Anatagila, speaking casually as he does so.

"That seems perfectly fine, ma'am.  I'll pay a visit to the McGonals shortly to hear them out and report it all back to the investigator.  With any luck we won't meet again.  Heh.  I couldn't help but noticing the glassware ma'am.  Fine work.  This here's the only fine thing I have myself.  Royal Army issue, Scouts.  Last thing I kept with me.  Sorry ma'am, spot of reminiscence there.  If you would be so good as to fetch Ms Spring - provided she is awake - I'll be out of your hair in no time?"

Juan keeps the scabbard in one hand, nonchalantly, ideally in striking distance of Erin.  He makes no move to attack just yet.

[Dwarmin]

Erin shakes her head lightly, her blonde hair shifting.

"The Glassware? Thank you, sir.. I made them myself. I'm sort of an artist, in my spare time. I made the cabinet as well. Always enjoyed making things with my own hands. It was my only reprieve from my former husbands...controlling nature. Sorry, if I speak ill of the dead."

She rises. Juan notices the barest limp she carries is a bit more noticeable. Childhood accident indeed...

"Becca's not awake...could we leave it at this for now? I'd prefer to tell her tomorrow on my own terms. Gods know I'll have enough trouble sleeping myself."

[Iituem]

"Of course ma'am.  It's been a pleasure."

Juan reaches out with his non sword-hand for a handshake, holding the scabbard loosely in the other.

Juan holds out his hand and smiles.  If she moves to handshake, start the shake so he has control of her hand and then smack her around the temple sharply with the scabbard.  If not, make the attack anyway.  If he cannot knock her out in one blow, he drops the scabbard and attempts to strangle her to unconsciousness to avoid her screaming out.  If he fails at that, kick her in the weak leg and break her windpipe as quickly as possible.

Provided Juan can get Erin unconscious without raising an alarm, he ties her up and gags her with a tablecloth or similar.  If not, or if he has to kill her, he draws his bootknife and stands by the non-hinge side of the dining room door, lying in wait for Becca.

[Dwarmin]

[2]

Erin maybe senses something, a tenseness building within Juan. She doesn't move toward him. But he moves toward her...

Juan vs Erin A.

2+1 vs 2-1

Juan: 3/3
Erin: 1/2

He draws the scabbard in one swift motion, but it isn't a square hit-it knocks a bloody furrow in Erins scalp, sending her down but not out.

Juan vs Erin A.

6+1 vs 4

Juan: 3/3
Erin: 0/2

He's on top of her as quick as possible-maybe he's just reacting on instinct, or maybe he just doesn't want her to suffer any longer than she has to...his hands find her throat. The look in her blue eyes is pure terror, like she's had to live through this before. She struggles desperately, trying to hit Juan, push him off, but to no avail.

Juan can't look her in the eye while he does the task, but he can tell her struggles are getting weaker.

Eventually Erin Antalagilas flailing stills. She's unconscious. In a few moments she's securely bound and gagged with a strong silk tablecloth.

Now for the other one...

[Shootandrun]

Kathos smiled when Nikephoros entered the room.

"I've got some good news, Nikephoros. Slavery isn't important to the Kingdom's industry. While some people will protest if we make it illegal, I believe that we could free the slaves of Ligoria without causing an uprising or damaging our economy. There is still some work to be done, but eventually we'll be able to create some laws against slavery."

"However, we still have the problem of money. We need to find a way to make some, and quickly. I was thinking about creating some trade agreements with potential allies, and perhaps expanding our Kingdom's borders. However, we have a little problem; the lands surrounding Ligoria all belong to nobles. They could easily make any expansion impossible. I wanted to know what were your thoughts on this... After all, you are the responsible of the Army."

[Ardas]

"Well, my idea is simple. We take the land, we force the nobles to swear loyalty to the republic and pay taxes or we take everything ad we cut their heads off. Hardly a noble thing to do, but I am not a nobleman yet. Quite an advantafge when dealing with blue blood. But the essence of the issue is the same as it was when William was dealing with them. They don't want to be a part of Ligoria since they will draw no benefit. This time round we will do so at sword point, but we are earning ourselves a bunch of displeased landowners, who will try to do everything to get power in the Noble Assembly."

But it depends also what will our image outside be. We can be seen to be simply reining in unruly nobles and returing Ligoria to its proper borders, or we can be bloody  republican radicals who kill everyone and steal their land. I am happy to do either. Its up to you to deal with the landowners once I herd them to the capital."

[Shootandrun]

"Hmm... We must make sure that our image is not too damaged by any borders actions. Alot of nations will be looking at us and evaluating us in the following months, trying to see if we could be a threat. We'll need a good political excuse to take the lands of these nobles... And we have one. Some of the nobles near our borders were offended by some of William's actions. They promised to take actions against Ligoria... Which they never did. I suppose that when we started raising more troops to deal with the Dragon Empire, they lost their courage. We could take their lands and justify our actions by saying that they were planning to raid our borders."

"As I said, our image must remain clean. If we do send an army to the borders, we'll have to offer them reasonable terms before we make any military move against their forces. That will give them time to react, which means that we'll need more than one or two regiments to claim their lands. And with the civilian unrest, a good part of the army must remain in the city at all time..."

[Ardas]

"Listen, we got Hugo on our side. Civil unrest in the city can be managed. 1 or 2 regiments staying home is enough. The remaining 4-5 will come with me and we will bring these people under our heel. I will have them dragged to capital and they will swear the alliegiance to the republic in front of the council and will be taxed. I doubt that there will be any suicidal people among them. Dop not worry, I will attempt to talk to them. Even if they manage to organize 1 or 2 regiments between themselves, they will be overpowered and outmanned.

As soon as the first leaves start to fall, I leave for border. I should not take me more thant 2 weeks. After all, how long one goes to get there? 1 - 2 days by horse?".

[Shootandrun]

"I've travelled to the borders alone, once. Took me two weeks... But that was in autumn, with storms and bad weather working against me. A horseman could make the trip in one week if he was quick, and an army could do that in half a month. If you were to leave soon with your army, you could probably return to Ligoria on the verge of autumn."